Taiwan forms first HIMARS rocket artillery unit

Taiwan’s military has bolstered its self-defence capabilities with the establishment of its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) company, Defense Minister Wellington Koo announced on July 4.

Presiding over the formation ceremony held in Taichung, Koo described the new unit as a “significant addition to the nation's defensive strength,” emphasising its role in deterring potential adversaries, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The company, part of the Army's 58th Artillery Command, consists of elite soldiers who have undergone specialized training in the United States, according to a Ministry of National Defense (MND) press release.

Koo highlighted the system’s capabilities, noting that “the HIMARS can be equipped with either a pod of six 227mm rockets or a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of up to 300 kilometers.”

Taiwan has purchased a total of 29 HIMARS launchers from the US, with the first 11 units delivered in 2024.

The addition of the HIMARS unit marks a critical step in Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its missile defense and strengthen deterrence against threats in the region.

By Sabina Mammadli