PLA's DF-21D anti-ship missile can reach Philippines: US report

[Indus Falcon]

PLA's DF-21D anti-ship missile can reach Philippines: US report

• Staff Reporter
• 2015-04-13
• 17:34 (GMT+8)

China's DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile shown off in a military parade. (Internet photo)

China's DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile has extended the attack range of the People's Liberation Army Navy all the way to the Philippines, according to the US Navy's first unclassified assessment report of the Chinese navy in six years.

In The PLA Navy: New Capabilities and Missions for the 21st Century, released April 10, America's Office of Naval Intelligence said the PLA has been making "major qualitative improvements" in its naval aviation and submarine force, adding that they are "increasingly capable of striking targets hundreds of miles from the Chinese mainland."

In particular, the report said the deployment of the DF-21D, said to be the world's first anti-ship ballistic missile, will expand the attack range of the PLA "further into the Philippine and South China Seas." The US National Air and Space Intelligence center estimated that the DF-21D has a maximum range exceeding 1,450 kilometers.

In addition to qualitative improvements, the PLA is also expanding its current naval force of 300 surface ships, submarines, amphibious ships, and missile-armed patrol craft, the report said.

The report accuses China of using this newly expanded naval power in its various maritime disputes, including in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea. China's disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and with the Philippines and Vietnam in the South China Sea have been especially heated in recent years.

"Against this back drop of increasing military capability, China's leaders appear increasingly willing to assert China's maritime claims, even when such actions risk exacerbating tension with China's neighbors," the report said.

China's submarine force is also said to have expanded rapidly. According to the report, China's 59 diesel submarines and nine nuclear subs will be increased to 63 and 11, respectively, by 2020.

The report makes special mention of the new YJ-18 cruise missile, which is deployed on the newest class of destroyer called the Luyang III, and on diesel attack submarines known as the Song/Yuan class, and nuclear-powered Shang-class attack submarines.

"China's newest indigenous submarine-launched [anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM)], the YJ-18, extends a similar capability to the Song, Yuan, and Shang classes," the report said. "Previously, China's only indigenous sub-launched ASCM was the YJ-82, which has a much shorter range."

PLA's DF-21D anti-ship missile can reach Philippines: US report｜WantChinaTimes.com

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

Time for more

 

[Indus Falcon]

The Office of Naval Intelligence, in its first unclassified assessment of the Chinese navy in six years:

www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Community/china_media/2015_PLA_NAVY_PUB_Interactive.pdf

 

[Indus Falcon]

ONI Reveals Massive Chinese Naval Buildup
New supersonic cruise missile deployed
BY: Bill Gertz
April 10, 2015

Luyang III destroyer / ONI

China has deployed a new high-speed anti-ship cruise missile and is sharply expanding an armada of advanced guided-missile warships and submarines, according to a naval intelligence report made public Thursday.

The Office of Naval Intelligence, in its first unclassified assessment of the Chinese navy in six years, revealed deployment of the new YJ-18 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile on warships and submarines that analysts say poses a major threat to U.S. and allied vessels.

China’s current naval force of 300 surface ships, submarines, amphibious ships, and missile-armed patrol craft is rapidly expanding, the report says.

According to the report, China began building or launched more than 60 naval ships and vessels last year, and a similar number of warships are under construction or deployed for 2015.

“Major qualitative improvements are occurring within naval aviation and the submarine force, which are increasingly capable of striking targets hundreds of miles from the Chinese mainland,” the report said, adding that despite some shortfalls, “it is emerging as a well equipped and competent force.”

The key focus of the Chinese navy is anti-surface ship warfare through deployment of large numbers of advanced destroyers, frigates, and submarines, supported by long-range range over the horizon radar.

The new YJ-18 cruise missile is deployed on the newest class of destroyer called the Luyang III, and on diesel attack submarines known as the Song/Yuan class, and nuclear-powered Shang-class attack submarines.

Andrew Erickson, a Naval War College professor, said the YJ-18 poses a significant threat.

“This supersonic missile could be extremely difficult for U.S. and allied ships to defend against,” Erickson said.

