Republic of China Navy ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ

Key facts

Official Name Republic of China Navy
Country๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan
World rank#15
Ships in service101 (as of 2026)
Total ships112
Naval ensign

Ensign of Taiwan navy

Number of active ships by category

Ship category Active
Patrol boats 37
Frigates 21
Submarines 14
Mine Warfare ships 10
Amphibious ships 8
Corvettes 7
Support ships 5
Other ships 5
Destroyers 4
Cruisers 1

Global Navy Index

35.3
Global Rank: #15 / 70
The Navy Index measures Republic of China Navy's overall naval capability on a 0-100 scale, based on fleet composition and combat effectiveness.
๐Ÿšข Capital Ships 0 Aircraft carriers & cruisers (highest weight)
โš“ Major Combatants 29 Destroyers, submarines & frigates
๐Ÿšค Light Combatants 15 Corvettes & amphibious vessels
โ›ต Minor Vessels 47 Patrol, coastal & mine warfare
๐Ÿ“Š Total Active 101 Combat vessels (auxiliaries excluded)

Methodology: Square root scaled index weighted by ship combat capability. Capital ships score highest due to force projection capability. Auxiliary vessels are excluded.

Overview

The Republic of China Navy fleet includes Kee Lung-class destroyers, Cheng Kung-class frigates, and Kang Ding-class frigates. The surface force also maintains Chi Yang-class frigates for anti-submarine operations. Littoral capabilities are centered on Tuo Chiang-class guided-missile corvettes and Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats, supported by Chin Chiang-class patrol vessels. Submarine assets include the Hai Lung-class and the indigenous Hai Kun-class. Amphibious operations are conducted using the Yushan-class landing platform dock and Hsu Hai-class dock landing ships.

Domestic shipbuilding programs are currently focused on the Indigenous Defense Submarine (IDS) project. The lead vessel of this class, *Hai Kun*, conducted sea trials throughout 2025. The production of Tuo Chiang-class corvettes continues at domestic yards, with additional hulls delivered in 2025 and 2026. A new program for light frigates is underway, consisting of separate anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare variants; the lead vessels in this series were launched in 2025. Modernization efforts for the Kang Ding-class frigates involve the integration of indigenous Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and Tien Kung III surface-to-air missiles to replace older foreign systems.

The naval command structure is headed by the Navy Command Headquarters in Taipei. The fleet is organized into several operational components, including the 124th and 168th Fleets, which manage the primary surface combatants. The 131st Fleet oversees patrol craft and littoral operations, while the 151st Fleet is responsible for amphibious and transport vessels. Submarine operations are centralized under the 256th Submarine Squadron. Principal naval bases are located at Tsoying in Kaohsiung, which serves as the primary fleet headquarters, Suao in the northeast, Keelung in the north, and Makung in the Penghu Islands.

Operations are concentrated on the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding waters of the Western Pacific. Primary missions include patrolling the median line of the Taiwan Strait and monitoring the Bashi Channel. The navy conducts regular escort and resupply missions to offshore administrative centers, including Kinmen, Matsu, and the Penghu archipelago. Long-range logistics missions support outposts in the South China Sea, specifically Pratas Island and Taiping Island. Maritime surveillance units track foreign naval movements within the contiguous zone and the air defense identification zone. Cooperation with the Coast Guard Administration is maintained for fisheries protection and maritime law enforcement in disputed waters.

Detailed inventory of Taiwanese Navy

Amphibious ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Tank Landing Ship Chung Hai ROCS Chung Chien LST-205 Active -
Chung Hai ROCS Chung Chie LST-218 Active -
Chung Hai ROCS Chung Ming LST-227 Active -
Chung Hai ROCS Chung Yeh LST-231 Active -
Chung He ROCS Chung Ho LST-232 Active -
Chung He ROCS Chung Ping LST-233 Active -
Dock Landing Ship Hsu Hai ROCS Hsu Hai LSD-193 Active -
Amphibious transport dock Yushan ROCS Yu Shan LPD-1401 Active -

Corvettes

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Corvette Tuo Chiang ROCS Tuo Chiang PGG-618 Active -
Tuo Chiang ROCS Ta Chiang PGG-619 Active -
Tuo Chiang ROCS Fu Chiang PGG-620 Active -
Tuo Chiang ROCS Hsu Chiang PFG-621 Active -
Tuo Chiang ROCS Wu Chiang PFG-623 Active -
Tuo Chiang ROCS An Chiang PFG-625 Active -
Tuo Chiang ROCS Wan Chiang PFG-626 Active -

Cruisers

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Cruiser Arethusa ROCS Chong Qing Non Commissioned -

Destroyers

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Destroyer Kee Lung ROCS Kee Lung DDG-1801 Active -
Kee Lung ROCS Su Ao DDG-1802 Active -
Kee Lung ROCS Tso Ying DDG-1803 Active -
Kee Lung ROCS Ma Kong DDG-1805 Active -

