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Republic of China Navy
Personnel
Sailors	23,000 (2004 est.)
Marines	30,000 (2004 est.)
Strength
Major Surface Combatants	40 (1999 est.)
Patrol Boats	100
Minesweepers	30
Amphibious Ships	25

The Republic of China Navy (中華民國海軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó Hǎijūn) is the maritime branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China, commonly referred to as Taiwan. The ROC Navy's primary mission is the defense of ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround it against a blockade or attack by forces of 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.

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

Contents 1 Organization 2 History 2.1 1911 - 1949 2.2 1949 - present 3 Equipment 3.1 Destroyers 3.2 Frigates 3.3 Submarines 3.4 Amphibious 3.5 Minesweepers 3.6 Patrol Craft 3.7 Support 3.8 Aircraft 4 See also 5 References & notes 6 External links

• 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 District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
• 131st Fleet: Keelung, Keelung City, Taiwan
• 146th Fleet: Makung, Penghu
• Amphibious Fleet (151st Fleet), Tsoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
• 168th Fleet: Suao, Yilan County, Taiwan
• 192nd Fleet (Navy Mine Fleet): Tsoying District, Kaohsiung City, 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.

Sources: ^{[1] [2][3]}

See also Naval history of China.

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 antiquated ROCN stood no chance whatsoever at repelling the IJN on brown or blue water.^[4]

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. ROCN units defecting to the PLA during the final days of the civil war would eventually form what became the People's Liberation Army Navy, much to the chagrin of ROCN units who remained loyal to the ROC government. 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).

Following the relocation of the ROC government to Taiwan, the ROCN was 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 the ROC's military doctrine moves towards countering a possible PRC blockade, as well as offshore engagement. The ROCN has been working to expand its capability in electronic and anti-submarine warfare, as well as the replacement of its current inadequate submarine fleet.^[2]

See also: List of ships of the Republic of China Navy

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 during the early 1990's.

Despite the ROCN refurbishing and extending the service life of its vessels and equipment, it has suffered from procurement difficulties due to pressure exerted on potential arms suppliers from China. It has only four submarines, half of which are obsolete and only useful for training.^[5]

Sources: ^{[6] [7]}

• Kee Lung class destroyer (Kidd class) - 4

• Cheng Kung class frigate (Oliver Hazard Perry class) - 8
• Chi Yang class (Knox class) - 8
• Kang Ding class frigate (La Fayette class) - 6

• Hai Lung class submarine (Zwaardvis class) - 2
• Hai Shih class submarine (Tench class) - 2

• Hsuhai class (Anchorage class) - 1
• Chung Ho class (Newport class) - 2
• Chung Hai class (LST-1) - 10
• Mei Lo class (LSM-1) - 4

• Yung Yang class minesweeper (Aggressive class) - 4
• Yung Feng class (MMW50 class) - 4

• Ching Chiang class patrol ship - 12
• Kung Hua VI class missile boat - 1 Prototype (29 more planned but funds currently frozen due to investigation of alleged corruption scandal)
• Hai Ou class missile boat - 48

Da Guan survey ship (達觀級) - 1

• S-2T - 4 (Originally 26, most retired)
• S-70C - 19
• Hughes 500MD/ASW Defender - 13

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

• ROC Navy website (Chinese)

Military of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
Army  • Navy  • Air Force
Military Police  • Marine Corps