US NAVY & CHINESE NAVY IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
Introduction
This thread is specifically for exercises where the US Navy and/or the PLAN are conducting Freedom of Navigation (FON) (US Navy) exercises, or efforts to shadow the FON, or seeking to interfere with or curtail them near the Chinese Islands (PPLAN).
Specifically, the thread is about the very specific classes of vessels that the two nations might employ in the South China Sea for these specific means..
Be aware: THI IS NOT A CONFLICT OR WAR THREAD.
No actual speculation over warfare and fighting between the US and the PRC will be discussed. However, it is important to note the type of vessels that may be called upon to be a part of the exercises named. SD prides itself on professionalism and on accurate date in such situations.
This thread is simply attempting to provide a place for that and relive other SCS Strategy Pages on SD of the undoubtedly large amount of volume over this specific issue now that it has arisen.
Otherwise, feel free to report news, photos, videos, and information regarding these types of exercises here.
Summary
China has performed massive reclamation work on seven reefs in the south China Sea and created large islands in their place. The PRC claims the whole of the waters around all of these islands, reefs and shoals in the South China Sea as its "territorial waters," including any 12 mile limit normally attached to such territorial claims.
See the following map:
For more info, pictures, etc. see:
The US Navy claims Freedom of Navigation rights in international waters across the globe.
According to the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty, any artificial island built atop a reef that is submerged during low tide conditions is not afforded a 12-mile limit. In those cases the treaty calls for a 500 meter limit, similar to Oil Rigs.
But the Islands the Chinese have created are large, and on three of them they are building 10,000 foot long airfields and many buildings and enhancements, including radar sites, docks, jetties, administrative buildings, and housing and other structures for Chinese military personnel, their families, and Chinese citizens,
The US Navy had already, on numerous occasions, sailed its naval vessels through the South China Sea to punctuate overall FON there despite the PRC's claim to the whole of the area. .
Now, with the new Islands, the US announced its intent, and then carried out that intent on October 26, 2015, to specifically sail within 12 miles of the islands to further punctuate its FON claims.
The Chinese have protested this action and now there is a potential for continuing tensions and conflict.
This Analysis
For the purposes of this analysis, the airfields that China would have on the islands and north on the mainland, and the US aircraft carriers that could be involved are not included in detail.
But to note, the PRC is building three ten thousand foot airfields on their newly created islands (where they used massive reclamation efforts to accomplish). These are at Subi Reef, Mischief Reef, and Fiery Cross Reef. The three islands are mutually supportive forming a triangle, with each island roughly 150 miles apart. In addition, China could rely on aircraft from its large base on Island right off of their southwestern coast, and many airfields further inland on the mainland.
The US Navy has one carrier battle group forward deployed in Japan, one typically in the Hawaiian area, and three more normally on the West Coast of the United States which are assigned to the Pacific. Each carrier battle group consists of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with approximately 70 aircraft, which is generally escorted by two Ticonderoga AEGHIS cruisers, two Arleigh Burke AEGIS destroyers, and one or two nuclear attack submarines.
Having said that, each nation has a number of ship classes, ranging from destroyers to frigates and submarines who would likely be the first units involved in any crisis. These include (Listed here and on following pages):
US Navy Combatants likely to be involved in the South China Sea
Arleigh Burke Flight IIA AEGIS Destroyer (62 in inventory, five more building)
The Arleigh Burke destroyers are recognized as the most effective, largest class of modern multi-role destroyers available to any navy. Several other allied navies have built their own versions of these destroyers (including Australia, Japan, Korea, and others in Europe) in addition to the large US fleet.
These vessels are heavily armed, have very modern/advanced sensors, and are capable of cooperative battle management...meaning their systems can either be slaved to, or take control of, other cooperative engagement enables units.
62 have been commissioned, another two launched, and another five building. Ultimately, with the new Flight II vessels that will start building in two years, there will be upwards of 90 of these vessels in the US Navy inventory.
Here are their specifications:
Length: 513 ft (155m)
Beam: 66 ft (20m)
Draft: 31 ft (9m)
Displace (Full Load): 9,200 tons
Propulsion: 4 GE LM2500, Gas Turbines; two shafts
Speed: 31 knots
Range: 4,400 nautical miles (20 knots)
Crew: 370
Armament:
- 32 cell Mk-41 VLS For SM-2, Tomahawk, ESSM
- 64 cell Mk-41 VLS Aft SM-2, Tomahawk, ASROC
- 1 X 127mm MK-45 DP Gun
- 2 x 30mm CIWS
- 2 x 25mm auto cannons
- 6 X Mk-46 LW Torpedoes
Helicopter(s): 2 SH-60 Seahawk
Here are pictures of the vessel:
Introduction
This thread is specifically for exercises where the US Navy and/or the PLAN are conducting Freedom of Navigation (FON) (US Navy) exercises, or efforts to shadow the FON, or seeking to interfere with or curtail them near the Chinese Islands (PPLAN).
