US news network CNBC reported yesterday that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles
and surface-to-air missile systems on 3 outposts in the South China Sea, citing sources with
direct knowledge of US intelligence.
A US official, disclosed on condition of anonymity, that US intelligence had seen signs that China
had moved some weapons systems to the Spratly Islands in the past month or so, but offered
no details.
Reports suggest that the missiles were moved to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief
Reef in the Spratly Islands within the last 30 days.
China defended the deployment of missile systems in the South China Sea.
It said that it has "indisputable sovereignty" over the area.
Unconfirmed reports indicate the missiles are YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missile and HQ-9B
surface-to-air missiles.
This deployment comes as China has stepped up its mischiefs in Horn of Africa.
The United States has officially complained to China alleging two U.S. airmen were targeted
with military grade lasers by China in Djibouti.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes how China is provoking by deploying missile in
South China Sea & targeting U.S aircrafts with lasers in Djibouti?
Lets get started.
China claims most of the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have disputed these claims.
The route is significant as about $5 trillion (wrong in audio) in trade through shipping passes each year.
Countries like US, Japan and India have no claims in the area and want ‘Freedom of
Navigation’ as per international maritime laws.
China has tried imposing a unilateral decision as per which all ships navigating in the area
needs to identify itself to the Chinese Navy.
According to Chinese sources, the YJ-12 has a speed of around Mach 2, if launched from
low altitude and up to Mach 3.2, if launched from high altitude.
It has maximum range of 380 km depending on launch altitude so it can fired from far off.
In the terminal phase the missile can travel at a very low altitude of 15 m, which makes
it hard for the sensors to detect.
When this missile appears over the horizon and gets detected by ship’s sensors, the
ship would only have some 45 seconds to intercept it before impact.
The speed, range and ability to skim close to the sea surface makes it one of the most
deadly anti ship missile in world.
A saturation attack by YJ-12's will be hard to defend against even by sophisticated defenses
of US military.
The HQ-9 is China’s new generation medium- to long-range, active radar homing surface-to-air
missile.
The most fundamental formation of a HQ-9 batteries consists of multiple radars, command control
center, supporting vehicles and 8 Transporter erector launchers (TELs) each with 4 missiles,
totaling 32 rounds ready to fire.
To maximize the combat effectiveness of HQ-9, dedicated Fire Control Radar is present.
Designated as HT-233 it has a range of 300 km.
Similar to the Russian S-300V, the HQ-9 is a two-stage missile.
The missile has a total mass of almost 2 tons and a length of 6.8m.
The missile is equipped with a 180 kg warhead, has a maximum speed of Mach 4.2 and has a
maximum range of 200 km.
The system could target aircraft, drones and cruise missiles potential making it dangerous
for the US Air force to enter the airspace protected by it.
Eric Sayers, a former consultant to the commander of the US Pacific Command, called the missile
deployment "a major escalation".
Mr. Sayers said, "When China sees that it can get away with these types of actions with
little cost — as they did all through 2015 and 2016 — it only makes it more likely
they will keep pressing,"
US Admiral Philip Davidson, recently nominated to head US Pacific Command, said China could
use its "forward operating bases" in the South China Sea to challenge the US regional presence
and "would easily overwhelm the military forces of any other South China Sea claimants".
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana W. White said that the United States has asked China to investigate these incidents.
She said the Pentagon was confident that Chinese nationals were responsible.
She said there had been more than 2 but fewer than 10 such incidents.
and these attacks have increased in frequency in recent weeks.