| Unit Name: | Republic of China Navy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Navy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role: | Maritime warfare | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size: | 40,000 active personnel (2023) 67,000 reservists (2023) 167 ships (2023) 24 aircraft (2023)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Command Structure: | Republic of China Armed Forces | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colors: | White Blue Red | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March: | Chinese: 新海軍 ("The New Navy") | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment Label: | Fleet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commander1: | Admiral Tang Hua[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commander1 Label: | Commander of the Navy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commander2: | Vice Admiral Ao Yizhi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commander2 Label: | Deputy Commanding-General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commander3: | Chief Petty Officer First Class Weng Linjun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commander3 Label: | Master Chief Petty Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Identification Symbol Label: | Ensign | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Jack | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Identification Symbol 3 Label: | Commissioning pennant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Identification Symbol 4 Label: | Unit colour | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Module: |
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The Republic of China Navy (ROCN; historically as the Chinese Navy or ROC Navy, colloquially the Taiwanese Navy) is the maritime branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces (ROCAF).[3] [4]
The service was formerly commonly just called the Chinese Navy during World War II and prior to the ROC's retreat from the mainland.[5] While still sometimes used especially in domestic circles, it is now not as often used internationally due to the current ambiguous political status of Taiwan and to avoid confusion with the People's Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Today, the ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend the ROC's remaining territories and the sea lanes under its jurisdiction against any possible blockades, attacks, or invasion. Operations include maritime patrols in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, as well as readiness for counter-strike and counter-invasion operations during wartime. The Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC) also 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).
The Navy CHQs (Chinese: 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.
1st Hai Chiao Guided Missile Boat/Craft Squadron of 10 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[6] [7]
See also: Naval history of China. The Republic of China Navy was established after the 1911 Revolution, during which several Qing dynasty warships changed sides to support the revolutionaries. The commander of one of those ships, Huang Zhongying, became the first Minister of the Navy of the Republic of China. Several naval expansion programs were proposed during the first decade of the republic, but none of them were carried out because of a lack of funding, the outbreak of World War I, and the chaos of the Warlord Era in China. The cruisers that had been acquired by the Qing dynasty between the 1870s and the 1900s remained the main ships of the Chinese fleet through the 1930s. During this time the ROC Navy consisted of three fleets: the Central, Northeast, and Guangdong fleets, and its command structure was divided because of the warlordism in the country. When Sun Yat-sen established his government in 1917 in Guangzhou he was supported by the Navy admirals Cheng Biguang and Lin Baoyi,[13] and when Chiang Kai-shek began his Northern Expedition in 1926 another admiral, Yang Shuzhuang, led part of the Beiyang Fleet to defect to his forces.
After the success of the Northern Expedition Chiang Kai-shek wanted to expand the navy but these plans were also not implemented. By this point the main purpose of the ROCN was coastal and river defense, and the main focus of the fleet was the Yangtze river, which could be used by large ocean-going ships to go several hundred miles into China. By the late 1930s the ROCN was not comparable to the Imperial Japanese Navy, and its cruisers were lost at the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. They were either sunk by Japanese aircraft or scuttled by their crews to use as blockships in the Yangtze. Most of the Chinese navy was destroyed early on and in 1940 the Ministry of the Navy was disbanded by Chiang Kai-shek.
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" (Chinese: 新海軍).
See also: History of Taiwan (1945–present). In 1895, the island of Taiwan was placed under Japanese rule, with the Imperial Japanese Navy responsible for defending the waters of Taiwan and Penghu. After World War II, on 25 October 1945, the jurisdiction of Taiwan and Penghu was transferred to the Republic of China and the ROCN began its operation in that territory.
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. As of 2004 the ROCN had been working hard to expand its capability in electronic and anti-submarine warfare, as well as the replacement of antiquated warships and support vessels. While for many years the ROCN operated hand me down and foreign designed vessels in recent years they have been operating a higher number of indigenous platforms, sensors, and weapons much of it made by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.[14]
In 2018 Lungteh Shipbuilding was awarded a contract to produce eleven Tuo Chiang Block II corvettes and four minelayers for the Taiwanese Navy.[15]
In April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic the ROCN cut short their semi-annual goodwill mission to Central and South America. The flotilla consisting of two frigates and a supply vessel was subject to 30 days of quarantine after returning to Taiwan.[16]
In April 2020 Taiwanese boatbuilder Karmin International Co., Ltd. won a NT$450-million (US$14.9-million) contract to supply the Republic of China Navy with eighteen special operations watercraft and eight RIB tenders, the latter for the Cheng Kung-class frigates. Delivery is scheduled for June 2022. The contract covered only the watercraft themselves with their machine guns, infrared equipment, and boarding ladders sourced separately.[17]
See main article: Republic of China Armed Forces rank insignia.
