Taiwan Uses US-Supplied Missile Launcher in Notable Way

Taiwan just tried out a high-profile new defense move in full view of China. For the first time, its army used US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to fire test rockets into waters along Taiwan's western coast—and in China's direction. Reuters reports Taiwan tested the truck-mounted HIMARS for the first time last year on its east coast. Wednesday's drill occurred near a site analysts see as a possible Chinese landing zone in any conflict.

Reuters reports the exercise showcased the system's "shoot-and-scoot" capabilities, firing and then rapidly relocating to avoid counterattack, which the army says boosts its odds of surviving a real conflict. While the 32 test rockets fired were directed at targets less than six miles offshore, the Wall Street Journal reports Taiwan has missiles that could be used with HIMARS to reach China. The AP notes the US said in December it would sell 82 more HIMARS to Taiwan, but the larger arms deal has apparently been put on ice following President Trump's May meeting with Xi Jinping.