Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Purveyor

(29,876 posts)
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 03:04 PM Apr 2013

China Has Deployed Near Taiwan A Powerful Missile Designed To Take Out US Aircraft Carriers

China has deployed near Taiwan a powerful missile designed to take out US aircraft carriers as Beijing strengthens its ability to prevent US forces from aiding Taiwan during potential conflict.

The deployment of the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile comes as China’s army develops greater long-range and offensive capabilities. Those advances pose a challenge to US forces as Washington looks to build up its military presence in east Asia to balance out China’s rising might.

The DF-21D missile is a particular worry for Taiwan as it relies on US forces to back it up against threats from the mainland, which has not renounced the use of force to take the island it regards as part of its territory.

The missile limits the US’s ability to send aircraft carriers into the strait unchallenged to support Taipei, as it did in 1996 when China conducted missile tests in the strait during the run-up to the island’s first democratic election. Taiwan itself has no aircraft carriers.
News of the missile’s deployment came in written testimony to the head of intelligence for the Pentagon, Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, delivered to a Senate committee on Thursday.

MORE...

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/3d026ec6-a8d1-11e2-a096-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2R21bQcp7

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
China Has Deployed Near Taiwan A Powerful Missile Designed To Take Out US Aircraft Carriers (Original Post) Purveyor Apr 2013 OP
Doesn't really matter; China is reintegrating Taiwan via economic means. FarCenter Apr 2013 #1
this just in. onethatcares Apr 2013 #2
A few sub-launched cruise missles can take out the launch sites. HooptieWagon Apr 2013 #3
Kinda risky Lurker Deluxe Apr 2013 #4
 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
1. Doesn't really matter; China is reintegrating Taiwan via economic means.
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 03:34 PM
Apr 2013

They can afford to play the long game and continue a slowly evolving relationship over decades.

They wouldn't gain anything by attacking Taiwan.

We aren't stupid enough to put carriers into the Taiwan Straits -- John Foster Dulles is dead.

onethatcares

(16,133 posts)
2. this just in.
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 03:59 PM
Apr 2013

the United States buys an awful lot of shit from China, hell we've even sent our factories there along with all kinds of technology.

It would seem like a stupid thing for China to shoot at our carriers over Taiwan, more like a reason to keep the MIC busting ass day in/day out.

Lurker Deluxe

(1,031 posts)
4. Kinda risky
Sat Apr 20, 2013, 05:12 PM
Apr 2013

Not sure how you would test a missle designed to sink something that has never been sunk. The current class of supercarrier out there has never been attacked directly. The last class had one sunk ... we sunk it to see what it would take to do it.

Kinda like sucker punching Mike Tyson ... ya might get em, but then again he prolly isn't going down with that first hit. Better hit again really really fast cause once it's his turn it's gonna be painful.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»China Has Deployed Near T...