RIMPAC gets underway as satellite imagery shows Chinese target practice
The world’s largest naval drills are underway. The 29th Rim of the Pacific exercise, or RIMPAC, kicked off Wednesday and will continue till August, involving 29 nations and more than 25,000 personnel. The U.S. and its allies plan to sink a massive amphibious assault ship, which will reportedly simulate a Chinese vessel. Meanwhile, satellite images show that Chinese pilots are practicing air strikes on mock-ups of U.S. fighter jets.
The 29th Rim of the Pacific exercise is underway. This year’s capstone event is the sinking of a 40,000-ton warship using live ammunition. According to defense analysts, the ship is meant to simulate a vessel in China’s expanding amphibious assault fleet. Ahead of the sensitive drill, China has made a move of its own.
According to satellite images obtained by Business Insider, China has built mock versions of fifth-generation U.S. aircraft out in a Xinjiang desert. The images show apparent blast marks in the desert, suggesting that China is using the area for target practice.
Lin Ying-yu
Tamkang University professor
The U.S. plans to use RIMPAC to showcase its military collaborations with its allies. Given that, China is also releasing some images at this juncture. So to be honest, whether the ship is sunk or whether the mockups get destroyed – none of that’s important. What’s more important is that China is sending a message at this particular time. China wants to balance out the media coverage that RIMPAC is receiving. China is prioritizing information warfare and cognitive warfare.
China has previously built full-sized versions of U.S. military assets in its deserts. Satellite images from 2021 show that it built a full-scale version of a U.S. carrier and at least two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. It’s also built mockups of Japanese early warning aircraft and what appears to be Taiwan’s Su’ao Port. But despite China’s frequent target practice, experts say China still doesn’t have the combat capabilities to carry out its ambitions.
Lin Ying-yu
Tamkang University professor
A real U.S. carrier strike group has countermeasures like electronic warfare equipment. It might be mobile, it might have an escort fleet, and it might even have firepower alongside it, or it might have the Aegis combat system for defense. These factors are difficult to simulate out in a desert or on a shooting range. Although the CCP’s military capabilities are increasing, we also know that the U.S. and other nations, as well as Taiwan itself – we are also expanding our military capabilities.
China’s military expansion has put the democratic coalition on edge, strengthening its partnerships. As RIMPAC gets underway, the alliance against China is only set to strengthen.
For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53
2024-06-28
