Washington Times: “China Deploying Carrier-Sinking Ballistic Missile”
Bill Gertz, “China Deploying Carrier-Sinking Ballistic Missile,” Washington Times, 27 December 2010.
China’s military is deploying a new anti-ship ballistic missile that can sink U.S. aircraft carriers, a weapon that specialists say gives Beijing new power-projection capabilities that will affect U.S. support for Pacific allies. …
Andrew S. Erickson, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, said the admiral’s comments on the missile deployment confirm earlier reports that the Chinese are moving ahead with the DF-21D missile.
“China must have conducted a rigorous program of tests, most likely including flight tests, to demonstrate that the DF-21D [missile] is mature enough for initial production, deployment and employment,” Mr. Erickson said in an e-mail.
Mr. Erickson estimates that at least one unit of China’s Second Artillery Corps, as its missile forces are called, must be equipped with the road-mobile system.
“While doubtless an area of continuous challenge and improvement, the DF-21D’s command, control, communications, computers, information, surveillance, and reconnaissance infrastructure must be sufficient to support attempts at basic carrier strike group targeting,” he said.
Mr. Erickson said, based on Chinese missile-deployment patterns, that the new missile system likely will be fielded in “waves” at different units to meet deterrence objectives. …
For detailed analysis of Admiral Willard’s statement regarding China’s ASBM, see Andrew Erickson and Gabe Collins, “China Deploys World’s First Long-Range, Land-Based ‘Carrier Killer’: DF-21D Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM) Reaches ‘Initial Operational Capability’ (IOC),” China SignPost™ (洞察中国), No. 14 (26 December 2010).
For further background on Chinese ASBM development, see also “China Testing Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM); U.S. Preparing Accordingly–Updated With Latest Analysis & Sources.”
