HALIFAX, Nova Scotia—Next year, U.S. Army Forces Pacific will deploy new intermediate-range missiles in the region to deter China from invading Taiwan. These will include a limited number of land-based Tomahawks and SM-6s, and Gen. Charles Flynn announced this at the Halifax International Security Forum. The Marine Corps activated its first Tomahawk battery in July at Camp Pendleton, California.
Flynn also mentioned that the Army’s Precision Strike Missile might follow the deployment of these missiles, with the PrSM designed to hit targets at “499+” kilometers and be fired from the HIMARS platform. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command officials have also noted that regional militaries are looking to exercise with U.S. forces in response to China’s increasingly aggressive behavior.
In 2021, then-INDOPACOM commander Adm. Philip Davidson told Congress that China might invade Taiwan “in the next six years.” Flynn highlighted various factors that could be shaping Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s thoughts, including economic sanctions, efforts to fracture the U.S. network of allies and partners, China’s military readiness, and influence and information operations.
Vincent Chao, a top Taiwanese official stationed in Washington, said at Halifax that ongoing operations in Taiwan focus on spreading disinformation to undermine support for the current administration and influence the upcoming January elections.
