The relationship between Taiwan and China remains one of the most complex and tense in modern geopolitics.
While Taiwan views itself as a sovereign nation, China considers the island a breakaway province, vowing to reunify it with the mainland, by force if necessary.
This dynamic has fueled decades of military and diplomatic friction, with both sides building up their defenses amid fears of a potential conflict.
Possesses 11 HIMARS
In this context, Taiwan has unveiled new military capabilities aimed at bolstering its defenses and deterring potential aggression from Beijing.
On January 6, Wang Ting-yu, chairman of Taiwan’s National Defense Committee, revealed the country’s newly acquired M142 HIMARS rocket systems during a visit to a central military base.
The display marked the first public appearance of these long-range precision weapons, which arrived at the end of 2024 under a 2020 agreement with the United States, according to WP.
Praising the highly trained military personnel operating the systems, Wang highlighted their morale and readiness to utilize the new technology.
Taiwan currently possesses 11 HIMARS units and plans to receive an additional 18, along with MGM-140 ATACMS ballistic missiles, in future deliveries.
The HIMARS system is a highly mobile, truck-mounted launcher designed for versatility and precision.
It can deploy six GMLRS rockets with a range of 80 kilometers or a single ATACMS missile capable of striking targets up to 300 kilometers away.
These capabilities allow Taiwan to potentially target strategic assets on the Chinese mainland.
Taiwan’s upgraded arsenal is part of its broader strategy to counter China’s military buildup.
Variants of the ATACMS missile, such as the M39A3 with advanced anti-armor technology, are specifically designed to disrupt enemy formations and fortifications.
Beijing has responded critically to Taiwan’s military enhancements, viewing them as a challenge to its authority.
However, Taiwan asserts that these measures are defensive, aimed at maintaining its sovereignty and ensuring its security.
