The navy is to hand over all of its land-based Hsiung Feng missile bases to the marine corps by next July in exchange for marine troops, defense sources said yesterday.
The decision was made by the chief of the general staff, Admiral Li Chieh (李傑), against objections by the incumbent navy commander-in-chief, Admiral Miao Yung-ching (苗永慶).
Li's decision has aroused criticism from some navy personnel, especially those who serve at the Hsiung Feng missiles bases.
The staff are upset that Li did not ask their opinion before deciding their fate.
The backlash has much to do with the fact that once the missile bases are taken over by the marine corps, the navy personnel serving at those units will have little chance to return to the navy.
The marine corps serves under the navy, but is independent in practice.
Navy personnel serving in the missile units generally do not want to join the marine corps. They fear that their military career will be cut short since the marines do not have as many chances for promotion.
Despite these objections, Li's decision is likely to stand, a defense official said.
"Li is a person who likes to make quick decisions. He is not in the habit of consulting lower-ranking officials before making any decision," the defense source said.
"Several years ago, Li decided within one night to deactivate one battalion of the marine corps. The decision was made so quickly that the marine corps battalion Li chose to cut did not have time to grieve before it was asked to be disbanded," he said.
The bases are armed with a mixture of Hsiung Feng-I and Hsiung Feng-II anti-ship missiles, which were developed by the military's Chun Shan Institute of Science and Technology.
The bases are all land-based, with some likely to acquire mobile launchers in the next few years.
They are to be handed over to the marine corps in exchange for a brigade of marine personnel currently responsible for port security.
These troops are not combat forces and are considered expendable by the marine corps.
With the troops-for-missiles trade, the marine corps is to become stronger while possible leaving unaffected the Ministry of National Defense's plan to trim personnel.
The ministry plans to reduce the marine corps' combat-capable forces by half -- from two brigades to one.
Despite these plans, the corps is to be strengthened by improving its deterrent capabilities with equipment such as the Hsiung Feng missiles.
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