GOTEMBA, Japan — In a live-fire demonstration in late May, U.S. Marines showcased the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during exercises at Camp Fuji, near Mount Fuji’s eastern foothills. The event featured multiple rocket salvos launched from mobile platforms designed for rapid deployment and quick repositioning, highlighting U.S. efforts to strengthen deterrence in the Pacific amid increasing concerns over potential Chinese military aggression toward Taiwan.
The demonstration involved two HIMARS vehicles firing a total of 12 rockets in quick succession before relocating to concealed positions. Japanese military personnel observed the exercise, and safety measures included temporary road closures to mitigate any risks should a projectile fall short. The rockets used were inert, concrete-filled tubes, ensuring safety without compromising the realism of the drill.
HIMARS, a truck-mounted rocket launcher system, is valued for its mobility and precision-guided firepower. Its ability to “shoot-and-scoot” — quickly firing missiles and then moving out of sight — offers a tactical advantage against modern adversaries that employ drones and satellites to locate and target artillery positions. Marines involved in the exercise reported that the system can be redeployed within two to four minutes, depending on the crew.
The U.S. Department of Defense has emphasized that its strategy in the Indo-Pacific prioritizes preventing domination by any single country by enhancing deterrence “through strength, not confrontation.” This shift involves adapting to China’s rapid military modernization, moving away from traditional aircraft carrier-led strategies toward smaller, more agile units like HIMARS.
Analysts point to conflicts in other regions, including the U.S. experience in Iran and the use of HIMARS by Ukraine against Russia, to illustrate the system’s increasing significance. Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Anness, commander of the 3rd Battalion involved in the exercise, noted that HIMARS offers advantages over traditional artillery by combining precision strikes with increased survivability and concealment.
The HIMARS arsenal includes a variety of missiles, from shorter-range munitions initially supplied to Ukraine to longer-range weaponry such as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), capable of striking targets up to approximately 180 miles away. Additionally, the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), with a range exceeding 310 miles, was reported to have been used effectively in early 2024 during U.S. operations against Iranian naval targets.
When deployed strategically across the Pacific, HIMARS and related systems like the Army’s Typhon launcher—which fires longer-range missiles but is less mobile—could cover critical areas such as the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait. These waterways are considered key to any potential Chinese invasion or blockade efforts targeting Taiwan.
Experts underline that in a conflict scenario, many U.S. assets would remain vulnerable within China’s missile range, leaving submarines and highly mobile units like HIMARS as primary survivable forces. The recent exercises at Camp Fuji serve both to enhance U.S. forces’ readiness and to reinforce military cooperation with Japan, reinforcing a shared commitment to regional stability.