Taiwan Conducts Live-Fire Tests of HIMARS
Taiwan’s military recently revealed plans to carry out live-fire exercises using its new High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), aimed at simulating a precision counterattack against potential Chinese invasions.
This marks the first deployment of the Lockheed Martin rocket from the western coast of Taiwan, specifically launching from the mouth of the Dajia River near Taichung, which is notable.
“Our HIMARS successfully completed this training, demonstrating the unit’s solid combat capabilities,” commented company commander Ko Min-ping.
The western coastline of Taiwan consists mainly of shallow beaches and tidal flats that face China across the Taiwan Strait. Military experts suggest these areas could be prime targets for Chinese amphibious assaults if a full-scale invasion occurs.
The exercise’s focus was on the HIMARS’ “shoot-and-scoot” tactic, which emphasizes immediate withdrawal post-fire to evade enemy radar detection. The military notes that this strategy significantly enhances battlefield survivability.
Until now, Taiwan’s live-fire tests for the HIMARS had been restricted to the southeast coast, where rockets were safely fired toward the Pacific Ocean. HIMARS is regarded as a crucial military asset, capable of launching missiles up to 190 miles before swiftly relocating to avoid counterattacks.
During the recent trial, thirty-two rockets were tested using short-range training rounds that travel a maximum of about nine miles. However, the regular missiles possess long-range capabilities that could reach deep into mainland China.
Interestingly, the Chinese government still maintains its stance on the use of force to assert control over Taiwan, frequently deploying military aircraft and naval vessels in the area.
In a bid to modernize its military for asymmetric warfare, Taiwan aims to become a defensive “porcupine”. This strategy involves acquiring mobile and hard-hitting weapons like HIMARS, making it more challenging and costly for potential attackers to succeed.
“This sends a very strong simultaneous signal to Beijing about Taiwan’s resolve and potential progress in strengthening its offensive capabilities against China,” remarked William Yang, a senior analyst for Northeast Asia at Crisis Group.
