Taiwan’s recent launch of High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars) rockets toward the Taiwan Strait marks a notable development in the island’s evolving defence strategy, which increasingly emphasises mobile precision strike capabilities to counter a potential mainland invasion. The exercise, conducted on June 10, was the first time Taiwan fired Himars rockets in the direction of mainland China. Beijing has not issued an official response to the launches.

During the drill, Taiwanese forces deployed launcher units on both sides of the Dajia River estuary near Taichung, situated along the island’s western coast facing China. The exercise simulated an enemy advancement into northern Taiwan, with launchers positioned in central Taiwan providing rapid reinforcement and precision strikes. Military officials reported that four out of 36 rockets failed to launch during the exercise.

The Taiwanese military highlighted the system’s ability to quickly “shoot and scoot,” meaning launchers can be rapidly deployed, fire multiple rockets, and relocate before enemy forces can retaliate. This tactic is seen as integral to how Taiwan intends to employ the Himars system in the event of conflict.

Experts interpret the exercise as part of Taiwan’s broader shift toward an asymmetric defence approach that prioritises mobility, survivability, and precision firepower rather than attempting to directly match the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) capabilities. Lu De-yun, former press secretary at Taiwan’s defence ministry, said trailer-mounted Himars launchers can fix on a target and fire a full complement of six missiles in under three minutes and leave the firing position within a minute. Lu cited the system’s proven effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict as evidence of its tactical value.

Taiwan’s western coastline, particularly areas near Taichung, is considered the most probable site for a possible PLA amphibious assault, given its suitable beaches and port facilities for landing heavy equipment. The recent drill underscored Himars’ role in disrupting such an operation before the PLA could establish a foothold on the island.

The exercise also included Taiwan’s domestically produced Thunderbolt-2000 multiple-launch rocket systems, drones, and conventional artillery, signalling a move toward a layered defence system combining various weapon platforms. Lin Ying-yu, a strategic studies professor at Tamkang University, described Taiwan’s aim to develop an integrated denial capability across long, medium, and short-range firepower.

Depending on operational needs, Himars could be employed as an early deterrent or held as a critical strategic asset, Lin said, offering the capacity to swiftly target PLA forces as they concentrate or prepare for attack.

Deployed from central Taiwan, the Himars units have the range to strike targets throughout much of the island while avoiding exposure to enemy surveillance and counterattack. The launchers can fire Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles with a range exceeding 70 kilometers or the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), capable of reaching targets up to 300 kilometers away.

Analysts noted that armed with ATACMS, Himars could hit PLA forces crossing the Taiwan Strait, disrupt amphibious landing attempts, and target follow-on reinforcement units. It could also threaten key infrastructure on the mainland, including ports, airfields, logistics hubs, and missile sites.

Taiwan’s previous launches of Himars rockets away from the mainland have attracted Beijing’s attention. In December, Chinese state media broadcast footage of PLA drills near Taiwan that incorporated simulated long-range strikes targeting Himars launchers, underscoring the system’s strategic significance in cross-strait tensions.