A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer has performed freedom of navigation operations in the South
China Sea.
The warship is the Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54).
China accused the warship of 'illegally' entering its territory and claimed the vessel was 'expelled'
by its naval and air forces.
But the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet hit back, stating the ship was not 'expelled' and that China
does not control those waters.
The important part is that U.S Navy conducted multiple FONOPS in the South China Sea last
year and the new Biden administration is continuing with the same practice.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes how USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) has enraged China
by sailing through the Taiwan Strait?
Let's get into the details.
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China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and is willing to bring it back into its fold
even if it requires force.
In this context, it is important to note that in Jan last year Taiwanese voters have re-elected
incumbent president Tsai Ing-Wen in a landslide election.
This is seen as a sharp rebuke to Beijing and its attempts to intimidate and lure Taiwan
into China’s fold.
She easily defeated her opponent Han Kuo-yu, whose Kuomintang party promotes closer ties
with China.
Since this, China has postured aggressively against Taiwan
Taiwan Strait is part of the larger dispute of the South China Sea region.
China claims almost 90% of the South China Sea.
It said that it has "indisputable sovereignty" over the area.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have disputed these claims.
The route is significant as about $5 trillion in trade through shipping passes each year.
Countries like the US, Japan and India have no claims in the area and want ‘Freedom
of Navigation’ as per international maritime laws.
The U.S statement read: "The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the
US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international
law allows.”
China criticized the U.S. Navy for “disrupting” peace in the contested waters.
A spokesman for China's Eastern Theatre Command said: "The US actions sends the wrong signals
to Taiwan independence forces, deliberately disrupting the regional situation and endangering
peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
USS Curtis Wilbur is an Arleigh Burke class-guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy.
Arleigh Burke-class warships were designed as multi-mission destroyers capable of Anti
Aircraft Warfare (AAW), Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti Surface Warfare (ASuW).
USS Curtis Wilbur being an Arleigh Burke class destroyer is among the largest destroyers
built in the United States.
It has an overall length of 509 feet (155 m) and a displacement of about 9,200 tons.
USS Curtis Wilbur is powered by 4 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines producing
100,000 hp (75 MW) that drive 2 shafts.
It has a speed of 30+ knots (55+ km/h) and a range of 4,400 nmi (8,100 km)
USS Curtis Wilbur is a lethal platform and is capable of carrying out different kinds
of missions.
It has in total 96 cell Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) divided into two blocks of 32
& 64 cells.
These can be configured with the combination of the following weapons, based on the mission
requirements.
1. RIM-66M-5 Standard SM-2MR Block IIIB for Air Defense & Anti Ship role with a range
of 103 miles or 167 km and speed of Mach 3.5
2. RIM-156A SM-2ER Block IV for Anti Aircraft & Anti Ship role with a range of 115 miles
or 185 km and speed of Mach 3.5
3. RIM-161 SM-3 for Ballistic missile defense with a range of 435 miles or 700 km and speed
of Mach 10.
It can also be used as an Anti-satellite weapon.
4. RIM-162A ESSM for anti-missile role with a range of 31 miles or 50 km and speed of Mach 4
It can be quad packed in single Mk 41 cell.
5. RIM-174A Standard ERAM or SM 6 for anti-air warfare with a range of 150 miles or 240 km
and speed Mach 3.5
6. BGM-109 Tomahawk for land attack.
It has a long range of up to 1550 miles or 2500 km with subsonic speed.
7. RUM-139A VL-ASROC anti-submarine missile with a range of 13 miles or 22 km
It also has 2 × Mk 141 Harpoon Missile Launcher for Anti Ship role.
2 × Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes are present launching Mk-46 or Mk-50 torpedoes
2 MH-60R Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters are also present for Anti Submarine Warfare.
Other than these, it is equipped with a long-range naval gun and multiple Close-In Weapon Systems.
As usual, China has lodged a verbal protest and falsely claimed it expelled USS Curtis
Wilbur.
Under the Trump administration, naval and aerial operations were stepped up with an
aim to push back against what the Pentagon regards as increasing Chinese military hegemony
in the region
Though some experts were of the view that the Biden administration would curtail these
missions, this is not the case.
USS Curtis Wilbur can take on Chinese military aircraft as well as surface combatants.
It is heavily armed and any misadventure from the Chinese side will result in massive retaliation.
It is evident that the U.S military will not back down.
While China has been objecting to U.S.'s FONOP, it has not stopped USS Curtis Wilbur.
This is mainly due to the fact that the destroyer is one of the most powerful surface combatants
in the world and its capabilities enable it to take on anything China can throw at it.