Taiwan unleashes American-supplied HIMARS as China trembles

Taiwan has used the U.S.-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for the first time in live-fire military exercises, amid growing concerns over potential Chinese aggression.

With Beijing openly asserting its ambitions to bring the self-governed island under its control, the Taiwanese government continues to conduct large-scale military drills to prepare for any possible invasion attempt.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stated that the use of force to “reunify” Taiwan—viewed by Beijing as an integral part of its territory—remains on the table.

Although China and Taiwan have maintained unofficial diplomatic relations since 1979, the United States continues to provide Taiwan with “defensive weapons” under the Taiwan Relations Act.

On Monday, Taiwan’s military launched HIMARS rockets from the Jiupeng base in the island’s south. According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, 11 HIMARS participated in the drills, each firing three rockets. Taiwan has ordered 29 HIMARS from the United States, with the first 11 delivered last year.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated: “[Taiwan] will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense. Acquisition of HIMARS will contribute to [Taiwan's] goal of updating its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies.”

(QG - Source: Newsweek — Picture : © Unsplash)