sentences:  Unlike their North Vietnamese counterparts, South Vietnam possessed a large naval force with a strong fleet of ships.Hence the Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVN), commanded by Vice Admiral Chung Tấn Cang, were able to maintain a strong presence in the Spratly Islands, with only a handful of infantry units provided by the ARVN to protect the smaller islands surrounding the main Spratly Island.To defend the islands, ARVN forces were mainly equipped with small infantry weapons, as well as the M-72 anti-tank weapon.