PLAN SCS Bases/Islands/Vessels (Not a Strategy Page)

joshuatree

Captain
Maybe for SSK's to extend their operational ranges further from mainland China but not so much for nuclear subs. These islands will have to be supplied from the mainland and supplies for any subs based here will just add to the logistical burden. Starting out from these islands rather than mainland China also means less time/distance being hidden before leaving friendly waters and therefore more easily tracked?

I should clarify. I definitely meant SSKs and not SSNs nor SSBNs as nuclear subs operate best by staying out in the open and in the deep for extended periods of time. When I say the possibility of a sub pen at Fiery or Subi, I don't envision a full blown sub base with subs permanently based there. But if a SSK is forward deployed on rotation or does a period of patrols that are based from there, it means any opposing force will have to take into account the ability for China to respond with subs much quicker in the area. While the SSK is further away from friendly waters, the opposing force has less time to easily track it once it hits open deep waters. That will require an opposing force to expend more resources tracking this sub or play a more conservative deployment strategy of their own assets in those waters. Just looking at Google Earth, the deeper parts of SCS are areas immediately to the west of the Spratly Islands or directly south/southeast of the Paracels. Duncan Island with its harbor could be a place to stage a SSK with quick access to deep waters in the SCS. I believe the island already has barracks so it be even easier to host a sub crew there during forward based rotation.

As for these bases being more vulnerable to enemy attack, I think there is a difference between deploying subs there during periods of peace and simply playing the cat & mouse game vs full blown declared war. In the later, strategies can change and subs can be pulled back to bases in solid friendly waters. If we're talking about vulnerability to an undeclared first strike sneak attack, that's the inherent risk of outposts and one won't be basing all their assets there.
 

no_name

Colonel
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Subi reef 24th April 2015
 

Zetageist

Junior Member
I should clarify. I definitely meant SSKs and not SSNs nor SSBNs as nuclear subs operate best by staying out in the open and in the deep for extended periods of time. When I say the possibility of a sub pen at Fiery or Subi, I don't envision a full blown sub base with subs permanently based.....

I have been wondering that possibility as well for Fiery Cross or Subi, just like the Taiwan controlled Itu Aba Island has a WWII Japanese built yet unfinished underground sub base with 200 meters under water entrance. Would satellite or aerial view be able to detect a sub going in and out of a 200 meters under water entrance from the deep water nearby?
 

tidalwave

Senior Member
Registered Member
Phillippines did a legal preemptive strike. Basically, it wants the court to rule everything China holding around Spratley illegal. China is not going to sit there and wait for the rulings. I think taking the case to the court directly prompt China's current action. Once the ruling comes there will no more good faith negotiations in the future. They will always under the cloud.

Basically, Philippines cut off China any wiggle room and backs it to the corner.
 
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