In a new report from Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense, it was confirmed that the Taiwanese Armed Forces will receive their second batch of new M142 HIMARS high-mobility artillery systems in 2026, one year earlier than originally planned. According to the initial schedule, deliveries of this batch were expected to begin in 2027. However, local authorities presented a new report to the Legislative Yuan detailing progress in the acquisition of military equipment from the United States, reaffirming that the remaining 18 units are expected to arrive next year, complementing those received in 2024.
This second batch is part of an original purchase of eleven (11) units under the “Honglei Project.” To further strengthen its fire support and long-range strike capabilities, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense decided to expand the acquisition by adding 18 more units instead of opting for new M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. This expansion brought the total order to 29 high-mobility artillery systems, representing an investment of approximately USD 1.01 billion.
Initially, the first 11 HIMARS were confirmed for delivery between 2024 and 2025. The accelerated timeline is a result of the U.S. government’s decision to increase the production of HIMARS, as well as GMLRS munitions and variants, to meet growing demand for the artillery system, both domestically and internationally, with firm orders from various European and Asian allies.
Regarding the additional 18 systems, originally scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028, it was confirmed in November 2024 that their delivery was moved up to 2026. This second batch is considered crucial for enhancing Taiwan’s rapid response capability and securing its outlying islands, particularly in the context of potential amphibious invasion scenarios by China—an ongoing threat amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The M142 HIMARS represents a significant improvement in Taiwan’s mobile artillery capabilities due to its versatility and long-range precision firepower. Each unit can launch a variety of munitions, including GPS-guided rockets and long-range missiles, providing the Taiwanese Armed Forces with a highly mobile, effective, and combat-proven resource. This high-mobility artillery system enables rapid redeployment across different geographical points on the island and surrounding areas, which is essential for Taiwan’s defensive strategy in the event of military escalation in the region.
Finally, once the remaining HIMARS units are delivered in 2026, Taiwan’s Armed Forces are considering resuming their plans to acquire new Paladin self-propelled howitzers. While this was initially proposed in 2023, local media reported in mid-December 2024 that, under a restructuring and modernization program for Taiwan’s army artillery systems—known as the “Ruiting Project”—authorities were evaluating the option of acquiring new M109A7 Paladin howitzers.
Currently, Taiwan’s artillery combat vehicle fleet consists of M109A2 and M109A5 self-propelled howitzers acquired from the United States, which have been in service for 30 years. The selection of the latest version of the U.S.-made artillery system, alongside the newly acquired HIMARS, aims to strengthen Taiwan’s Defensive Strategy, which prioritizes asymmetric warfare capabilities.
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