Republic of China Army

The Republic of China Army (ROCA; ) is the largest branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China. An estimated 80% of the ROC Army is located on Taiwan, while the remainder are stationed on the smaller 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.

Organization
The ROC Army's current operational strength includes 3 armies, 5 corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, 5 armoured brigades and 3 mechanized infantry brigades. All infantry brigades stood down and transferred to Reserve Command after 2005.

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

A new type of unit called defense team (守備隊) 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.


 * Army General Headquarters (陸軍司令部)
 * 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.
 * Aviation and Special Forces Command (航空特戰指揮部)
 * 601 Air Cavalry Brigade (original special force battalion assigned transferred back to 862nd Brigade)
 * 602 Air Cavalry Brigade (original special force battalion assigned transferred back to 862nd Brigade)
 * 603 Air Cavalry Brigade (this is a phantom unit, only exists on paper, no manpower, units, helicopters assigned)
 * 101st Reconnaissance Battalion (better known as Sea Dragon Frogman, has a company station in Kinman, Matsu, 3 in Penghu, and other frontline islands)
 * Special Forces Command (特戰指揮部) In charge of 3 training centers
 * Army Airborne Training Center (大武營「陸軍空降訓練中心」)
 * Army Special Forces Training Center (谷關「陸軍特戰訓練中心」)
 * Army Winter and Mountain Training Center (武嶺寒訓中心)
 * Special Operation Command
 * 862 Special Operation Group (originally 862nd Special Operation Brigade, with 3rd, 4th, and 6th battalion that transferred back from aviation brigades)
 * 871 Special Operation Group (units unknown)


 * 6th Army Corps (第六軍團指揮部): Northern Taiwan
 * 269 Mechanized Infantry Brigade
 * 542 Armor Brigade
 * 584 Armor Brigade
 * 21 Artillery Command
 * 801 MLR Battalion, with 2 company, each with 12 KF-6.
 * 53 Engineer Group
 * 73 Signals Group
 * 33 Chemical Warfare Group


 * 8th Army Corps (第八軍團指揮部): Southern Taiwan
 * 333 Mechanized Infantry Brigade
 * 564 Armor Brigade
 * 43 Artillery Command
 * 802 MLR Battalion, with 2 company, each with 12 KF-6.
 * 54 Engineer Group
 * 75 Signals Group
 * 39 Chemical Warfare Group




 * 10th Army Corps (第十軍團指揮部): Central Taiwan
 * 234 Mechanized Infantry Brigade (will receive CM-32 "Clouded Leopard" wheeled IFV beginning of 2011)
 * 586 Armor Brigade
 * 58 Artillery Command
 * 803 MLR Battalion, with 2 company, each with 12 KF-6.
 * 52 Engineer Group
 * 36 Chemical Warfare Group
 * 74 Signals Group


 * Hua-Tung Defense Command (花東防衛指揮部): Eastern Taiwan
 * Hualien (花蓮) Defense Team
 * Taitung (台東) Area Command


 * Kinmen Defense Command (金門防衛指揮部)
 * Jindong (金東, Kinmen East) Defense Team
 * Jinshih (金西, Kinmen West) Defense Team
 * Shihyu (獅嶼) Defense Team
 * Artillery Group


 * Penghu Defense Command (澎湖防衛指揮部)
 * 1 Armored Battalion, 1 Armored Infantry Battalion, 1 Armored Cav Battalion, 1 mixed Artillery Battalion.


 * Matsu Defense Command (馬祖防衛指揮部)
 * Beigao (北高) Area Command
 * Juguang (莒光) Area Command


 * Dongyin Area Command (東引地區指揮部)


 * Logistics Command (後勤指揮部)
 * Education, Training and Doctorine Command (教育訓練暨準則發展指揮部)
 * Republic of China Military Academy, Training & Command Schools, Chemical Warfare Corps, Engineering Corps, Arsenal Development.


 * Armed Force Reserve Command (後備指揮部)
 * 9 active infantry brigades, 24 Reserve brigades (Activated only in time of war)

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

Training
The Republic of China Military Academy trains officers for the army in a four year program.

History
The Republic of China Army was founded as the National Revolutionary Army, the armed wing of Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang (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. 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 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.

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.

Equipment


From the 1990s onwards, the Republic of China Army launched several upgrade programmes to replace out-dated equipment with cutting edge state of the art 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, M109A6 "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 underground 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.

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. 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. It has been reported that the ROC Army will seek new third generation main battle tanks, as the M60A3s are aging. The possible tanks under consideration are the US M1A2, UK Challenger, German Leopard 2A6, French AMX-56 Leclerc and the Israeli Merkava. However it is expected to procure the US M1A2 due to closer military ties.

The U.S. Government announced on October 3 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.

On August 31, 2010, it was announced for next year's defense budget, ROCA plan for next generation MBT has been put on hold, due to lack of budget.