ROC Army

The Republic of China Army ( Chinese, 中華民國陸軍) also known as the ROC Army (ROCA); colloquially the Taiwanese Army ( Chinese, 台湾陆军) by western or mainland Chinese media, or commonly referred as the National Military Army ( Chinese, 國軍陸軍) by local Taiwanese people, is the largest branch of Taiwan's military, the Republic of China (Taiwan) Armed Forces.

An estimated 80% of the ROCA is based on the Main Island of Taiwan, while the remainder are stationed on the Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Dongsha, and Taiping Islands. This branch was also referred to historically as the Chinese Army and the Nationalist Chinese Army during and after World War II and the 1949 retreat.

Since the Chinese Civil War, no armistice or peace treaty has ever been signed between the Republic of China regime and the communist regime, so as the final line of defense against a possible invasion by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the primary focus of the ROCA is on defense and counterattack against amphibious assault and urban warfare.

Organization

The ROC Army's current operational strength includes three armies, five corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, five armoured brigades and three mechanized infantry brigades. All infantry brigades stood down and transferred to Reserve Command after 2005.

This update reflects the ROCA order of battle at the conclusion of the Jinjing Restructuring Plan in 2008.

A new type of unit called defense team () is being introduced. These are formed by elements of de-activated brigades under each area defense command. The strength of a defense team may vary from one or more reinforced battalions, making it roughly equal to a regiment. The team CO is usually a full colonel.

In the event of war most of the high command would retreat to underground bunkers, tunnel complexes, and command posts.

Republic of China Army Command Headquarters

: The ROC Army CHQ () is headed by a 3-star general and is responsible for overall command of all ROC Army assets. Army GHQ is subordinate to the Chief of the General Staff (military), the Minister of National Defense (civilian) and the ROC President.
:* Internal Units: Personnel, Combat Readiness and Training, Logistics, Planning, Communications, Electronics and Information, General Affairs, Comptroller, Inspector General, Political Warfare.
:* Aviation and Special Forces Command ()
::* 601 Aviation Brigade (original special force battalion assigned transferred back to 862nd Brigade)
::* 602 Aviation Brigade (original special force battalion assigned transferred back to 862nd Brigade)
::* Army Flight Training Command (Converted to the 603 Aviation Brigade during the war)
::* 101st Reconnaissance Battalion (better known as Sea Dragon Frogman, has a company station in Kinmen, Matsu, 3 in Penghu, and other frontline islands)
::* Special Forces Command () In charge of 3 training centers
:::* Army Airborne Training Center ()
:::* Army Special Forces Training Center ()
:::*Army Winter and Mountain Training Center ()
::* Special Forces Command (originally 862nd Special Operation Brigade)
::: Special Force 1st Battalion
::: Special Force 2nd Battalion
::: Special Force 3rd Battalion
::: Special Force 4th Battalion
::: Special Force 5th Battalion

:* 6th Army Corps (): Northern Taiwan
::* Guandu Area Command
::* Lanyang Area Command
::* 269 Mechanized Infantry Brigade
::* 542 Armor Brigade
::* 584 Armor Brigade
::* 21 Artillery Command
::* 53 Engineer Group
::* 73 Signals Group
::* 33 Chemical Warfare Group

:* 8th Army Corps (): Southern Taiwan
::* 333 Mechanized Infantry Brigade
::* 564 Armor Brigade
::* 43 Artillery Command
::* 54 Engineer Group
::* 75 Signals Group
::* 39 Chemical Warfare Group

:* 10th Army Corps (): Central Taiwan
::* 234 Mechanized Infantry Brigade (will receive CM-32 "Clouded Leopard" wheeled IFV beginning of 2011)
::* 586 Armor Brigade
::* 58 Artillery Command
::* 52 Engineer Group
::* 36 Chemical Warfare Group
::* 74 Signals Group

:* Hua- Tung Defense Command (): Eastern Taiwan
::* Hualien () Defense Team
::* Taitung () Area Command

:* Kinmen Defense Command ()
::* Jindong (, Kinmen East) Defense Team
::* Jinshih (, Kinmen West) Defense Team
::* Lieyu () Defense Team
::* Artillery Group

:* Penghu Defense Command ()
::* 1 Armored Battalion, 1 Armored Infantry Battalion, 1 Armored Cav Battalion, 1 mixed Artillery Battalion.

