China Develops Threatening Naval Force Against Taiwan

Navy News and Undersea Technology | September 16, 2002 | Samuel Loring Morison

[Stand Watch Listen]

China is developing larger surface ships, ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) and conventional submarines, so it will be able to blockade Taiwan and deter any involvement of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in the Taiwan Strait by the end of this decade. For this purpose, the development of SSBN's has been given priority, to build up a nuclear deterrence.

In 2001, after seven years of refit and modernization work, China's single SSBN of the Xia Class, Type 092G (G: Gai Lian, meaning modification) was re-commissioned. It is believed the vessel received the JL-1A ballistic missile, the effective range of which is said to be up to 1,510 nautical miles. To reduce noise, the SSBN is coated with a new type of sonar-absorbing material. It also is fitted with a new sonar system similar to the French DUUX-5.

In 1999, a report carried out by the PLA Daily newspaper, strongly suggested that China had started to build the new-generation SSBN. This type of SSBN, called Project 094 in the Chinese military, will be equipped with 16 Ju Lang (JL-2) ballistic missiles with a reported effective range of 4,320 nautical miles. It is predicted by some sources that by 2010, at least two Project 094 SSBN's, will be in commissioned service.

The land-based version of the JL-2, the DF-31, is already in service in the Second Artillery Force. Responding to the U.S. National Missile Defense program, China is conducting a series of upgrading projects on the DF-31 system. The missiles will be installed with a new decoy system making them more difficult to identify and intercept. Experiments are ongoing.

In May 2002, China ordered eight more Russian Kilo (Type 636) Class submarines to be armed with Club-S surface-to-surface missiles (SSM's) from Russia. It is planned that the boats will be delivered to China within five years. Because of this schedule, Russia is planning to produce these submarines simultaneously in different shipyards.

At the same time, China will not be giving up on its indigenously designed Song Class conventional submarine-upgrading project. The first two stages of the upgrade work have been completed. Starting with the third vessel, the Song (Type 039) Class submarine is very close to the French Agosta-90B in external design. The height of the sail has been lowered in order to increase stability underwater and it has been equipped with a new weapon control system. Song and the Russian Kilos will form a high-low combination.

What has perplexed the Chinese navy for a long time in the development of large surface ships is the propulsion system. The official media eventually acknowledged that the new-generation Luhai Class destroyer, Shenzhen (Pendant No. 167) had steam turbines—not gas turbines and diesels as reported—and accidents had occurred due to the leakage of the boiler during long deployments.

In 1999, China signed a contract with the Ukraine covering the import of Ukranian-built GTE-80 (DN-80) gas turbines, and in May 2001 signed a technology transfer contract with Mashproekt-Zorya for license-production of the GTE gas turbine system.

One of the primary weaknesses of the Chinese navy is their air-defense capability. They literally had none, but this is in the process of being rectified. China has started production of the Type 052B large destroyer project. Two 8,000-ton class guided missile destroyers (DDG) are now under construction at the Shanghai No.436 navy shipyard. Initially, four ships are to be built. The Type 052B DDG resembles the British Type 45 destroyer in shape. It is believed that Type 052B will be given a Chinese- or Russian-made vertical-launch system (VLS) for a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system in order to strengthen long-distance air-defense capabilities. The candidates for the SAM system include the Russian-made RIF-M and Chinese-made FD-2000 SAM. Both of these systems have an effective range of over 60 nautical miles. The design of the Type 052B DDG embodies stealth concepts. Little is known about this program other than the keel of the first unit has been laid down.

In order to meet navy needs until the Project 052B DDG's start entering service, China has purchased from Russia a second pair of Sovremennyy (Russian Type 956A) Class DDGs, with an option for two more, armed with longer range upgraded Sunburn (SS-N-22) supersonic SSMs (3M-80). By 2006, China should have seven 8,000-ton class large destroyers and have established a substantial naval force.

[mhking]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/751558/posts

[Quix]

I wonder if, other than God, Taiwan's only hope is that the Mainland service personnel might be MORE lazy, incompetent, arrogant and otherwise determined to avoid bothering themselves about reading the manuals, doing the maintenance, learning the complex systems well, practicing sufficiently etc.

It seems to be a culturally endemic disease that IF the machine is not yours; not your family's or not your close friend's THEN IT'S NOT WORTH BOTHERING ABOUT--except in a whitewash way when the boss is around.

I can certainly imagine that boiler's leaked etc.

If it doesn't pay them money, status, pride, power PERSONALLY, it's not worth bothering with or bothering about.

[VaBthang4]

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On the flip side...
straitstimes.asia1.com

Taiwan launches first stealth boat

TAIPEI - The Taiwanese navy yesterday launched its first locally built stealth missile boat which it said would prove a valuable asset in the event of conflict with China.

The 170-tonne vessel was scheduled to be commissioned next year after stringent tests, the navy said.

It plans to build another 29 missile boats modelled on the stereotype under the Kuanghwa Six Project.

The ship's sleek design was aimed at reducing the reflection of radar waves, the navy said.

Analysts said the boats would be able to receive 'passively' intelligence collected by other Taiwanese warships without opening their radars to the 'enemy'.

Such stealth actions would enable them to launch missile blitzes against targeted enemy warships without risking their location.

The missile boat, designed to cruise at a maximum speed of 33 knots, would be armed with four locally made Hsiungfeng II ship-to-ship missiles.

The ships would replace dozens of ageing 50-tonne Seagull missile boats, each of which carries two Hsiungfeng I missiles. --AFP

[thescourged1]

Your local zoo's panda rental at work. heh

[Straight Vermonter]

US version:

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From behind the maple curtain in the People's Republik of Vermont - SV