After China’s ICBM Launch, US Navy “Prepares” for War in Taiwan Strait | From The Frontline

Summary

China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities, preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan by 2027. The country is enhancing its naval fleet, ballistic missile inventory, and collaborating with Russia through joint military exercises. Despite multiple territorial disputes, Taiwan remains China's top priority. The U.S. and its allies, like Japan and India, are countering this rise by strengthening military alliances and increasing their presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The QUAD, a democratic alliance of the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, is also being revitalized to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Takeaways

• 🌏 China has numerous territorial disputes, with at least 17 involving both land and sea areas.
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan remains the top priority for China's potential invasion plans, with a target set for 2027.
• 💣 China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities, adding over 400 fighter jets, warships, and increasing its nuclear arsenal.
• 🎖️ A major challenge for China is the lack of combat experience, as its troops haven’t seen large-scale combat in four decades.
• 🤝 China has strengthened military ties with Russia, conducting 102 joint military exercises in 2023 alone.
• ⚓ The US is closely monitoring China’s military growth and is preparing for a possible war by 2027, with a focus on naval readiness.
• 🚢 China's navy has more warships (400) than the US, but US ships are considered more advanced and its submarine fleet superior.
• 🛡️ The US maintains a massive military presence around China, with over 230 military facilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
• 👥 The US has 300,000 troops deployed in the Pacific, and 60% of its Navy operates in the region to counter China's influence.
• 🛠️ The Quad (US, Japan, India, Australia) is growing strategically aligned, working together to ensure a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Q & A

What are some of the regions where China has territorial disputes?

China has territorial disputes over the Senkaku Islands (Japan), the Himalayan Mountains (India), and hundreds of islands in the South China Sea. China also has territorial disputes with Russia, despite the partnership between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

Why is Taiwan a top priority for China's leadership?

Taiwan is a top priority for Xi Jinping because China views it as a self-governed island that must be reunified with the mainland. Xi has directed the Chinese military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027.

How has China strengthened its military in recent years?

China has strengthened its military by adding over 400 new fighter jets, including stealth fighters, and 20 major warships. It has also doubled its inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles, and is expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than other nuclear powers.

What is a major disadvantage that China's military faces?

A major disadvantage of China’s military is that Chinese troops have not seen large-scale combat in almost four decades, making them lack front-line combat experience. To compensate, China has conducted over 100 joint military exercises with Russia to learn from battle-hardened Russian forces.

How does China’s navy compare to the U.S. navy in terms of personnel and ships?

China and the U.S. both have around 350,000 Navy personnel, but China has nearly 400 warships, which is over 100 more than the U.S. However, the U.S. Navy’s total tonnage is 1.5 times that of China’s, and its ships are generally considered more advanced.

What role do amphibious landing ships play in China's naval strategy?

China holds a 16:1 advantage over the U.S. in tonnage of amphibious landing ships, which China claims are meant for the potential reunification of Taiwan, demonstrating their importance in any cross-strait invasion scenario.

How has the United States responded to China’s military buildup in the Pacific region?

The United States has responded by expanding its military presence around China, with over 230 U.S. military facilities in the region. This includes bases in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Guam, and other locations, as well as deploying 60% of its naval fleet to the Indo-Pacific region.

What is the QUAD alliance and its role in countering China?

The QUAD alliance is a security grouping consisting of the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia, created to uphold a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. While it has been diplomatically focused, the U.S. is now pushing for the QUAD to conduct joint military exercises to counter China's expansionism.

What preparations is the U.S. making for a potential conflict with China by 2027?

The U.S. Navy is preparing for a potential war with China by 2027 by setting seven strategic goals, including improving ship maintenance, inducting kamikaze drones, increasing readiness of the F-18 Super Hornet fleet, developing new unmanned platforms, and enhancing naval infrastructure.

How does the U.S. balance its military presence in the Indo-Pacific against China’s rise?

The U.S. balances its military presence by maintaining a robust deployment of forces, including six aircraft carriers in the South China Sea at all times and increased deployment of submarines and ballistic missiles, ensuring it can act as a deterrent against China's military expansion.