Taiwan launches first missiles from HIMARS after receiving systems from the United States
The artillery of the Republic of China conducted the first missile launches from the M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.
Here's What We Know
The video of the test was published by the local Military News Agency. These launches were the first since Taiwan received its first launchers in late 2024. At the moment, it is not known which unit of the Armed Forces is in service with these systems. Given the limited number of HIMARS, it is likely that they are concentrated within one single unit.
國軍重火力登場！
- 軍聞社 Military News Agency, ROC(Taiwan)?? (@mna_roc) 12 May 2025
海馬士火箭彈首度震撼開火?
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#軍聞社 #國軍 #海馬士火箭彈 #陸軍 #58砲 pic.twitter.com/xm08aSkNd5
Back in March 2020, the Republic of China requested the United States to purchase 15 HIMARS launchers. In October of the same year, the US Department of State approved the potential sale of 11 launchers to Taiwan along with related equipment.
And in June 2021, Taiwan signed a contract with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for the supply of this number of launchers and missiles, including 64 M57 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles and additional weapons and equipment.
The first M142 HIMARS missile systems in Taiwan. Illustration: Imgur
In 2022, Taiwan received 18 more HIMARS systems from the United States, along with supporting equipment. This decision was made after the cancellation of the previous plan to purchase 40 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. In short, in November 2024, the country received the first HIMARS systems.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence noted that additional HIMARS envisaged under the project were to be delivered by 2027. However, given the urgent defence needs, the United States decided to accelerate the delivery schedule.
Source: X
