Taiwan Gears Up: First Live-Fire HIMARS Test Launch Imminent

Pingtung's Jiupeng Base to Host Key Military Exercise

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan is preparing for a significant military exercise, set to conduct its inaugural live-fire test of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) next week. The test is scheduled to take place at the Jiupeng base in Pingtung.

According to Army sources, the missile launches are planned for May 12th. The testing schedule will run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The maximum altitude for the launches has been set at 20,000 feet.

The system’s joint fire coordination and command mechanisms were recently evaluated during the Han Kuang 41 Computer-Assisted Command Post Exercise held in April.

Initially, Taiwan placed an order for 11 HIMARS systems from the United States. However, following a decision not to proceed with the purchase of 40 Paladin M109A6 howitzer systems, the country then acquired an additional 18 HIMARS units. Moreover, an order was placed for 84 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

The initial shipment, comprising 11 HIMARS launchers and 2 training simulators, arrived last year and was received by the Army’s 58th Artillery Command. The first batch of 16 ATACMS missiles was delivered in January, with the remaining 48 expected to arrive within the first quarter of this year.

The ATACMS, a long-range guided missile, is equipped with a 500-lb class blast fragmentation warhead, according to Lockheed Martin. Its maximum operational range is 300 kilometers.