IRIA News

6 minute read

Taiwan’s armed forces have deployed one of their most advanced long-range weapons, the U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket system, during the island’s largest and most comprehensive Han Kuang military exercises to date.

The fourth day of the ten-day drill saw two armored trucks carrying HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) maneuvering through the streets of Taichung, a city on Taiwan’s central western coast. This is the first time that the Taiwanese military has showcased high-profile movements of the system since receiving the first batch of HIMARS in 2024.

The deployment comes at a time of heightened tensions between Taiwan and China. Beijing continues to assert its claim over the self-ruled island and has stepped up both rhetorical threats and military maneuvers in recent years. Taiwan, meanwhile, has been actively enhancing its defense preparedness with the support of the United States and other partners.

According to a Taiwanese military officer involved in the drills, the operational use of HIMARS includes strategic concealment from Chinese aerial reconnaissance, satellites, and even potential infiltrators.

“In a wartime scenario, it would be vital to conceal HIMARS from enemy aerial reconnaissance, satellites, or even enemy operatives behind our lines until the order to fire was given,” the officer stated.

🇹🇼 The annually largest military drill of "Han Kuang 41 Exercise" to be conducted from July 9-18. 👊💪 pic.twitter.com/QXDyLhx2eY

— Taiwan Military (@TaiwanMilitary) June 26, 2025

Han Kuang drills

Taiwan’s military emphasized that the ongoing Han Kuang exercises are not just symbolic but are designed to simulate real combat conditions. The drills begin with simulated enemy attacks targeting communication and command systems, eventually escalating into full-scale invasion scenarios.

One of the most striking elements of this year’s exercise is the increased use of advanced artillery systems. Alongside HIMARS, Taiwan’s indigenously developed Thunderbolt 2000 multiple-launch rocket systems were also spotted near the same area in Taichung, positioned strategically in open parks.

Military analysts believe the combination of HIMARS and Thunderbolt systems would be a critical element in targeting Chinese forces either as they leave their ports or attempt amphibious landings along Taiwan’s coast.

With an effective strike range of approximately 300 kilometers, HIMARS units deployed on Taiwan’s western shore could target strategic installations in China’s Fujian province directly across the Taiwan Strait.

Senior Taiwanese defense officials underscored the importance of the Han Kuang drills as a signal to both domestic and international audiences. “The drills aim to show China and the international community, including Taiwan’s key weapons supplier, the U.S., that Taiwan is determined to defend itself against any Chinese attack or invasion,” said one official.

River blockades and urban warfare scenarios

Beyond long-range artillery, the Han Kuang exercises have also featured a wide range of battlefield simulations, including the use of explosive pontoons to blockade rivers outside of Taipei. These maneuvers are designed to slow down or block enemy advances through key terrain features in the event of an invasion.

Additional exercises next week are expected to include fire simulations and live-fire drills involving Taiwan’s air force and navy. The entire operation is intended to replicate the sequence of a Chinese full-scale assault, starting from electronic warfare and missile strikes to air and sea landings.

China dismisses the drills

China’s reaction to Taiwan’s high-profile exercises was dismissive but firm. Its defense ministry labeled the Han Kuang drills as “nothing but a bluff,” downplaying their military significance. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry reiterated its “consistent and very firm” opposition to any U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation.

Despite these denouncements, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported a fresh wave of Chinese military activity around the island, underscoring the ongoing threat. Overnight, Taiwan detected 14 Chinese air force sorties and nine naval vessels operating around its territory. Notably, nine aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial but historically respected buffer zone that separates the two sides.

"Whatever subjects they drill and whatever weapons they use, the PLA's resolute countermeasures against 'Taiwan Independence' would not be deterred, nor would the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China's national reunification be stopped," Senior Colonel Jiang Bin,… pic.twitter.com/eYMprPEvNF

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) July 8, 2025

The increasing frequency of such crossings reflects a broader pattern of Chinese escalation since 2020, including simulated blockades, amphibious drills, and near-daily incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has remained resolute, insisting that the island’s future is solely a matter for its 23 million people to decide. “Only Taiwan’s people can decide their future,” he has repeatedly said in the face of China’s sovereignty claims.

HIMARS: a game changer

The deployment of HIMARS is expected to garner international attention, particularly from regional security observers and Western defense establishments. The Lockheed Martin-built systems have proven highly effective in Ukraine’s defense against Russian forces, delivering high-precision strikes on critical enemy positions.

In addition to Taiwan and Ukraine, countries such as Australia have also placed orders for the system, underscoring its growing reputation as a key asset in modern asymmetric warfare.

Taiwan took delivery of 11 HIMARS systems in 2024, with an additional 18 scheduled for future delivery. The systems were tested domestically for the first time in May 2025, and their integration into full-scale combat drills suggests that the Taiwanese military is accelerating their operational deployment.

Regional military experts say that Taiwan’s use of HIMARS in unscripted, real-combat scenario drills will be watched closely not only by China but also by partners like the United States, Japan, and Australia, all of whom have expressed strong interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

US support for Taiwan

Taiwan’s growing reliance on American military equipment, training, and strategic support is part of a broader U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy to deter Chinese aggression and reassure allies in the region. Despite China’s vehement objections, arms sales and military exchanges between Washington and Taipei have only increased in recent years under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

As Taiwan continues to build its asymmetric defense capabilities with a focus on mobility, precision, and survivability, the current Han Kuang drills serve as a reminder that the island is actively preparing for the worst-case scenario.

The situation in the Taiwan Strait remains one of the most dangerous flashpoints in global geopolitics. With no sign of a diplomatic thaw between Beijing and Taipei, and continued military buildup on both sides, the risk of miscalculation remains high. Taiwan’s message during this year’s Han Kuang exercise is clear: it does not intend to be caught unprepared.