China Can Wipe Out US Forces In Asia If War Breaks Out, Says Report

Australian researchers have issued a new report claiming that China’s hi-tech ballistic missiles could cripple U.S. military bases and naval forces within hours if an armed conflict erupted in the Western Pacific between the two superpowers.

The 104-page report was published by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney where they analyzed the U.S. military strategy and spending as well as alliances in the area.

The report merits some scrutiny as even some Chinese military experts still believe that the United States is the superior power in the region as evidenced by the USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier, and it’s entourage docked in the Philippines and the powerful Seventh Fleet based in Japan

The report accurately states that China is making rapid technological advancements. China is also expected to commission its second aircraft carrier, a yet-to-be-named type 001A nuclear carrier, soon. The U.S. fleet has 11 nuclear powered carriers so the prospect of China overpassing the United States for military supremacy is remote.

The report suggested that the U.S. and its regional allies need to overhaul their military investment plans and deployment strategies to counter China’s recent aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and other Asian waters.

The lead author of the report, Ashley Townshend, told This Week in Asia about China, “As its power rises, it may well be emboldened to make a play for parts of the first island chain, including Taiwan, which would seriously constrain the security horizons for all concerned.” The statement was in reference to island chains that stretch from the Japanese archipelago to Borneo.

The strongest point in the report is focused on the capabilities of China’s Rocket Force that could be deployed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA is armed with a vast array of missiles including:

• An estimated 1,500 short-range ballistic missiles.
• 450 medium-range missiles
• 160 intermediate-range missiles
• Hundreds of long-range ground-launched cruise missiles.
• Some missiles described as “carrier killers,” such as the DF-21D, with a range of up to 1,500 kms.

These are all conventional ballistic missiles able to make precision strikes on Singapore and other large American interests in South Korea and Japan. The Australian think tank report points out that China could deploy the missiles in a surprise attack in the hours before U.S. reinforcements could arrive, giving China a huge advantage at the start of any battle.