{"id":30186,"date":"2025-07-13T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T21:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=30186"},"modified":"2025-07-12T22:37:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T19:37:03","slug":"taiwan-military-deploys-us-supplied-himars-during-major-war-drills-amid-rising-tensions-with-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/taiwan-military-deploys-us-supplied-himars-during-major-war-drills-amid-rising-tensions-with-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Taiwan military deploys US-supplied HIMARS during major war drills amid rising tensions with China"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>6 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Taiwan\u2019s armed forces have deployed one of their most advanced long-range weapons, the U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket system, during the island&#8217;s largest and most comprehensive Han Kuang military exercises to date.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;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,&#8221; the officer stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfc The annually largest military drill of &quot;Han Kuang 41 Exercise&quot; to be conducted from July 9-18. \ud83d\udc4a\ud83d\udcaa <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QXDyLhx2eY\">pic.twitter.com\/QXDyLhx2eY<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Taiwan Military (@TaiwanMilitary) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TaiwanMilitary\/status\/1938242310044848468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 26, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><strong>Han Kuang drills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taiwan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most striking elements of this year\u2019s exercise is the increased use of advanced artillery systems. Alongside HIMARS, Taiwan\u2019s indigenously developed Thunderbolt 2000 multiple-launch rocket systems were also spotted near the same area in Taichung, positioned strategically in open parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With an effective strike range of approximately 300 kilometers, HIMARS units deployed on Taiwan\u2019s western shore could target strategic installations in China\u2019s Fujian province directly across the Taiwan Strait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Senior Taiwanese defense officials underscored the importance of the Han Kuang drills as a signal to both domestic and international audiences. \u201cThe drills aim to show China and the international community, including Taiwan&#8217;s key weapons supplier, the U.S., that Taiwan is determined to defend itself against any Chinese attack or invasion,\u201d said one official.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Taiwan ships\" class=\"wp-image-30187\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-ships-Han-Kuang-drills.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Taiwanese ships taking part in the biggest drills Han Kuang. (Image Credit: Ministry of National Defense ROC\/via X)<br><\/sup><\/em><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><br><strong>River blockades and urban warfare scenarios<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additional exercises next week are expected to include fire simulations and live-fire drills involving Taiwan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>China dismisses the drills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>China\u2019s reaction to Taiwan\u2019s high-profile exercises was dismissive but firm. Its defense ministry labeled the Han Kuang drills as \u201cnothing but a bluff,\u201d downplaying their military significance. Meanwhile, China\u2019s foreign ministry reiterated its \u201cconsistent and very firm\u201d opposition to any U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite these denouncements, Taiwan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;Whatever subjects they drill and whatever weapons they use, the PLA&#39;s resolute countermeasures against &#39;Taiwan Independence&#39; would not be deterred, nor would the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China&#39;s national reunification be stopped,&quot; Senior Colonel Jiang Bin,\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eYMprPEvNF\">pic.twitter.com\/eYMprPEvNF<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Global Times (@globaltimesnews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/globaltimesnews\/status\/1942504317979680979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 8, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><br>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\u2019s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taiwan\u2019s President Lai Ching-te has remained resolute, insisting that the island\u2019s future is solely a matter for its 23 million people to decide. \u201cOnly Taiwan\u2019s people can decide their future,\u201d he has repeatedly said in the face of China\u2019s sovereignty claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>HIMARS: a game changer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s defense against Russian forces, delivering high-precision strikes on critical enemy positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/HIMARS-live-fire-test.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/HIMARS-live-fire-test.jpg?resize=690%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Taiwan conducts first live-fire drills of U.S.-supplied HIMARS\" class=\"wp-image-29212\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/HIMARS-live-fire-test.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/HIMARS-live-fire-test.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Taiwan conducts first live-fire drills of U.S.-supplied HIMARS during an exercise, on May 12, 2025. (Image Credit: X\/@YDN_NEWS)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Regional military experts say that Taiwan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>US support for Taiwan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taiwan&#8217;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&#8217;s vehement objections, arms sales and military exchanges between Washington and Taipei have only increased in recent years under both Democratic and Republican administrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s message during this year\u2019s Han Kuang exercise is clear: it does not intend to be caught unprepared.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?resize=1016%2C678&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Taiwan soldier HIMARS system\" class=\"wp-image-30188\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-Han-Kuang-exercise-HIMARS.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is on display at a park during Taiwan&#8217;s annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taichung, Taiwan, on July 12, 2025. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Ann Wang)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taiwan\u2019s armed forces have deployed one of their most advanced long-range weapons, the U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket system, during the island&#8217;s largest and most comprehensive Han Kuang military exercises to date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30190,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[124,1],"tags":[137,380,45,6,443,325,528,377,5,169,7],"class_list":["post-30186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-news","tag-asia","tag-asia-pacific","tag-china","tag-defense","tag-drills","tag-exercise","tag-himars","tag-indo-pacific","tag-military","tag-taiwan","tag-u-s"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Taiwan-HIMARS-launcher.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-7QS","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30186"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30191,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30186\/revisions\/30191"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}