Taipei: In a bold demonstration of enhanced air defense capabilities, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced the live-fire debut of the indigenous Land Sword II Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system on Tuesday.
The test, showcased through videos posted on the MND’s official X account, demonstrated successful launches of the Land Sword II, which the ministry stated can counter diverse aerial threats, significantly improving the force protection capacity of the Republic of China Army (ROC Army).
“Land Sword II makes its live fire debut. This SAM system is capable of countering diverse aerial threats and significantly enhances force protection for #ROCArmy,” the MND posted on X.
HIMARS Also Test-Fired in Pingtung
This comes just a day after Taiwan successfully test-fired the US-supplied HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) at Jiupeng Base, Pingtung County, as reported by Focus Taiwan.
- The Taiwan Army’s 58th Artillery Command conducted the exercise.
- 33 rockets were fired using 11 HIMARS launch vehicles, each firing three 227mm rockets.
- While no performance assessment was disclosed, US personnel were present to support technical issues.
Taiwan has ordered 29 HIMARS systems from the United States. The first 11 systems were delivered in 2024, and the remaining 18 are scheduled for early delivery in 2026, a year ahead of the original 2027 schedule.
MND shared visuals of the HIMARS firing with the caption:
“#HIMARS debuts in #Taiwan, showcasing rapid deployment and next-generation strike capabilities.”
PLA Escalation in the Taiwan Strait
Amid Taiwan’s drills, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) significantly escalated its presence in the region. On Wednesday, Taiwan’s MND reported:
- 35 PLA aircraft sorties
- 8 PLAN (PLA Navy) vessels
- 2 Chinese official ships operating around Taiwan
This follows ongoing Chinese military and naval operations in the Taiwan Strait, viewed as pressure tactics amid deteriorating cross-strait relations.
Strategic Context
Taiwan’s twin missile demonstrations—Land Sword II (SAM) and HIMARS (MLRS)—are seen as strategic signals of readiness and deterrence against potential aggression from mainland China, which maintains a rigid stance on its “One China Policy.”
Beijing continues to apply diplomatic, economic, and military pressure on Taiwan, which functions as a de facto sovereign nation despite not being internationally recognized as a separate country from China.
“These drills are Taiwan’s clear message of military readiness and technological self-reliance amid growing PLA intimidation,” said a regional security expert.