Taiwan showcased its HIMARS rocket systems for the first time on Friday during its annual Han Kuang military exercise, in a highly symbolic show of force at a time of rising tensions with China. Deployed in Taichung, in the center of the island, these American high-mobility rocket launchers are one of the most sophisticated pieces of equipment in Taiwan's defense system.
The HIMARS system, widely used by Ukraine against Russian forces, is capable of firing guided missiles with a range of approximately 300 kilometers. This would potentially make it possible to target port facilities on the Chinese coast in the event of a conflict. The Taiwanese military considers this equipment crucial to its deterrence strategy against a possible invasion by China, which considers Taiwan a rogue province destined to return to its control.
According to Taiwanese military officials, deploying these long-range strike systems will require elaborate camouflage strategies to ensure their survival in warfare. "The key is not so much their firepower, but how we conceal and maneuver them on the ground," a Taiwanese officer said during the exercise.
China, which has never ruled out the use of force to seize control of the island, considers any buildup of Taiwan's military capabilities—especially with American support—a provocation. Beijing has repeatedly denounced US arms sales to Taiwan as interference in its internal affairs.
Taiwan, for its part, claims that these annual exercises, which take place across the country, aim to test the military's ability to respond to a large-scale attack. This year, the focus is on coordination between land, air, and naval forces, as well as the protection of strategic infrastructure.
The highly publicized deployment of the HIMARS comes amid increasingly tense regional tensions, as Chinese military maneuvers around the island intensify. For Taiwan, these demonstrations are intended to send a clear message: the island is ready to defend itself, with the support of its Western allies.
