As the USS America (LHA-6) amphibious assault ship covers for the COVID-sidelined USS Theodore Roosevelt (CV-71) super aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, China is rapidly launching its own version of these impressive U.S. amphibious warships. In doing so, China intends to soon rival the U.S. in amphibious assault capability, and further threaten, and impose itself on Taiwan, and other neighbors.
The Chinese People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has just launched its second Type 075 Amphibious assault carrier in Shanghai, two days ago, reported Forbes, just yards from its sister ship which caught fire less than 2 weeks ago. China’s Type 075 is more like the USS Wasp class (LHD) amphibious assault ship than the America class, in that the Type-075 has a stern flooding well deck for launching hovercraft, while the America is an aviation only focused assault ship.
In addition to the first two ships China already launched, The Drive reported last August that the PLAN is building a third Type 075 vessel, though even more of these assault ships may be planned. These new Chinese flattops are expected to carry upwards of 30 helicopters of different types, several hundred infantry, and their vehicles, as well as two Type 726 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft— basically a knockoff of the U.S. Navy’s LCAC.
While China does not yet have a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft similar to the U.S. Marine F-35C stealth fighters, to deploy on the Type 075, reports suggest they are working on producing some sort of VTOL aircraft.
These new PLAN capabilities nominally compare to US Marine Corps forces aboard its own amphibious ships, particularly the Wasp class LHDs. However, as The Drive explains, the PLAN amphibious assault mission would likely be focused primarily on credibly threatening Taiwan and dominating the South China Sea:
So, what we are seeing here is China investing heavily to build itself an amphibious capability that is second only to the United States. That is a very big deal considering the country’s controversial strategic and territorial aims. Beijing’s ability to realize an invasion of Taiwan, for instance, would be enhanced significantly by these ships. But the multitude of other disputes over territory, like the one regarding the Senkaku Islands and those over large swathes of the South China Sea, also play into the utility of such a high-end amphibious force.
Even China’s increasingly militarized man-made islands could be protected by these vessels and the shock troops and helicopters they hold. They could also be used to rapidly resupply these island outposts during a crisis or when their dock facilities have been destroyed. They also pose a real threat to the primary land holdings of regional competitors, like Japan, or countries that border the South China Sea, in a more traditional conflict.
China has also been increasingly focused on drilling to rapidly seize islands, sometimes alongside their Russian allies. These vessels will dramatically enhance their ability to realize such a military action and are ideal for fielding allied forces that could help in doing so.
While China has a much weaker naval and amphibious tradition than U.S. and European navies such as the United Kingdom, Netherlands, France and Italy, Forbes notes it has an unrivaled production capacity.
As such, China’s naval capabilities continue to grow at an incredible rate, vastly modernizing the world’s largest navy. Once the PLAN training and experience improves, the U.S. and the West will soon be facing a much more serious Chinese naval threat.
Advertisement
Confirm You’re Registered to Vote for Trump [ACT NOW]
The answer to China’s new ships is this; create large holes below the water line. They will sink just like the old ships would.
Just exactly what does China think they can get away with and not have ALL of our commercial activity totally shut down. Do they believe they can sustain their economy when there are NO customers for the JUNK they make.
Unfortunately, it’s not just junk. While previous administrations in the US and the rest of the Western world were helping China become the manufacturing colossus it has become in the naïve assumption that that would make a Communist country become part of the world community, more democratic and less belligerent, China was undercutting (and driving out of business) our domestic production in pharmaceuticals, steel, and many other items critical to our national health. At the same time they were buying up critical industries in this country (they own Smithfield Meats for example, one of the four major meat processing plants in the US) and basic materials and rare earth mines in third world countries, without which our industries would grind to a halt. This also gave them a way to get those same third world countries indebted to China, both financially and politically.
Those agitating for immediate US sanctions against China either are discounting or ignoring the stranglehold China has on our economy and national well-being. We need to establish new supply chains, preferably within our own country, to replace our dependence on China, but this will take time. China has always played the long game. We need to learn how to do the same, rather than in 2 to 4-year increments.
As I’ve always said,China is our #1 enemy, then Russia. After that is the Muslims who are trying to take over by sending more here.
Yep!
We will win if we obey II Chronicles 7:14.
But we have been under judgement since the 50’s and 60’s when we started killing babies and threw God out of our nation. The Democrats still do.
We are pretty smart people out here, keceb, and your scam doesn’t work with smart people. I will be reporting your comment as a phishing scam to AAN! Go away and peddle it somewhere where people are gullible!!!
well if they are like some of the early versons nothing to worry about because they cannot handle any rough warter also its like we always have said they cannot design anything of there own just steal our plans besides we can just take them out with drones
Time to nationalize all debt to China, force them to give up all ownership in US companies, and refuse to allow any Chinese students to come here for an education. Isolate them out of the US.
Amen Lon!! Been saying the same exact thing. NO CHINESE STUDENTS! NO CHINESE GUEST WORKERS! NO CHINESE-AMERICAN PARTNERSHIPS!
Without the USA citizens and citizens of other affected nations by COVID (like Spain and Italy), we can cut off the fiscal head of China deteriorating the money flow to support their military.
If Americans would not buy their junk, they would have no economy and they could not support a military.
Makes sense! I hope an honest congressman hears this. Very few of them!
I can go along with that but we have to revoke all those birth certificts issiued to chinese kids born here of parents that came hereto just give birth so there kids would have citizenship here got to get rid of them
Great reply Carol Peterson. keceb is a real scumbag. I’m sure he is the type that exploits every situation to benefit himself.
When is the last time China fought a war and WON? Japan all through history has kicked the **** out of them.. It is time for the US to begin ISOLATING THE COMMUNISTS..Cut the Chinese off from the US and watch them collapse….stop buying chinese junk
China wants to control the world, that has always been their goal. They are in no hurry, they are not like Americans and expect things to happen quickly.
BFD, we can probably take them out with a shotgun!
Yes, China wants to control the World, and with the help of American institution. President Trump is trying hard to reduce the influcke of Chinese into the country but a large American institution call Harward University is claiming that we need more Chinese student in America.
Why? Open the doors to American student if you want to fill your seats.
Harward University even took 9million from money that
was designated to small business, while they have over 4 Billions on hand as President Trump reported.
I got my suspicios with this University, after what they find out about the Chinese scientist student got caught
been a chinese spy.
WAKE UP AMERICA ABOUT CHINA. DO NOT FORGET THEY ARE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY AND THEY HATE
AMERICA BECAUSE OF US BEING FREE.
Well, if the dems get their way, we won’t have shotguns!
YES INDEED.THE FLYING TIGERS HELP THEM AGAINST THE JAPANESE B/4 WWII AND AS YA’LL CAN SEE THEY ARE TURNCOATS,NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
The way to take out China is by using one of their own destructive products against them.
Enough Said
sink it
The Chinese aren’t all that far behind us, no matter how we feel about it. Wait till the democrats get into power…they will be equal to and surpassing us. Remember old Biden,… shucks those Chinese folks are no issue what so ever.
many countries have tried to conquer the world all have been defeated no country is stronger then the world try working with each other