TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Following confirmation that Taiwan has accepted the delivery of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) have also arrived in the country from the United States, reports said Saturday (Nov. 9).

With a range of more than 300 kilometers, the missiles can strike targets in China, strengthening Taiwan’s capability to react to an attack by Chinese forces. Sources confirmed that MGM-140 ATACMS missiles had been delivered, but they were unwilling to reveal the number of units, per CNA.

Taiwan initially ordered 11 HIMARS units, but after the army decided not to purchase 40 Paladin M109A6 howitzer systems, it opted to purchase an additional 18 HIMARS systems. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed earlier in the week that Taiwan had received the first batch of 11 HIMARS units.

In conjunction with the expanded HIMARS deal, Taiwan has also increased its order of ATACMS missiles from 64 to 84 units. Experts said the systems have proven their efficacy in the Russo-Ukrainian war, where Ukraine used them to successfully target Russian supply lines and arsenals.

Since 2019, the US has agreed to relax restrictions on the range of missiles it supplies to allies, including Japan and South Korea. The policy change was made in response to the rapidly expanding missile arsenals of China and North Korea.