Taiwan’s military fired rockets in China’s direction from “shoot-and-scoot” mobile launchers on Wednesday in a demonstration of how it might try to repel a Chinese attack.
Taichung, TaiwanAP — Taiwan’s military fired rockets in China’s direction from “shoot-and-scoot” mobile launchers on Wednesday in a demonstration of how it might try to repel a Chinese attack.
While the US-supplied system known as HIMARS has been tested before, the latest live-fire exercise was the first time its rockets were fired into the waters of the narrow Taiwan Strait that separates the self-governing island from China.
“Due to the current enemy threat, we will continue HIMARS training with unwavering determination to protect Taiwan as the nation’s strongest force,” army Sgt. Wang Ming-hui said. The military said it used reduced-range practice rockets that don’t fly very far from the coast before falling into the water. China views Taiwan as a renegade province and says it must come under its control at some point in the future.
It sends warships and planes into the skies and waters near the island almost every day and has held major military exercises in its vicinity in recent years. The United States does not recognize Taiwan as a country, but it opposes any change to its status by force and is its main supplier of weaponry for its defense.
A rocket is launched from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a military live-fire shooting training in Taichung City, Taiwan, Wednesday, June 10. Soldiers move past a self-propelled howitzer during a military live-fire shooting training in Taichung City, Taiwan, Tuesday, June 9.
The HIMARS, which stands for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, is part of a US-encouraged shift in strategy, toward an asymmetric approach designed to keep China at bay rather than trying to go head-to-head with big-ticket weapons purchases. The truck-mounted pod of rockets can be driven out from a hidden position to fire its missiles, then quickly taken to a new hiding place in what are called shoot-and-scoot tactics.
They were fired on the second day of exercises on Taiwan’s west coast, which faces China. The drills, which also included 155 mm howitzers, simulated a response to a Chinese invasion and were designed to test rapid deployment and precision-strike capabilities. Related vertical video Taiwan’s military shows off robot patrol dogs The HIMARS was the centerpiece of the drill.
After receiving a firing order, the vehicles maneuvered into position and launched their rockets with bright flashes within three minutes, demonstrating their mobility. The US announced plans in December to sell 82 more HIMARS systems to Taiwan as part of a major arms deal, but that package appears to have been put on hold after President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing last month.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Elgin man injured officer, threatened to shoot during standoff, police sayA South Elgin man faces felony charges after police said he resisted arrest, injured an officer and barricaded himself inside a home during a standoff Sunday afternoon.
Read more »
Taiwan Demonstrates HIMARS Shoot‑and‑Scoot Capability in Live‑Fire Drill Across Taiwan StraitIn a high‑profile exercise on June 10, 2026, Taiwan's military used U.S.‑supplied HIMARS launchers to fire practice rockets toward Chinese‑controlled waters, showcasing rapid deployment and precision strike tactics as part of an asymmetric defense strategy.
Read more »
Trump defends 'powerful' new attacks on Iran after Apache shoot-downThe U.S. hit 20 targets inside of Iran on Tuesday after Tehran's forces shot down an American Apache helicopter. Both U.S. pilots were saved, but renewed hostilities threaten to derail peace talks.
Read more »
Federal agent, CPD officer shoot 2 people during afirearms trafficking operation in Country Club HillsA federal agent and a Chicago police officer shot two people during a "firearms trafficking operation" in Country Club Hills on Tuesday night. After the operation, five people were taken into custody.
Read more »