New images suggest China has built reinforced hangars on disputed islands: think tank
Source: Reuters
Recent satellite photographs show China appears to have built reinforced aircraft hangars on its holdings in the disputed South China Sea, according to a Washington-based think tank.
Pictures taken in late July show the hangars constructed on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs in the Spratly islands, have room for any fighter jet in the Chinese air force, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
"Except for a brief visit by a military transport plane to Fiery Cross Reef earlier this year, there is no evidence that Beijing has deployed military aircraft to these outposts. But the rapid construction of reinforced hangars at all three features indicates that this is likely to change," CSIS said in a report.
The United States has urged China and other claimants not to militarize their holdings in the South China Sea.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-china-images-idUSKCN10K08P
Yes, militarizing the South China Sea is bad. We all agree with that...
"Carrier Strike Group 5 conducts patrol in South China Sea
SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Shiloh (CG 67); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, is conducting routine operations in the South China Sea.
Prior to their operations in the South China Sea, the ships and aircraft within the strike group have been operating in the Philippine Sea to maintain improve their readiness and develop their cohesion as a strike group.
CSG 5 partnered with the John C. Stennis Strike Group June 18-19, to conduct Dual Carrier operations, maintaining the interoperability between the ships and the embarked air wings.
"Our forward-deployed ships are operating here to maintain the seas open for all to use," said Rear Admiral John D. Alexander, commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70). "The U.S. Navy has flown, sailed and operated throughout the Western Pacific in accordance with international law for over a century, and will continue to do so."
In recent months, many U.S. Navy ships have conducted similar events in the 7th Fleet area of operations including the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) as part of 3rd Fleet's Pacific Surface Action Group."
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=95484
groundloop
(11,518 posts)China knows that, and they also know that no country in their right mind would start a war with China. They'll take whatever they want.
harun
(11,348 posts)NWCorona
(8,541 posts)benld74
(9,904 posts)what REAL advantage does this give China, in building these things?
Why build them in the 1st place?
Military advantage? IF so see my first ?
uawchild
(2,208 posts)South China Sea air strips main role is to defend Hainan nuclear submarine base
The real reason for Chinas construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea is to provide a ring of protection for its fleet of advanced nuclear submarines based on the southern tip of Hainan Island, experts say
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1993754/south-china-sea-air-strips-main-role-defend-hainan
benld74
(9,904 posts)use their $$$ to help their people AND the people of the world in general.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)Odin2005
(53,521 posts)...that when push comes to shove we would be unwilling to risk war to defend them.
nykym
(3,063 posts)Cat 5 typhoon should do the trick