Republic of China ( ROC ) Armed Forces

Total Armed Forces:

Active - 370,000

Reserve - 1,657,500

Defence Budget:

1999 - $10.9 billion

2000 - $12.8 billion

Army: ROC Army

Active - 240,000

12 Combat Divisions

1,644 Tanks

243 Helicopters

Supporting Artillery/Air Defense Guns and Missiles

Navy: ROC Navy

Active - 62,000

4 Submarines

33 Principal Surface Combatants

59 Patrol and Coastal Combatants

12 Mine Countermeasures

18 Amphibious Warfare Ships

Air Force: ROC Air Force

Active - 68,000

570 total combat aircraft including
3 fighter squadrons with 58 Mirage 2000-5
20 ground attack/fighter squadrons of F-5, ChingKuo, F-16A/B and AT-3

Supporting Air-Defense Guns and Missiles

Assessment:

Capable of defending home islands against all existing and foreseeable military threats (China). Capable of protecting immediate sea lanes with naval forces supported by technologically advanced air force/naval air support against existing and foreseeable naval threats (China). No capability to project military force abroad.

Trends:

Taiwan's defense budget has increased significantly from $8.3 billion in 1998, $10.9 billion in 1999 to $12.8bn in 2000 reflecting a heightened sense of insecurity, especially towards China. At the top of Taiwan's priorities is an improved missile defense, including radar, C3I systems, six additional Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-2 systems and perhaps also PAC-3 missiles. The government is planning to approach the new U.S. administration to request again the purchase of the DDG-51 Aegis destroyers which can be fitted with a theatre missile defense (TMD) system. Its earlier requests were turned down by the Clinton administration. Taiwan is relying increasingly on superior technology in the armed services. In recent years, Taiwan has also developed an extensive indigeneous military manufactoring capability, producing a variety of high technology weapons, including fighter aircraft and missiles, and is working with the United States to develop more advanced naval forces.