4th Combat Zone Conducts Heavy Artillery Firing, Impressive Simultaneous Shots Across 3 Pingtung Training Grounds

Central News Agency, Pingtung County, June 2. The 4th Combat Zone conducted the '2026 Heavy Artillery and New Weapon Verification Firing' today. For the first time, it adopted a 'different locations, different zones, simultaneous' approach, operating Thunder 2000 rocket systems, M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, and other systems at three training grounds on the Hengchun Peninsula, creating an impressive scene. The 4th Combat Zone released a press release today stating that the '2026 Heavy Artillery and New Weapon Verification Firing' mobilized multiple units, including the Army's 333rd Brigade, 564th Brigade, 43rd Artillery Command, Infantry Training Command, and 99th Brigade. They operated various weapons and equipment at training grounds in Fangshan, Fenggang North, and Manfeng in Pingtung, including Thunder 2000, M110A2 self-propelled howitzers, 155mm howitzers, M41A7 ITAS and M220A2 TOW missile launch systems, and 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortars. Combining the threat of the enemy and the operational environment of the defense zone, they verified the unit's firepower application and defense combat effectiveness, aiming to achieve the goal of defense operations by denying, delaying, disrupting, and weakening enemy combat power. The 4th Combat Zone pointed out that the Manfeng position was reactivated for the first time in four years, and Thunder 2000 multiple rocket launcher firing was conducted. After the launch order was given, the rockets shot out from the launch tubes instantly, causing dust to fly and creating an impressive scene. A total of 81 MK30 rockets and 180 MK15 rockets were fired, demonstrating the powerful firepower and strike capability of the artillery unit. The Fenggang North position conducted M110A2 self-propelled howitzer and 155mm howitzer firing to strengthen the soldiers' live-fire experience with organic artillery. The M110A2 self-propelled howitzers fired 24 rounds, and the 155mm howitzers fired 54 rounds, enhancing the overall combat power of the unit. In addition, at the Fangshan training ground, in addition to the verification firing of the new TOW missile weapon system, three reserve brigades from Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Pingtung County were incorporated for the first time to conduct 60mm mortar live-fire shooting, thereby improving the live-fire experience of core personnel and refining the overall combat capability of the reserve forces. The 4th Combat Zone mentioned that by conducting live-fire shooting in a 'different locations, different zones, simultaneous' manner at each training ground, the effectiveness of realistic training was effectively improved, allowing soldiers to become familiar with the battlefield environment, understand combat missions, and strengthen the unit's command and control, joint operations, and emergency response capabilities, demonstrating the results of the national army's commitment to combat training and the implementation of defense combat preparations.