北洋艦隊是中國歷史上第一支採用西方新式船艦、火砲與訓練方法的海軍艦隊，不論在裝甲防護力、數量、排水量、火砲數量與火力上均為亞洲之最，曾為全球排名第八且為中國引以為傲的近代海軍，是當時全球各國所注目的焦點。由於日本侵臺事件，使得中國海軍從此奠定假想敵與戰略目標。比較近代中日兩國海軍發展史，無論在建軍籌劃、財政支持、工業技術、人才的培訓上，中國占有起步較早之優勢，但在甲午戰爭發生之際，中日兩國在海軍實力比較上相差無幾，主要關鍵在於海戰中制海權的爭奪影響全般戰局。現代由於科技的進步，影響海軍制海作戰的難度，面對東海複雜的局勢，我國海軍面臨嚴重的威脅和挑戰。未來除專注於海上不對稱作戰外，應戮力部隊轉型，積極爭取海軍長遠建軍發展，建立一支能拒止他國的海軍，嚇阻他國進犯的海軍部隊。

The Beiyang Fleet was the first fleet, using the western modernized ship, guns, and training, which was the most powerful in Asia whether in armor, quantity, displacement, and power and quantity of guns. At that time, Beiyang Fleet was a focus, ranking the eighth in the world, and the pride of China modern navy. Due to the invasion event of Japanese, it made Chinese Navy to set an imaginary enemy and strategic objective. Compared the Chinese naval history with Japanese, the Beiyang Fleet was the dominate navy whether in planning, financial support, industrial technology and personnel training. But during the Naval Battle of the Yalu River, the naval strength of China and Japan is almost equivalent. It was the main key to compete mastery of the seas, which affect the whole war situation. Because of technological advance, it affects the difficulty of naval battle. In the complex situation of East China Sea, ROC Navy is facing serious threats and challenges. In addition to focusing on asymmetric warfare at sea, we should devote to military transformation and fight for building and development of navy. To establish a navy which is able to deny and deter the invasion of adversary.