Source: Want China Times
A PLA Navy soldier stands guard at the Johnson South Reef, March 24, 2013. (Internet photo)
China’s land reclamation projects in the disputed South China Sea may incite an attack from the United States and Vietnam, according to the Kanwa Defense Review, operated by Andrei Chang also known as Pinkov, a military expert in Canada.
The land reclamation reported to be taking place at Johnson South Reef could pose a threat to all nations claiming sovereignty over the Spratlys–including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. According to the blueprint released by the Chinese government, China plans to build an “unsinkable aircraft carrier” in the South China Sea through a much larger land reclamation project in the region. The blueprint indicates this “unsinkable aircraft carrier” consists of two runways and two naval ports.
After this project is complete, China will be capable of deploying H-6 strategic bombers and fighters to the South China Sea. The two naval ports there can accommodate any Chinese warships except aircraft carriers like the Liaoning. H-6 bombers will pose an additional threat to the United States and its security partners in Southeast Asia. With a range of 6,000 kilometers and a combat radius of 1,800 kilometers, the H-6 bomber is capable of attacking all major targets north of Australia.
Even though Australia is about 3,200 kilometers away from the Johnson South Reef, the H-6 is capable of carrying cruise missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers. This means the H-6s would be able to hit all US military facilities in Australia. Anti-ship missiles such as the YJ-83 and the YJ-12 can also be used to blockade all shipping in the Strait of Malacca. By controlling the air space of the South China Sea, China would be able to prevent US forces in Australia supporting its allies in East Asia.
The scale of China’s land reclamation projects in the region is still unclear. Another similar project is reported to be underway at Mischief Reef. Whether the Johnson South Reef or Mischief Reef will become the “unsinkable aircraft carrier,” countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are all within the range of Chinese tactical air strikes. Singapore is currently one of the main bases for the US Navy’s littoral combat ship.
An “unsinkable aircraft carrier” would not be an “invincible aircraft carrier” however, according to Kanwa. The Johnson South Reef and Mischief Reef are about 850 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam. This means that both islands are within striking range of the Vietnamese Air Force’s Su-30MK2 multirole fighters introduced from Russia. With the assistance of the United States, Vietnam may launch a preemptive strike against both islands in the event of a conflict.
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