HIMARS Conducts First Live-Fire Exercise on Taiwan's West Coast, Simulating Cross-Regional Reinforcement to Thwart Enemy
The Taiwan Army conducted its first live-fire exercise of the US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system on Taiwan's west coast. Rockets were fired from both sides of the Dajia River estuary to simulate cross-regional fire support against high-value enemy targets in the northern region. Of the planned 36 rockets, 32 were fired, with 4 failing to launch.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 14:35
- 🔍 Collected: June 10, 2026 at 14:43 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 10, 2026 at 14:44 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Reporter Wu Shuwei, Taichung, 10th) The HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system purchased by Taiwan from the United States conducted its first live-fire validation exercise on Taiwan's west coast today. Rockets were fired from the north and south banks of the Dajia River estuary, simulating cross-regional fire support against high-value enemy targets in the northern region, aiming to thwart an enemy offensive and demonstrating the advantages of rapid deployment, precision strike, and cross-regional reinforcement.
The Army's Tenth Corps conducted the second day of the "115th Year Heavy Artillery and New Weaponry Replacement Validation Exercise" today, featuring firings from the HIMARS system, 155mm howitzers, M109A2 and M110A2 self-propelled howitzers. The military invited media to the firing position on the north bank of the Dajia River in the morning to cover the HIMARS live-fire exercise.
The Army's 58th Artillery Command deployed three HIMARS launchers on each side of the Dajia River today. Each launcher carried six M28 reduced-range rockets. The exercise was conducted in three waves. In each wave, each launcher fired two rockets, for a total of 12 rockets per wave from the six launchers. The three waves were planned to fire a total of 36 rockets, with impact points in the sea 9 kilometers away.
The Tenth Corps stated that today's firing simulated cross-regional fire support against high-value enemy targets in the northern region, aiming to thwart an enemy offensive. It fully demonstrated the advantages of rapid deployment, precision strike, and cross-regional reinforcement, enhancing the ground forces' fire support capability and effectively deterring enemy incursions.
A Central News Agency reporter observed at the north bank firing position that the HIMARS launchers initially maintained combat power preservation at a concealed point. The firing mission was originally scheduled to begin at 9:25 AM but was delayed due to civilian airspace control. The HIMARS on the north bank received orders at 9:50 AM, moved from their concealed positions into the firing position, and minutes later, the launchers on both banks sequentially fired the first wave of two M28 reduced-range rockets each. The second wave of firing took place around 10:00 AM, but one M28 rocket on Launcher No. 1 on the north bank, where the media was located, failed to fire.
At this point, the live-fire exercise, which was intended to proceed without interruption, was paused again due to airspace control. After a 40-minute wait, the third wave of firing commenced at 10:45 AM. The third wave used a TOT (Time on Target) firing method, where launchers fired with slight timing differences to ensure simultaneous impact on the target area. One M28 rocket on Launcher No. 3 on the north bank also failed to fire.
Colonel Weng Yi-ming, Chief of Staff of the Army's 58th Artillery Command, stated in an interview that the exercise was originally planned to fire 36 reduced-range rockets. According to statistics from both banks, a total of 32 reduced-range rockets were actually fired. In addition to the two misfired rockets on the north bank where the media was located, two rockets on the south bank also failed to fire. The cause of the misfires is still under investigation.
Regarding the airspace control, Colonel Weng stated that the airspace for today was applied for 50 days in advance as per regulations, with the airspace allocated until noon. However, due to unexpected flight delays at the Taipei Approach Control, the airspace was closed twice. Concurrently, the sea area was also under control, coordinated by the Coast Guard Administration, but the sea conditions today were normal. (Editor: Lin Shuyuan) 1150610
The Army's Tenth Corps conducted the second day of the "115th Year Heavy Artillery and New Weaponry Replacement Validation Exercise" today, featuring firings from the HIMARS system, 155mm howitzers, M109A2 and M110A2 self-propelled howitzers. The military invited media to the firing position on the north bank of the Dajia River in the morning to cover the HIMARS live-fire exercise.
The Army's 58th Artillery Command deployed three HIMARS launchers on each side of the Dajia River today. Each launcher carried six M28 reduced-range rockets. The exercise was conducted in three waves. In each wave, each launcher fired two rockets, for a total of 12 rockets per wave from the six launchers. The three waves were planned to fire a total of 36 rockets, with impact points in the sea 9 kilometers away.
The Tenth Corps stated that today's firing simulated cross-regional fire support against high-value enemy targets in the northern region, aiming to thwart an enemy offensive. It fully demonstrated the advantages of rapid deployment, precision strike, and cross-regional reinforcement, enhancing the ground forces' fire support capability and effectively deterring enemy incursions.
A Central News Agency reporter observed at the north bank firing position that the HIMARS launchers initially maintained combat power preservation at a concealed point. The firing mission was originally scheduled to begin at 9:25 AM but was delayed due to civilian airspace control. The HIMARS on the north bank received orders at 9:50 AM, moved from their concealed positions into the firing position, and minutes later, the launchers on both banks sequentially fired the first wave of two M28 reduced-range rockets each. The second wave of firing took place around 10:00 AM, but one M28 rocket on Launcher No. 1 on the north bank, where the media was located, failed to fire.
At this point, the live-fire exercise, which was intended to proceed without interruption, was paused again due to airspace control. After a 40-minute wait, the third wave of firing commenced at 10:45 AM. The third wave used a TOT (Time on Target) firing method, where launchers fired with slight timing differences to ensure simultaneous impact on the target area. One M28 rocket on Launcher No. 3 on the north bank also failed to fire.
Colonel Weng Yi-ming, Chief of Staff of the Army's 58th Artillery Command, stated in an interview that the exercise was originally planned to fire 36 reduced-range rockets. According to statistics from both banks, a total of 32 reduced-range rockets were actually fired. In addition to the two misfired rockets on the north bank where the media was located, two rockets on the south bank also failed to fire. The cause of the misfires is still under investigation.
Regarding the airspace control, Colonel Weng stated that the airspace for today was applied for 50 days in advance as per regulations, with the airspace allocated until noon. However, due to unexpected flight delays at the Taipei Approach Control, the airspace was closed twice. Concurrently, the sea area was also under control, coordinated by the Coast Guard Administration, but the sea conditions today were normal. (Editor: Lin Shuyuan) 1150610
FAQ
What is HIMARS?
HIMARS is a high-mobility multiple rocket launcher system manufactured by Lockheed Martin, capable of precision strikes and rapid deployment.
Why is this exercise important?
It is the first live-fire exercise on Taiwan's west coast, demonstrating cross-regional fire support capability as part of Taiwan's asymmetric strategy.
Were there any issues during the exercise?
Yes, there were interruptions due to airspace control and 4 misfired rockets. The cause of the misfires is under investigation.