Taiwan fires U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets into the Taiwan Strait in live-fire drill
The Facts
- Taiwan's military fired rockets from U.S.-supplied HIMARS launchers during a live-fire exercise on its west coast.
- The rockets were fired toward the Taiwan Strait, in the direction of China, as part of the exercise.
- The drill was the first time Taiwan had fired HIMARS rockets into the waters of the Taiwan Strait, though the HIMARS system had been tested before.
- Taiwan's military said it used reduced-range practice rockets that fell into the water not far from the coast.
- The exercise was presented as training for how Taiwan might respond to or repel a potential Chinese military attack or invasion.
- Military officials said the drill was intended to test rapid deployment and precision-strike capabilities, and some reports said 155 mm howitzers were also involved.
- The exercise took place amid ongoing cross-strait tensions, with reports noting that China claims Taiwan and has increased military pressure around the island.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- Taiwan’s HIMARS drill was a concrete rehearsal for defending against a potential attack, with practice rockets and near-coast impacts signaling preparation for credible deterrence under sustained cross-strait pressure rather than escalation for its own sake.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: a democracy visibly rehearsing self-defense under pressure, versus a military methodically proving rapid-deployment and precision-strike deterrence is real.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
Why is this drill getting attention?
Reports say it was the first time Taiwan fired HIMARS rockets into the waters of the Taiwan Strait, making it a new stage in how Taiwan is training with the U.S.-supplied system Los Angeles Times,U.S. News & World R…,CNN International.
Was Taiwan firing full-range combat rockets at China?
No. The military said it used reduced-range practice rockets that did not travel far from Taiwan's coast before falling into the water Hindu,U.S. News & World R…,CNN International.
What was the purpose of the exercise?
Taiwan said the drill was meant to rehearse a response to a possible Chinese attack and to test rapid deployment and precision-strike capabilities using HIMARS News18,U.S. News & World R…,CNN International.
View all 53 sources
Wire services (4)
APInternational Business Times, Singapore EditionTaiwan Tests US-Supplied HIMARS at Potential Chinese Landing...
Independent coverage (49)
DT NewsTaiwan test-fires rockets in China's direction from US-suppl...
bankingnews.grWar cries in the Pacific - Historic premiere for Taiwan's HI...
VestiТайвань впервые провёл стрельбы из HIMARS в сторону Китая
uainfo.orgТайвань провів випробувальний запуск ракет у бік Китаю
Egypt IndependentTaiwan test-fires rockets in China's direction from US-suppl...
Московский КомсомолецТайвань запустил в направлении Китая ракеты из поставленной ...
International Business Times UKUS-Backed Taiwan Fires Rockets Toward China In Strait Drill ...
unn.uaТайвань испытал HIMARS на побережье напротив Китая
Gazeta.uaТайвань провел запуски ракет HIMARS в направлении Китая
espreso.tvТайвань провів бойові пуски HIMARS у бік Китаю
Stars and StripesTaiwan makes its first demonstration of HIMARS' reach in Chi...
Taiwan NewsTaiwan test fires HIMARS for first time off west coast | Tai...
Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian NewsTaiwan's HIMARS Makes Historic West Coast Debut Amid Rising ...
Українська правдаТайвань провів бойові стрільби з систем HIMARS у бік Китаю
Українська правдаТайвань провел боевые стрельбы из систем HIMARS в сторону Ки...
RPP noticiasTaiwán prueba sistema de lanzacohetes estadounidense con dis...
MUNDIARIOTaiwán saca fuego y músculo militar frente a China para impr...
ZN.UAТайвань впервые запустил американские HIMARS в сторону Китая
ZN.UAТайвань вперше запустив американські HIMARS у бік Китаю
unianКитай отримав сигнал: Тайвань випробував HIMARS у Тайванські...
УНІАНКитай получил сигнал: Тайвань провел испытания HIMARS в Тайв...
News18Taiwan Demonstrates Shoot-And-Scoot' US-Made HIMARS Capabili...
LB.uaТайвань провів ракетні стрільби в напрямку Китаю з мобільних...
РБК-УкраинаТайвань провел испытательный запуск ракет в сторону Китая
РБК-УкраинаТайвань провів випробувальний запуск ракет у бік Китаю
CNN EspañolTaiwán dispara cohetes en dirección a China desde un sistema...
Фонтанка.руТайвань провел испытательный запуск ракет в направлении Кита...
CNN InternationalTaiwan test-fires rockets in China's direction from US-suppl...
Liberty Times Net《TAIPEI TIMES》 HIMARS fired off west coast in live-fire dril...
Hoy DigitalTaiwán exhibe su poder de fuego con sistemas HIMARS en una z...
The Boston GlobeTaiwan fires rockets in China's direction from a US-supplied...
KUOW-FM (94.9, Seattle)Taiwan drills with U.S. rocket system, firing in China's dir...
Taipei TimesHIMARS fired off west coast in live-fire drill
Los Angeles TimesTaiwan fires rockets in China's direction from a U.S.-suppli...
GameReactorTaiwan conducts defence tests involving manoeuvres and the f...
NewserTaiwan Uses US-Supplied Missile Launcher in Notable Way
RTTaiwan test-fires US-supplied missiles towards China -- RT W...
The Times of IndiaWhat is 'shoot-and-scoot'? The tactic Taiwan showcased in it...
The HinduTaiwan fires rockets in China's direction from a U.S.-suppli...
Houston Public MediaTaiwan drills with U.S. rocket system, firing in China's dir...
National HeraldTaiwan uses US-supplied mobile launching system to fire towa...
EL MUNDOTaiwán dispara por primera vez los HIMARS frente al Estrecho
Army RecognitionTaiwan's U.S.-Made HIMARS Live Fire Reveals How Mobile Preci...
KSATTaiwan fires rockets in China's direction from a US-supplied...
Entorno InteligenteTaiwan dispara por primera vez su sistema lanzacohetes HIMAR...
EL MUNDOTaiwan dispara por primera vez su sistema lanzacohetes HIMAR...
La RazónTaiwán dispara por primera vez su sistema lanzacohetes HIMAR...
ABC DigitalTaiwán dispara por primera vez su sistema lanzacohetes HIMAR...
Taipei TimesHIMARS fired off west coast for first time
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