The Republic of China Navy’s new littoral combat command will be tasked with defending Taiwan’s territorial waters extending 24 nautical miles, Naval News reports.
The Republic of China (ROC Navy or Taiwanese Navy) plans to establish a new combat command in 2026. The Taiwanese state news agency CNA quoted an unnamed source as saying that the new command, the Littoral Combatant Command (濱海作戰指揮部), will operate under the Naval Command Headquarters.
According to LTN’s report, the commanding officer of the Littoral Combatant Command will be a two-star vice admiral of the Taiwanese navy, which is equivalent to the three-star admiral in the US Navy, JMSDF or NATO OF-8. The Littoral Combatant Command will integrate the existing fleet of fast attack boats, together with the Naval Maritime Surveillance & Reconnaissance Command (海軍海洋監偵指揮部), which operates radar facilities and mobile radar systems, the Shore Based Anti-ship Missile Group (also known as Hai Feng (Sea Blade) Group，海鋒大隊) will also be integrated.
According to CNA, Littoral Combatant Command will incorporate marine surveillance, striking, and communication capabilities, as well as coastal mobile forces. An unidentified source told CNA that the new command’s duties and debut date are still being planned.
Dr. Ying Yu Lin (林穎佑), a professor at Taiwan’s Tamkang University’s Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, emphasized the importance of focusing on the Naval Fleets Command (艦隊指揮部) of the Taiwanese navy when discussing the proposed littoral combatant command. The way the fleet forces of Naval Fleets Command act as the spear, maneuvering outward to secure sea lines of communication (SLOC), while coordinating with the forces of Littoral Combatant Command, which act as the shield to secure territorial waters and shores, will have a significant impact on Taiwan’s defense.
Different from many other countries’ militaries, Taiwan’s shore-based anti-ship missile unit, Hai Feng Group, is currently a part of the ROC Navy.
In the early years, it was founded as a part of the army and was titled “Hsiung Feng Group (雄風大隊)”. Later, in 1987, it was transferred to the ROC Navy and listed under the Naval Command Headquarters. The Hai Feng Group was transferred to the Missile Command of the General Staff Headquarters, Ministry of National Defense in 2004, after being part of Naval Fleets Command in 1998.
Hai Feng Group returned to the ROC Navy in 2006, and it now consists of a group headquarters, seven squadrons, four mobile squadrons, and a support squadron, all overseen by a naval captain. The second group was reportedly launched in July 2023 and restructured as Naval Sea Control Missile Command (海軍制海飛彈指揮部), led by a rear admiral, but the strategy has not been formally acknowledged.
According to an earlier LTN report, the third group of Hai Feng Group is projected to be established by the end of 2024. Taiwan will have around 1000 anti-ship missiles, including homegrown Hsiung Feng II and III missiles, after receiving the US-made Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) in 2028.
Naval News comments
Tayfun OZBERK, a regular Naval News contributor and an expert in littoral warfare, emphasizes the necessity of a command structure that enhances warfighting capabilities.
“Operations in coastal waters present challenges in command and control due to both geographical constraints and the nature of the operation. A swift and adaptable command structure is essential for rapid response in these environments, where threats can emerge rapidly.”
Tayfun OZBERK, Former Naval Officer, Naval Analyst
“Command headquarters may take time to provide support for sudden needs that arise during warfare, potentially leading to irreversible consequences. For instance, when units operating in coastal waters require air support or missile fire from coastal batteries, having these capabilities within their organic elements improves reaction efficiency,” he added.
Furthermore, Ozberk stated that establishing a specialized task group for coastal waters, conducting training and exercises across various scenarios in this domain, and configuring its command, control, and logistics accordingly can prevent confusion during wartime and enable effective collective responses. Therefore, establishing such a command structure in peacetime is crucial.
