Republic of China Navy

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Not to be confused with People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the naval forces of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Republic of China Navy
中華民國海軍
Zhōnghuá Mínguó Hǎijūn
Republic of China Navy (ROCN) Logo.svg
Active 1924–present
Country  Republic of China
Type Navy
Size 38,000 personnel
117 Ships
28 Aircraft
Part of Republic of China Armed Forces
Colors white     
Fleet 4 Destroyer
20 Frigate
31 Missile boat
2 Submarine
1 Corvette
12 Patrol ship
9 Minesweeper
10 Landing Ship, Tank
(10 Auxiliaries)
Website navy.mnd.gov.tw (in English)
Commanders
Commander of the Republic of China Navy ROCN Admiral's Flag.svg Admiral Huang Shu-kuang (黃曙光)[1]
Deputy Commander of the Republic of China Navy ROCMC Lieutenant General's Flag.svg Marine Lieutenant General Pan Chin-lung (潘進隆)
Insignia
Ensign Flag of the Republic of China.svg
Jack Naval Jack of the Republic of China.svg

The Republic of China Navy (ROCN; Chinese: 中華民國海軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Hǎijūn) is the maritime branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces. The ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround Taiwan against a blockade, attack, or possible invasion by the People's Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China. Operations include maritime patrols in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, as well as counter-strike and counter-invasion operations during wartime. The Republic of China Marine Corps functions as a branch of the Navy.

The ship prefix for ROCN combatants is ROCS (Republic of China Ship); an older usage is CNS (Chinese Navy Ship).

Organization[edit]

Republic of China Navy Command Headquarters[edit]

The Navy CHQs (中華民國國防部海軍司令部) 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 Fleets Command (艦隊指揮部)
1st Hai Chiao Guided Missile Boat/Craft Squadron of 10 Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat at Suao naval base
2nd Hai Chiao Guided Missile Boat/Craft Squadron of 10 Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat
3rd Hai Chiao Guided Missile Boat/Craft Squadron of 10 Hai Ou-class missile boat (Dvora class)
4th Hai Chiao Guided Missile Boat/Craft Squadron of 10 Hai Ou-class missile boat (Dvora class)
5th Hai Chiao Guided Missile Boat/Craft Squadron of 11 Kuang Hua VI-class missile boat[2][3]
  • Hai Feng Shore Based Anti-ship Missile Group (海鋒大隊), operates 6 batteries of fixed/mobile HF-2 anti-ship missiles.
  • 7th Hai Feng Shore Based Anti-ship Missile Squadron (海鋒大隊第七中隊), Haulien, Eastern Taiwan.[4][5][6]
  • Naval Aviation, at Pingtung, will receive 12 P-3C 2013/2014.
  • 1st ASW Aviation Group
  • 133rd Squadron: S-2T, at Pingtung.
  • 134th Squadron: S-2T, at Pingtung.
  • 2nd ASW Aviation Group
  • 701st Helicopter Squadron (Light), S-70C(M)-1, at Hualien.
  • 702nd Helicopter Squadron (Light), S-70C(M)-2, at Tsoying.
  • 501st Helicopter Squadron (Light), 500MD ASW, at Tsoying.
  • Maintenance Group
  • 1st Maintenance Squadron (Pingtung)
  • 2nd Maintenance Squadron (Tsoying)
  • 3rd Maintenance Squadron (Hualien)
  • Marine Corps Command (陸戰隊指揮部)
  • 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.

Sources:[7][8][9]

History[edit]

ROC (Taiwan) Navy
Flag of Republic of China Navy
Leadership
Ministry of Defense
Commands
Republic of China Marine Corps
Personnel
Rank insignia
Equipment
Ships
History and Traditions
Naval history of China
Orders, Decorations and Medals
List of orders, decorations and medals
Order of Blue Sky and White Sun

1914–1949[edit]

See also: Naval history of China
ROCN delegation in Washington D.C., 1930.

