The Taiwan military conducted its first live fire exercise using the U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) aimed at the Taiwan Strait facing mainland China. This training underscores Taiwan's commitment to self-defense amid concerns over a potential Chinese invasion and delays in U.S. arms support.
According to the Wall Street Journal, on June 9, the Taiwan military launched 32 test rockets from truck-mounted HIMARS on the western coast of Taiwan. The launch site is near a harbor identified as a potential landing zone for Chinese forces in the event of an invasion.
This live fire exercise was a key component of a two-day Taiwan military drill focused on coastal defense. It marked the first time Taiwan has conducted live fire exercises with HIMARS in a direction toward China, as previous drills were primarily held at long-range test sites in southeastern Taiwan facing the Pacific.
During the exercise, Taiwan fired guided test munitions at targets within six miles, approximately 9.7 kilometers. The missiles in Taiwan's HIMARS arsenal are capable of reaching mainland China.
HIMARS is a critical component of Taiwan's asymmetric defense strategy. In the event of a Chinese amphibious assault, it could be used to strike naval forces and landing troops from a distance.
This training comes as U.S. arms support to Taiwan is delayed. The Wall Street Journal reports that a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan is currently on hold. President Donald Trump has postponed approval of the package, citing considerations regarding relations with China, and suggested last month that it could be used as leverage in negotiations with Beijing.
In December of last year, Taiwan received approval from the Trump administration to purchase an additional 82 HIMARS and related equipment, valued at approximately $4 billion. This package includes 420 ATACMS tactical missiles capable of reaching China's southeastern coast.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force. The Chinese government has not yet issued a response to the recent military exercise.
The Taiwan military aims to make its training more realistic, conducting live fire exercises in areas where a Chinese landing is anticipated, reflecting the need for training in actual defense zones.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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