:* Matsu Defense Command ()
::* Nangan () Defense Team
::* Beigan () Defense Team
::* Juguang () Defense Team

:* Dongyin Area Command ()

:* Logistics Command ()
:* Education, Training and Doctrine Command ()
:* Republic of China Military Academy, Training & Command Schools, Chemical Warfare Corps, Engineering Corps, Arsenal Development.

* Armed Force Reserve Command ()
:* 11 infantry brigades
::*101 Infantry Brigade ( tactical command: 10th Army Corps)
::*104 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 10th Army Corps)
::*109 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 6th Army Corps)
::*117 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 8th Army Corps)
::*137 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 8th Army Corps)
::*153 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 6th Army Corps)
::*203 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 8th Army Corps)
::*206 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 6th Army Corps)
::*249 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 6th Army Corps)
::*257 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 10th Army Corps)
::*302 Infantry Brigade (tactical command: 10th Army Corps)

:* Northern Area Reserve Command
:**Keelung City Reserve Brigade
:**Taipei City Reserve Brigade
:**New Taipei City Reserve Brigade
:**Taoyuan City Reserve Brigade
:**Hsinchu Reserve Brigade
:** Yilan County Reserve Brigade
:**Hualien County Reserve Brigade
:**Lianjiang County Reserve Brigade
:**Northern Region First Reserve Force Training Center

:* Central Area Reserve Command
:**Miaoli County Reserve Brigade
:**Taichung City Reserve First Brigade
:**Taichung City Reserve Second Brigade
:**Changhua County Reserve Brigade
:**Nantou County Reserve Brigade
:**Yunlin County Reserve Brigade
:**Chiayi Reserve Brigade
:**Central Region Reserve Forces Training Center

:* Southern Area Reserve Command
:**Tainan City Reserve Brigade
:**Kaohsiung City Reserve First Brigade
:**Kaohsiung City Reserve Second Brigade
:**Pingtung County Reserve Brigade
:**Taitung County Reserve Brigade
:**Penghu County Reserve Brigade
:**Kinmen County Reserve Brigade
:**Southern Region Reserve Forces Training Center

::*24 Reserve brigades (Activated only in time of war)

ROC Army's former Army Missile Command was transferred to ROC Air Force in 2006.

Ranks

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Training

The Republic of China Military Academy, established in 1924, trains officers for the army in a four-year collegiate course of study, after which they graduate with an officer's commission and a bachelor's degree.

History

The Army of the Nationalist Chinese regime

The Republic of China Army originated from the National Revolutionary Army of the Nationalist Chinese regime, which was founded by Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang (KMT) in 1924, when the Whampoa Military Academy was established with Soviet military assistance.

Whampoa Military Academy, which was presided by Chiang Kai-shek, was tasked with the objective of training a professional Chinese revolutionary army () to unify China during the Warlord Era. It participated in the Northern Expedition, the Second Sino-Japanese War (during World War II) and the Chinese Civil War before withdrawing of the ROC government to Taiwan in 1949.

Retreat to Taiwan

After 1949, the ROC Army has participated in combat operations on Kinmen and the Dachen Archipelago against the PLA in the Battle of Kuningtou, and in the First and Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. In addition to these major conflicts, ROCA commandos were regularly sent to raid the Fujian and Guangdong coasts. Until the 1970s, the stated mission of the Army was to retake the mainland from the People's Republic of China. Following the lifting of martial law in 1987 and the democratization of the 1990s, the mission of the ROC Army has been shifted to the defense of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu from a PLA invasion.

Modern Era

With the reduction of the size of the ROC armed forces in recent years, the Army has endured the largest number of cutbacks as ROC military doctrine has begun to emphasize the importance of offshore engagement with the Navy and Air Force. Subsequent to this shift in emphasis, the ROC Navy and Air Force have taken precedence over the ROC Army in defense doctrine and weapons procurement. Recent short-term goals in the Army include acquisition and development of joint command and control systems, advanced attack helicopters and armored vehicles, multiple launch rocket system and field air defense systems. The Army is also in the process of transitioning to an all volunteer force.

