Sea change – Naval development in China Seas

Territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas and an impetus to defend strategic access points have driven naval fleets in the region to invest in advanced vessels, notably submarines. While joint drills help improve communication and understanding, the main drivers behind naval policy in the region are complex and cannot be characterised as a traditional arms race.

Does this make sense to anyone?

"The possible exception is South Korea which bought a helicopter destroyer as part of an anti-submarine warfare capability as a deliberate military strategy to counter the mass of the North Korean (DPRK) Army," he says.

Click to expand...

I stopped reading here.

"The ROK has developed some much larger platforms, reinventing itself since the 1990s with a big blue-water navy [a maritime force capable of operating across the deep waters of open oceans] and getting into the KDX II class, which is a huge capability," says Roberts. "The sensor and information systems are based on the US Aegis system, along with SPY-1 radar; very similar to the Japanese in terms of capability."

I'm fairly certain the radar on KDX-II doesn't look anything like a SPY-1.

Each country in the region is looking after its own interest in protecting its territorial waters. The acquisitions of submarines etc. are part and parcel of defending itself against growing threats - real or perceived. A Joint Force for collective mutual defence interest is quite possible like SEATO in the past. However, presently, it is not easy to form such a military alliance, as economic & political interests of individual countries in S.E. & East Asia can be different. The drama unfolding in Ukraine/Crimea will interest analysts. The cohesiveness and determination of NATO and the US to stand against Russia would be carefully studied. Hopefully, this crisis will be settled peacefully, but recognised the fact that an aggressive, strong and dominating leader/ power is never easy to pacify. The doctrines of ""Rich Country Strong Military" & "Might is Right" are always tempting dictatorial leaders, as seen in past Wars & hostilities.

richardparker07 said:

Territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas and an impetus to defend strategic access points have driven naval fleets in the region to invest in advanced vessels, notably submarines. While joint drills help improve communication and understanding, the main drivers behind naval policy in the region are complex and cannot be characterised as a traditional arms race.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...