TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s military is reportedly planning to deploy US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to outlying islands such as Penghu and Dongyin, a move military sources say would extend strike coverage deep into China’s coastal provinces and potentially force People’s Liberation Army  units to reposition more than 100 kilometers inland, strengthening Taiwan’s early warning time and defense depth.

A military source told Liberty Times that the HIMARS systems are slated for assignment to the artillery command headquarters of each army corps. However, given the total number being acquired, even fully equipping every artillery corps command would still leave surplus systems requiring additional deployment locations.

From a strategic standpoint, the source said offshore defense zones such as Penghu and Dongyin would be the optimal locations for forward deployment. Taiwan-made Thunderbolt 2000 multiple rocket systems are already stationed in Penghu, while Kinmen and Matsu receive tactical deployments as operational needs dictate.

The source added that HIMARS and the domestically produced Thunderbolt 2000 systems could be used in coordination to give field commanders greater operational flexibility. If deployed from Taiwan proper to Penghu or Dongyin, Taiwan’s northernmost outpost, the systems’ tactical value would “increase exponentially.”

According to Liberty Times, Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) with a 300-km range could directly cover PLA amphibious staging areas in Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Zhangzhou in Fujian Province. With Penghu located about 150 to 160 km from the Fujian coast, missiles launched from the islands could strike targets more than 150 km inland, including second-line logistics hubs.

Dongyin is even closer to China, located about 34 km from the Sishuang Islands off Xiapu County in Ningde, Fujian, and about 48 km from the Dongchong Peninsula in Lianjiang County. The island is also about 87 km from the Sanduao naval port and 113 km from the Min River Estuary, placing PLA naval bases in Wenzhou and air bases in Fuzhou within HIMARS strike range.

The source stressed that the primary significance of deploying HIMARS on offshore islands lies in creating a “lethal no-go zone” that PLA forces would be unable to approach. If Taiwan’s precision-strike coverage extends deep into Fujian, the PLA would be forced to relocate frontline aircraft, rocket artillery, and logistics hubs at least 300 km inland to avoid losses.

The source said such a withdrawal would significantly extend the time required for any cross-strait landing operation, disrupting the CCP’s “quick and decisive” invasion concept. It would also provide Taiwan with valuable strategic warning time and additional time for nationwide mobilization.

The Ministry of National Defense has also reportedly reserved room in future procurement plans for the Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile, which has a range of up to 500 km. Combined with already delivered ATACMS missiles, Taiwan’s inventory of long-range tactical missiles would exceed 500, strengthening its cross-strait precision-strike capabilities.