Taipei, May 10 – Taiwan to Receive HIMARS Ahead of Schedule: Ministry of National Defense
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced on Wednesday that Taiwan will receive the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) M142 launchers from the United States a year earlier than planned. The Army is set to take delivery of 29 HIMARS, a long-range precision strike weapon system, starting in 2026 instead of the original date of 2027. This acceleration in delivery is the result of Washington’s agreement to prioritize Taiwan’s needs. The MND issued a press release early Wednesday, disclosing an updated contract awarding notice regarding the HIMARS project.
In 2021, Taiwan and the U.S. initially signed a deal to purchase 11 HIMARS M142 launchers. However, in 2022, Taiwan decided to acquire an additional 18 launchers after the MND abandoned its plan to buy 40 M109A6 “Paladin” self-propelled howitzers due to production capacity constraints that would cause delays in delivery.
In late April, following the decision, both parties reconfirmed the HIMARS deal contract, which was made public on Wednesday in accordance with Taiwan’s Government Procurement Act, as stated by the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
The HIMARS system, a mobile multiple-launch rocket system mounted on a military truck, is capable of striking targets up to 300km away when equipped with M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems.
The MND’s press release comes six days after Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng’s announcement that Taiwan will not receive financial compensation for the nearly one-year delay in the delivery of F-16V fighter jets purchased from the United States.
During his visit to Taiwan in February, U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher, Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, expressed that Taipei has raised concerns about Washington’s delays in delivering weapons.