13 August 2012

Leading Expert Scott Truver Endorses Conclusions of CMSI’s China Maritime Study #3 on Chinese Mine Warfare

Erik Slavin, Taiwan Gets Two Mine-Hunting Ships from U.S.,” Stars and Stripes, 9 August 2012.

… China’s inventory exceeds 50,000 naval mines and includes significant technological advances within the past 10 years, according to the 2012 annual report to Congress on China’s military power.

An article in the Spring 2012 Naval War College Review confirmed a 2009 conclusion by the college’s China Maritime Studies Institute that mines would be used to deter U.S. access into the region during a conflict.

“We think that China would rely heavily on offensive mining in any Taiwan scenario,” according to Scott Truver, who wrote the article. “Were China able to employ these mines — and all think that it could — they would greatly hinder operations, for an extended time, in waters where the mines were even thought to have been laid.” …

For the article mentioned here, see Scott C. Truver, Taking Mines Seriously: Mine Warfare in China’s Near Seas,” Naval War College Review, 65.2 (Spring 2012): 30-66.

To read the original study cited here, see Andrew S. Erickson, Lyle J. Goldstein, and William S. Murray, “Chinese Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy ‘Assassin’s Mace’ Capability,” Naval War College China Maritime Study 3, August 2009.

For a Japanese translation, see 米海大論文 「中国の機雷戦」の紹介.

For related briefing slides, complete with detailed graphics and photos, Andrew S. Erickson, “Chinese Naval Mine Warfare: A PLA Navy ‘Assassin’s Mace,’” presented at Mine Warfare Association (MINWARA) Spring 2009 Regional Conference, “Mine Warfare—‘Home’ and ‘Away’ Game Challenges,” Panama City, FL, 19 May 2009.