See main article: List of ships of the Republic of China Navy.
Traditionally, most ROCN equipment has been purchased from the United States. The ships themselves have often been older, second-hand vessels without the newest technology. More recently, however, 1990's several ships have been built domestically under licence or through domestic development. The ROCN has also purchased s from France and s from the Netherlands as well as four U.S. (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.
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.[18] 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.[19]
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-3Cs.[20] At least a portion of these missiles will be installed on the navy's s.
On 29 January 2010, the U.S. government announced five notifications to the U.S. Congress for arms sales to the ROC. In the contracts total US$6.392 billion, ROC Navy would get 2 s for US$105 million, 25 Link 16 terminals on ships for US$340 million, 10 ship- and 2 air-launched Harpoon L/II for US$37 million.[21] [22]
The ROC Navy already has 95 older Harpoon missiles in its inventory for the 8 s, 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.[23]
On 31 August 2010, it was announced for the next year's defense budget, ROCN planned to lease one or two more s (LST) from the United States, but the 900-ton stealth corvette plan was put on hold, due to lack of funds.[24] That same year, On 29 September, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution, authorizing the U.S. Government for the sale of one more Osprey-class minehunter to the ROC.[25]
Other ongoing local upgrade programs include locally designed and built Ching Chiang class of 12 patrol ships. Since 2006, seven ships of this class were upgraded to carry four HF-2/3 with W-160 fire control radar from Wu Chin III program (as well as Honeywell H-930 MCS CDS stripped from seven 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.
On 29 December 2010, two LSTs (Chinese: 中肇、中治戰車登陸艦) and four remaining of Adjutant-class coastal minehunters were retired.[26]
In 2011, the navy retired several vessels. On 31 October, all eight PCL in the 124th Fleet were retired.[27] On 28 December, the two 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.[28]
In June 2018, two s of the US Navy, ex- and ex-, 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 advanced AN/SQR-19 Multi-Function Towed array sonar. 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.[29]
The keel of a new rescue and salvage ship was laid in March 2022.[30]
The ROC Navy has started construction on 12 new domestically built light frigates for the Taiwanese Navy. These vessels are in the 2500 ton weight class and will have two configurations, an anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) version and an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) version. Both variants will be equipped with an OTO Melera 76mm gun with programmable ammunition and a close-in weapons system (CIWS), either a Phalanx 20mm gun system or the indigenous Sea Oryx. The AAW variant will have a 32 cell VLS for TC-2N missiles while the ASW will have two box launchers for 16 TC-2N missiles. The AAW variant will have 8 anti-ship cruise missile launchers, each able to fit either a single HF-2 or HF-3, while the ASW variant will have 16 launchers. The ASW variant is the only variant that will be fitted with Mk 32 light torpedo launchers and a towed variable depth sonar. The frigates will have a BAE System's Artisan radar, Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS-330 combat management system, and either Rolls Royce MT30 or General Electric LM2500 engines for propulsion. The new frigates are intended to become the workhorse of the ROC Navy, replacing the larger OHP and La Fayette class frigates in patrol duties.[31]
See main article: Yushan-class landing platform dock. In September 2018, Taiwan confirmed a contract for the first amphibious assault ship built in Taiwan. It will be built by CSBC Corporation, a local shipyard. Four are planned, with the first to enter service around 2021. It will be roughly similar to the US Navy's, but with a slightly smaller displacement. Support features include a full hospital, well deck, full aviation facilities, storage for wheeled vehicles, and dedicated accommodations for a full battalion of Marines.[32] The vessel design will be armed with a 76 mm naval gun in the primary position, a close-in weapon system (CIWS) turret, two 12.7 mm machine gun positions in the forward section, and launchers that can deploy the Hsiung Feng II and III family of anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles.[33] [34] [35] The primary sensor is expected to be a naval version of the indigenous CS/MPQ-90 Bee Eye AESA radar.[36]
