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The Guardian World1 min read
Taiwan drills with U.S. rocket system, firing in China's direction
TL;DR
Taiwan conducted a military drill firing rockets from U.S. HIMARS systems towards China, showcasing its defense capabilities. This exercise marked the first time rockets were launched into the Taiwan Strait.
Key points
- Taiwan fired rockets from U.S. HIMARS systems
- Exercise demonstrated defense capabilities against China
- First time rockets were launched into the Taiwan Strait
Mentioned in this story
TaiwanChina
HIMARS
A rocket is launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a military live-fire shooting training in Taichung City, Taiwan, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Chiang Ying-ying/AP
Chiang Ying-ying/AP
TAICHUNG, Taiwan — Taiwan's military fired rockets in China's direction from "shoot-and-scoot" mobile launchers on Wednesday in a demonstration of how it might try to repel a Chinese attack.
While the U.S.-supplied system known as HIMARS has been tested before, the latest live-fire exercise was the first time its rockets were fired into the waters of the narrow Taiwan Strait that separates the self-governing island from China.
"Due to the current enemy threat, we will continue HIMARS training with unwavering determination to protect Taiwan as the nation's strongest force," army Sgt. Wang Ming-hui said.
The military said it used reduced-range practice rockets that don't fly very far from the coast before falling into the water.
China views Taiwan as a renegade province and says it must come under its control at some point in the future. It sends warships and planes into the skies and waters near the island almost every day and has held major military exercises in its vicinity in recent years. The United States does not recognize Taiwan as a country, but it opposes any change to its status by force and is its main supplier of weaponry for its defense.
The HIMARS, which stands for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, is part of a U.S.-encouraged shift in strategy, toward an asymmetric approach designed to keep China at bay rather than trying to go head-to-head with big-ticket weapons purchases. The truck-mounted pod of rockets can be driven out from a hidden position to fire its missiles, then quickly taken to a new hiding place in what are called shoot-and-scoot tactics.
They were fired on the second day of exercises on Taiwan's west coast, which faces China. The drills, which also included 155 mm howitzers, simulated a response to a Chinese invasion and were designed to test rapid deployment and precision-strike capabilities.
Q&A
What was the purpose of Taiwan's military drill with HIMARS?
The drill aimed to demonstrate Taiwan's ability to repel a potential Chinese attack using mobile rocket launchers.
When did Taiwan fire rockets into the Taiwan Strait?
Taiwan fired rockets into the Taiwan Strait during a live-fire exercise on June 10, 2026.
What is the significance of the HIMARS system in Taiwan's defense?
The HIMARS system enhances Taiwan's military capabilities, allowing for rapid and mobile responses to threats from China.