The YJ-18 reportedly has a maximum range of 111 miles at a speed of Mach .08 and a higher speed range of 24 miles. The new missile is more capable and has a longer range than the current anti-ship cruise missile arsenal.

Additionally, the report reveals that China’s coast guard now has more ships and vessels than the combined coast guard forces of countries in the region.

It was the first time the U.S. government has acknowledged China’s deployment of the supersonic missile, which appears based on the Russian SSN-27/Klub cruise missile.

The report also says deployment of DF-21D long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles will expand the attack range of the Chinese military “further into the Philippine and South China Seas.”

The report notes China is using its newly expanded naval power in maritime disputes throughout the region, including the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea.

“Against this back drop of increasing military capability, China’s leaders appear increasingly willing to assert China’s maritime claims, even when such actions risk exacerbating tension with China’s neighbors,” the report said.

China has clashed with Vietnam, Philippines, and Japan over maritime claims to islands in the South China and East China Seas.

Further escalating tensions, the Chinese have reclaimed “hundreds of acres” of land last year as part of a buildup of naval and maritime law enforcement operations in the South China Sea’s Spratly islands.

“Together with cutting-edge Second Artillery Force [missile] developments and South China Sea island building, this raises a serious risk for the U.S. and its allies,” Erickson said.

“If China envelops a disputed feature such as Second Thomas Shoal in a ‘Cabbage Strategy’ with nonmilitary Chinese personnel facing foreign forces—backed by some of the world’s most potent ballistic and cruise missiles—how will America respond? Washington needs an answer soon, or it will risk major erosion of its interests and those of its allies.”

China’s submarine force also has expanded rapidly. Currently, China has deployed 59 diesel submarines and nine nuclear power submarines, and ONI estimates the numbers will increase to 63 and 11 respectively by 2020.

“China’s newest indigenous submarine-launched [anti-ship cruise missile], the YJ-18, extends a similar capability to the SONG, YUAN, and SHANG classes,” the report said. “Previously, China’s only indigenous sub-launched ASCM was the YJ-82, which has a much shorter range.”

The report also reveals that China has now deployed four Jin-class nuclear missile submarines that are expected to begin operational deployments this year.

Adm. William Gortney, commander of the U.S. Northern Command, said earlier this week that China’s has three missile submarines in the water that are a “concern.”

The sea deployments of the submarines, armed with JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, “will mark China’s first credible at-sea second-strike nuclear capability,” the report said.

“The JIN-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) is poised to begin strategic patrols in the near future, for the first time, putting Chinese intercontinental range ballistic missiles to sea,” the report said.

“At the same time, with the commissioning of the Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Liaoning China has taken the first step as a carrier-capable navy.”

The report contradicts a key theme of U.S. intelligence analysts for the past 15 years, namely that China’s military was defensive and focused mainly on preparing for a conflict with Taiwan.

The new report says China’s naval buildup is for operations far beyond Chinese shores, including sea-lane security and other power projection.

“Over the long term, Beijing aspires to sustain naval missions far from China’s shores,” the ONI report said.

Among the naval operations showing the expanded reach were the Chinese navy’s combat training in the Philippine Sea, training missions in the Mediterranean, and increased intelligence ship deployments in the western Pacific. Last year, for the first time a Chinese submarine was deployed to Indian Ocean.

Rick Fisher, a Chinese military affairs expert, said the YJ-18 is also likely to be deployed in land-based and aircraft-launched versions.

“This is a quite informative but fair assessment of the current and near term prospects for China’s naval power,” Fisher said of the report, noting that ONI provides more details than congressionally mandated Pentagon reports on the Chinese military.

“Its identification of the Navy [Communist] Party Standing Committee is a significant contribution to our understanding of the PLA,” he said.

The committee is the Party organ that makes decisions for the navy and the report notes that China’s military is a “party army” not a traditional national defense force as other nations have.

“This is a crucial point,” Fisher said. “It means that 35 years of effort by successive U.S. administrations to engage the PLA has been to a major degree misdirected. There must now be a major push by all U.S. agencies charged with ‘engaging; China to focus on the Party.”

