Republic of China Navy

Republic of China Navy
中華民國海軍
Emblem of the Republic of China Navy
Founded
  • 1924 (1924)
Country Republic of China
Allegiance Republic of China
TypeNavy
RoleMaritime warfare
Size40,000 active personnel (2023)[1]
67,000 reservists (2023)[1]
167 ships (2023)[2]
24 aircraft (2023)[3]
Part ofRepublic of China Armed Forces
Colors  White
  Blue
  Red
March新海軍
("The New Navy")
Fleet
Websitenavy.mnd.gov.tw (in Chinese)
Commanders
Commander of the Navy Admiral Tang Hua[4]
Deputy Commanding-General Vice Admiral Ao Yizhi[4]
Master Chief Petty OfficerChief Petty Officer First Class Weng Linjun[4]
Insignia
Ensign
Jack
Commissioning pennant
Unit colour
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese中華民國海軍
Simplified Chinese中华民国海军
Chinese Navy
Traditional Chinese中國海軍
Simplified Chinese中国海军
Literal meaningChina Navy

The Republic of China Navy (ROCN; also called the ROC Navy and retroactively as the Chinese Navy but colloquially as the Taiwanese Navy) is the maritime branch of the Republic of China Armed Forces (ROCAF).[5][6]

The service was formerly commonly just called the Chinese Navy during World War II and prior to the ROC's retreat from the mainland.[7] 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).

  1. ^ a b IISS 2023, p. 291.
  2. ^ IISS 2023, p. 292.
  3. ^ World Air Forces 2023. FlightGlobal, p. 31.
  4. ^ a b c "Navy Command hierarchy". Republic of China Navy. ROC Ministry of National Defense.
  5. ^ "Taiwan navy under fire for letting sailors infected with coronavirus into community". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  6. ^ Makichuk, Dave (16 December 2020). "Taiwan's new corvette warships come heavily armed". Asia Times. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. ^ "The Month In Free China". taiwantoday.tw.

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