Taiwan took delivery last year of the first 11 of 29 HIMARS units, testing them for the first time in May. With a range of about 300 km, the weapons could strike coastal targets in China's southern province of Fujian on the other side of the Taiwan Strait.

Within that framework, a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan has become the scenario most often cited as the likeliest flashpoint for a military confrontation between the two superpowers. In Washington,

Taiwan debuted its new US-supplied M1A2T Abrams tanks in live-fire drills, showcasing advanced capabilities aimed at deterring a Chinese invasion and enhancing US-Taiwan military cooperation.

Gen. Ronald Clark, the commander of U.S. Army Pacific, said a recent symposium that the chances are slim that Chinese forces could successfully mount a strait crossing on the scale needed to invade Taiwan.

Beijing has declared Taiwan as an "inalienable" part of China, whereas Taipei has long asserted its independence.

Taiwan launched its largest ever military drills on Wednesday, starting with simulated attacks on its command systems and infrastructure ahead of a Chinese invasion, senior defence officials said.

With Beijing likely to rely on asymmetric capabilities rather than landing soldiers to invade, America can help siege-proof the island democracy.

DRAMATIC footage captures a fleet of Chinese tank boats charging through the sea in tight formation during military drills near Taiwan. The show of force by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)