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 riverine warfare as the poorly equipped ROCN was not a match to Imperial Japanese Navy over ocean or coast.[10]

Following World War II, a number of Japanese destroyers and decommissioned U.S. ships were transferred to the ROC Navy. During the Chinese Civil War, the ROCN was involved in the protection of supply convoys and the withdrawal of the ROC Government and over 1 million refugees to Taiwan in 1949. The subsequent reorganization and reestablishment of the Navy after evacuation to Taiwan is referenced in the lyrics of the post 1949 ROC Navy Song "The New Navy" (新海軍).

1949–Present[edit]

Following the relocation of the ROC government to Taiwan, the ROCN was involved in a number of commando attack escorts, evacuation and transport of more displaced soldiers and later to provide patrols and resupply operations to Kinmen and Matsu in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea offshore islands.

Since the 1990s the Navy has grown in importance as the emphasis of the ROC's military doctrine moves towards countering a possible People's Republic of China (PRC) blockade, as well as offshore engagement. The ROCN has been working hard to expand its capability in electronic and anti-submarine warfare, as well as the replacement of its current antiquated fleet.[8] However local shipbuilder CSBC still lacks the technology to build modern submarines.[11]

Rank and rating insignia[edit]

Officers
Equivalent
NATO code		 OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D) and student officer
Taiwan Republic of China
(Edit) 		No equivalent Taiwan-navy-OF-9b.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-9a.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-8.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-7.svg No equivalent Taiwan-navy-OF-5.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-4.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-3.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-2.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-1b.svg Taiwan-navy-OF-1a.svg None.svg
General Admiral
一級上將 		Admiral
二級上將 		Vice admiral
中將 		Rear admiral
少將[12] 		Captain
上校[12] 		Commander
中校 		Lieutenant commander
少校 		Lieutenant
上尉 		Lieutenant (junior grade)
中尉 		Ensign
少尉 		Officer cadet
軍校生
Pinyin Yījí Shàngjiàng Èrjí Shàngjiàng Zhōngjiàng Shaojiàng Shàngxiào Zhōngxiào Shàoxiào Shàngwèi Zhōngwèi Shàowèi Jūnxiào shēng
Non-commissioned
Equivalent
NATO code		 OR-9 OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Taiwan Republic of China
(Edit) 		Taiwan-Navy-OR-9.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-8.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-7.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-6.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-5.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-4.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-3.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-2.svg Taiwan-Navy-OR-1.svg
Command master chief petty officer
一等士官長 		Master chief petty officer
二等士官長 		Senior chief petty officer
三等士官長 		Chief Petty Officer
上士 		Petty Officer 1st Class
中士 		Petty Officer 2nd Class
下士 		Seaman
上等兵 		Seaman apprentice
一等兵 		Seaman recruit
二等兵
Pinyin Yīděng Shìguān zhǎng Èrděng Shìguān zhǎng Sānděng Shìguān zhǎng Shàngshi Zhōngshi Xiàshi Shàngděng Bīng Yīděng Bīng Èrděng Bīng

Equipment[edit]

See also: List of ships of the Republic of China Navy
ROC Navy Kang Ding-class (Lafayette-class) frigate with S-70C helicopter

Traditionally, most ROCN equipment is purchased 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 as well as four U.S. Kidd-class (renamed Keelung) destroyers originally intended for Iran.

Despite the ROCN refurbishing and extending the service life of its vessels and equipment, it has suffered from procurement difficulties due to pressures exerted by the PRC. It has only two useful submarines. The U.S. has approved sales of eight new diesel powered submarines but lacks the manufacturing capability to make the engines; at the same time, threats from the PRC prevent the necessary technology transfer from other countries. Furthermore, the Legislative Yuan did not approve the budget and thereby slowed the opportunity to procure the badly needed underwater defense capability.

In 2003 the US Government suggested buying four Nazario Sauro-class refurbished submarines from Italy, that reportedly agreed to sell them plus an additional four other submarines, following their decommissioning by the Italian Navy. However, Taipei rejected the offer, saying it wanted new submarines

On 12 September 2007, an arms notification was sent to the United States Congress concerning an order for 12 P-3C Orion patrol aircraft and 3 "spare aircraft", along with an order for 144 SM-2 Block IIIA surface-to-air missiles.[13] A contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin to refurbish the 12 P-3C Orion aircraft for the ROC on 13 March 2009, with deliveries to start in 2012.[14]

In 2008, the ROCN set out to acquire an improved anti-ship capability. On 26 August, an arms notification was sent to Congress for an order for 60 air-launched Harpoon Block II missiles for the 12 P-3C.[15] At least a portion of these missiles will be installed on the navy's Hai Lung-class submarines.

