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Hayley Wong

Taiwan tested its new high-precision Himars rocket systems for the first time on Monday, a major step in its efforts to reinforce its asymmetric defences against the People’s Liberation Army.
A total of 33 rockets were fired from 11 US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) at Jiupeng military base in the island’s southern county of Pingtung, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
The truck-mounted systems – manufactured by Lockheed Martin – are equipped with six multiple launch rockets that have a maximum range of 70km (43½ miles). Each Himars can also carry a single Army Tactical Missile System with a range of up to 300km.
Himars has been used by Ukraine against Russian high-value targets, and would be expected to play a crucial role in a conflict with mainland China, which is about 180km from Taiwan’s main island.

The Himars test was part of the Taiwanese army’s annual precision-strike missile drills, where its domestically developed Thunderbolt-2000 rocket launchers were used to counter mock coastal landing strikes, its defence ministry said.
Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung attended the exercise, along with representatives of the manufacturer, who were on hand to help with technical issues.
The same day, the PLA sent 31 aircraft and seven vessels near the island, with 30 aircraft – including fighters, bombers, drones – patrolling in the island’s southwest, the ministry said.


Beijing views the self-ruled island as part of its territory to be unified, and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of it.
While Washington, like most countries, does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, it has been the island’s largest arms supplier and is opposed to changes to the status quo.
The systems tested on Monday are the first Himars shipment that Taipei ordered from the US in 2020 and received last year. Taipei ordered 18 more in 2021, with delivery expected early next year.
The second Himars order – which also includes 84 tactical missiles and 864 precision rockets – cost about US$1.07 billion and is meant to increase the island’s ability to mount long-range precision strikes.
Taiwan has stepped up arms imports from the United States as the PLA has increased military pressure in the Taiwan Strait. The island is also planning to increase its defence budget to a record high of roughly 3 per cent this year.
Washington has exported various advanced systems to the island in the past decade, especially since the start of the Ukraine war.


In separate deals last year, the US approved the sale of three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and spare parts for F-16 fighters.
US President Donald Trump has pressured Taiwan to boost its arms purchases and defence spending, moves that Beijing has repeatedly opposed.


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Taiwan

Taiwan tests its new US-made Himars rocket systems for the first time

Taiwanese forces put the new Himars systems through their paces in Pingtung on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Rocket practice rounds are launched during a testing drill in Pingtung county in southern Taiwan on Monday. Beijing regards the self-governed island as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Photo: AP

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A US marine checks the Avenger air defence system at a training camp in San Antonio, northern Philippines, on Sunday. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

US marines are seen aboard the Marine air defence integrated system before a live-fire exercise at a training camp in San Antonio, northern Philippines, on Sunday. Photo: Jeoffrey Maitem

News

China

Military

The launchers are expected to play a big role in any cross-strait conflict – and more have been ordered


The launchers are expected to play a big role in any cross-strait conflict – and more have been ordered.


Defence

United States

Donald Trump

Lockheed Martin

Taiwan tests its new US-made Himars rocket systems for the first time

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The launchers are expected to play a big role in any cross-strait conflict – and more have been ordered

The launchers are expected to play a big role in any cross-strait conflict – and more have been ordered