China is flexing its muscle with a huge naval transformation, including acquisition of strategic platforms that mean the most populous nation on Earth is becoming a blue-water navy, with power to deny access to U.S. and other nations.
So said Larry Wortzel, vice chairman of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, in a hearing by the panel focused on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its Navy, or PLAN.
“China has made great strides in modernizing its naval forces,” he said.
“Since 2004, the Chinese navy has procured dozens of modern naval platforms, including 20 submarines spread among five different classes, eight destroyers, and 24 advanced fighters, the Su-30 Mkk2. China is on the cusp of an operational submarine-based nuclear deterrent and the Central Military Commission seems to be considering building aircraft carriers.”
This could mean China can thwart even the U.S. Navy, he indicated.
“There appears to be a credible effort by the PLA to develop the capacity to deny regional access to any potential adversaries through the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles,” Wortzel observed.
“Some Chinese military writings on doctrine have emphasized the need for China to ‘control the seas’ through missiles, electronics and information technologies that span the surface, subsurface, air, and space domains.
“Finally, recent PLA Navy events, such as the ongoing deployment of three PLA Navy vessels to the Gulf of Aden, the first transiting of Chinese surface combatants through Japan’s Tsugaru Strait out into the Pacific Ocean, and the noticeable increase in overseas port calls, demonstrate that the Chinese navy is turning into a blue water navy,” Wortzel stated.
While this could reflect Chinese global trade growth and a desire to protect sea lanes, this massive buildup also may have ramifications for U.S. armed forces, Wortzel cautioned.
To read full statements from the commission hearing, please go to http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2009hearings/hr09_06_11.php on the Web.