In Pingtung County, Taiwan, a military base recently conducted a historic live-fire test of U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), showcasing 33 rockets launched towards the Pacific Ocean. This test is part of Taiwan’s efforts to bolster its defense amid increasing military threats from China, which continues to claim sovereignty over the self-governing island. The HIMARS rockets, capable of hitting targets in coastal China, are essential for Taiwan’s defense strategy, particularly as tensions escalate.
Taiwan has committed over $1 billion to purchase 29 HIMARS systems from the U.S., bolstering its military capabilities. In response to China’s military pressure, Taiwan extended mandatory military service from four months to one year and increased its defense budget to more than 3% of GDP. Taipei sees its responsibility for national security as paramount, emphasizing the need for enhanced self-defense capabilities.
Despite Taiwan’s military modernization, the disparity in forces—China’s military is over 18 times larger—poses significant challenges. Recent Chinese military exercises and increased sorties of warplanes near Taiwan have heightened fears, prompting calls for continued U.S.-Taiwan military cooperation.
The U.S. has historically maintained a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding its defense commitments to Taiwan, leading to uncertainties in Taipei. Amid these complexities, Taiwanese public sentiment has shifted towards a stronger sense of national responsibility, especially after witnessing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Officials and military personnel in Taiwan recognize the importance of improved intelligence-sharing with the U.S., described as a potential “game-changer.” Public awareness of defense and a willingness to take up arms if necessary is growing among the populace, with individuals like Jason Chu embodying a shift in mindset toward proactive national defense.
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