During the COVID-19 pandemic Army chemical warfare units were used to disinfect public areas and to do spot disinfections around known disease clusters. In January 2021 the 33rd Chemical Warfare Group was deployed to Taoyuan City to deal with a cluster of infections around a hospital there.

Equipment

From the 1990s onwards, the Republic of China Army launched several upgrade programmes to replace outdated equipment with more advanced weapons, also increasing its emphasis on forces that could be rapidly deployed and were suited for combat in Taiwan's heavily urbanized environment. Orders were placed with the United States for M60A3 Patton tanks, M109A5 "Paladin" howitzers and AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters, as well as updating existing equipment.

Along with the other ROC military branches, the ROC Army has extensive experience in the construction and utilization of tunnels and bases gained during the People's Republic of China's bombardments of Kinmen and Matsu during the Cold War and many facilities are rumoured to be located underground in undisclosed locations.

The U.S. Government announced on October 3, 2008, that it plans to sell $6.5 billion worth of arms to Taiwan ending the freeze of arms sales to Taiwan. Amongst other things, the plans include $2.532 billion worth of 30 AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III Attack helicopters with night-vision sensors, radar, 173 Stinger Block I air-to-air missiles and 1000 AGM-114L Hellfire missiles. and 182 Javelin missiles will also be available with 20 Javelin command launchers and is estimated to cost $47 million.

On January 29, 2010, US Government announced 5 notifications to US Congress for arms sales to Taiwan. Of the total 6.392 billion US dollars in the 5 announcements, ROC Army will receive 60 UH-60M and other related things for cost of 3.1 Billion.

Aviation Assets

In July 2007 it was reported that the ROC Army would request the purchase of 30 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters from the US in the 2008 defence budget. In October 2015 it was announced that 9 AH-64E had been grounded due to oxidation of components in the helicopters' tail rotor gearboxes and comprehensive safety checks were made on all Apaches. The 2008 defense budget also listed a request for 60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as a partial replacement for the UH-1Hs currently in service.

Main battle tanks

As of 2019, the ROC army has 480 M60A3s, 450 CM11s (modified M48 turrets mated to M60 chassis), and 250 CM12s (CM-11 turrets mated to M48 hulls). The design and technology used in the tanks date back to the 1940s and 1950s, including their 105mm rifled gun and utilizing traditional steel armor plating rather than composite materials used in modern armored fighting vehicles. It is expected that the majority of the ROC Army's armored units would continue to be equipped with legacy tanks in upgraded form after the army acquires the newer modern tanks. As of 2015, some CM11 tanks are observed to be upgraded with explosive reactive armor around the turret and hull.

In October 2017, Taiwan announced an upgrade program for 450 M60A3s consisting of replacing the main gun with a new 120 mm weapon, as well as upgrading the ballistics computer, turret hydraulics, and other systems. Testing and evaluation are expected to be completed in 2019 and application of new features to start in 2020. However, in July 2018 the Ministry of National Defense renewed its interest in acquiring Abrams, and had set aside US$990 million to purchase 108 M1A2s while modernization of existing M60A3s in service continues.

On June 7, 2019, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Taiwan has signed a $2 billion weapons deal with the Trump administration, which includes a purchase of 108 M1A2T (M1A2C export variant for Taiwan) Abrams battle tanks. Taiwanese defense officials intend to use the M1A2T Abrams battle tank to replace its army's M60A3 and M48H CM11 tanks.Carlo Muñoz
"Defying China, U.S. to sell new tanks, anti-aircraft missiles to Taiwan in $2B deal"
, ''The Washington Times'', June 7th 2019 On July 8, 2019, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of new M1A2T Abrams tanks to Taiwan despite criticism and protest of the deal from the People's Republic of China (PRC). The deal includes 122 M2 Mounted Machine Guns, 216 M240 machine guns, 14 M88A2 HERCULES vehicles, and 16 M1070A1 Heavy Equipment Transporters. General Dynamics Land Systems will build the tanks at Anniston Army Depot, Alabama, and at Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio. The final signing of the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) was confirmed on December 21, 2019. The tanks represent the first sale of new tanks to the ROC Army in decades from the US. Surplus M1A1 tanks were previously rejected by previous US administrations, including George W. Bush in 2001. Current ROC tanks include used M60A3 tanks and locally manufactured M48 tanks in which the initial variants were first produced between the 1950s and 1960s. The first batch of 38 tanks were received on December 16, 2024, with the remaining tanks to be delivered in two patches, one in 2025 and the final batch in 2026.

