The Rising Sea Dragon in Asia (PLAN) - 2008 Update

The Rising Sea Dragon in Asia ^ | January 2, 2008 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA - 2008 UPDATE By Jeff Head - Last Update: January 2, 2008 Throughout 2007 the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has concentrated on integrating its newest surface combatants into its various fleets, while introducing new combatants simultaneously. In particularly, the newer nuclear attack and ballistic missile submarines have been officially seen and photographed, punctuating the PLAN's continued advance and improvement of its nuclear submarine capability, while continuing to build and add new diesel electric submarines. It's new Landing Ship Dock and now new, associated LCAC craft are being integrated into the fleet. The PLAN thus continues its unprecedented modernization and buildup integrating its new guided missile destroyers, guided missile frigates, fast attack craft, very modern and quiet diesel/electric attack submarines, nuclear attack submarines, nuclear ballistic missile The new Type 051C, guided missiles destroyers have undergone sea trials and their pennant numbers have been added, 115 and 116 as they have joined the North Sea Fleet. The new Type 071 LPD has been conducting sea trials. This is a significant addition to the PLAN, representing the largest amphibious vessel in their inventory and a very modern and capable design of which more are sure to be built. The vessle displaces 20-25,000 tons and is capable of both air assault and amphibious assault as the new LCAC craft which have now started appearing, and which are shown in the following photographs attest. The PLAN has introduced a new LCAC design, clearly intended for their new Lanning Platform Dock. These are very similar in size and function to the US Navy's LCAC and appear capable of carrying at least one main battle tank or and assortment of other vehicles and troops. The LPD appears to be able to hold at least two, and perhaps three of these craft. The new Type 054A guided missiles frigates have been undergoing sea trials. With their vertical launch missiles and heavier displacement and other improvements, they represent extremely modern and capable frigates. The east and south sea fleets will probably both benefit from these vessels, particularly as more are added. The PLAN has offically recognized the existance of the new Type 093 nuclear attack submarine (SSN) and the Type 094 ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). The SSN appears to be roughly equivalent to a US Navy Los Angeles attack submarine in design and capability, and perhaps close to the advanced Los Angeles class. The SSBN carries 12 SLBMs, each with a range of several thousand kilometers. It cannot be over emphasized how critical these developments are in the relative sea power in the western Pacific, particularly as the PLAN builds more of these vessels. It is thought that at least two, and perhaps up to four new SSNs are already launched and through trials, while at least one, and perhaps two of the new SSBNs have been launched to date. In the mean time, steady work continues on the Varyag, the full-deck aircraft carrier undergoing refit at the Dalian naval shipyards. Outside of finish work on the island, the deck and hull seem to be complete with unknown progress on the interior spaces, particularly the propulsion. Significant anticipation as to the launch date of this vessel is building, with some conjecture that it may be launched just before or during the Olympics shecdeuled in Beijing. The PLAN, during this period, has shown a willingness and the capability to spend significant time and monies on training and integration exercises for its newly acquired vessels...all extremely critical in developing the expertise, policies, procedures, and doctrine for their growing modern navy.

Once again, by way of reference, it should be noted that in general numbers, over the last several years, the PLAN has built and launched over 80 new major surface combatants for its fleet. In that same time period, they have not decommissioned any major surface combatants, meaning they have added over 80 major surface combatant vessels to their inventory. In that same period, the US Navy has built 46 new major surface combatants. At the same time, the US Navy has decommissioned 49 major surface combatants, many of them with 10-15 years of service life remaining, meaning a net loss of three major surface combatants in this period.

Clearly the trend shows that the PLAN is rapidly closing the gap between itself and the US Navy, and particualrly when focusing on the Western Pacific, which is where the PLAN is concentrated, this is a trend worthy of watching and considering in future US Navy and other western nation's planning and acquisition schedules.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Jeff Head is an engineering consultant with many years experience in the power, defense, and computer industries. He currently works for the federal government helping maintain and protect regional infrastructure. He is a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, and is also the author of a self-published and best-selling series of military techno-thrillers called the Dragon's Fury that projects a fictional third world war arising out of current events. You can learn more about that series by clicking on the pictures of the novel covers below:

THE DRAGON'S FURY SERIES

Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Head

[AppyPappy]

But the carrier can project a 1000 miles out and the frigate cannot. It takes a long time to make it into shooting range while aircraft are making repeated sorties at you.

[pissant]

Excellent work, sir.

[pissant]

Good to see all those TVs and toasters we buy supporting the PLA

[Bender2]

The bottom line on any navy's performance comes down to the training of the crew PLUS how they handle actual combat and how they handle combat damage control. China's Navy has no experience in either of these.

So, if it came to them... going toe to toe with the US Navy, they may get in a lick or two--

But overall... the PLAN does not have a Chinaman's chance.

[griffin]

The info I saw was older but...

...I see from a quick search that the chinese are developing a LACM “Hongniao 3” with a range of 2500 to 3000 km. If they can develop the fire control and guidance to the point of adapting it for surface vessels, that is a significant land attack offensive capability. With advance fleet defenses utilizing reactive armor missile systems, it seems to me this could be a viable, modern land attack platform.

[griffin]

How much actual naval combat....and especially damage control experience does our existing fleet leadership possess? Seems like we have alot of historical experience, but not much more than that in major naval combat. I’m sure the Chinese have studied just as our officers have.

We might have had experience launching alot of sorties from way out in conditions where we maintain air superiority, and some amphibian experience against less than heavy defenses...but is that enough to give us such an advantage that we don’t need to be concerned?

