Taiwan receives first M142 HIMARS shipment from US to counter China’s coastal threats.

According to CNA on November 4, 2024, Taiwan received its first shipment of M142 HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) from the United States, aimed at enhancing cross-regional reinforcement and long-range strike capabilities. Military sources indicate that the initial units arrived in October 2024 and are currently undergoing installation and operational training with the Army's 58th Artillery Command. This delivery is part of a broader procurement of 29 HIMARS units, initiated to meet Taiwan’s defensive needs across key zones and strengthen its long-range precision strike capabilities.
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The M142 HIMARS system will enhance Taiwan's ability to target critical military assets along China's southeastern coast, potentially deterring or disrupting amphibious assault preparations. (Picture source: US DoD)

Taiwan initially planned to acquire 11 HIMARS units in 2020 but expanded its order by 18 additional units in 2022, following a decision not to purchase an extra 40 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. This adjustment brings the total order to 29 HIMARS, with complete delivery expected by 2026. Military sources note that the first batch of 11 units is slated for deployment between late 2024 and early 2025. The total cost for the 29 HIMARS is NT$32.5 billion (US$1.06 billion), including 84 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a range of up to 300 kilometers, and 864 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) rockets, enhancing Taiwan’s precision targeting capacity.

The Ministry of National Defense reported that, following the deployment of the initial HIMARS units between late 2024 and early 2025, these systems would be stationed in western Taiwan, with additional units scheduled for northern, central, southern, and Penghu combat zones by 2026. This phased deployment aims to improve Taiwan’s firepower across multiple regions in alignment with its cross-regional defensive strategy and to ensure systematic integration of the systems into Taiwan's defense infrastructure.

To support HIMARS integration and build a team of instructors to train additional personnel domestically, Taiwan’s 2024 defense budget allocated funds to send 30 personnel to the United States for operational training. In August, 17 soldiers completed a three-week training course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, equipping them with the technical skills to manage and operate the HIMARS system upon its arrival in Taiwan.

The M142 HIMARS launcher can deploy either six rockets or a single MGM-140 ATACMS missile per launch box, with rockets reaching a range of 42 kilometers, while the MGM-140 missile extends this range to 300 kilometers and can reach an altitude of 50 kilometers, covering considerable distances, including areas across the Taiwan Strait.

Within Taiwan’s defense structure, HIMARS units are designated for Army deployment, while the coordination and operation of MGM-140 ATACMS missiles are overseen by the General Staff Headquarters. This command structure enables the Army to focus on cross-regional reinforcement while ensuring inter-service coordination for broader strategic applications. Taiwan’s domestically developed Thunder 2000 multiple-launch rocket systems are expected to complement HIMARS by providing additional area coverage.

Defense expert Su Ziyun from Taiwan’s National Defense Strategy and Resources Research Institute noted that the inclusion of HIMARS expands Taiwan’s munitions range, which currently includes rockets with a range of 50 to 70 kilometers for regional reinforcement and the MGM-140 missile with its 300-kilometer range. Future consideration may also be given to the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), with a potential range of nearly 500 kilometers, aligning Taiwan with the United States as a member of the "300-kilometer club."

The M142 HIMARS system delivery enhances Taiwan's ability to target critical military assets along China's southeastern coast, potentially deterring or disrupting amphibious assault preparations. Its mobility allows for rapid repositioning, adding complexity to China’s operational planning by increasing the unpredictability and responsiveness of Taiwan’s defenses. With rockets reaching up to 42 kilometers and the MGM-140 ATACMS extending to 300 kilometers, HIMARS boosts Taiwan’s long-range targeting capability across the Taiwan Strait and into coastal regions. Additionally, HIMARS complements Taiwan’s existing arsenal, including the Thunder 2000 multiple-launch rocket system, to support a structured, multi-layered defense across key areas.