Frigates

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Frigate Cheng Kung ROCS Cheng Kung PFG-1101 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Cheng Ho PFG-1103 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Chi Kuang PFG-1105 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Yueh Fei PFG-1106 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Tzu I PFG-1107 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Pan Chao PFG-1108 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Chang Chien PFG-1109 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Tian Dan PFG-1110 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Ming Chuan PFG-1112 Active -
Cheng Kung ROCS Feng Jia PFG-1115 Active -
Chi Yang ROCS Fong Yang FFG-933 Active -
Chi Yang ROCS Fen Yang FFG-934 Active -
Chi Yang ROCS Hwai Yang FFG-937 Active -
Chi Yang ROCS Ning Yang FFG-938 Active -
Chi Yang ROCS Yi Yang FFG-939 Active -
Kang Ding ROCS Kang Ding PFG-1202 Active -
Kang Ding ROCS Si Ning PFG-1203 Active -
Kang Ding ROCS Kun Ming PFG-1205 Active -
Kang Ding ROCS Di Hua PFG-1206 Active -
Kang Ding ROCS Wu Chang PFG-1207 Active -
Kang Ding ROCS Chen De PFG-1208 Active -

Mine Warfare ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Coastal minelayer Min Jiang ROCS FMLB-1 Active 2020
Min Jiang ROCS FMLB-2 Active 2020
Min Jiang ROCS FMLB-3 Active 2021
Min Jiang ROCS FMLB-5 Active 2021
Coastal Minehunter Yung Feng ROCS Yung Feng MHC-1301 Active 1990
Yung Feng ROCS Yung Chia MHC-1302 Active 1990
Yung Feng ROCS Yung Nien MHC-1303 Active 1991
Yung Feng ROCS Yung Shun MHC-1305 Active 1991
Minehunter Yung Jin ROCS Yung Jin MHC-1310 Active -
Yung Jin ROCS Yung An MHC-1311 Active -

Other ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Survey Ship Da-Quan ROCS Ta Kuan AGS-1601 Active -
Rescue and salvage ship Da-Wu ROCS Da Wu ARS-571 Active -
Auxiliary General Communications Ship Kao Hsiang ROCS Kao Hsiung AGC-1 Active -
Fast Combat Support Ship Pan Shi ROCS Pan Shi AOE-532 Active -
Wu Yi ROCS Wu Yi AOE-530 Active -

Patrol boats

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Patrol Ship Ching Chiang ROCS Kao Chiang PGG-609 Active -
Ching Chiang ROCS Jin Chiang PGG-610 Active -
Ching Chiang ROCS Hsiang Chiang PGG-611 Active -
Ching Chiang ROCS Po Chiang PGG-614 Active -
Ching Chiang ROCS Chang Chiang PGG-615 Active -
Ching Chiang ROCS Chu Chiang PGG-617 Active -
Missile Boat Kung Hua VI (31 ships) Active 2011

Submarines

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Attack Submarine Hai Lung ROCS Hai Lung SS-793 Active -
Hai Lung ROCS Hai Hu SS-794 Active -
Hai Shih ROCS Hai Shih SS-791 Active -
Hai Shih ROCS Hai Bao SS-792 Active -
Hai Kun Fitting Out 2025
Midget submarine SX-404 ROCS Hai Jiao Non Commissioned -
SX-404 ROCS Hai Lung Non Commissioned -
Attack Submarine Hai Kun (7 ships) Planned -

Support ships

Type Class Ship Name Hull Number Status Year
Survey Ship Da-Quan ROCS Ta Kuan AGS-1601 Active -
Rescue and salvage ship Da-Wu ROCS Da Wu ARS-571 Active -
Auxiliary General Communications Ship Kao Hsiang ROCS Kao Hsiung AGC-1 Active -
Fast Combat Support Ship Pan Shi ROCS Pan Shi AOE-532 Active -
Wu Yi ROCS Wu Yi AOE-530 Active -

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ships does Taiwan's navy have?
Republic of China Navy operates 101 active naval vessels. Including reserve and training ships, the total fleet size is 112 vessels.
How does Taiwan's navy rank globally?
Republic of China Navy ranks #15 out of 70 navies worldwide based on the Global Navy Index, which measures overall naval capability considering fleet composition and combat effectiveness.
Does Taiwan have submarines?
Yes, Republic of China Navy operates 14 submarines. These include both nuclear-powered and conventional diesel-electric submarines for various missions including strategic deterrence, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance.
Does Taiwan have aircraft carriers?
No, Republic of China Navy does not currently operate aircraft carriers. Power projection relies on other surface combatants and land-based naval aviation.
What is the Navy Index of Taiwan?
Taiwan has a Navy Index score of 35.3 out of 100. This composite score measures overall naval capability, with capital ships (carriers, cruisers) weighted highest, followed by major combatants (destroyers, submarines, frigates), and light combatants.
What types of ships does Taiwan's navy operate?
Republic of China Navy operates a diverse fleet including 37 patrol boats, 21 frigates, 14 submarines, 10 mine warfare ships. The fleet composition reflects the country's maritime defense priorities and strategic requirements.
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Last updated on 22 June 2025 Suggest a change