TAICHUNG – In a bold display of military readiness, Taiwan’s armed forces launched rockets toward China on Wednesday, employing “shoot-and-scoot” mobile launchers as part of a strategy to deter potential aggression.
This exercise marked a significant milestone as it involved the first-ever firing of rockets into the waters of the Taiwan Strait using the U.S.-supplied HIMARS system, despite the system having been tested previously.
Army Sergeant Wang Ming-hui emphasized the importance of these exercises, stating, “Given the current threat from our adversary, we are committed to rigorous HIMARS training to safeguard Taiwan, leveraging the nation’s most formidable defense capabilities.”
The military clarified that they utilized reduced-range training rockets, ensuring they landed safely in the waters just off the coast.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists it will eventually reclaim control. It routinely conducts military operations, including ship and aircraft deployments, near the island. Although the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent nation, it opposes any forceful alterations to its status and remains Taiwan’s primary arms supplier for defensive purposes.
HIMARS, which stands for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, is a truck-mounted pod of rockets that can be driven out from a hidden position to fire its missiles, then quickly taken to a new hiding place in what are called “shoot-and-scoot” tactics.
They were fired on the second day of exercises on Taiwan’s west coast, which faces China. The drills, which also included 155mm howitzers, simulated a response to a Chinese invasion and were designed to test rapid deployment and precision-strike capabilities.
The HIMARS was the centerpiece of the drill. After receiving a firing order, the vehicle maneuvered into position and launched its rockets with bright flashes within three minutes, demonstrating its “shoot-and-scoot” mobility.
The U.S. announced plans in December to sell 82 more HIMARS to Taiwan as part of a major arms deal, but that package appears to have been put on hold after President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing last month.
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