TAIPEI : Taiwan is preparing a major forward deployment of U.S.-supplied missile systems to its outlying islands, a move that would extend the island’s strike reach toward the Chinese mainland while further integrating its forces with U.S. intelligence, planning, and command networks, according to multiple sources in Taipei.
Officials and local media report that the Republic of China Army plans to deploy M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) armed with Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missiles to the islands of Penghu and Dongyin. Dongyin, the northernmost island of the Matsu archipelago, lies approximately 16 kilometers from the coast of China’s Fujian province, making it one of the closest Taiwan-controlled territories to the mainland.
Forward Island Missile Deployments
Dongyin’s geographic position places large portions of Fujian province within the strike envelope of ATACMS missiles. The forward basing of ballistic missile systems on the island would represent an unprecedented escalation in Taiwan’s deployment of long-range strike assets on its outlying territories, which have historically been configured primarily for local defense.
According to military officials cited by local media, the deployment is intended to strengthen the effectiveness of Taiwan’s “kill chain,” referring to the integrated process of target detection, identification, tracking, and engagement. The reported plans follow the Ministry of National Defence’s decision to increase total HIMARS procurement to 111 launchers, a figure analysts say reflects requirements for dispersal across multiple locations, including frontline islands.
The first batch of 11 HIMARS launchers was delivered to Taiwan in November 2024, with the first operational unit formed in early July 2025. In December 2025, the United States approved an additional $11.1 billion arms sale that included the transfer of 420 more ATACMS missiles, significantly expanding Taiwan’s long-range strike inventory.
Joint Firepower Coordination and U.S. Role
The missile deployment plans coincide with the establishment of a Joint Firepower Coordination Centre in Taipei in late January. Defense analysts say the facility is designed to integrate Taiwan’s missile forces with U.S. intelligence, targeting, and operational planning systems.
U.S. personnel are reportedly stationed at the center on a permanent basis to assist with coordination and oversight. The facility links Taiwan’s missile units to the U.S. Joint Digital Firepower System, enabling shared intelligence feeds and joint targeting workflows. Analysts note that this structure allows U.S. forces to participate in target selection and attack planning alongside Taiwanese units.
Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, remains in an unresolved civil war with the People’s Republic of China based in Beijing, with both sides claiming to be the sole legitimate government of China. Taipei continues to rely heavily on political backing and military supplies from Washington as cross-strait tensions intensify.
Air Power Modernization
Alongside its expanding missile forces, Taiwan is undertaking a major modernization of its air combat capabilities. Under a deal approved by Washington in 2019, Taiwan is set to receive 66 new F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets, also designated F-16V. Delivery is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The multibillion-dollar acquisition is intended to strengthen Taiwan’s air defense and air superiority capabilities amid rising regional military pressure. The F-16V features advanced radar, avionics, electronic warfare systems, and improved weapons integration, allowing closer interoperability with U.S. and allied air forces.
Comparisons With Ukraine Conflict
Defense analysts have drawn comparisons between Taiwan’s evolving force posture and the model employed in Ukraine, where U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles are operated by local forces with extensive U.S. intelligence and targeting support. In that conflict, ATACMS strikes have been credited with destroying air defense radars, missile launchers, and high-value aircraft, as well as targeting energy-related infrastructure.
Analysts caution, however, that the Taiwan Strait presents a substantially different operational environment. Taiwan’s forward islands are small, fixed locations within close range of mainland forces, limiting opportunities for dispersal and concealment.
Mainland Defenses and Countermeasures
The People’s Liberation Army has developed a dense, multi-layered air and missile defense network specifically designed to counter ballistic missile threats.
In September 2025, China confirmed that the HQ-29 long-range anti-ballistic missile system had entered service. Analysts describe the system as capable of intercepting intercontinental-range ballistic missiles, placing it in a category otherwise occupied only by Russia’s S-500 and A-235 systems. The HQ-19 provides a secondary high-tier interception layer comparable to the U.S. THAAD system, while the HQ-9 forms a lower tier equivalent to long-range systems such as the Patriot and S-400.
Operational assessments indicate that ATACMS missiles have demonstrated vulnerability to interception by capable air defense systems. Analysts note that the geographic concentration of China’s defenses and the PLA’s precision-strike capabilities could allow mainland forces to target launchers on islands such as Dongyin early in a conflict.
Strategic Implications
The reported deployments underscore a broader shift in Taiwan’s defense strategy toward deeper integration with U.S. command and intelligence systems, increased reliance on long-range precision strike assets, and expanded air power modernization. While supporters argue that these measures enhance deterrence, analysts note that they also increase the military significance and exposure of Taiwan’s forward islands.
As missile and air force modernization efforts continue, the balance between deterrence, survivability, and escalation risk in the Taiwan Strait remains a central consideration for policymakers in Taipei, Beijing, and Washington.
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