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Ground forces in the ROC, mainly those of the Army and the
Military Police, number nearly 270,000. Taipei's approximate
220,000-member Army is organized and trained to defend Taiwan and the
offshore islands against an invasion. About 80 percent of the Army's
combat strength is on Taiwan proper, under the control of three field
armies. The three offshore island commands -- Chinmen, Matsu, and Penghu
-- have a total of more than 50,000 soldiers.In 1997, the Army began an
ambitious restructuring campaign to upgrade its combat effectiveness,
emphasizing rapid reaction capabilities, airborne invasion interdiction,
and special forces operations.
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| The primary weapon systems of the ROC ground forces include
M48H and M60A3 tanks, and by 2005 Taiwan will an armor force of about
1,500 tanks. In June 1996 the US annunced an agreement for selling Taiwan
300 M60A3 main battle tanks with thermal sights and 105mm gun for $223
million. In August 1997 it was announced that the United States would
transfer 180 surplus M60A3 tanks to Taiwan over the following 12 months in
a deal worth about $1 million per vehicle. Taiwan is acquiring a total of
480 M-60A3 tanks; they will join an already large tank force consisting of
some 450 M-48H and 300 M-48A5 medium tanks and over 1,000 much older M-41
and M-24 light tanks (most of which are said to be in storage).The ROC
Army will spend over US$385 million to deploy 200 fourth-generation
Patriot missiles-the most improved version. The only surface-to-air
radar-guided anti-missile system ever tested in combat, Patriot missiles
were used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War to defend against Scud missile
attacks. The 200 Patriot missiles will be installed in three missile
batteries in northern Taiwan. |
Equipment of the ROCA :
TANKS :
- M60A3
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Taiwan ordered 300 M60A3 in 1996. It is the same tank
used by US Marine Corps during the Persian Gulf War. These main battle
tanks were upgraded with a new fire control system incorporating a
ballistic computer and thermal imaging. Duel-axis stabilized sights are
slaved to the main gun to allow it to engage moving targets while in
motion, day or night. The major drawbacks of the M60 series are its high
profile and obsolete armor, which may find survivability in today's
battlefield somewhat difficult. Recent photos show models fitted with
locally-produced reactive armor modules. |
- CM11
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The CM11 is the result of modified M48H turrets mated to new
M60 hulls. It has an advanced fire control incorporating a ballistics
computer and roof-mounted, stabilized sights with thermal imaging channels
similar to that installed on US M1 Abrams tanks. The imaging and targeting
systems are slaved to the 105mm gun, providing a high degree of accuracy.
Duel-axis stabilization provides improved target tracking on the move. The
firepower and mobility of the CM11 is considered on a par with the M60A3,
but turret armor is considered inferior and will not stand up to today's
best anti-tank weapons. |
- CM12
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The CM12 is assembled from locally modified CM11 turrets
mated to existing M48A3 hulls. The turret has advanced fire control
incorporating a ballistics computer and roof-mounted, stabilized sights
with thermal imaging channels similar to that installed on US M1 Abrams,
slaved to a 105mm gun. Duel-axis stabilization provides improved target
tracking on the move. The firepower of the CM12 is identical to the CM11,
but mobility and armor are slightly inferior. |
- M41D
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The M41D is the result of a life extension program and
overall system upgrade which includes the installation of a new, locally
produced main gun, new diesel engine, thermal targeting system, digital
ballistics computer and laser rangefinder. It does not have stabilized
sights and cannot fire in motion. Its obsolete armor is being enhanced
with reactive armor systems. However, it is still very vulnerable to
advanced anti-tank munitions and is considered too light to carry out
traditional battlefield duties. The M41D is generally relegated to
battlefield scouting and counter-amphibious operations. |
ARMORED TRANSPORT :
- CM21
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The CM21 is an indigenous design based on the M113, with
many improvements and design changes to meet ROCA requirements. As a
result, the size, shape and performance of the CM21 is almost identical to
the M113. Its versatility is demonstrated by the existence of the large
number of variants, including mobile command post, artillery support,
armored ambulance, missile launch platform, and scout vehicle. |
- CM31
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The CM31, in development in Taiwan for nearly a decade, has
recently been introduced into operational service. It is capable of
amphibious operations, and can carry a variety of anti-personnel,
anti-aircraft, or anti-armor weapons. Although generally similar in layout
and specification to the Cadillac Gage LAV-300 or Belgian SIMBAS light
armored vehicles, the CM31 is evidently of indigenous design, and features
signature contoured frontal protection. |
- LAV-150
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The Commando LAV-150 is a rugged 4x4 wheeled vehicle that
achieves speeds of up to 70 mph (113 km/hr). The watertight hull is fully
amphibious and needs no preparation for swimming or fording. The LAV-150
is available in 16 configurations. A variety of armament stations can be
installed, including most light and medium automatic weapons, missile
systems, mortars, and cannons up to 90mm.