Some criticisms were made of these M1 Abrams purchases, some analysts expressed that Taiwan's terrain and some of its bridges and roads are unsuitable for the 60-tonne M1A2. However, Taiwan's current tanks have older 105-millimeter rifled guns that may not be able to readily penetrate the frontal armor of modern People's Liberation Army (PLA) Type 96 and Type 99 tanks, which can easily penetrate the Patton's old-fashioned steel armor with their smoothbore 125mm ZPT-98 main gun. The M1A2T tank's 120mm gun is capable of destroying PLA tanks without reliance on anti-tank missiles. Moreover, tanks can be used as mobile reserves for counterattacks against PLA beach landings, which was successful during the Battle of Guningtou. ROC Army Chief of Staff, Yang Hai-ming, said that China's best tank, the heavy Type 99 tank, would not be able to be transported in an amphibious invasion during a potential war with Taiwan and the PLA would have to rely on the much lighter 20-ton Type 63A tanks. Due to this logistics issue for the PLA there is less concern about the M1A2T tanks having to deal with China's most modern tanks during an amphibious invasion.

Infantry vehicles

CM-32 Yunpao, an 8x8 armoured personnel carrier locally manufactured, will replace ageing M113s and V-150 armoured vehicles. It is a modular vehicle platform capable of accepting various configurations for specific combat requirements. As of 2019, an IFV version of Yunpao armed with Orbital ATK 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannons, CM-34, is planned for production. Production of a version with a 105-mm assault gun, which is modeled on that of the CM-11 Brave Tiger main battle tank, is also scheduled to be completed by 2023.

Air defense

Long and medium range air defense systems are operated by the Republic of China Air Force with the Army assuming much of the SHORAD mission. The most modern air defense system of the Army is the US-made Avenger.

The ROCA is in the process of fielding the Surface-to-Air TC-2 medium range air defense system. Development of a surface launched TC-2 began with the ROCN in 1994.

On June 7, 2019, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Taiwan has signed a $2 billion weapons deal with the Trump administration, which includes a purchase of "250 surface-to-air Stinger missile systems." Taiwan's ROC Army already has 2,223 Stinger missile systems.

Artillery

On September 23, 2019, former Defense Minister Yen De-fa () confirmed the Republic of China Armed Forces has requested the purchase of M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzers from the United States. On August 4, 2021, the Biden administration approved a potential $750 million sale of 40 M109A6 self-propelled howitzers and other supporting equipment, including up to 1,698 kits for precision-guided munitions. However, the M109A6 is reportedly delayed until 2026 or later due to crowded production line forcing the Republic of China Armed Forces to look for alternatives. As of March 2023, the Republic of China Armed Forces is reportedly attempting to acquire hundreds of missile trucks and self-propelled howitzers from the Czech Republic.

As of 2019, the ROC Army's current tube artillery in service consists of M109A2 and M109A5 systems, 8 inch M110A2 self-propelled howitzers and 155mm M114 towed howitzers. These systems have exceeded their service life with the oldest being the M114, which has been in service for 68 years, while the youngest artillery system, the M109A5, has been in service for 21 years. The last artillery system that entered service is the M109A5s, which are ordered in 1996 and taken delivery in 1998.

The ROC Army also maintains a large force of rocket artillery vehicles. There are a handful of Kung Feng VI 117mm rocket launchers still in service, but these are being phased out in favour of the more capable RT-2000. Testing is underway for long-range rockets capable of being fired by the RT-2000 from Taiwan and reaching inland targets on the Chinese mainland. In 2021, Taiwan purchased 11 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from the U.S. to be delivered in 2024, along with the first batch of M1A2T Abrams tanks. A second order of 18 HIMARS is expected to be delivered in 2026.

