Republic of China Navy Fleet Inventory 🇹🇼

The Republic of China Navy (ROCN), commonly referred to as the Taiwanese Navy, is the maritime branch of Taiwan's Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to defend Taiwan's territorial waters, safeguard its maritime interests, and contribute to the overall national defense strategy aimed at deterring aggression, particularly from the People’s Republic of China. Its maritime strategy is caught between two competing doctrines: maintaining a traditional, balanced fleet of large surface combatants and pursuing an asymmetric "porcupine" strategy. The latter emphasizes smaller, more numerous, and more survivable platforms to inflict maximum damage on an invading force. This strategic debate shapes the navy's fleet composition, shipbuilding programs, and overall capabilities.

Historically reliant on second-hand vessels from the United States, Taiwan's surface fleet is centered around destroyers and frigates, such as the ex-US Kidd-class destroyers and Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates. These vessels provide blue-water capabilities but are aging and increasingly vulnerable. To counter this, Taiwan is shifting its focus towards indigenous production of more modern, and often smaller, warships. This includes the development of Tuo Chiang-class missile corvettes, which are fast, stealthy, and heavily armed with anti-ship missiles.

A key element of Taiwan's naval modernization is its ambitious domestic shipbuilding program. The most significant project is the development of a new class of diesel-electric attack submarines, with the first boat, the *Hai Kun*, launched in 2023. This program aims to bolster Taiwan's undersea warfare capabilities, which have been limited. In addition, new light frigates with both anti-air and anti-submarine warfare variants are under development, alongside new amphibious assault ships to replace older models. The development of naval drones for reconnaissance and attack is also a new priority, inspired by their successful use in other recent conflicts.

The operational reach of the ROCN is primarily focused on the waters surrounding Taiwan, with a defensive doctrine aimed at sea denial to counter a blockade or invasion. The navy conducts regular patrols in the Taiwan Strait. While its larger vessels have the ability to operate further afield, the constant pressure from daily Chinese naval and air activities strains the fleet and impacts maintenance schedules and readiness. The ROCN's ability to operate is also constrained by its international isolation, limiting opportunities for joint exercises and training with other navies. The ultimate goal is to create a resilient and layered defense capable of effectively controlling the waters around the island.