Taiwan scheduled to receive new HIMARS by year's end, says military
Taipei's military is anticipating the acquisition of 29 US-manufactured rocket launchers by 2026, with Lockheed Martin increasing its production efforts. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The initial group of 11 American-made HIMARS rocket launchers is expected to be delivered to Taiwan by late 2024, according to military sources referenced by the Taipei Times. This anticipated arrival underscores the continuous support the United States extends to Taiwan, even amidst vehement objections from Beijing, which views the island as a part of its territory.
Taiwan has placed an order for a total of 29 units, with the aim of receiving all by 2026. The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has reported plans to increase production owing to the surge in demand stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
The US had previously agreed to sell these 11 launchers to Taiwan in 2020, following a scrapped deal involving M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. Subsequently, Taiwan ordered an additional 18 units.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) are capable of launching GPS-guided rockets, GLMRS bombs, or Army Tactical Missiles (ATACMS). Media reports in Taiwan indicate the island has secured a minimum of 864 rockets and 84 ATACMS.
The US has supplied Ukraine with "more than 40" HIMARS launchers and associated munitions since the conflict with Russia began. Additionally, last week saw the US announce the sale of another 16 launchers to Norway in a deal worth $580 million.
In retaliation to the US's military support for Taiwan, last month, China imposed sanctions on Lockheed Martin and various other American arms manufacturers, linked to their role in arming Taiwan. This retaliation was a follow-up to Washington's declaration to sell $360 million in drones and other armaments to Taiwan.
Despite the official US recognition of Taiwan as part of China, the US continues to provide the island with weapons, ammunition, and equipment to discourage any potential aggression from the mainland. Beyond that, the US retains informal diplomatic and economic relations with Taipei, a vital hub for the production of semiconductors and chips crucial to Western industries.
After the 1949 Chinese civil war ended with the Communists in power, the US assisted in evacuating Chinese nationalist forces to Taiwan. It was only in 1979 that Washington officially acknowledged the People’s Republic of China, before which it recognized the government in Taipei as the 'Republic of China'.
Although Beijing maintains that its approach toward Taiwan is aimed at peaceful reintegration, it has not dismissed the possibility of employing force should Taiwan declare independence.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
Taiwan has placed an order for a total of 29 units, with the aim of receiving all by 2026. The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has reported plans to increase production owing to the surge in demand stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
The US had previously agreed to sell these 11 launchers to Taiwan in 2020, following a scrapped deal involving M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. Subsequently, Taiwan ordered an additional 18 units.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) are capable of launching GPS-guided rockets, GLMRS bombs, or Army Tactical Missiles (ATACMS). Media reports in Taiwan indicate the island has secured a minimum of 864 rockets and 84 ATACMS.
The US has supplied Ukraine with "more than 40" HIMARS launchers and associated munitions since the conflict with Russia began. Additionally, last week saw the US announce the sale of another 16 launchers to Norway in a deal worth $580 million.
In retaliation to the US's military support for Taiwan, last month, China imposed sanctions on Lockheed Martin and various other American arms manufacturers, linked to their role in arming Taiwan. This retaliation was a follow-up to Washington's declaration to sell $360 million in drones and other armaments to Taiwan.
Despite the official US recognition of Taiwan as part of China, the US continues to provide the island with weapons, ammunition, and equipment to discourage any potential aggression from the mainland. Beyond that, the US retains informal diplomatic and economic relations with Taipei, a vital hub for the production of semiconductors and chips crucial to Western industries.
After the 1949 Chinese civil war ended with the Communists in power, the US assisted in evacuating Chinese nationalist forces to Taiwan. It was only in 1979 that Washington officially acknowledged the People’s Republic of China, before which it recognized the government in Taipei as the 'Republic of China'.
Although Beijing maintains that its approach toward Taiwan is aimed at peaceful reintegration, it has not dismissed the possibility of employing force should Taiwan declare independence.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