Other key disclosures in the report include:

• The NATO code name for China’s J-10 fighter, the “Firebird”
• China’s navy will likely emerge as “one of China’s most prolific [unmanned aerial vehicle] users”
• The Chinese navy has 50,000 mines
• China will likely conduct warship deployment to the central and eastern Pacific in the next five years.
• The PLA Navy made “sporadic” progress as integrated joint-war fighting capabilities

The report concludes that China’s naval build up of aircraft carriers, ballistic missile submarines, and potentially large-deck amphibious ships is altering how the PLA navy operates and “is viewed by the world.”

“Here, ONI is suggesting what to some non-government analysts is obvious: China is building its naval forces for eventual global power projection,” Fisher said.

“ONI is now suggesting, as others have already, that China could soon be projecting naval power in the same manner as the U.S. Navy,” he said. “The Washington policy community has not yet started to understand, much less respond to this level of strategic challenge.”

ONI Reveals Massive Chinese Naval Buildup | Washington Free Beacon

 

[Neemo neemo]

Oh America, Why you do this?

Same old divide and rule stuff.

 

[jhungary]

Next Article of ONI would be
Breaking News :Sun Rise from the East...

Seriously, it give the term "Military Intelligence" a brand new meaning

 

[Indus Falcon]

China DF-21D Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile 1080pHD

 

[feilong]

DF21D are now equipped with nukes, so now it not only destroy the carrier itself but will wipe the huge area. Which is mean the whole battle group. So good luck US to defense their battle group. Bring it on.........

 

[applesauce]

DF21D are now equipped with nukes, so now it not only destroy the carrier itself but will wipe the huge area. Which is mean the whole battle group. So good luck US to defense their battle group. Bring it on.........

DF-21 was always nuclear capable.

but its is doubtful that the df-21D is, sinking a warship in war with a missile is normal, sinking a warship with a nuke is not, and quite possibly lead to nuclear war which isnt good for anyone.

 

[Beast]

DF-21 was always nuclear capable.

but its is doubtful that the df-21D is, sinking a warship in war with a missile is normal, sinking a warship with a nuke is not, and quite possibly lead to nuclear war which isnt good for anyone.

A 100kg warhead with MAch 10 impact is equal to a 1ton bomb smashed onto the deck of carriers. Without nuke, the carrier will equal doom.

 

[Oracle]

US & China will not go to war. ( Both are nuclear capable countries , both of them knows whenever one of the side will be loosing it will atleast think about using nuclear weapons )

US is smart it will play its bullies like taiwan then Japan and will back them in war.

 

[DragonEmpire]

Sink ships in Manila Bay sounds like one of the design parameters.

 

[Bussard Ramjet]

China DF-21D Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile 1080pHD

I don't understand, how did the ballistic missile manoeuvre in descent? I can understand if it manoeuvres in space for one moment.

Also, in ascent phase, US ballistic missile defences will have already tracked the missile, and would be hunting for it. How do you avoid that?

 

[Akasa]

I don't understand, how did the ballistic missile manoeuvre in descent? I can understand if it manoeuvres in space for one moment.

Control surfaces on the reentry vehicle would take care of that.

Also, in ascent phase, US ballistic missile defences will have already tracked the missile, and would be hunting for it. How do you avoid that?

Current shipborne anti-ballistic missiles use pre-calculated intercept points, which assume a constant trajectory for a reentry vehicle, to engage the target. A notional anti-ship ballistic missile will have to maneuver during the final stages of its fall, thereby diverging from its original trajectory and confusing the defender.

 

[Bussard Ramjet]

Control surfaces on the reentry vehicle would take care of that.



Current shipborne anti-ballistic missiles use pre-calculated intercept points, which assume a constant trajectory for a reentry vehicle, to engage the target. A notional anti-ship ballistic missile will have to maneuver during the final stages of its fall, thereby diverging from its original trajectory and confusing the defender.

Sorry for being ignorant, but has the manoeuvring thing been done? It is very difficult to get to control manoeuvre at such high speeds. Also, at re-entry, generally due to heat and ionization in the vicinity, all contact is lost. So is the manoeuvring sequence pre planned? How does one communicate the change of trajectory of moving object?

Also for the second para, I was talking about ascent, not re-entry. How does one avoid getting hit before even crossing the atmosphere?