On 29 January 2010, the U.S. government announced 5 notifications to the U.S. Congress for arms sales to the ROC. In the contracts total 6.392 billion USD, ROC Navy will get 2 Osprey-class minehunters for 105 million USD, 25 Link 16 terminals on ships for 340 millions, 10 ship- and 2 air-launched Harpoon L/II for 37 million USD.[16][17]

The ROC Navy already has 95 older Harpoon missiles in its inventory for the 8 Knox-class frigates, 22 newer RGM-84L for the 4 Kidd-class destroyers, 32 sub-launched Harpoon II on order for the 2 Hai Lung-class submarines, and with 60 air-launched Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile on order for the 12 P-3Cs, plus the newly announced 10 ship-launched and 2 air-launched Harpoon II/L sales.[18]

On 31 August 2010, it was announced for next year's defense budget, ROCN planned to lease 1 or 2 more Newport-class tank landing ships (LST) from the United States, but the 900-ton stealth corvette plan was put on hold, due to lack of funds.[19] That same year, On 29 September, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution, authorizing the U.S. Government for the sale of 1 more Osprey-class minehunter to the ROC.[20]

Other ongoing local upgrade programs include locally designed and built Ching Chiang class of 12 patrol ships that were designed back in the 1990s to carry 4 HF-1 anti-ship missiles on board but only the lead ship of the class had them. Since 2006, 7 ships of this class were upgraded to carry 4 HF-2/3 with W-160 fire control radar from Wu Chin III program (as well as Honeywell H-930 MCS CDS stripped from 7 retired Yang class Wu Chin 3 anti-air warfare destroyers). In 2010 more ships of this class were undergoing this same upgrade program but using CSIST produced fire control radars instead. Currently 4 different variants exist within this class, the original Ching Chiang patrol ship constructed with 4 HF-1 (1 existing in this configuration).

On 29 December 2010, 2 LSTs (中肇、中治戰車登陸艦) and 4 remaining of Adjutant-class coastal minehunters were retired.[21]

In 2011, the navy retired several vessels. On 31 October, all 8 PCL in the 124th Fleet were retired.[22] On 28 December, the 2 Lung Jiang-class (PSMM Mk5) guided missile patrol boats (PGG 601 and PPG 602) of the 131st Fleet were retired from ROC Navy service, after entering service in 1978 and 1981 respectively.[23]

On 15 April 2014, the Defence Minister Yen Ming announced that the United States will help Taiwan to build its own diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs). Taiwan is looking to build eight submarines indigenously whilst also actively seeking to purchase diesel-electric submarines from other nations. The submarines would greatly improve the Navy's defensive capabilities.[24] It has been reported that in November 2014 Taiwan will announce a 20-year modernisation plan to replace the entire fleet. The plan is for four destroyers of 10,000 tons, 10–15 frigates of 3,000 tons, new amphibious ships and 4–8 submarines of 1,200–3,000 tons. The submarines may be built with a foreign partner but the surface ships would all be domestic designs.[25][26]

In April 2018, President of the United States Donald Trump approved the license necessary for American firms to sell Taiwan the technology needed to build its own submarines.[27]

USS Taylor (FFG-50), 2014

In June 2018, two Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates of the US Navy, ex-USS Taylor (FFG-50) and ex-USS Gary (FFG-51), were handed over to the Government of Taiwan for the Republic of China Navy. The transfer cost was an estimated US$177 million. The transfer of the ships includes the AN/SQR-19 [[Multi-Function Towed Array]. Taiwan had previously been blocked from acquiring the AN/SQR-19, and the transfer of the system points to an anti-submarine focus in line with the Knox-class frigates they will likely replace.[28]