This system, produced by Textron Marine and Land Systems Division, is
not currently used by the US military, although it is available for
Foreign Military Sales. LAV-150s are in service in twenty countries.
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ARTILLERY :
- M110A2
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The M110A2 is the latest version of one of the largest and
most powerful self-propelled guns in the world. The gun contains an
integrated recoiling mechanism, and features a retractable spade to keep
the unit in place as rounds are fired, so trajectories do not have to be
recalculated each time a round is fired. The pneumatically assisted
rear-loading mechanism makes an enclosed turret impractical, thus
inhibiting the installation of overhead armor, or defensive guns. It is
truly a powerful weapon that's imitated, but never duplicated. During the
early 1990s, Norinco of the PRC produced a prototype 203mm howitzer based
on the M107/M110. The program has yet to make significant progress beyond
the prototype stage. |
- M109A5
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The M109A5 contains several improvements over the previous
M109 models, including a new, extended-range gun, as well as overall
reliability and maintainability. It is considered a premier artillery
system and is in service with many armies around the world. |
- LT-2000
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The LT-2000 is the latest in a series of multiple rocket
launchers developed by CSIST. The wheeled launcher unit, similar to the US
HIMARS, is attached to a M977 wheeled tractor. The modular design of the
system provides compatibility with three rocket types: Mk15 (60 rounds),
Mk30 (27 rounds) and Mk45 (12 rounds).. It can feature standard
high-explosive warheads, as well as AP/AM submunitions. Mk45 is larger
than Mk30, carries a larger warhead, and has a range in excess of 27
miles. The system utilizes GPS for positioning and fire direction,
reducing CEP to within 1% of the intended target. |
- Kung Feng 6A
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The Kung Feng 6A multiple rocket launcher contains an
improved version of the Kung Feng 6 rocket. Although smaller in caliber
and shorter in range compared to the Type 90, this system is a powerful
and versatile battlefield artillery, proven in many exercises by providing
heavy firepower quickly and accurately. The main disadvantage is the lack
of stored rockets for rapid turnaround. This type is only mounted on 6x6
truck chassis. |
AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS :
- Tien Kung II
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Taiwan's overall air defense architecture consists of three
sets of Patriot missile systems, primarily intended to intercept guided
missiles, along with six sets of Tien Kung I and Tien Kung II missile
systems responsible for medium- and high-altitude targets. The T'IEN-KUNG
II SAM is 9.1 meters long, has a diameter of 0.57 meters, weighs 1,100
kilograms, and has a top speed of Mach 4.0, a maximum range of 100
kilometers, and a warhead weighing 90 kilograms.
In the Fall of 1998 Taiwan successfully test fired a radar guided
interceptor variant of it's Tien Kung missile. The anti-missile missile is
reported to have intercepted a target missile in southern Pingtung.
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- Tien Kung I
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Tien-Kung, a surface-to-air missile system designed for air
defense against intensive aircraft attack,equipped with a single stage
dual thrust solid propellant rocket motor and guided by mid-course
inertial reference and radar in the terminal phase, is capable of
multi-target tracking and automatic multi-target engagement.
Taiwan is to develop and produce this Tien Kung (Sky Bow) SAM system, a
derivative of the Patriot system. The missiles are deployed in underground
cells, each housing four missiles protected by a concrete wall a meter
thick.
