Why in the news?
Taiwan conducted a live-fire exercise using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on its west coast for the first time, simulating strikes against an invading force from China and demonstrating its “shoot-and-scoot” capability.
HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System)
- Full form: High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
- Country of origin: United States.
- Type: Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
- Mounted on: A 6×6 military truck chassis.
- Designed for: Precision long-range strikes.
Range
- Approximately 300 km (190 miles) using long-range precision rockets.
- From western Taiwan, it can potentially strike targets in China’s Fujian Province across the Taiwan Strait.
What is “Shoot-and-Scoot”?
- A battlefield tactic used by mobile artillery systems.
- Involves:
- Moving to a firing position.
- Launching rockets.
- Immediately relocating before enemy counter-attacks.
[2022] Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
d) Though International Court, of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.