Taiwan Prepares for Chinese Invasion with Patriot System and HIMARS MLRS in Urban Warfare Drill.

Taiwan has intensified its defensive preparations in response to the growing threat from mainland China by deploying sophisticated American-made weapon systems during its largest annual military exercise, Han Kuang, now in its 41st edition. During this unprecedentedly long show of force, Taiwanese authorities coordinated the deployment of Patriot missiles, the HIMARS artillery system, and portable Stinger surface-to-air missiles across the densely populated Taipei area. These deployments are part of a broader strategy aimed at deterring any attempt at a Chinese invasion, amid escalating bilateral tensions.
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Units from the Taiwanese Air Force positioned Patriot missile launchers in a riverside park near Songshan Airport as part of a simulation to defend critical infrastructure against an aerial attack by China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) (Picture source: Taiwanese MoN Defense)

The presence of these defense systems in public spaces within the capital immediately drew attention from civilians and the media. Units from the Taiwanese Air Force positioned Patriot missile launchers in a riverside park near Songshan Airport as part of a simulation to defend critical infrastructure against an aerial attack by China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The launchers can be equipped with either four Patriot II missiles, specialized in intercepting aircraft and cruise missiles, or sixteen Patriot III missiles, designed to neutralize ballistic missiles such as China’s Dong Feng 15. This operational distinction enables a layered air defense tailored to various threats, reinforcing the island’s missile shield.

Simultaneously, Taiwanese soldiers equipped with American-made portable Stinger surface-to-air missiles were seen in several districts of Taipei, demonstrating low-altitude defense capabilities. These exercises involved both shoulder-fired and vehicle-mounted versions within a scenario simulating a Chinese amphibious landing. The tactic aims to strengthen the troops' ability to intercept enemy aircraft operating at low altitude, particularly helicopters and drones that could support a ground offensive.

In central Taichung, south of Taipei, two armored trucks equipped with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) were deployed. This precision-guided rocket artillery system, noted for its operational impact in Ukraine, represents a strategic asset for striking ground targets over long distances. Military spokesperson Colonel Chen Lian-jia emphasized the need to conceal these systems from enemy satellites, aerial reconnaissance, and infiltrated operatives prior to deployment. This caution seeks to preserve the element of surprise and ensure the survivability of these critical units.

The equipment deployed in the exercise reflects the progress in the delivery of American weapons to Taiwan, although the Washington-based Cato Institute estimates that by the end of last year, around $20 billion worth of orders remained pending. This arms buildup is part of a broader "hard deterrence" strategy advocated by the United States to complicate any Chinese offensive. Nevertheless, the U.S. maintains its policy of “strategic ambiguity,” avoiding any commitment to intervene militarily in the event of an invasion.

The 2025 edition of Han Kuang also introduced, for the first time, the use of the Taipei metro system as a means of military mobility. Units from the Military Police and the Army’s Third Logistics Command maneuvered within the underground network, in coordination with the municipal government. Armed with Stinger missiles, machine guns, 40mm grenade launchers, and anti-tank rockets, troops moved between Shandao Temple and Longshan Temple stations, with passenger traffic temporarily suspended. The metro system, comprising 135 stations and 150 kilometers of track, much of it underground, offers a potentially resilient network against airstrikes and enemy bombardments.

The use of the metro in this context serves a dual purpose: protecting troop and equipment movements from aerial and satellite observation, and enabling tactical pop-up operations within the urban space to surprise the adversary. The military notably used service wagons, usually reserved for maintenance, to transport freight through the city, with handling equipment such as forklifts facilitating the loading of heavy gear.

This ability to utilize civilian infrastructure in wartime aligns with Taiwan’s comprehensive urban defense strategy, anticipating a conflict where Taipei could become a major battleground. Metro stations could thus be converted into command posts, field hospitals, or storage zones, enhancing the military-civilian continuum in national resilience. However, this approach raises concerns about civilian safety. The militarization of the metro could prompt the PLA to target such infrastructure, risking collateral damage and underground combat, an increasingly anticipated scenario in modern megacities.

These widely publicized operations highlight the expansion of Taiwan’s defensive capabilities both technologically and tactically. The Patriot, HIMARS, and Stinger systems now form the backbone of an integrated response to the various Chinese threats, in a context where Beijing is believed to have set 2027 as the target date for gaining the capacity to invade the island. Taiwan’s military response relies not only on equipment modernization but also on the strategic exploitation of its urban environment, anticipating a conflict where survival will depend as much on technological assets as on tactical adaptability.