In July 2018, it was reported[29] that company from India and defense contractor from Japan have submitted design proposals for Indigenous Defense Submarine program[30] alongside two companies from America and another two from Europe.[31]

Ships and submarines[edit]

Destroyers (4 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Kee Lung-class  United States destroyer 4 Ex-Kidd-class

  • Kee-Lung-class

Frigates (20 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Cheng Kung-class  Taiwan frigate 8 Based on US Oliver Hazard Perry-class.
Chi Yang-class  United States frigate 6 Ex-Knox-class
Kang Ding-class  France frigate 6 French-built La Fayette-class

  • Cheng Kung-class

  • Chi Yang-class

  • Kang Ding-class

Fast Attack Missile Crafts (31 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Kuang Hua VI-class  Republic of China missile boat 31 Delivery began 2003

  • Kuang Hua VI-class

Submarines (2 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Chien Lung-class  Netherlands diesel-electric submarine 2 Based on Zwaardvis-class submarine. These are also known by the lead ship's name as the: Hai Lung-class.
Hai Shih-class  United States diesel-electric submarine 2 Training

  • Hai Lung-class

  • Hai Shih-class

Patrol Ships (12 in service) & corvette (1 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Ching Chiang-class  Republic of China patrol ship 12 naval Kuang Hua III program
Tuo Chiang-Class  Republic of China corvette 1 on 14 March 2014.[32]

  • Ching Chiang-class

  • Tuo Chiang-class

Minesweepers (9 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Yung Feng-class  Germany minesweeper 4 MWW-50 class, built anew in Germany
Yung Yang-class  United States minesweeper 3 ex-Aggressive class
Yung Ching-class  United States minesweeper 2 ex-Osprey class

  • Yung Yang-class

  • Yung Ching-class

Amphibious Ships (10 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Newport-class  United States tank landing ship 2 ex-USN USS Manitowoc (LST-1180) and USS Sumter (LST-1181)
Chung Hai-class  United States tank landing ship 6 Landing Ship, Tank (LST-1)
Kaohsiung-class  United States tank landing ship 1 ex-USS Dukes County (LST-735) LST-542 class tank landing ship
Hsu Hai-class  United States dock landing ship 1 ex-USS Pensacola (LSD-38) Anchorage-class dock landing ship

  • Newport-class

  • Chung Hai-class

  • Kaohsiung-class

  • Hsu Hai-class

Auxiliary Ships (10 in service)
Class Origin Type In service Notes
Pan Shi-class  Republic of China fast combat support ship 1 AOE-532
Wu Yi-class  Republic of China fast combat support ship 1 AOE-530
Ta Kuan-class  Italy research ship 1 oceanographic measurement
Ta Hu-class  United States rescue and salvage ship 2 ARS-552 (ex-USS Grapple)
Ta Tung-class  United States fleet tug 5 ATF-548 (ex-USS Chickasaw)

  • Pan Shi-class

  • Wu Yi-class

  • Ta Kuan-class

  • Ta Hu-class

  • Ta Tung-class

Aircraft[edit]

Aircraft (28 in service)
Aircraft Origin Type In service[33] Notes
Sikorsky S-70C(M)-1/2 Thunderhawk  United States SAR ASW Naval utility helicopter 19 Out of 10+11 ordered
Hughes 500MD/ASW Defender  United States ASW Naval utility helicopter 9 Out of original 13 ordered
Lockheed P-3C Orion  United States Maritime patrol aircraft 12 Re-built ex-US Navy aircraft and replaced ROCN Grumman S-2 Trackers
Lockheed EP-3E Orion  United States signals reconnaissance 3 Spare P-3C airframes acquired for future conversion to EP-3E Aries I of II platform

Marine Corps[edit]

Republic of China Marine Corps:

Procurement[edit]

2 Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to be ordered.[34][35][36]

Bases[edit]

