Another Historic Year for the PLA Navy

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | May 2024 | Captain James E. Fanell, U.S. Navy (Retired)

[Retain Mike]

Admiral Dong has the distinction of being the first Commander of the East China Sea Joint Operations Command Center (ECS JOCC), having served from July 2013 to November 2014 while he served as one of the deputy commanders of the East Sea Fleet. Established in 2013, the ECS JOCC was the PLA’s first joint operations command headquarters responsible for the operational coordination of the PLAN, PLA Air Force (PLAAF), and other forces—including the China Coast Guard and Strategic Rocket Forces—against Taiwan.3 Admiral Dong’s various appointments should be a reminder of the importance the CCP places on the PLAN and the PLA’s overall capability to take Taiwan by kinetic means should other efforts fail.

While recent economic problems have slowed PLAN ship production over the past two years, Chinese reporting indicates the PLAN commissioned its eighth Type 055/Renhai-class cruiser, eight more Type 054A/Jiangkai II frigates, and one comprehensive submarine rescue ship.4 In addition, the PLAN launched one Type 075/Yushen-class amphibious assault ship, five cruisers and destroyers, two newer Type 054B frigates, and three nuclear-powered submarines. The total tonnage launched and commissioned in 2023 was about 170,000 tons, compared with 110,000 tons in 2022, although still somewhat lower than the 200,000-ton annual average prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PLAN’s third carrier, the Fujian, completed mooring trials and began dead-load testing of her three electromagnetic catapults in November. She will likely begin sea trials in summer 2024. It seems clear that, while much of the world questions the efficacy of aircraft carriers because of the proliferation of anticarrier missile systems, the PLAN is doubling down on them.

The appointment of Admiral Dong to lead China’s Ministry of Defense means that Xi and the CCP have undeniably recognized the importance of maritime power to complete the Great Rejuvenation of China.

[Retain Mike]

The Western Pacific has sure got a more interesting. Dodging the Chi Com and Taiwanese fishing fleets was about exciting as it got for our ship on the way to and from Vietnam, except for avoiding the carriers, escorts, and auxiliaries at Yankee Station. Here are the latest articles from the U. S. Naval Institute. Unless you are a member, you may not be able to look at all the links before they decide to exclude you.

[delta7]

China doesn’t need much….only enough ships to fully blockage and strangle Taiwan and a few thrown in to keep a deteriorating US Navy at bay….their 90 mile supply line beats the hell out of US’s 8,000 supply line.

They never even need to fire off a shot, time, numbers and distance is on their side.

[Jacquerie]

When I was a student at the Naval Postgraduate School thirty-five years ago, the professor of one of my classes split us up into groups of 3-4. He tasked each with examining the navies of Russia, China, Italy, France, UK for their future possible threats to the USN.

The only country analyzed to pose a possible future threat to the USN was the PLAN. At the time, 1989-1990, the PLAN was a joke.

Several junior officers figured this out long ago.

Thank goodness for America’s immensely expensive defense and intelligence establishment. /s

[TheCipher]

Didn’t mention one of their newest nuclear submarines just sunk in port.