Author Topic: Surface Forces: Chinese Warships Achieve Another First  (Read 1194 times)

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SPQR

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Surface Forces: Chinese Warships Achieve Another First
« on: November 05, 2013, 06:03:16 am »
In September, for the first time in history, Chinese warships passed through the Straits of Magellan (at the southern tip of South America). This has long been the only safe waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific for surface ships. The straits are a narrow coastal path weaving its way through offshore islands. South of that is the open sea and Drake’s Passage, which is an extremely violent patch of water that ships have learned to avoid.

The only other natural route between the Atlantic and Pacific is the Northwest Passage (off the north coast of Canada). But this is blocked by ice most of the time, while the Straits of Magellan are open all the time. That said, these straits have some of the harshest weather on the planet. The straits are close to the Chilean coast and Chile provides pilots (which are mandatory for the 2,000 or so ships taking this route each year) to safely guide ships through. The Chinese task force, on its way to visit Argentina, consisted of a destroyer, frigate, and a supply ship. Most (nearly 90 percent) of ships passing between the Atlantic and Pacific use the Panama Canal. 

Earlier in the year (July) 5 Chinese naval vessels (two destroyers, two frigates, and one supply ship) achieved another first by circumnavigating Japan. This was the first time Chinese warships had done this. It happened as the ships were returning from joint naval exercises in Russia. Instead of returning directly to their bases, the Chinese task force plotted a course that took them completely around Japan, the first time Chinese warships have done that. The Japanese were not amused.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsurf/articles/20131030.aspx

Oceander

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Re: Surface Forces: Chinese Warships Achieve Another First
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2013, 02:40:43 am »
The Chinese are certainly flexing their muscles.

SPQR

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Re: Surface Forces: Chinese Warships Achieve Another First
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2013, 05:07:08 am »
The Chinese are certainly flexing their muscles.

Its a signal to the USA that we now have the power to bring the battle to your hemisphere and shore. We are no longer limited to Asian waters.
« Last Edit: November 06, 2013, 05:11:45 am by SPQR »

Offline flowers

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Re: Surface Forces: Chinese Warships Achieve Another First
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2013, 05:42:51 pm »
Its a signal to the USA that we now have the power to bring the battle to your hemisphere and shore. We are no longer limited to Asian waters.
The regime is quite happy to let it happen.


SPQR

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Re: Surface Forces: Chinese Warships Achieve Another First
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2013, 01:56:25 am »
The regime is quite happy to let it happen.

In 2008, General Qian Lihua confirmed that China plans to operate a small fleet of aircraft carriers in the near future, but for the purpose of regional defence as opposed to "global reach". As of 2013 PLA officials have also outlined plans to operate in the first and second island chains Chinese strategists term the development of the PLAN from a green-water navy into "a regional blue-water defensive and offensive navy."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/30/china-defence-navy-idUSL4N0AZ3UA20130130
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7732679.stm
« Last Edit: November 22, 2013, 01:58:44 am by SPQR »