The ROC Navy currently lacks a modern fleet defense system. Keelung class destroyers currently use obsolete Mark 26 missile launchers designed from the 1970s and does not currently have a modern centralized air defense combat system like the Aegis.[37] [38] Past US administrations rejected the sale of Aegis radar system and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including George W. Bush in 2001. Under the George W. Bush administration, the US instead sold Taiwan four Kidd-class destroyers, which did not carry the Aegis and were no longer in service in the US Navy at the time.[39] [40] [41] However, in January 2019, the US government delivered two sets of Mk 41 VLS to Taiwan. The ROC government plans to integrate the MK41 VLS and locally developed Tien-Kung III (Sky Bow III) with its indigenously developed Hsun Lien naval combat system, which is similar to Aegis, to upgrade its ship air defense capabilities.[42] [43] Taiwan has acquired the license and technology to produce additional MK 41 VLS launchers. The ROC Navy currently as of 2019 possesses at least 14 warships compatible with the Mk41.[44] In November 2019 it was reported that the decommissioned amphibious landing ship Kao Hsiung (LCC-1) was being used as a test ship for the Hsun Lien naval combat system project and had been fitted with a large phased array radar system and the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.[45] In January 2020, it is reported the Tien-Kung III (Sky Bow III) is successfully fired from the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System.[46] [47] In August 2023, it was reported the domestically developed Hua Yang vertical missile launch system (VLS) has passed tests and will be installed on new naval ships in the future.[48] In 2022, it was reported as a short term solution the ROC Navy will upgrade their Kang Ding-class (La Fayette class) with 32-cell VLS integrated with their domestically developed Aegis-like system with the assistance of a retired French Navy officer. The VLS will have TC-2N surface-to-air missiles, a large upgrade over the existing RIM-72C Sea Chaparral, though it will lack the air defense range of its Keelung Class destroyer with their SM-2 Block IIIA missiles.[49]
See main article: Hai Kun-class submarine. In November 2020, President Tsai Ing-wen opened the submarine construction facility in Kaohsiung with plans to build eight submarines. Construction was to begin with a prototype boat which was to be built over 78 months. The first boat is scheduled to enter service in 2025.[50] [51] Between December 2020 and February 2021, the United States reportedly approved the export of three key systems to Taiwan for the program: digital sonar systems, integrated combat systems and auxiliary equipment systems (periscopes).[52]
In 2023, Taiwan revealed its first domestically designed and built submarine, the Hai Kun.[53] The submarine was moved onto a floating dry dock and then launched off the CSBC shipyard in Kaoshiung on February 26, 2024.[54]
| Class | Picture | Type | Ships | Displacement | Note< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigates (22 in service)--> | ||||||
| & / frigate | | 4,105 tonnes | Eight licensed ships based on US built. Two additional ex-US Navy ships (ROCS Ming Chuan & ROCS Feng Jia)purchased[55] [56] | |||
| / frigate | | 3,600 tonnes | French-built | |||
| / frigate | | 4,260 tonnes | Ex- | |||
| Class | Picture | Type | Ships | Displacement | Note< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol ships (7 in service) & corvette (3 in service)--> | ||||||
| / patrol ship / corvette | | 500 tonnes | Delivery began 1999-2000 | |||
| / corvette | | 600 tonnes | Lead ship delivered in March 2014.[57] | |||
| Class | Picture | Type | Ships | Displacement | Note< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minesweepers (9 in service)--> | ||||||
| / minesweeper | | 558.3 tonnes | MWW-50 class, built anew in Germany in early 1990s[58] | |||
| / minesweeper | 735 tonnes | ex-. 1 vessel still in active commission ( have been decommissioned.) | ||||
| Yung Jin-class | / minesweeper | | 893 tonnes | ex- | ||
| / minelayer | FMLB-1 FMLB-2 FMLB-3 FMLB-5 | 347 tons | Built in Taiwan by Lung Teh Shipbuilding, 2020-2021[59] | |||
| Class | Picture | Type | Ships | Displacement | Note< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amphibious ships (9 in service)--> | ||||||
| / tank landing ship | | 8,450 tonnes | ex-USN and | |||
| Chung Hai-class | / tank landing ship | | 4,080 tonnes | Landing Ship, Tank (LST-1) | ||
| Kaohsiung-class | / amphibious command ship | 3,698 tonnes | ex-, an | |||
| Hsu Hai-class | / dock landing ship | 13,700 tonnes | ex-, an | |||
| Yushan-class | / Amphibious transport dock | 10,600 tonnes | ||||
| Class | Picture | Type | Boats | Displacement | Note< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submarines (2 in service)--> | ||||||
| Chien Lung-class | / Diesel-electric submarine | ROCS Hai Lung (SS-793) ROCS Hai Hu (SS-794) | 2,660 tonnes | Based on . These are also known by the lead ship's name as the Hai Lung-class. | ||
(Tench-class) | / Diesel-electric submarine | (ex-USS Cutlass) (ex-USS Tusk) | 2,420 tonnes | Used primarily for training. World's oldest longest-serving submarines.[60] Has two (one for each submarine) of the three remaining working Arma gyrocompass in the world.[61] Expected to be retired after construction of IDS project boats. | ||
| / Diesel-electric submarine | 2,500 tonnes | First domestically developed submarine. Launched on February 26, 2024. | ||||
| Class | Picture | Type | Boats | Displacement | Note< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary Ships (10 in service)--> | ||||||
| / fast combat support ship | 20,895 tonnes | AOE-532 | ||||
| Wu Yi-class | / fast combat support ship | 17,000 tonnes | AOE-530 | |||
| Ta Kuan-class | / research ship | 3,200 tonnes | Oceanographic measurement | |||
| Ta Hu-class (Diver-class) | / rescue and salvage ship | (ex-USS Grapple) (ex-USS Recovery) | 1,975 tonnes | Expected to be retired after the construction of the An-hai Project | ||
| Ta Tung-class (Cherokee-class) | / fleet tug | (ex-USS Apache) (ex-USS Achomawi) | 1,680 tonnes | Consisted of ex-USN and tugboat. Expected to be retired after the construction of the An-Hai Project | ||
See main article: article and Republic of China Naval Aviation Command.
