Taiwan has quietly received and deployed its first batch of 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), marking a significant enhancement to its defense capabilities.
The arrival of the first HIMARS launchers was confirmed during a classified visit by members of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee to inspect the systems.
The HIMARS systems, part of a U.S. arms deal comprising 29 units, were delivered in late 2023. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the delivery in November but kept operational details tightly secured. Vice Minister Po Hung-hui stated that the systems will strengthen Taiwan’s cross-regional support and preemptive strike capabilities.
Committee chair Wang Ting-yu shared images of the HIMARS during a confidential visit to a central Taiwan base on January 6. In a Facebook post, Wang praised the military personnel trained in the U.S., stating, “The troops are highly skilled in operating the HIMARS systems and demonstrate exceptional morale.”
🇹🇼陸軍海馬斯火箭彈首次公開 pic.twitter.com/EiWMyL8YZQ
— 新‧二七部隊 軍事雜談 (New 27 Brigade)🇹🇼🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@new27brigade) January 6, 2025
The HIMARS can carry six precision-guided rockets or a single MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range exceeding 500 kilometers, enabling Taiwan to strike distant targets and enhance its deterrence against potential aggressors.
The deployment of HIMARS comes amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait.