Taiwan test fires US rocket system for the first time toward Chinese mainland

Taiwan’s military fired its US-made HIMARS rocket system for the first time on the west coast in central Taiwan’s Taichung on Wednesday. The exercise simulated an attack on an invading Chinese force.

The drill demonstrated the system’s mobility and “shoot-and-scoot” ability, withdrawing after firing to avoid enemy radar and improve battlefield survivability.

With a range of about 190 miles, HIMARS could strike coastal targets in China’s southeastern Fujian province across the Taiwan Strait.

The west coast beaches and mud flats directly facing China are seen as the most likely location for a Chinese invasion landing.

Taiwan conducted the live-fire test with the Lockheed Martin-made system. Company commander Ko Ming-pin said the unit demonstrated solid combat capabilities and successfully completed the training.

The weapon would be used with Taiwan’s domestically developed Thunderbolt-2000 launchers to target Chinese forces leaving port or attempting to land on Taiwan’s coast. Thunderbolts were fired on Tuesday, the first day of the drill.

Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.