In a new step toward strengthening its deterrent capabilities, the Armed Forces of Taiwan have conducted their first launches with the HIMARS rocket systems recently acquired from the United States. The test was carried out at the Jiupeng test center and marked the operational debut of this platform. This activity also took place amid growing pressure from China, which had deployed new air and naval patrols near the island just a day earlier.
The launches took place at the Jiupeng Test Center, a military facility located on Taiwan’s eastern coast, where Army units trained by U.S. specialists carried out the first salvos with the HIMARS system. The activity, overseen by representatives from Lockheed Martin, not only confirmed the technical validation of the system, but also sent a clear message, according to analysts, about the deterrence capabilities Taiwan aims to consolidate in the face of a potential conflict scenario with China.
In addition to the HIMARS debut, the exercise included a series of live-fire tests and air maneuvers with various weapon systems. These featured the launch of Stinger missiles, tactical flights of Army helicopters, and the firing of rockets from the Thunderbolt-2000 multiple launch rocket system, according to local outlet Liberty Times. The Taiwanese Armed Forces reported that the exercise simulated a combat scenario, aiming to verify operational readiness and the integration of advanced weaponry under real-world conditions.
M142 HIMARS for Taiwan
The acquisition of the M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), developed by Lockheed Martin, is part of a Taiwanese artillery modernization program known as “Project Honglei,” carried out in cooperation with the United States. While the original package consisted of 11 units, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense opted to expand the operation by adding 18 additional units instead of acquiring new M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, in an effort to further bolster long-range fire support capabilities.
This expansion brought the total order to 29 high-mobility artillery systems, representing an investment of approximately USD 1.01 billion. After some delays, the first batch of 11 HIMARS units was delivered in 2024, with the remaining 18 expected to arrive before 2026, according to the local government.
The M142 HIMARS represent a significant improvement in Taiwan’s mobile artillery capabilities due to their versatility and precision long-range strike capacity. Each unit can launch a variety of munitions, including GPS-guided rockets and long-range missiles, providing Taiwan’s Armed Forces with a mobile, highly effective, and combat-proven asset. This type of high-mobility artillery allows for rapid redeployment across different geographic areas of the island and surrounding zones, which is essential to Taiwan’s defensive strategy in the event of a military escalation in the region.
Lastly, with an estimated range of up to 300 kilometers, the HIMARS are designed to conduct precision strikes on key targets, including infrastructure or troop concentrations. Analysts suggest that Taiwan could potentially reach southeastern coastal regions of China, reinforcing the system’s role as a crucial component of the island’s defense strategy.
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