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''
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| Personnel | 200,000 (2004 est.)
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| Armor | 1,831 (2005 est.)
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| Armored fighting vehicles | 1,175 (2005 est.)
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| Artillery | 1,465 (2005 est.)
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| Helicopters | 220 (2003 est.)
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The (中華民國陸軍; (Taiwan). Roughly 80% of the ROCA is located on
Taiwan proper, while the remainder are stationed on the offshore islands of
Kinmen ,
Matsu , and
Penghu . As the final line of defense against a possible invasion by the
People's Republic Of China , the primary focus is on counter-landing operations and urban warfare.
The ROCA's current operational strength includes 3
Armies , 5
Corps , and 27
Divisions . As of 2005, the Army's 35
Brigade s include 25
Infantry brigades, 5
Armor ed brigades, and 3
Mechanized Infantry brigades.
1 2 3
- (陸軍總司令部)
:The ROC Army GHQ is headed by a 3-star general and is responsible for overall command of all ROC Army assets. Army GHQ is subordinate to the General Staff (military), the Minister of Defense (civilian), and the ROC President.
- Internal Units: Personnel, Combat Readiness & Training, Logistics, Planning, Communications, Electronics & Information, General Affairs, Comptroller, Inspector General, Political Warfare.
- (航特司令部)
- (第六軍團司令部): Northern Taiwan
- (第八軍團司令部): Southern Taiwan
- (第十軍團司令部): Central Taiwan
- (花東防衛司令部): Eastern Taiwan
- (金門防衛司令部)
- (澎湖防衛司令部)
- (馬祖防衛司令部)
- (東引防衛司令部)
- (後勤司令部)
- (教育訓練暨準則發展司令部)
- Military Academy, Training & Command Schools, Chemical Warfare Corps, Engineering Corps, Arsenal Development.
ROCA's former Army Missile Command has become an independent command subordinate to the General Staff, commanding assets from the ROCA and ROCN.
in
Cihhu .]]
The ROCA was founded as the
National Revolutionary Army , the armed wing of
Sun Yat-sen 's
KMT in 1924. It participated in the
Northern Expedition , the
Second Sino-Japanese War (during
World War II ) and the
Chinese Civil War before withdrawing with the
ROC government to Taiwan in 1949. 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 1988 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.
In the defense of Taiwan, it has participated in combat operations 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 ese coast.
With the downsizing of ROC 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.
4 See "Reforming the Armed Forces", page 5. Recent short term goals in the Army include acquisition and development of joint C2 systems, advanced attack helicopters and armored vehicles,
MLRS , and field air defense systems. The Army is also in the process of transitioning to an all volunteer force.
2004 National Defense Report . See Part 2: Defense Policy and Military Strategy.
Because of the emphasis on counter-invasion operations and offshore engagemnt, as well as procurement difficulties due to diplomatic isolation, most of the offensive equipment of the ROCA is outdated when compaired to other forces. The ROCA has sought to remedy this with upgrade programs and emphasis on rapid deployment forces suited for combat in Taiwan's heavily urbanized environment. Along with the other ROC military branches, the ROCA has extensive experience in the construction and utilization of underground tunnels and bases gained during the PRC bombardments of
Kinmen and
Matsu during the Cold War and many facilities are rumored to be located underground in undisclosed locations.
Sources:
5
::
CM11/CM12 (M48H)
::
M48A5
::
Type 64 (M41)
- Armored Fighting Vehicles
:: CM32
::
CM31
::
CM21
::
M113
::
V-150
::
M109 Howitzer
::
M108
::
M115
::
M59
::
M101
::
TRF1
::
MIM-104 Patriot
::
Sky Bow I
::
Sky Bow II
::
HAWK
::
Avenger
::
Chaparral
::
Stinger
::
CH-47SD
::
OH-58D
::
UH-1H
- Small Arms
::T-86 assault rifle
::T-91 assault rifle
