Taiwan conducted live-fire drills on Tuesday using U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets, firing dozens of projectiles toward China [1], [2].
This escalation marks the first time Taiwan has utilized the American missile system in a live-fire exercise [3]. The move signals a strategic shift in Taiwan's defense posture, specifically aimed at deterring China's amphibious-assault plans [3].
AFP correspondent Cheng Yu-chen said, "Taiwan has fired dozens of rockets from an American missile system in China's direction for the first time" [2]. The drills took place along the western coast of Taiwan, and near Taipei [2], [4].
China responded by moving naval and air forces near Taiwan [4]. While Chinese state media described these deployments as routine military operations [4], Taiwan characterized the maneuvers as pressure tactics and intimidation [2].
The diplomatic tension intensified as officials from both sides issued warnings. The China Foreign Minister said, "Taiwan is the first red line" [4]. Chinese officials said that Taiwan crossed a "red line" and is provoking its forces [5].
Taiwan's leadership maintained that the exercises were necessary for national security. The Taiwan Defence Minister said, "We will not allow repeated provocations" [4].
Reports on the timing of the Chinese naval presence vary. Some sources suggest the deployment followed a Trump-Xi summit as routine activity [4], while others link the movement directly to the rocket drills [4], [5].
“"Taiwan has fired dozens of rockets from an American missile system in China's direction for the first time."”
The introduction of HIMARS into live-fire exercises represents a significant escalation in the military capabilities Taiwan is actively demonstrating. By firing toward the mainland, Taiwan is transitioning from theoretical deterrence to a visible display of long-range precision strike capabilities. China's response—labeling the act as a breach of a 'red line'—suggests that the use of advanced U.S. weaponry in this specific manner may lower the threshold for future Chinese military reactions in the Taiwan Strait.
