In a move signaling heightened military preparedness, Taiwan has received its first batch of US-manufactured MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), alongside 11 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The delivery, which comes as tensions with Beijing intensify, significantly enhances Taiwan’s long-range strike capabilities.
While the exact number of ATACMS missiles in this shipment remains undisclosed, Taiwanese defense officials confirmed the systems will be stationed with the 58th Artillery Command of the 10th Army Corps in Taichung. This command will also operate the HIMARS units, whose initial delivery Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced earlier this month.
Strategic Implications of the Delivery
The ATACMS, with a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), offers Taiwan the capability to strike strategic targets on the Chinese mainland, including military installations along its coast.
Combined with the mobility of the HIMARS platform, these missiles enable a rapid “shoot-and-scoot” capability, complicating efforts by Chinese forces to locate and neutralize them.
“ATACMS adds a critical counter-strike layer to Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy,” explained Su Tzu-yun, a defense expert at Taiwan’s Institute of National Defense and Security Research (INDSR). “It sends a clear message to Beijing about the potential costs of an invasion.”
The deployment coincides with increased Chinese military exercises, including simulated encirclement drills around Taiwan. The timing underscores Taiwan’s urgency to enhance its deterrence posture amid growing pressure from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Expanding US-Taiwan Defense Cooperation
This delivery is part of a $436 million arms package approved under the Trump administration in October 2020. Initially comprising 11 HIMARS systems and 64 ATACMS missiles, the order has since expanded to include an additional 18 HIMARS units and 20 more ATACMS missiles, bringing the total to 29 and 84 units, respectively.
These systems complement a broader suite of US military support for Taiwan, including the recently approved sale of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and advanced radar systems valued at $1.94 billion. Taiwan is also set to receive 66 F-16V fighter jets by 2026, further solidifying its aerial defense capabilities.
Defense Strategy in Focus
For Taiwan, the HIMARS and ATACMS systems are critical to its asymmetric warfare doctrine, emphasizing mobility, precision, and resilience. HIMARS units, capable of launching a variety of GPS-guided munitions, enhance Taiwan’s ability to respond swiftly to threats from any geographic point on the island.
These weapons systems also provide Taiwan with a counter-offensive capability that could target PLA staging areas, logistics hubs, or naval assets during a potential conflict. Such a strategy aligns with Taiwan’s broader goal of deterring aggression by raising the cost of any invasion attempt.
John Dotson, deputy director of the Global Taiwan Institute, emphasized the strategic value of these systems. “With ATACMS, Taiwan can reach PLA forces beyond the coastline, creating a credible deterrent that forces Beijing to reconsider its options.”
Challenges and Risks
Despite the strategic advantages, challenges remain. China’s extensive air defense network and electronic warfare capabilities could mitigate the effectiveness of older munitions like the ATACMS. Additionally, analysts warn that the PLA may adapt countermeasures based on lessons shared by Russia, which claims to have neutralized similar systems supplied to Ukraine.
Nonetheless, the combination of HIMARS’ mobility and ATACMS’ range provides Taiwan with a versatile and powerful defense mechanism. Experts argue that these systems will be critical in maintaining Taiwan’s territorial integrity and safeguarding its democratic way of life.
The arrival of ATACMS and HIMARS marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan’s military modernization. As the island nation faces mounting pressure from Beijing, the US arms deal strengthens its ability to deter and, if necessary, defend against aggression.
While challenges persist, Taiwan’s integration of these advanced systems into its defense strategy underscores its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty in an increasingly volatile region.
