(Adnkronos) – Taiwan has conducted its first live-fire test of the highly mobile Himars missile systems, purchased from the United States, as part of a military strengthening plan aimed at deterring a possible attack by China. The launch took place at the Jiupeng base, in the southern county of Pingtung, under the supervision of US personnel.
Beijing considers the island an integral part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to bring it back under its control. To cope with a potential conflict, in which it would be clearly disadvantaged militarily, Taipei has invested for decades in US armaments, including F-16 fighters and warships. The Himars – already used by Ukraine against Russia – can launch multiple guided rockets with high precision and represent a key resource in Taiwan’s defensive strategy.
Colonel Ho Chih-chung said that during the exercise there was a signal error that prevented the simultaneous launch of the three vehicles, resolved with the assistance of American technicians. “This test allows us to improve problem-solving skills and better simulate a realistic response in case of war,” he said.