Specifically, the thread is about the very specific classes of vessels that the two nations might employ in the South China Sea for these specific means..
Be aware: THI IS NOT A CONFLICT OR WAR THREAD.
No actual speculation over warfare and fighting between the US and the PRC will be discussed. However, it is important to note the type of vessels that may be called upon to be a part of the exercises named. SD prides itself on professionalism and on accurate date in such situations.
This thread is simply attempting to provide a place for that and relive other SCS Strategy Pages on SD of the undoubtedly large amount of volume over this specific issue now that it has arisen.
Otherwise, feel free to report news, photos, videos, and information regarding these types of exercises here.
Summary
China has performed massive reclamation work on seven reefs in the south China Sea and created large islands in their place. The PRC claims the whole of the waters around all of these islands, reefs and shoals in the South China Sea as its "territorial waters," including any 12 mile limit normally attached to such territorial claims.
See the following map:
For more info, pictures, etc. see:
The US Navy claims Freedom of Navigation rights in international waters across the globe.
According to the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty, any artificial island built atop a reef that is submerged during low tide conditions is not afforded a 12-mile limit. In those cases the treaty calls for a 500 meter limit, similar to Oil Rigs.
But the Islands the Chinese have created are large, and on three of them they are building 10,000 foot long airfields and many buildings and enhancements, including radar sites, docks, jetties, administrative buildings, and housing and other structures for Chinese military personnel, their families, and Chinese citizens,
The US Navy had already, on numerous occasions, sailed its naval vessels through the South China Sea to punctuate overall FON there despite the PRC's claim to the whole of the area. .
Now, with the new Islands, the US announced its intent, and then carried out that intent on October 26, 2015, to specifically sail within 12 miles of the islands to further punctuate its FON claims.
The Chinese have protested this action and now there is a potential for continuing tensions and conflict.
This Analysis
For the purposes of this analysis, the airfields that China would have on the islands and north on the mainland, and the US aircraft carriers that could be involved are not included in detail.
But to note, the PRC is building three ten thousand foot airfields on their newly created islands (where they used massive reclamation efforts to accomplish). These are at Subi Reef, Mischief Reef, and Fiery Cross Reef. The three islands are mutually supportive forming a triangle, with each island roughly 150 miles apart. In addition, China could rely on aircraft from its large base on Island right off of their southwestern coast, and many airfields further inland on the mainland.
The US Navy has one carrier battle group forward deployed in Japan, one typically in the Hawaiian area, and three more normally on the West Coast of the United States which are assigned to the Pacific. Each carrier battle group consists of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with approximately 70 aircraft, which is generally escorted by two Ticonderoga AEGHIS cruisers, two Arleigh Burke AEGIS destroyers, and one or two nuclear attack submarines.
Having said that, each nation has a number of ship classes, ranging from destroyers to frigates and submarines who would likely be the first units involved in any crisis. These include (Listed here and on following pages):
US Navy Combatants likely to be involved in the South China Sea
Arleigh Burke Flight IIA AEGIS Destroyer (62 in inventory, five more building)
The Arleigh Burke destroyers are recognized as the most effective, largest class of modern multi-role destroyers available to any navy. Several other allied navies have built their own versions of these destroyers (including Australia, Japan, Korea, and others in Europe) in addition to the large US fleet.
These vessels are heavily armed, have very modern/advanced sensors, and are capable of cooperative battle management...meaning their systems can either be slaved to, or take control of, other cooperative engagement enables units.
62 have been commissioned, another two launched, and another five building. Ultimately, with the new Flight II vessels that will start building in two years, there will be upwards of 90 of these vessels in the US Navy inventory.
Here are their specifications:
Length: 513 ft (155m)
Beam: 66 ft (20m)
Draft: 31 ft (9m)
Displace (Full Load): 9,200 tons
Propulsion: 4 GE LM2500, Gas Turbines; two shafts
Speed: 31 knots
Range: 4,400 nautical miles (20 knots)
Crew: 370
Armament:
- 32 cell Mk-41 VLS For SM-2, Tomahawk, ESSM
- 64 cell Mk-41 VLS Aft SM-2, Tomahawk, ASROC
- 1 X 127mm MK-45 DP Gun
- 2 x 30mm CIWS
- 2 x 25mm auto cannons
- 6 X Mk-46 LW Torpedoes
Helicopter(s): 2 SH-60 Seahawk
Here are pictures of the vessel:
1/350 scale model of Burke Flight IIA AEGIS Destroyer
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