[griffin]

I don’t see actual combat or damage control experience for Adm. Roughead.....I’m sure he is a great officer and I couldn’t hold a stick to him....but as far as combat experience...what COMBAT EXPERIENCE advantage does Roughead have over his PLAN counterpart other than probable better American education and better training?

“Admiral Gary Roughead became Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command on May 17, 2007. He is responsible for providing manned, trained, and equipped Navy operating forces ready for tasking by Combatant Commanders worldwide and leads development of Fleet capabilities requirements for the Chief of Naval Operations. He is the supporting commander to U.S. Joint Forces Command for Navy global force management, and is the Navy supporting component to U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

Adm. Roughead is a 1973 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a Surface Warfare Officer. His initial assignment was in the Weapons Department in USS Josephus Daniels. This was followed by duty as Executive Officer in the patrol gunboats USS Douglas and USS Tacoma, the former home ported in Naples, Italy. He was the commissioning Chief Engineer in USS O’Bannon and Executive Officer in USS Spruance.

Tours ashore include assignments as Flag Lieutenant to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the Surface Warfare Analyst at the Navy’s Office of Program Appraisal; Administrative Aide to the Secretary of the Navy; Executive Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command; Commandant, United States Naval Academy; and the Department of the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs.

Adm. Roughead was the commissioning Commanding Officer of the Aegis destroyer USS Barry and upon assuming command of the Pearl Harbor based cruiser USS Port Royal, became the first naval officer to command both classes of Aegis ships. While he was in command, Port Royal was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation and received the Golden Anchor Award for excellence in retention and crew support programs. He was Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two and the George Washington Battle Group, deploying to the Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea; Commander, U.S. Second Fleet; and Commander, NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic and Commander, Naval Forces North Fleet East. He was the Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command during the recent tsunami relief effort in South East Asia. Most recently, he served as Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Joint Task Force 519.

Adm. Roughead’s awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards.”

[steveegg]

In my semi-educated civilian opinion, it's the fast, if somewhat-weaker operational tempo that the carrier group allows versus the slower, haymaker tempo of both a missile-only SAG and long-range aircraft not based in-theater. It's pretty easy and quick to reload an aircraft and if it's in-theater, it's right back bombing or shooting incoming down; it isn't so easy or quick to reload a destroyer's magazines, and at least until hypersonic intercontinental aircraft come on-line, long-range bombers simply have to travel too long. Fortunately, the Navy has merged both the carrier group and missile-laden destroyers to allow the best of both worlds because they realize that nearby friendly bases aren't always going to be there.

The PLAN doesn't have to worry about that just yet. Taiwan is, barely, close enough to the PRC to allow land-based aircraft to keep up the skeer while the heavier hammer of missiles is reloaded.

Morever, their plan for the open ocean on the other side of Taiwan is much like that of the old Soviet Navy - sea denial by putting more missiles in the air than the USN can shoot down and decoy.

[CarolNTN]

Almost a year ago, I stopped buying anything made in China (that I could identify - fresh veggies and such are impossible to know). Believe me, it is extremely difficult to find ANYthing not made in China. But I refuse to give them anymore of my money.

Oh, and I stopped buying Wal-Mart brand food too. The label only reads “Distributed by Wal-Mart” but doesn’t state where the food is actually from.

[Bender2]

Well, I guess we will just have to agree... to disagree.

Unless you want to take it... to the next level!

That is atomic hand grenades... at twenty paces

[JACKRUSSELL]

(Please FReepmail me if you would like to be on or off of the list.)

[Jeff Head]

With the new reactors coming on line and their efficiency and unbelievable power potential, first on the new CVN-21 class carriers (starting with CVN 78), and potentially then later on the new CGX cruisers, some are indicating a potential for directed energy weapons for CIWS.

[Jeff Head]

A potential for weapons like this...the Mobile, Tactal High-Energy Laser, MTHEL:

Already tested successfully in a chemcial laser version as a joint venture between ourselves and Israel. The goal is to develop solid state, electrically powered versions.

A 100-kilowatt laser would need something like a 1 megawatt power input. The heat produced when the laser is fired will have to be removed to prevent damage. Lawrence-Livermore scientists have developed a way to rapidly cool the laser between firings without losing its structural integrity or lasing characteristics. The lab says the research team is on target for delivering a demonstration version by 2007 and potential deployable versions by 2011.

[Jeff Head]

Thank you.

[Jeff Head]

You pass this stuff along to CDR Salamander yet?

Please do.

[Jeff Head]

I wish we would build twelve of them for an interim solution.

[Jeff Head]

Just the same old same old my friend...just a little further down the line.

I pray we as a people will elect representatives and leaders who will do something about this (along with securing our borders, continuing to take the fight to the Islamic radicals and their supporters, and addressing the unborn holocaust here at home)...otherwise, the treasure we may well have to spend as regards Red China will one day not be measured in dollars and cents, but in blood.

Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas, and that you have a GREAT New Year!

[griffin]

Would that be merely plain atomic hand grenades or holy atomic hand grenades? :)

[meadsjn]

We're doing great; not so sure about the nation.

Like someone in the above replies, the amphips are somewhat disconcerting. Subs and surface buildup might be excused as protection for sea lanes. The amphibs suggest otherwise.

[Jeff Head]

Here's a link to Northrup-Grumman's July 2006 Press Release regarding Skyguard, which is the latest incarnation of the MTHEL.

SKYGUARD Laser Defense System