China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities: Background and Issues for Congress Page: 24 of 113
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China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities
Mines
China has modernized its substantial inventory of naval mines.61 ONI states that
China has a robust mining capability and currently maintains a varied inventory estimated
at more than 50,000 [naval] mines. China has developed a robust infrastructure for naval
mine-related research, development, testing, evaluation, and production. During the past
few years, China has gone from an obsolete mine inventory, consisting primarily of pre-
WWII vintage moored contact and basic bottom influence mines, to a vast mine
inventory consisting of a large variety of mine types such as moored, bottom, drifting,
rocket-propelled, and intelligent mines. The mines can be laid by submarines (primarily
for covert mining of enemy ports), surface ships, aircraft, and by fishing and merchant
vessels. China will continue to develop more advanced mines in the future such as
extended-range propelled-warhead mines, antihelicopter mines, and bottom influence
mines more able to counter minesweeping efforts.62
Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)
A July 26, 2017, press report states that "China is testing large-scale deployment of underwater
drones in the South China Sea with real-time data transmission technology, a breakthrough that
could help reveal and track the location of foreign submarines." The report describes the work as
an "effort by China to speed up and improve collection of dee-sea data in the South China Sea for
its submarine fleet operation...."63
Aircraft Carriers and Carrier-Based Aircraft64
Overview
China's first aircraft carrier entered service in 2012. China's second aircraft carrier (and its first
indigenously built carrier) was launched (i.e., put into the water for the final stages of
construction) in April 2017. China may have begun construction on a third aircraft carrier.
Observers speculate China may eventually field a force of four to six aircraft carriers.65 In
(...continued)
60 Joseph Dempsey and Henry Boyd, "Beyond JL-2: China's Development of a Successor SLBM Continues," IISS,
August 7, 2017.
61 See, for example, Scott C. Truver, "Taking Mines Seriously, Mine Warfare in China's Near Seas," Naval War
College Review," Spring 2012: 30-66.
62 2015 ONI Report, pp. 23-24.
63 Stephen Chen, "Why Beijing Is Speeding Up Underwater Drone Tests in the South China Sea," South China
Morning Post, July 26, 2017. See also Lyle J. Goldstein, "America May Soon Find Itself in an Underwater War with
China," National Interest, July 24, 2017.
64 China, according to one set of observers, initiated studies on possible aircraft carrier options in the 1990s, and
approved a formal aircraft carrier program in 2004. (Andrew S. Erickson and Gabriel B. Collins, "The Calm Before the
Storm," FP [Foreign Policy] National Security, September 26, 2012.) Another observer dates Chinese activities in
support of an eventual aircraft carrier program back to the 1980s. (Torbjorg Hemmingsen, "PLAN For Action: New
Dawn for Chinese Naval Aviation," Jane's Navy International, June 2012: 12-17.) See also Andrew Scobell, Michael
McMahon, and Cortez A. Cooper III, "China's Aircraft Carrier Program," Naval War College Review, Autumn 2015,
pp. 65-79.
65 See, for example, Jamie Seidel, "China Is About to Launch Its Second Aircraft Carrier, 001A," News.com.au, March
6, 2017.Congressional Research Service
19
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O'Rourke, Ronald. China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities: Background and Issues for Congress, report, November 1, 2017; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1043233/m1/24/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.