TAIPEI, July 8, 2009 (AFP) - A corruption crackdown on Taiwan's military has led to the investigation of 114 generals for allegedly taking bribes or bribing their way to the rank, a defence ministry report revealed Wednesday.

The 40 lieutenant generals and 74 major generals are among 142 officers, the investigative report on internal corruption said, currently being probed by prosecutors for alleged graft.

Defence Minister Chen Chao-min said in a statement that the report was "aimed to underscore our determination to weed out corruption and crack down on those who broke the law.

"The report is not the end of our efforts to fight corruption," he added. "It is the beginning, and our efforts will by no means stop."

The investigation has been transferred to the military's high court, Chen said. None of the suspects are under arrest, and some have already retired.

The probe, one of the biggest in the history of the island's armed forces, was launched after a retired lieutenant general was indicted on charges of bribery, blackmail and leaking secrets.

He is also accused of attempting to gain promotion by bribing his superiors through a middleman during the administration of previous president, Chen Shui-bian.

The former president, who left office last May, is currently on trial charged with embezzlement, money laundering and taking bribes.