30 December 2010

Information Dissemination–“ADM Willard: DF-21D Reaches ‘Initial Operational Capability’ (IOC)”

Galrahn, ADM Willard: DF-21D Reaches ‘Initial Operational Capability’ (IOC),” Information Dissemination, 27 December 2010.

When the 4 Star running PACOM says it (ADM Willard), and one the nations most prominent PLA analysts reports it (Andrew Erickson), it would be difficult to find two better sources for confirmation. Indeed, it might be impossible to find two better sources for confirmation.

From Andrew Erickson’s fantastic blog. … There is no greater source on the internet for the DF-21D and Andrew’s blog is one of the best link libraries on the internet for finding additional information.

Five days before the new year and this becomes the most important Navy story of 2010. Nelson once said “A Ship’s a Fool to Fight a Fort,” but in the next decade US Naval forces are being developed and shaped to fight the fortress of defensive capabilities contained in modern maritime Anti-Access, Area Denial (A2AD) defensive systems. The Navy has been careful not to describe the rise of China’s Navy as an arms race, but there is an arms race taking place between the DF-21D and the AEGIS combat system – and for the present time, it would appear the DF-21D is winning. …

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.”