  • Tsoying Naval Base – 1st Naval District HQ, largest naval base in Taiwan and naval airfield near Kaohsiung
  • Tsoying Naval Airfield and Naval Yard – Tsoying District
  • Makung Naval Base (Makung, Pescadores) – 2nd Naval District HQ – home to attack squadrons, training centre and naval yard
  • Keelung Naval Base, Keelung – 3rd Naval District HQ, home to northern patrol and transport squadrons and small naval yard
  • Suao Naval Base, Su-ao, Yilan – East Coast Command and supports Keelung Naval Base

All remaining bases are small naval stations supporting PCL class small patrol boats and Fast Attack Boat:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "New defense minister urges alert over Chinese espionage". focustaiwan.tw. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  2. ^ "First KH-6 squadron entered service as 5th Sea Dragon Squadron". Central News Agency. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  3. ^ "First KH-6 squadron entered service". pchome.com.tw. Retrieved 2010-05-18.
  4. ^ "Red Roof Tiles and White Walls, Hidden Missile Base Next To Hotel". United Daily News. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  5. ^ "Navy opens missile base in eastern Taiwan to media". The China Post. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  6. ^ "ROC Navy opens missile base in eastern Taiwan to media". China Defense Blog. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  7. ^ "Navy – Overview". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2006-03-08.
  8. ^ a b "2004 National Defense Report" (PDF). ROC Ministry of National Defense. 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 11, 2006. Retrieved 2006-03-05.
  9. ^ "Combat Units Under the ROC Navy Fleet HQ". Taiwanmilitary.org. Archived from the original on 2006-07-18. Retrieved 2006-03-08.
  10. ^ "歷史傳承 (History)". ROC Navy. Retrieved 2006-03-08.[dead link]
  11. ^ "Navy questions CSBC's capability to build submarines" ROC Central News Agency. March 14, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Rank of Flotilla commander
  13. ^ "Pentagon could make 2.2 billion dollar arms sales to Taiwan". Yahoo! news. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2007-09-13.[dead link]
  14. ^ "U.S. in deal to refurbish aircraft for Taiwan". Washington Post. 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2007-09-13.[dead link]
  15. ^ Jennings, Ralph (2008-08-27). "U.S. to sell anti-ship missiles to Taiwan". Reuters.
  16. ^ "USDA New Release" (PDF). dsca.mil. 2010-01-29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  17. ^ "USDA New Release" (PDF). dsca.mil. 2010-01-29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  18. ^ "armstrade.sipri.org". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
  19. ^ "Next Year Defense Budget Believed To Be Lowest In 5 Years". United Daily newspaper. 2010-08-31. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
  20. ^ "US Congress approved sales of mine hunter to Taiwan". United Daily News. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2010-09-30.
  21. ^ "6 Navy ships retired". Youth Daily News. 2010-12-29. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
  22. ^ "All 8 Navy PCL Retired Into History". Military News Agency. 2011-10-31. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  23. ^ "2 Lung Jiang Missile Guided Patrol Boats Retired". United Daily News. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  24. ^ "US to Help Taiwan Build Attack Submarines". The Diplomat. 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2014-10-30.
  25. ^ Minnick, Wendell (20 September 2014). "Taiwan Previews Major Naval Acquisition Plan". Defense News.
  26. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-defence-idUSKBN1770CE
  27. ^ Price, Greg (8 April 2018). "Trump Testing China? President Gives Taiwan License to Buy American Submarines". Newsweek.
  28. ^ Taiwan receives two US Navy frigates, Mike Yeo, DefenseNews, 2018-06-14
  29. ^ http://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/2483811
  30. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-taiwan-defence/taiwan-to-build-eight-submarines-under-indigenous-shipbuilding-project-idUSKBN1770CE
  31. ^ https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/india-japan-to-submit-design-proposals-for-taiwans-new-indigenous-submarine/
  32. ^ http://www.janes.com/article/35351/taiwan-launches-first-carrier-killer-stealth-missile-corvette
  33. ^ "Naval Aviation Command". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  34. ^ "US plans to sell warships to Taiwan". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  35. ^ Pike, John. "Taiwan to buy Perry-class frigates from U.S." globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  36. ^ "Taiwan's Force Modernization: The American Side". Defense Industry Daily. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2016.

External links[edit]

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