Gallery

File:ROCA Special Force Team Line up at Armor School 20130302.jpg, ROC Army sharpshooter team
File:ROCAFrogman ARB 04.jpg, ROC Army 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion Training during Amphibious Landing Exercise
File:Frogman.jpg, A military frogman of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion
File:Chemical Safety Persons Cleaning Truck Display at Armor School Right Rear View 20130302.jpg, Chemical Safety Persons Cleaning Truck
File:ROCA Emergency Command Car Display at Chengkungling Rear View 20131012.jpg, ROCA Emergency Command Car
File:ROCA Microwave Broadcasting Van Display at Chengkungling Ground Rear Right View 20131012.jpg, ROCA Microwave Broadcasting Van ( Ford F250 chassis)
File:TRA Nanzih Station by billy1125 (4).jpg, Military equipment on a train
File:ROCA Satellite Telecommunication Vehicle 20111105.jpg, ROCA Satellite Telecommunication Vehicle (Ford E-Series van)
File:ROCA Mobile Water Filter Truck 20120602a.jpg, ROCA Mobile Water Filter Truck (Mercedes-Benz Actros chassis)
File:MAN 35ton Heavy Transporter Display in Chengkungling 20111009a.jpg, MAN 35ton Heavy Transporter
File:ROCA Special Assault Vehicle Display at CKS Memorial Hall Square Front Left View 20140607.jpg, ROCA Special Assault Vehicle
File:ROCA Type 97 NBC Detect Truck Display at No.11 Pier of Zhongzheng Naval Base 20130504a.jpg, ROCA Type 97 NBC Detection (Daimler Truck Unimog) Truck
File:ROCA AH-1W Display at Hukou Camp 20111105a.jpg, ROCA AH-1W
File:ROCA UH-1H 379 Taking off from ROCMA Ground 20140531.jpg, An ROCA UH-1H 379 taking off from ROCMA Ground
File:03.30 「臺北市106年全民防衛暨2017臺北世界大學運動會災害防救及金華演習」，演練空、地立體攻堅 33578031842 d989f4acd4 o.jpg, UH-60M
File:Type 86 carbine.jpg, Type 86 carbine
File:Generator of T-82 20mm Twin Cannon 20121013.jpg, Generator of T-82 20mm Twin Cannon
File:Engineering Equitment of Center Taiwan Resverse Training Center Display in Chengkungling Ground 20121006.jpg, Engineering Equitment of Center Taiwan Reserve Training Center
File:LAADS Housed in S-280 Shelter on Truck 20120211.jpg, LAADS Housed in S-280 Shelter on Truck
File:ROCA Double-modes Infrared Biological Detector Display at Tainan AFB Apron 20130810.jpg, ROCA Double-modes Infrared Biological Detector
File:T4-86 Light Sterilizer with Bath Screen Display at Armor School 20130302.jpg, T4-86 Light Sterilizer with Bath Screen
File:Taipei Taiwan Presidential-Office-Building-10.jpg, Wire dispenser
File:Visitors with ROCA Officer Photoing above Engineering Bridge 20121006.jpg, Visitors with ROCA Officer Photoing above Engineering Bridge
File:Military Light Tactical Vehicle Type B Display at ROCMA Ground 20160604a.jpg, Military Light Tactical Vehicle Type B
File:ROCA M88A1 RV Display in CCK Air Base 20111112a.jpg, ROCA M88A1 RV
File:ROCA Point Defense Array Radar System Truck Display at Chengkungling Ground 20150606c.jpg, CS/MPQ-90 on a Navistar 7000 series truck
File:Bistatic Radar Passive Receiver System Display at Military Academy Ground 20140531a.jpg, Bistatic Radar Passive Receiver System Display at Military Academy Ground
File:陸劍二野戰防空飛彈系統.jpg, Ground based Sky Sword 2 battery
File:CM-32 Yunpao APC Display at Hsinchu AFB 20151121a.jpg, CM-32 APC
File:馬英九總統視導CM-34 30公厘機砲裝步戰鬥車.jpg, CM-32, 30mm Bushmaster cannon armed variant of the CM-32
File:ROCA OH-58D 636 Taking off from ROCMA Ground 20140531a.jpg, OH-58D Kiowa scout helicopter

See also

* Republic of China Army rank insignia
* Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China)
* Republic of China Armed Forces
** Republic of China Navy
*** Republic of China Marine Corps
** Republic of China Air Force
** Republic of China Military Police
* Orders, decorations, and medals of the Republic of China
* Political status of Taiwan
* Santikhiri, a town in Thailand settled by remnants of the 93rd Division

References

External links

ROC Army webpage

{{ROC Military