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 defense and Counterattack against Amphibious Assault and Urban Warfare .
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| Personnel | 200,000 (2004 est.)
| | Armour | 1,831 (2005 est.)
| | Armoured fighting vehicles | 1,175 (2005 est.)
| | Artillery | 1,465 (2005 est.)
| | Helicopters | 220 (2003 est.)
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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 Armoured 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.
- (航空特戰司令部)
- 3 Air Cavalry/Airborne brigades
- 1 Special Warfare brigade
- (第六軍團司令部): Northern Taiwan
- 7 Infantry brigades
- 1 Motorized Infantry brigade
- 1 Armoured Infantry brigade
- 2 Armour brigades
- (第八軍團司令部): Southern Taiwan
- 5 Infantry brigades
- 1 Motorized Infantry brigade
- 1 Armoured Infantry brigade
- 1 Armour brigade
- (第十軍團司令部): Central Taiwan
- 6 Infantry brigades
- 1 Motorized Infantry brigade
- 1 Armoured Infantry brigade
- 1 Armour brigade
- (花東防衛司令部): Eastern Taiwan
- 2 Infantry brigades
- (金門防衛司令部)
- 3 Infantry brigades
- 1 Armour brigade
- (澎湖防衛司令部)
- 2 Infantry brigades
- 1 Armour brigade
- (馬祖防衛司令部)
- 2 Infantry brigades
- (東引防衛司令部)
- 1 Infantry brigade
- (後備軍人司令部)
- 24 Reserve brigades (Not active in peace time)
- (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.
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From the 1990s onwards, the Republic of China Army launched several upgrade programmes to replace dated equipment, 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 tanks, M109 "Paladin" Howitzers and AH-1W Cobra attack helicopters, as well as updating existing equipment.
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.
In June 2007, the Taiwanese legislative approved the upgrade of the existing PAC-2 batteries to PAC-3 standard. In July it was reported that the ROCA would request the purchase of 30 AH-64D II Apache attack helicopters from in the 2008 defence budget.5 The United Daily News reported that as many as 90 MH-60L helicopters would also be ordered to replace the UH-1H currently in service.
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