Taiwan conducted its first live-fire test of the U.S.-supplied HIMARS on Monday, May 12, at the Jiupeng base in southern Taiwan. The system, formally known as the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, has a range of approximately 200 miles and can strike targets across the Taiwan Strait in China’s Fujian Province if necessary. Taiwan has ordered 29 HIMARS launchers from Lockheed Martin, with 11 already delivered and the remaining units expected by 2026.
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With a range of 200 miles, HIMARS can, in the event of conflict, target coastal areas of China’s Fujian Province from Taiwan.
The test follows increased Chinese military pressure near the island, including frequent joint warplane and naval patrols, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.
Why are HIMARS systems significant in Asia?
HIMARS has been extensively used in Ukraine’s defense against Russia and is gaining broader traction among U.S. allies. Australia recently received the first two of its 42 ordered HIMARS units. The system is valued for its mobility, precision and ability to target adversary positions from a safe distance.
By acquiring HIMARS, Taiwan is aligning its defense posture more closely with U.S. doctrine and signaling its intent to deter or respond to potential aggression. The test coincided with another round of Chinese military drills near Taiwan, underscoring the island’s strategic vulnerability.
How close is the U.S. military presence in the region?
Just days before Taiwan’s HIMARS test, the U.S. Air Force staged a large-scale “elephant walk” at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, less than 400 miles from Taiwan. The exercise involved more than 50 aircraft, including F-35A and F-15E fighters, refueling tankers, drones, surveillance planes and Patriot missile systems. The demonstration showcased American readiness and deterrent capability in the Indo-Pacific.
Officials described the display as one of the most diverse aircraft formations in the region to date. Kadena is the nearest U.S. air base to Taiwan and is key to the Pentagon’s regional force posture.
What is China’s stance and how is Taiwan responding?
China continues to assert its claim over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has increased pressure through regular military exercises and incursions near Taiwanese airspace and waters.
Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects China’s sovereignty claims and asserts that only the island’s people can decide its future. The HIMARS deployment and other U.S. arms sales reflect Taiwan’s focus on deterrence and defensive modernization.
What happens next in the Indo-Pacific?
With tensions rising in the Taiwan Strait and South Asia, the Indo-Pacific remains a central focus of U.S. military strategy. The Pentagon has pledged to maintain a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” and analysts expect more joint exercises and forward deployments.
The U.S. military continues to prepare for potential conflict through advanced training and modernization. In May, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit wrapped up a major pre-deployment exercise in Okinawa ahead of its next assignment in the Indo-Pacific.
The training simulated a range of missions, from amphibious assaults to crisis response, and included the integration of new Amphibious Combat Vehicles designed for modern sea-land operations.