| Name | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-wing--> | ||||||
| Maritime patrol | P-3C | 12 | Re-built ex-US Navy aircraft and replaced ROCN Grumman S-2 Trackers | |||
| Signals reconnaissance | EP-3E | 3 | Spare P-3C airframes acquired for future conversion to EP-3E Aries I of II platform | |||
| Reconnaissance UAV | 26 | In service as of 2019[62] | ||||
| Reconnaissance UAV | Cardinal II | 54 | six units (54 aircraft) acquired in 2016[63] | |||
| Name | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes< | -- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helicopters--> | ||||||
| S-70C(M)-1/2 Thunderhawk | 18[64] | To be replaced | ||||
| 7 | Out of original 13 ordered | |||||
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes< | -- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface-to-air missile--> | ||||||
| Sky Sword I | Short-range | Shipboard deployment with Sea Oryx system. | ||||
| Sky Sword II | Medium-range | Unknown number of TC-2N, to be fielded on Tuo Chiang Block II corvettes and retrofitted on the Kang Ding-class frigates. | ||||
| RIM-66 SM-1MR | Medium-range | 97 RIM-66B Standard-1MR delivered in 1993, 207 RIM-66B Standard-1MR delivered in 1994, 204 RIM-66B Standard-1MR delivered in 2001 | ||||
| RIM-66 SM-2MR | Medium-long range | 148 Standard Missile-2MR delivered in 2005, 144 Standard Missile-2MR delivered in 2008, 16 Standard Missile-2MR ordered in 2017 | ||||
| RIM-72C Sea Chaparral | Short-range | Deployed on some domestic warships as well as La Fayette Frigates. To be replaced.[65] | ||||
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes< | -- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-ship missile--> | ||||||
| AGM-84 Harpoon | Subsonic | (183) AGM-84s – (60) 84Ls[66] | ||||
| Hsiung Feng II | Subsonic | Unknown, in mass production with secondary ground attack capability[67] | ||||
| Hsiung Feng III | Supersonic | Unknown, in mass production with secondary ground attack capability | ||||
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes< | -- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIWS--> | ||||||
| Phalanx CIWS | Gun System | 20mm, 7 Mk-15 delivered in 1989, 6 Mk-15 delivered in 1996, 1 Mk15 delivered in 2014, 13 Mk15 delivered in 2016, 11 Mk15 delivered in 2018 | ||||
| Sea Oryx | Missile System | Short-range missile defence system available in a 24-round launcher using off-board sensors, or an autonomous 12-round launcher with its own radar and EO/IR sensor. The system can be truck-mounted or mounted on a warship.[68] | ||||
| XTR-101/102 | Gun System | 20mm, more than 20 systems deployed in coastal defenses.[69] | ||||
| Name | Origin | Type | Notes< | -- | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torpedoes--> | ||||||
| Mark 46 torpedo | Lightweight | 100 delivered in 1992, 150 Mk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered in 1994, 110 Mk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered in 1998, 90 Mk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered in 2000, 41 Mk-46 Mod-5 NEARTIP delivered in 2001 | ||||
| Mark 48 torpedo | Heavyweight | 46 ordered in 2018 | ||||
| SUT torpedo | Heavyweight | multirole, 200 delivered in 1998 from Indonesian production line | ||||
All remaining bases are small naval stations supporting PCL class small patrol boats and Fast Attack Boat:
The Naval Maritime and Surveillance Command oversees a network of surveillance radar stations across Taiwan. These include high altitude sites like Hsiaohsuehshan which is located at more than 3,000m above sea level. The high altitude sites pose unique challenges to the Navy as they are often located in inaccessible areas and experience extreme weather including months of snow in the winter.[70]
In May 2021 the navy ordered a new series of shore based medium-to-long range maritime surveillance radars from NCSIST. Because the radar system will likely come under attack in a war the navy has been pulling staff back to central command centers.[71]