I think this could be an exaggeration. From what I heard, the HQ-16 range is no more than 45km. Would you mind sending me the link in which says that the range of HQ-16 is 70km? Thx a lot, bro!
PLAN SCS Bases/Islands/Vessels (Not a Strategy Page)
- Thread starter lilzz
- Start date
antiterror13
Brigadier
I think you are right 45-50 kms. I read somewhere before, perhaps HQ-16B has the same range as BUK-M3 which is claimed 70kms
SinoSoldier
Colonel
I thought:
- HQ-16: 42 km
- HQ-16B: 70 km (as per Henri K.)
- KS-1A: 50 km
- KS-1C: 70 km
- Sky Dragon 50: 50 km
- FK-3: 100 km
- HQ-16: 42 km
- HQ-16B: 70 km (as per Henri K.)
- KS-1A: 50 km
- KS-1C: 70 km
- Sky Dragon 50: 50 km
- FK-3: 100 km
New pics from Gaven and Hughes
China’s artificial island on Gaven Reef, as of February 12, 2016.
The northern section of China’s outpost on Gaven Reef, as of February 12, 2016.
China’s outpost on Hughes Reef includes a large building with four possible gun emplacements, a probable recreation field, and several smaller buildings on its western section, and a quay with a loading crane, a helipad, a probable radar tower, and a possible bunker to the east. There is also land reclamation efforts underway to the south of the main building on the western section.
China’s artificial island on Hughes Reef, as of February 7, 2016.
The eastern section of China's outpost on Hughes Reef, as of February 7, 2016.
China’s artificial island on Gaven Reef, as of February 12, 2016.
The northern section of China’s outpost on Gaven Reef, as of February 12, 2016.
China’s outpost on Hughes Reef includes a large building with four possible gun emplacements, a probable recreation field, and several smaller buildings on its western section, and a quay with a loading crane, a helipad, a probable radar tower, and a possible bunker to the east. There is also land reclamation efforts underway to the south of the main building on the western section.
China’s artificial island on Hughes Reef, as of February 7, 2016.
The eastern section of China's outpost on Hughes Reef, as of February 7, 2016.
New pics from Johnson South Reef
China’s artificial island on Johnson South Reef includes a large building at its southeast end and a number of smaller buildings, a probably solar array, lighthouse, helipad and quay, and at least two probably radars, on the north and east sides of the feature.
China’s artificial island on Johnson South Reef, as of February 9, 2016.
The northern portion of China’s outpost on Johnson South Reef, as of February 9, 2016.
China’s artificial island on Johnson South Reef includes a large building at its southeast end and a number of smaller buildings, a probably solar array, lighthouse, helipad and quay, and at least two probably radars, on the north and east sides of the feature.
China’s artificial island on Johnson South Reef, as of February 9, 2016.
The northern portion of China’s outpost on Johnson South Reef, as of February 9, 2016.
Geographer
Junior Member
Thank you the steady stream of high resolution photos! What are artificial islands' names? Can we call them Gaven Island, Hughes Island, et al.?
There appear to be two wind turbines in the southern part of that island. Do any of the new islands have greenhouses? Are they all connected by fiber optic cable to the mainland?
What is that brown metal structure to the west of Gaven Island? It has been there for several years.
There appear to be two wind turbines in the southern part of that island. Do any of the new islands have greenhouses? Are they all connected by fiber optic cable to the mainland?
What is that brown metal structure to the west of Gaven Island? It has been there for several years.
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I met a PLA Army vet in a pub the other day, and I asked him why China is building up all the artificial islands. He said that the ones in the Spratleys are for surveillance/tracking/early-warning purposes only. In the future, the airfields could serve as refueling and maintenance stations for operations over the Indian Ocean. However, the one in Paracel could be something else, especially given its proximity to the Yulin Naval Base.
