Latest news with #HighMobilityArtilleryRocketSystems
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Taiwan holds first live-fire of U.S. high-tech rocket systems
Taiwan conducted Monday (May 13, 2025) its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan would be massively outgunned in any war with China and for decades has been buying U.S. military weapons and equipment as a deterrence against Beijing. The first batch of 11 HIMARS were delivered to Taiwan in November. The truck-mounted units can launch multiple precision-guided rockets at the same time, and has been used by Ukraine against Russia in their ongoing conflict. AFP journalists watched Monday as Taiwan's Army launched rockets from the HIMARS at the Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County. Colonel Ho Chih-chung told reporters that U.S. technical personnel were present during the live-fire and helped to resolve a "signal error" during the first round when the three launchers failed to fire simultaneously. "We believe this exercise provides an opportunity to enhance our troubleshooting capabilities, allowing us to better demonstrate realistic combat readiness in the event of war," Ho said. Washington severed official diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in favour of Beijing, but has remained Taiwan's most important backer and arms supplier. In the past five decades, the United States has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships, angering China.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Taiwan test fires for first time new US-supplied HIMARS rocket system
By Ann Wang and Annabelle Chih JIUPENG, Taiwan (Reuters) - Taiwan on Monday test-fired for the first time a new U.S.-supplied rocket system that has been widely used by Ukraine against Russia and could be deployed to hit targets in China if there is a war with Taiwan. The United States is Taiwan's most important arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, including several rounds of war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. Taiwan has bought 29 of Lockheed Martin's precision weapon High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, with the first batch of 11 received last year and the rest set to arrive by next year. With a range of about 300 km (186 miles), they could hit coastal targets in China's southern province of Fujian, on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in the event of conflict. The U.S.-trained Taiwan military team fired the rockets from the Jiupeng test centre on a remote part of the Pacific coast. Officer Ho Hsiang-yih told reporters U.S. personnel from the manufacturer were at the site to tackle any problems. "I believe that this rocket firing shows our people the military's determination to protect the country's security and safeguard our beautiful homeland," he added. HIMARS, one of Ukraine's main strike systems, has been used multiple times during the war with Russia. In March, Australia said it had received the first two of 42 HIMARS launcher vehicles. The test came a day after Taiwan said it had detected another "joint combat readiness patrol" by China's military near the island, involving warplanes and warships. Taiwan's democratically-elected government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.
TimesLIVE
12-05-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Taiwan test fires new US-supplied HIMARS rocket system for first time
Taiwan on Monday test-fired for the first time a new US-supplied rocket system that has been widely used by Ukraine against Russia and could be deployed to hit targets in China if there is a war with Taiwan. The US is Taiwan's most important arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, including several rounds of war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. Taiwan has bought 29 of Lockheed Martin's precision weapon High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, with the first batch of 11 received last year and the rest set to arrive by next year. With a range of about 300km, they could hit coastal targets in China's southern province of Fujian, on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in the event of conflict. The US-trained Taiwan military team fired the rockets from the Jiupeng test centre on a remote part of the Pacific coast.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Taiwan test fires for first time new US-supplied HIMARS rocket system
JIUPENG, Taiwan, May 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan on Monday test-fired for the first time a new U.S.-supplied rocket system that has been widely used by Ukraine against Russia and could be deployed to hit targets in China if there is a war with Taiwan. The United States is Taiwan's most important arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China, including several rounds of war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the island. Taiwan has bought 29 of Lockheed Martin's (LMT.N), opens new tab precision weapon High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, with the first batch of 11 received last year and the rest set to arrive by next year. With a range of about 300 km (186 miles), they could hit coastal targets in China's southern province of Fujian, on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in the event of conflict. The U.S.-trained Taiwan military team fired the rockets from the Jiupeng test centre on a remote part of the Pacific coast. Officer Ho Hsiang-yih told reporters U.S. personnel from the manufacturer were at the site to tackle any problems. "I believe that this rocket firing shows our people the military's determination to protect the country's security and safeguard our beautiful homeland," he added. HIMARS, one of Ukraine's main strike systems, has been used multiple times during the war with Russia. In March, Australia said it had received the first two of 42 HIMARS launcher vehicles. The test came a day after Taiwan said it had detected another "joint combat readiness patrol" by China's military near the island, involving warplanes and warships. Taiwan's democratically-elected government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Taiwan holds first live-firing of US high-tech rocket systems
Taiwan's military firing missiles from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems during a drill in Pingtung on May 12. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Taiwan holds first live-firing of US high-tech rocket systems Taiwan conducted on May 12 its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan would be massively outgunned in any war with China and for decades has been buying US military weapons and equipment as a deterrence against Beijing. The first batch of 11 Himars were delivered to Taiwan in November. The truck-mounted units can launch multiple precision-guided rockets at the same time, and have been used by Ukraine against Russia in their ongoing conflict. AFP journalists watched on May 12 as Taiwan's army launched rockets from the Himars at the Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County. Washington severed official diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in favour of Beijing, but has remained Taiwan's most important backer and arms supplier. In the past five decades, the United States has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships, angering China. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
