Ni Hao Ma
@HRM YANG ,
Thanks for your analysis. Let me give an objective evaluation of the ROC military capability so we can best analyze the situation on ground.
The Republic of China’s armed forces number approximately 290,000, with 130,000 in the army, 45,000 in the navy and marine corps, and approximately 80,000 in the air force. Traditionally the army has been the dominant service, but that has shifted over the years. Taiwan’s military doctrine states that as much of any fighting that occurs should take place as far from population centers as possible. The army is only relevant once the enemy lands on the island, while the navy and air force can range over the strait.
The Republic of China Navy (RoCN) has transitioned from the most neglected arm of the Taiwanese military to the most important. The RoCN alone can defeat an invasion fleet at sea. Sinking amphibious transports not only takes a large ground force out of action, but also permanently degrades the enemy’s amphibious capability.
The RoCN has
26 large surface combatants, all of which have a potent anti-ship capability. The largest ships in the fleet are the four
Kee Lung-class guided-missile destroyers, formerly the U.S.
Kidd class destoyers.
At about10,000 tons, each destroyersports two Mk.26 twin surface to air missile (SAM) launch systems armed with Standard SM-2 Block IIIA surface-to-air missiles, two Mk. 45 127mm guns, four Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and has a helicopter flight deck and hangar.
The remaining large surface vessels are a mixture of American and French designs.
The eight
Cheung Kung class of guided missile frigates are a modified version of the long-hull
Oliver Hazard Perry class. The class is armed with a Mk.13 missile launcher forward, capable of firing SM-1MR surface-to-air and Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and a 76mm Oto Melara gun amidships.
The frigates also carry 8
Hsiung Feng II anti-ship missiles, giving the small ships a powerful anti-ship capability. Each carries an S-70 Thunderhawk helicopter, an export variant of the SH-60B Seahawk.
Taiwan has eight frigates of the former U.S.
Knox class destroyers, now the
Chi Yang class. The ships mount the original armament of one Mk. 45 127mm gun and one ASROC launcher. The
Chi Yang class has also been retrofitted with ten SM-1MR surface-to-air missiles in external canister launchers. The ships each carry one MD-500 ASW helicopter.
Rounding out large surface combatants are the
Kang Ting-class frigates. A modification of the
La Fayette design, the
Kang Ting frigates mount one 76mm gun and a navalized Chaparral missile launcher for air defense. 8
Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles are carried, and typically one S-70 Thunderhawk helicopter.
Taiwan has made a significant investment in small, fast missile patrol craft designed to take on much larger Chinese surface and amphibious ships. Twelve missile patrol combatants of the
Jing Chiang class were built — each 680 tons fully loaded — with a 76mm gun and mine-laying racks.
There are also 34 smaller ships of the 150 ton Kung Hua VI project. Ships of both classes are each equipped with 4 Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles. This diminutive fleet collectively weighs just over 13,000 tons but altogether packs a total of 184 anti-ship missiles.
Now what about ROC's Air Denial Capability? Oh its impressive !
The Republic of China Air Force (RoCAF) is optimized for air superiority. China could not successfully invade without seizing air superiority, and as a result Taiwan’s air force is seen as one of the primary deterrents to Chinese military action. Taiwan’s fighters were state of the art in the 1990s, when most of the aircraft were purchased. Time and China’s air power buildup have eroded their technological edge — opening up the possibility that China could successfully contest air superiority over the island.
The RoCAF currently has 146 F-16 A/B Block 20 multirole fighters, armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. It also operates 55 Mirage 2000 multirole fighters, armed with Magic air-to-air missiles. Rounding out Taiwan’s main fighter inventory are 126 Ching-kuo Indigenous Fighters, armed with locally developed Sky Sword II air-to-air missiles.
The air force also operates the nationwide air defense network, with 11 early warning sites overall. Main air defense is provided by Taiwan’s indigenously produced TIEN KUNG II surface-to-air missiles. Radar guided, Tien Kung II has a range of 125 miles and is deployed at six bases, four on Taiwan and two on nearby island groups.
Each base includes 80 missiles in underground silos and two target illumination radars. A range of 125 miles means Tien Kung missiles could theoretically engage targets over the mainland.
I think it is important for all relevant members here, my friend, to evade in generalizing what they think the United States may or may not do. It was the height of arrogance that the Imperial Military Command of the Japanese Empire thought that the United States would be unable to penetrate the Japanese Empire's Vast Territorial Defense , specifically its island defense strategy in the Pacific. Japanese commanders, then of course, believed that the United States would sue for peace after being forced to take Japanese-held islands in the Pacific. Lo and behold the Imperial Military Command did not believe or comprehend that the United States would utilize an assymetric warfare doctrine known as 'Island Hopping', specifically bypassing largely well defended and well fortified island fortifications such as Rabaul, Taiwan etc. The United States were also capable of launching the largest naval invasion to retake territory (The Philippines) from the 14th Area Imperial Japanese Army Command.
At the time, the Philippines was occupied by the 14th Area Imperial Japanese Army , with a force of over 450,000 battle hardened soldiers, a division of Imperial Guards, several divisions of Rikusentai (Imperial Naval Marines). The United States had mobilized the 8th and 6th United States Armies to retake the Philippines, supported by the several Divisions of United States Marine Corp --- totalling an invasion force of over 1,200,000. Their Pacific Fleet had engaged the Combined Imperial Fleet and fought with us in the largest naval battle known in the history of man. In the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Battle of Lingayen Gulf, Battle of Surigao Straits.
It is foolish, my friend, in trying to predict what the United States is willing to do when push comes to shove. A mistake that had been a costly one for the Japanese Empire, The German Third Reich, and the Fascist Italy.
Never , Ever, Ever, underestimate the American Resolve. And I say this out of sincere respect.
@SvenSvensonov @Transhumanist ---- your input? Thoughts ?
