Taiwan has recently shown off its new military muscle with a live-fire drill featuring the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This system, supplied by the United States, is designed to boost Taiwan's defense capabilities. The drill took place at Jiupeng Base in southern Pingtung County. This was the first time Taiwan has used the HIMARS in a live-fire exercise. The event featured 11 HIMARS launchers, each firing three rockets. Taiwan has ordered a total of 29 launchers from the U. S. , with the first batch delivered last year and more expected next year.

The HIMARS system is versatile, capable of firing either six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missile. The GMLRS rocket has a range of over 43 miles and carries a 200-pound warhead. The ATACMS missile can strike targets up to 186 miles away with a 500-pound warhead. This makes the HIMARS a powerful tool for Taiwan's defense strategy. The system has already proven its worth in Ukraine's conflict with Russia.

Taiwan's move to showcase the HIMARS comes at a time when tensions with China are high. China views Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert its claim. The U. S. has maintained an unofficial relationship with Taiwan since establishing diplomatic ties with China in 1979. The U. S. has also been a major supplier of defensive weapons to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. This act allows the U. S. to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, making it a key player in the region's security dynamics. The U. S. has suggested that Taiwan increase its defense spending to further deter potential threats from China.

The live-fire drill was not just a show of force but also a demonstration of Taiwan's ability to rapidly deploy and strike with next-generation capabilities. The U. S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency highlighted that the HIMARS will serve as a deterrent to regional threats and strengthen Taiwan's homeland defense. It also noted that acquiring the HIMARS will help Taiwan update its military capabilities and enhance interoperability with the U. S. and other allies. The Chinese Defense Ministry, however, urged the U. S. to stop arming Taiwan, stating that the weapons would be easy targets on the battlefield.

The HIMARS system's deployment in Taiwan is a strategic move that could have significant implications for the region. If a conflict were to arise, the HIMARS could be used to target Fujian, a Chinese province facing Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait. This strategic waterway is a critical point of contention between the two sides. The live-fire drill was also an opportunity for Taiwan to receive technical assistance from Lockheed Martin, the U. S. defense contractor that manufactures the HIMARS. This collaboration underscores the importance of U. S. support in Taiwan's defense efforts.

Taiwan Fires Up New US Weapons Amid China Tensions

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