Republic of China Navy

The Republic of China Navy (中華民國海軍) is the maritime branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The ROC Navy's primary mission is the defense of Taiwan and the sea lanes that surround it against a blockade or invasion by the People's Republic of China. Operations include maritime patrols in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and counter-strike and counter-invasion operations during wartime. The Republic of China Marine Corps function as a branch of the Navy.

Organization

• Navy General Headquarters (海軍總司令部)

Navy GHQ is subordinate to the General Staff, the Minister of Defense, and the ROC President.

• Internal units: Personnel, Combat Readiness & Training, Logistics, Planning, Combat Systems, General Affairs, Comptroller, Inspector General, Political Warfare.
• Naval Fleet Command (艦隊司令部)

• 124th Fleet: Tsoying, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan
• 131st Fleet: Keelung, Taipei County, Taiwan
• 146th Fleet: Makung, Penghu
• Amphibious Fleet (151st Fleet), Tsoying, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan
• 168th Fleet: Suao, Yilan County, Taiwan
• 192nd Fleet (Navy Mine Fleet): Tsoying, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan
• 256th Submarine Squadron
• Hai Chiao PGMG Guided Missile Gunboat Group (海蛟大隊)
• Aviation Command

• Marine Corps Command (陸戰隊司令部)
• Education, Training and Doctrine Command(教育訓練暨準則發展司令部)
• Logistics Command (後勤司令部)
• Naval Academy, Hydrographic & Oceanographic Bureau, Shipbuilding Development Center, Communication Systems, General Service.

History

The precursor to the modern ROC Navy was established as the Ministry of the Navy in the Provisional Government of the Republic of China in 1911 following the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. During the period of warlordism that scarred China in the 1920s and 1930s the ROCN remained loyal to the Kuomintang government of Sun Yat-sen instead of the warlord government in Beijing. During that time and throughout World War II, the ROCN concentrated mainly on brown water operations.

During the Chinese Civil War, the ROCN was involved in the protection of supply convoys and the ultimate withdrawal of the ROC Government to Taiwan in 1949. The ROCN was also involved in patrols and resupply operations to Kinmen and Matsu in the Taiwan Strait during the Cold War.

Since the 1990s the Navy has grown in importance as the emphasis of Taiwan's military doctrine moves towards countering a possible PRC blockade, as well as offshore engagement. The ROCN has been working to expand it's capibility in electronic and anti-submarine warfare, as well as the replacement of its current obsolete submarine fleet.

Equipment

Traditionally, most ROCN equipment is purchaed from the United States, though several ships have been built domestically under licence or through domestic development. The ROCN has also purchased Lafayette class frigates from France and Zwaardvis class submarines from the Netherlands during the early 1990's.

Despite the ROCN's ability to refurbish and extend the service life of its vessels and equipment well beyond expectation, the ROCN has suffered from procurement difficulties and the submarine fleet is comprised of obsolete World War II era ships.

• Aircraft

S-2 Tracker

P-3 Orion, procurement process pending.

MH-53H Sea Dragon

S-70C

• Amphibious

Hsuhai class (旭海級, Anchorage class)

Chung Ho class (中和級, Newport class)

Chung Hai class (LST-1)

Mei Lo class (LSM-1)

• Destroyers

Chi Teh class (紀德級, Kidd class), delievery expected in 2006.

Chao Yang class (Gearing class)

• Frigates

Cheng Kung class (成功級, Perry class)

Chi Yang class (濟陽級, Knox class)

Kang Ding class (康定級, Lafayette class)

• Minesweapers

Yung Yang class (MSO 422 Aggressive)

• Patrol Craft

Ching Chiang class (錦江級, Kuang Hwa III)

Kuang Hwa VI class missile boat

Hai Ou class missile boat (海鷗級)

• Submarines

Hai Lung class (海龍級, Zwaardvis class)

Hai Shih class (海獅級, Guppy class)

• Support

Da Guan survey ship (達觀級)

Related topics

• People's Liberation Army Navy
• Political status of Taiwan

External references & links

• ROC Navy website(Chinese)
• ROC Navy ships
• ROC MND National Defense Report (2004)
• Global Security article on ROC Navy
• Combat Units Under the ROC Navy Fleet HQ
• 1999 U.S. Dept. of Defense report on Taiwan Strait situation