The United States is reinforcing its military presence across the Indo-Pacific region as part of a strategic effort to confront the growing dominance of China. In this context, the Army has initiated a significant transition of its artillery units stationed in Hawaii, moving from traditional Howitzers to the more advanced High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
The U.S. Army officially announced in mid-July that it would be replacing a total of 14 Howitzers—eight 105mm and six 155mm—with 16 HIMARS launchers for the 25th Infantry Division situated at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This change aims to bolster operational readiness and enhance long-range precision fire capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
HIMARS is a mobile, mounted multiple rocket launcher that provides U.S. Army units with an agile and lethal option for long-range engagements on the battlefield. This transition entails re-training 73 cannoner soldiers (13B) to operate the HIMARS system, although it results in an overall personnel reduction of 119.
The transition to HIMARS is part of the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), which was launched on May 1, 2025. ATI is a comprehensive modernization strategy focused on adapting the Army to emerging global threats and technological advancements.
Led by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the initiative emphasizes cutting outdated and inefficient programs while securing new priorities for defense, particularly as the Army responds to a rapidly shifting security landscape.
Although Howitzers have been a mainstay of U.S. Army artillery for decades, the HIMARS system represents a substantial leap forward in firepower and battlefield effectiveness. Demonstrated during the conflict in Ukraine, HIMARS played a crucial role in altering the course of combat, prompting significant changes in the tactical landscape by demonstrating its effectiveness in hitting key Russian military assets.
The operational success of HIMARS in Ukraine—particularly its precision strikes against command nodes and ammunition depots—has informed U.S. Army modernization efforts. As military doctrines evolve, the emphasis on ‘shoot-and-scoot’ capabilities has gained prominence, as these features allow for quick repositioning to evade incoming fire.
High wear on M777 artillery barrels during the Ukraine War revealed substantial maintenance challenges, further driving interest towards more robust and less maintenance-intensive systems like HIMARS.
Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, remarked upon the announcement, “It’s clear that the HIMARS weapon system will make us more lethal at the end of the day. It extends the range of long-range precision fires while still retaining the capability to win in the close fight with mobile brigades with the cannon artillery.”
This move comes amidst ongoing tensions surrounding a possible conflict with China, given the rapid expansion of its military capabilities. China’s assertive posture in the Indo-Pacific, particularly regarding its Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, seeks to constrain U.S. and allied movements in critical areas, notably the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) employs advanced missile systems and naval forces to project its power and exert control over disputed territories. The mobility, accuracy, and long-range operational capacities inherent to the HIMARS system are designed to effectively counter these threats, especially during potential clashes in the Taiwan Strait where U.S. engagement may be necessary.
The shift in the 25th Infantry Division’s artillery capabilities aligns strategically with the geographical advantages presented by Hawaii, home to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. As a key island territory, Hawaii facilitates rapid deployment and operational coordination across allied nations in the Pacific.
HIMARS’ strategic role is amplified due to its ability to quickly reposition across various islands or remote bases, as opposed to traditional towed howitzers that require significant setup time in the field.
According to General Evans, “What the HIMARS gives us is agility. Oftentimes when you combine HIMARS in terms of flooding the zone and trying to confuse [the] adversary’s observation-sensing capability, having a piece of equipment that provides increased mobility like HIMARS allows for rapid displacement.”
The HIMARS will be fully integrated into multi-domain operations, cooperating alongside electronic warfare units and drones. This approach enhances the U.S. Army’s capacity to confront well-prepared and skilled adversaries, especially in the vast expanses of the Pacific where strategic positioning is crucial during conflicts.
With upgrades to HIMARS, its range and precision enhancements have opened new possibilities for targeting mobile units, such as naval vessels, further underscoring its potential impact in a scenario involving China over Taiwan.
Ultimately, the transition to the HIMARS system will allow for a leaner operational footprint, necessitating fewer personnel compared to traditional artillery battalions.
Despite this shift in focus, the U.S. Army will maintain its conventional cannon artillery capabilities. Colonel Dan Von Benken, Division Artillery Commander, emphasized that while HIMARS will provide imperative long-range, precise firepower, traditional howitzers will still play an essential role in close-combat scenarios.
The use of HIMARS in the Indo-Pacific is not an entirely new undertaking for the Army. In recent years, the system has featured prominently in training exercises, including operations in the Philippines. A notable instance occurred on June 30, 2025, when Soldiers from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force conducted HIMARS live-fire drills at Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation alongside their Philippine counterparts.
The U.S. continues to undertake significant measures to enhance its military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific in light of the growing threat from Beijing. This includes deploying systems like the Typhon missile and the Navy-Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction Systems (NMESIS).
The HIMARS system has also captivated global interest, with several nations actively seeking to upgrade their artillery capabilities. Countries such as Australia and Taiwan have already acquired and integrated HIMARS into their armed forces.
The HIMARS system has become a critical ground combat capability, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Its proven effectiveness on the battlefield has garnered significant attention from military analysts and strategists.
HIMARS consists of a medium-sized tactical truck equipped with six GPS-guided rockets, each capable of covering a range exceeding 43 miles (69 km). The rocket, measuring thirteen feet in length and known as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), carries a 200-pound high-explosive warhead, and its GPS guidance ensures targeting precision within 16 feet.
As per Lockheed Martin, the HIMARS offers a range of tactical missiles, from the 69-kilometer GMLRS to the longer-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which can extend operations up to 499 kilometers.
These capabilities allow HIMARS to employ ‘shoot and scoot’ tactics by utilizing its wheeled chassis, significantly reducing vulnerability to counter-fire from adversaries.
Further enhancing its operational utility, HIMARS is integrated with an advanced digital fire control system, employing GPS/INS guidance and connected to command networks for real-time targeting.
Its lightweight design allows for rapid deployment in remote or austere environments, which is particularly vital for U.S. operations across the diverse topography of the Indo-Pacific.
The HIMARS system can also be swiftly airlifted by a C-130 military cargo aircraft in less than ten minutes, reinforcing its responsiveness in critical scenarios.
Most crucially, the HIMARS facilitates joint operational capabilities by working seamlessly with drones, satellites, and electronic warfare systems, enabling real-time intelligence gathering and target engagement for rapid response operations.
Designed for flexibility, deployability, and lethality, HIMARS stands as a key asset within modern U.S. Army and Marine Corps operations, especially in expeditionary settings where rapid adaptability is paramount.
Experts recognize HIMARS as ideally suited for distributed operations in the Pacific, requiring the ability to reposition swiftly across the region’s island chains.
image source from：eurasiantimes
