Taiwanese military tests American HIMARS rocket system for 1st time

ISTANBUL

The Taiwanese military on Monday conducted the first-ever live-fire test of the US-made rocket system M142 HIMARS during a military exercise, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.

Taiwan last November received its 1st batch of 29 sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from the US, with soldiers receiving training to use the rocket system.

The US military has been training Taiwanese soldiers since 2021.

Increasing defense engagements between Taipei and Washington have worried China, which claims Taiwan as its “breakaway province.”

Separately, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the island nation on Monday detected 36 Chinese army aircraft, 8 navy vessels, and 2 official ships around the island, with 17 out of 36 sorties crossing the median line and entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

China neither recognizes the median line nor the ADIZ.