High to low: Asia-Pacific naval developments in 2018 show range of requirements and capabilities.
On 30 September 2018, the US Navy (USN) Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur conducted a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) through waters close to the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Sovereignty of the islands is disputed between Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Republic of China, Vietnam, and China.
China, which calls the Spratlys the Nansha Islands, protested strongly against the FONOP deployment. In a statement on 2 October, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated: “China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters”, adding that the USN actions, conducted “under the pretext of ‘navigation and overflight freedom’, violated basic norms governing international relations, threatened China's sovereignty and security, and disturbed regional peace and stability.” Reiterating Beijing’s strong dissatisfaction with the ship’s sailing, the statement further stated that China “will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national sovereignty and security”.
The US FONOP followed hard on the heels of a similar transit conducted by the United Kingdom’s (UK) Royal Navy (RN) landing platform dock amphibious assault ship HMS Albion in waters around the Paracel Islands in August 2018.
According to reports, both FONOPS saw People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) surface ships shadowing the transits. Territorial disputes remain one of the highest security risks in the Asia-Pacific region, and the sequence of FONOPS events underlines the way in which naval operations are continuing to feature at the highest end of the strategic debate in the region.
Stability and security
この記事は Asian Military Review の November 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Asian Military Review の November 2018 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE
Top attack munitions are now widely developed for different artillery calibers with varied ranges.
NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT
Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night.
MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'
New rotorcraft are going to come with new abilities founded on open systems that provide easier upgrade paths and cheaper through life costs.
INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021
The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations.
TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS
United States President Joe Biden has made it a top priority of his Administration to repair and re-energize global alliances during its first year in power. This is a necessary strategic and political calculus made in light of growing global security, public health, and environmental challenges that will require cooperation and multilateral contributions. President Trump’s ‘America first’ policy did much to undermine confidence in such relationships over his time in office.
SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING
The return of Great Power competition means that US SOCPAC is more than ever seeking joint training opportunities with regional special forces.
MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS
Navies not only want more engine power, there are also coming under increasing pressure to become environmentally conscious.
AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
New amphibious concepts are re-shaping marine forces to break the A2AD defensive line.
SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH
Owning satellite based ISR for military use is still an exclusive ‘club’, but airborne ISR still provides that most countries need.
SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME
While experience grows among Indo-Pacific naval designers, order numbers remain crucial to keeping costs down and yards in business.
