The U.S. military's "Hippocampus" multiple launch rocket system.

The launch box in the picture is loaded with 6 rockets.

(AFP file photo)

[Reporter Luo Tianbin/Taipei Report] my country has purchased a total of 29 sets of (HIMARS) "Hippocampus" high-mobility multiple launch rocket systems from the United States in two batches. According to the latest signed price between Taiwan and the United States announced by the Ministry of National Defense today, the amount reached 27 billion 66.19 million 500 yuan, but the time point for the completion of the whole case is not the time when officials of the Ministry of National Defense said that it can be completed in advance by 2026, but by September 15, 2028.

Military personnel pointed out today that 29 sets of HIMARS systems will arrive in Taiwan in batches, and will be deployed to the artillery units of the Army’s Artillery Command and the Outer Island Defense Department. Equipment, after gradually receiving the HIMARS system in the future, the rocket battalion establishment of each gun finger department will be expanded to welcome the arrival of new members.

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M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for short, is jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and British Aerospace Vehicle Systems (responsible for the vehicle chassis). The launch box can carry 6 Rocket or 1 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile with a range of up to 42 kilometers for rockets and 300 kilometers for Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).

The United States sold 29 sets of "Hippocampus" high-mobility multiple launch rocket systems to Taiwan.

The picture shows the "Hippocampus" system launching an army tactical missile with a range of up to 300 kilometers.

(Taken from the official website of the US Army)

Military personnel pointed out today that in order to make up for the lack of timeliness for troops rushing to the outlying islands and cross-regional reinforcements on the main island, it is hoped that immediate firepower cross-regional reinforcements will be the best solution. It can accurately kill, destroy, and paralyze the landing enemy. After the HIMARS system is delivered to Taiwan and joined the ranks of the national army's combat readiness, it will greatly enhance the long-range precision firepower of the national army.

Under the name of the "Long-Range Precision Fire Strike System", the Army first purchased 11 sets of Seahorse multiple launch rocket systems from the United States through military purchases. This case included 64 Army Tactical Missiles (ATACMS) with a range of up to 300 kilometers.

Later, because the military decided not to purchase 40 M109A6 self-propelled guns, and purchased 18 additional sets of "Hippocampus" systems from the United States, the total number of purchased sets increased to 29 sets. The number of Army tactical area missiles also increased from the original 64. to 84 pieces.

It is worth noting that the Army also purchased 864 additional "precision rockets" this time.

The Army has allocated a total of 32.523547 billion yuan for the purchase of 29 sets of (HIMARS) "Hippocampus" high-mobility multiple launch rocket systems.

But in fact, Taiwan and the United States signed a procurement contract, because the number of procurement sets has changed from 11 to 29 sets, and the delivery schedule has also changed again and again. When the Ministry of National Defense announced the first award in June 2021, the amount was 9.622 billion yuan Taiwan dollars (11 sets), when the second announcement in October 2022, the amount increased slightly to 10.015 billion yuan (11 sets). According to the third announcement issued by the Ministry of National Defense today, the purchase contract price of the long-range precision fire strike system, It has increased to 27.066 billion Taiwan dollars (29 sets).

A military person said today that the Army has provided a total of 32.523547 billion yuan for the whole case. The main price of the latest procurement contract between Taiwan and the United States is 27.066 billion Taiwan dollars, and the remaining 5.5 billion yuan is for domestic supporting facilities, personnel training and Peripheral systems and more.

The Artillery Headquarters of each army regiment currently uses the Thunder 2000 multiple rocket system as the main force of rockets. In the future, after gradually receiving the HIMARS system, the rocket battalions of each Artillery Headquarters will expand.

The picture shows the military's active Thunder 2000 multi-tube rockets firing live ammunition, the momentum is extremely amazing.

(Picture: Provided by Youth Daily)

keywords

  • army

  • Hippocampus Multiple Launch Rocket (HIMARS)

  • "Taiwan Navy"

  • M142 Seahorse Multiple Launch Rocket System

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