Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that the second batch of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the United States will be delivered in 2026—one year earlier than initially planned. This accelerated timeline reflects deepening U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation and comes amid mounting tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
According to an official report submitted to the Legislative Yuan on March 20, the upcoming shipment will include 18 HIMARS units, supplementing the 11 already delivered in 2024 under the “Honglei Project.” With the new delivery, Taiwan’s total HIMARS fleet will reach 29 units, significantly enhancing the island’s long-range strike and rapid response capabilities.
Initially, the second batch of 18 HIMARS systems was scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028. However, in November 2024, both Taipei and Washington confirmed the rescheduling, moving the delivery date to 2026. The revised plan stems from the U.S. government’s broader initiative to ramp up HIMARS production to meet growing international demand. With HIMARS now a cornerstone of modern artillery arsenals in Europe and Asia, Washington has prioritized its delivery to key allies, including Taiwan.
The procurement of additional HIMARS units was part of Taiwan’s strategic shift in 2023, when the Ministry of Defense opted to forgo an earlier plan to acquire M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers. Instead, authorities expanded the HIMARS order from 11 to 29 units, allocating approximately USD 1.01 billion toward the purchase. The decision underscored Taiwan’s emphasis on mobile, precision-strike systems over traditional armored artillery platforms.
Designed for versatility and rapid deployment, the M142 HIMARS system is equipped to fire GPS-guided munitions, such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), and long-range missiles with pinpoint accuracy. Its combat-proven effectiveness and mobility make it a key asset for Taiwan’s asymmetric defense strategy. The ability to swiftly relocate across the island’s challenging terrain—or to fortify its outer islands—is vital in the event of an amphibious incursion, particularly from China.
The HIMARS acquisition plays a crucial role in Taiwan’s military modernization and deterrence efforts, especially as Beijing continues to assert territorial claims and conduct military exercises near Taiwan’s airspace and maritime borders. By expanding its HIMARS arsenal ahead of schedule, Taiwan aims to improve its ability to respond to a range of threats, from conventional attacks to gray-zone conflicts.
As the Ministry of National Defense prepares for the 2026 delivery, attention is also returning to Taiwan’s broader artillery modernization initiative, dubbed the “Ruiting Project.” Originally shelved in 2023 in favor of the expanded HIMARS order, the plan to acquire new-generation M109A7 Paladin howitzers is now under renewed consideration. These systems would replace the aging fleet of M109A2 and M109A5 howitzers, which have been in service for over three decades.
Should Taiwan proceed with the M109A7 procurement, it would complete a comprehensive overhaul of its artillery forces—integrating traditional armored howitzers with advanced high-mobility rocket systems. Such a move aligns with Taiwan’s evolving military doctrine, which places a premium on survivability, rapid response, and long-range deterrence in the face of asymmetric threats.
For the United States, the accelerated delivery timeline also reflects a strategic recalibration of its foreign military sales priorities. With global demand for HIMARS and related munitions surging—particularly in light of recent conflicts and rising tensions in Eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific—the U.S. defense industry has increased production output. Taiwan, as a front-line democracy facing escalating threats, has emerged as a high-priority recipient in Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
The arrival of the second HIMARS batch in 2026 will further solidify Taiwan’s defensive posture and operational flexibility. It will also reinforce the island’s growing military ties with the United States—ties that are increasingly pivotal in the region’s evolving security landscape.
