TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deputy Defense Minister Po Horng-huei (柏鴻輝) on Wednesday (Nov. 6) confirmed Taiwan has received the first batch of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the US.

Taiwan purchased 29 HIMARS from the US to bolster its long-range rocket force. During a Legislative Yuan session on Wednesday, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) asked Po whether the HIMARS systems had already arrived, how they would be deployed, and how soon after returning from US training would troops be ready for combat, per UDN.

Po said that 11 HIMARS units have arrived in Taiwan. When Wang asked about the future deployment of the HIMARS systems, Po said the use of all weapons falls under the category of national defense secrets, so specific details cannot be discussed.  

As for whether there are other US arms sales to Taiwan arriving this year, Po said the TOW 2B anti-tank missiles and M1A2T Abrams tanks will also arrive. He added preparations for their delivery and training are already in place. 

The TOW 2B missiles had previously encountered production and testing issues causing delays. However, after reassembly, Po said they are expected to be delivered in full to Taiwan by the end of this year.