Taiwan Security Issues’ Post

China Maritime Report No. 36: China's T-AGOS: The Dongjian Class Ocean Surveillance Ship, By Devin Thorne Keep up to date with the latest CMSI China Maritime Reports, as a full collection of various reports are available on our main website to read at your leisure! U.S. Naval War College Report Synopsis 💬: "Since 2017, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned a new class of ocean surveillance vessel into its order of battle: the Type 927. Similar in design and function to the U.S. Navy’s Victorious and Impeccable class T-AGOS ships, the Type 927 was introduced to help remedy the PLAN’s longstanding weakness in anti-submarine warfare. The PLAN has likely built six Type 927 ships to date, most based for easy access to the South China Sea. In peacetime, these ships use their towed array sonar to collect acoustic data on foreign submarines and track their movements within and beyond the first island chain. In wartime, Type 927 vessels could contribute to PLAN anti-submarine warfare operations in support of a range of different maritime campaigns. However, their lack of self-defense capabilities would make them extremely vulnerable to attack." Interested in hearing more? Easy download options are available from the link below, as you won't want to miss out on the vast topics and discussions! Digital Copy 📒📚: https://lnkd.in/eZzjr8_E #StayInformed #NavyReadiness

The Navy should retain the Ticonderoga-class cruisers until a suitable replacement is available to ensure continuity of critical capabilities and operational presence. These cruisers offer a unique blend of air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and land attack capabilities that are essential for maintaining maritime superiority and force projection. Retaining them until a new platform is ready would prevent any capability gaps and maintain a robust and versatile naval force. Keeping the Ticonderoga-class cruisers longer ensures that the Navy can continue to leverage their proven performance and contribute effectively to global security until a suitable successor is fully operational and integrated into the fleet.

🚢 A Game-Changer for Naval Operations: At-Sea Missile Reloading🚀 For the first time in years, the U.S. Navy has successfully trialled a revolutionary device for reloading missile magazines aboard destroyers and cruisers – the TRAM system. This breakthrough at-sea capability was demonstrated aboard the USS Chosin off the coast of San Diego, using a hydraulically-powered system to reload its MK 41 vertical launching system, proving just how critical this advancement could be for operational readiness in remote areas. In the vast expanse of the Western Pacific, where safe ports are few and far between, this innovation ensures that U.S. destroyers and cruisers can stay in the fight longer without returning to port, significantly reducing downtime. As Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said, “Today, we proved just how game-changing TRAM truly is - and what a powerful deterrent it will be to our competitors.” With the capability to reload at sea, the Navy enhances its warfighting capacity and ensures more agility in responding to threats. The reintroduction of this at-sea reloading capability could be operational within the next three years, marking a huge step forward in maintaining global maritime security. It's incredible to witness advancements like these that reshape the future of naval operations and provide a strategic edge where it's most needed. #Shipping #SpotShip

U.S. Central Command (#CENTCOM) On Feb. 8, between the hours of 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels (USV) and seven mobile anti-ship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea. CENTCOM identified these missiles and USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

EndEx, EndEx, EndEx. After a hugely productive #TamberShield2024, helicopters and vessels from the Royal Navy and Forsvaret - Norwegian Armed Forces are moving on to future taskings. Find out what they got up to in this BFBS report: #JEFtogether

NAVAL GAZING: "China’s People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) is the largest and most highly organised of such forces, although its command and control is opaque and is a key node of Beijing’s hybrid warfare strategy. Analysts believe that the force has potential access to some 700,000 powered fishing vessels, ranging from small coastal craft to large, long-range 'industrial-level' trawlers. "The larger PAFMM craft are classified as Spratly Backbone Fishing Vessels (SBFVs). Some SBFVs are fitted with reinforced hulls and ram bows. A few reportedly have a fixed armament of machine guns or light anti-aircraft guns but most rely upon an arsenal of small arms. "The PAFMM is also constructing a fleet of sturdy, high-powered 'fishing vessels,' intended to take a lead role in its grey zone operations. Many of these new craft, at least some of which are being painted in China Coast Guard (CCG) livery, are being built on Hainan Island. The new paint scheme is leading some analysts to speculate that the force might in due course merge with the CCG." Full article link in comments.

NAVAL GAZING: "China’s People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) is the largest and most highly organised of such forces, although its command and control is opaque and is a key node of Beijing’s hybrid warfare strategy. Analysts believe that the force has potential access to some 700,000 powered fishing vessels, ranging from small coastal craft to large, long-range 'industrial-level' trawlers. "The larger PAFMM craft are classified as Spratly Backbone Fishing Vessels (SBFVs). Some SBFVs are fitted with reinforced hulls and ram bows. A few reportedly have a fixed armament of machine guns or light anti-aircraft guns but most rely upon an arsenal of small arms. "The PAFMM is also constructing a fleet of sturdy, high-powered 'fishing vessels,' intended to take a lead role in its grey zone operations. Many of these new craft, at least some of which are being painted in China Coast Guard (CCG) livery, are being built on Hainan Island. The new paint scheme is leading some analysts to speculate that the force might in due course merge with the CCG." Full article link in comments.

U.S. Central Command (#CENTCOM) On Feb. 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV). U.S. forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels. ———- The Houthis are beginning to demonstrate their unmanned naval capabilities. This really starts to raise the question of how can the USA and the West truly combat cost effectively the Houthi and Iranian proxy threats that utilize low cost weaponry that are easily produced?

ECMs need to be expanded to cover and block signals used to control USV and drones. The same way tanks evolved to have active and passive defense systems to counter antitank weapons, may be is time to rethink how we defend our vessels. The classic aerial (missile, aircraft) threat that could be countered with missiles, CIWS or chaff now has evolved to a low technology, cheap to manufacture, USV that needs to be guided to its target (so far I do not know of the existence of a “fire and forget” USV), so ECMs and may be a secondary layer of CIWS (may be the equivalent of the Trophy system but for ships) to counter this asymmetric threats is needed.

NAVAL GAZING: "China’s People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) is the largest and most highly organised of such forces, although its command and control is opaque and is a key node of Beijing’s hybrid warfare strategy. Analysts believe that the force has potential access to some 700,000 powered fishing vessels, ranging from small coastal craft to large, long-range 'industrial-level' trawlers. "The larger PAFMM craft are classified as Spratly Backbone Fishing Vessels (SBFVs). Some SBFVs are fitted with reinforced hulls and ram bows. A few reportedly have a fixed armament of machine guns or light anti-aircraft guns but most rely upon an arsenal of small arms. "The PAFMM is also constructing a fleet of sturdy, high-powered 'fishing vessels,' intended to take a lead role in its grey zone operations. Many of these new craft, at least some of which are being painted in China Coast Guard (CCG) livery, are being built on Hainan Island. The new paint scheme is leading some analysts to speculate that the force might in due course merge with the CCG." Full article link in comments.