PINGTUNG (TVBS News) — Taiwan's military conducted its first live-fire test of the HIMARS multiple rocket system (海馬士多管火箭) on Monday (May 13) at the Jiupeng Base (九鵬) in Pingtung. The exercise revealed technical challenges, including asynchronous launches and misfires, which officials attributed to equipment signal anomalies. U.S. personnel present at the demonstration quickly addressed these issues, providing immediate technical assistance.
The Army's 58th Artillery Command (五八砲指部) has been training with the American-procured HIMARS since receiving the system in October 2024. All 11 HIMARS launchers participated in the exercise, firing 33 reduced-range practice rockets. During the second firing round, observers noted one launcher taking an unusually long time to adjust, prompting two soldiers to exit the vehicle to address the issue. Deputy Commander Colonel Ho Chih-chung (何至中) characterized these anomalies as part of the expected training and troubleshooting process.
Despite the technical difficulties, Ho emphasized that the HIMARS unit completed all launch procedures according to U.S. standards, technical manuals, and firing protocols. He noted that the unit had received specialized training in the United States and followed standard American operational procedures throughout the demonstration. Colonel Ho further explained that both the HIMARS and the domestically produced Thunderbolt-2000 multiple-launch rocket systems represent critical components of Taiwan's artillery capabilities. Military planners will strategically assign roles based on each system's unique characteristics to enhance Taiwan's full-depth defense operations.
Minister of National Defence Wellington Koo (顧立雄), who attended the test personally, stressed the importance of troops becoming thoroughly familiar with the new system. He highlighted HIMARS' impressive 300-kilometer precision strike capability as a significant tactical advantage. Military expert Cheng Chi-wen (鄭繼文) noted that HIMARS has proven its effectiveness during the Ukraine-Russia conflict, pointing out that its GPS-guided precision functions more efficiently than Taiwan's domestically produced Thunderbolt 2000 (雷霆2000).
While HIMARS will not participate in the upcoming Han Kuang 41 exercise, military officials anticipate that its deployment alongside the M1A2T tanks later this year will substantially enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities and operational readiness. ★