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- Patriot PAC 2
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The Patriot PAC2 Plus was acquired by the ROCA to provide
medium and high altitude air defense and protection against short and
medium-range ballistic missiles. Its improved intercept capability is a
direct result of lessons learned from the Persian Gulf War. Various
degrees of success were reported in the Patriot's ability to intercept the
Scud missile.The ROCA has reportedly deployed two Patriot batteries in the
northern part of Taiwan, and one battery in the south. Clearly, in terms
of quality and quantity, the ROCA does not yet possess enough missiles to
provide a credible ballistic missile defense strategy. |
- RIM-7M Sparrow SAM
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The RIM-7M Sparrow SAM was acquired for integration with the
Skyguard air defense system currently in service with the ROCAF for
airfield defense. The system is included in this section, instead of with
the air force, to simplify the classification process. The Sparrow
missiles enhance the capabilities of the current Skyguard system by
extending the maximum intercept range nearly three-fold, to maximize the
detection range of its track-while-scan search radar. The towed launcher
holds 4 missiles in sealed containers. |
- Hawk
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The Hawk missile system supplements the Tien Kung SAM as
medium to low altitude SAM. The combination of the Hawk and Tien Kung
missiles forms a solid air defense network for the island and its forward
areas. The ROCA is acquiring additional units, expanding the current 13
batteries to a total of 20, signaling its intention to use the Hawk system
well into the turn of the century. |
- Avenger
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The gyro-stabilised Avenger turret with Stinger missiles is
mounted on a 4 x 4 HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), but
can also operate in a standalone configuration or mounted on a variety of
military vehicles. Avenger has a crew of two - gunner and driver. Taiwan
has ordered 70 systems.
Avenger carries eight Stinger short range air defence missiles in two
launch pods mounted either side of the turret. These pods have a range of
elevation from -10 to +70°. The Raytheon Stinger missile has an infrared
seeker, 3kg fragmentation warhead, maximum speed Mach 2.2 and maximum
range 8km.
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- Antelope air defense system
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The Tien Chien missile system was developed locally based on
the Sidewinder family of missiles. The mobile, land-based version is
similar in concept to the M733 Chaparral SAM system. It is mounted on a
wheeled, rather than tracked, vehicle, with an integrated infra-red sensor
and a remotely operated launcher. The land-based Tien Chien SAM launcher
has been integrated into the Skyguard air defense system as the close
range missile supplementing the 35mm cannons. The SAM has also been
integrated into the Antelope air defense system developed by CSIST |
- T82
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The T82 twin-mounted 20mm anti-aircraft gun is a derivative
of the T75 gun system. It features a electro-optical guidance system which
is housed on the gunner's helmet. The helmet sight automatically directs
the servo motors which control gun movements, which can also be operated
manually. An off site optical guidance system with infra red night
targeting is also available for remote control of the gun system,
increasing the gunner's survivability. |
Helicopters OF THE ROCA :
- AH-1W Cobra
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The AH-1W is the ROCA's first use of a gunship in an attempt
to augment and support its aging armored vehicles on the battlefield.
Fitted with helmet-mounted night targeting and advanced guided munitions,
this helicopter is capable of providing all-weather close air support,
fire suppression, tactical escort, as well as limited anti-ship and
counter-amphibious operations. It is also capable of carrying air-to-air
missiles for self defense. |
- OH-58D
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The OH-58D was acquired by the ROCA to complement the AH-1Ws
and provide reconnaissance, command and control, target acquisition and
designation. It is also capable of providing close air support duties with
a range of anti-tank missiles and rockets. Its mast-mounted targeting
system contains thermal imaging as well as laser designation systems
capable of providing target information to a variety of air and
ground-launched guided munitions. It may also carry short range
anti-aircraft missiles for self defense. |
- Boeing Model 234
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The ROCA operates four Boeing Model 234 transports as it
primary heavy-lift helicopter. Although similar in appearance, the Model
234 is a civilian version of the CH-47D heavy-lift helicopter, and
therefore lacks the military enhancements and backup systems. However, the
ROCA is currently seeking 12 CH-47Ds from Boeing, which will greatly
enhance the heavy-lift capabilities of the ROCA. |
- UH-1H
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The UH-1H was produced by AIDC under license for a number of
years. It has been the transport mainstay of ROCA aviation for many years.
A variant served as the first generation gunship of the ROCA, armed with
rockets and machine guns. It is near its service life and replacements are
currently being evaluated. |
Sources :
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