Author: Ren Chen

Source: Voice of Germany

Several ballistic missiles called aircraft carrier killers in the South China Sea have attracted widespread attention.What are these so -called aircraft carrier killer's combat power?Gabriel Dominguez, a Asia -Pacific expert in Jane's Defense Weekly, was interviewed by Voice of Germany.

Voice of Germany: According to the South China Morning Post, China recently launched a missile called QUOT; aircraft carrier killer QUOT;Relevant reports said that the Dongfeng-26B missile was launched from Qinghai, and the other was Dongfeng-21D missiles launched from Zhejiang.How much do you know about the launch of these missiles?

Doming Guiz: The US Department of Defense confirmed on August 27 that China launched a ballistic missile, which is part of the large -scale military exercises held from August 23 to 29.However, it does not provide detailed information about the type or quantity of launching missiles.

Many US media quoted unnamed US Department of Defense officials reported that the Chinese military launched a total of four medium -range ballistic missiles on August 26, with the goal of the sea area between Hainan Province and the Xisha Islands.However, the South China Morning Post quoted Quot; close to the Chinese military Quot; reported that China launched two missiles, one Dongfeng-21D (DF-21D) and a Dongfeng-26B (DF-26B).

The reason behind the difference is still unclear.US officials said they are still evaluating the type of missiles launched.Moreover, no information shows that the missile is launched to the target place towards the target of the mobile phone.

In other words, we don't know that China has launched Dongfeng-21D or Dongfeng-26 or both.As we all know, these anti -ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) designed and developed in the local area belong to the equipment of the People's Liberation Army Rockets (PLARF).The Chinese Ministry of Defense confirmed that Dongfeng-26 was officially served on April 26, 2018.

However, China rarely provides its ballistic missiles, especially its latest combat test information of the strongest capability, which makes it difficult for the outside world to determine the test frequency of these missiles and its real strike capabilities and accuracy.

Having said that, assuming that the Chinese military ’s launch of ballistic missiles this time is to improve the deterrence of China Dongfeng-21D and Dongfeng-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles, which seems to indicate that the blows of these missiles will include multiple missiles, which will probably be at the same time at the same time.Arriving targets increase the difficulty of countermeasures.

As a background information, we need to know: Unless there is a fast -moving goal, the aircraft carrier in the battle is aimed by the missile, and these missiles successfully hit the target during the final guidance stage.EssenceHowever, if there is a lot of risks, it may cause the aircraft carrier to be sunk under such attacks, and then the missile only needs to play a deterrent effect.

Voice of Germany: What kind of ability to evaluate the type of launching missiles in the United States?

Daming Guiz: Satellites with infrared sensors have the ability to detect the launch of the missile, so the launch point is likely to be known when it is.Including the PLA Rocket Army and its types of equipment can also be clearly understood.

The source of data evaluated in the United States may also include data collected by American intelligence agencies, including RC-135squot; Cosmopolites snake ball quot; reconnaissance aircraft.

The aircraft has the ability to collect QUOT; measurement and characteristic intelligence; (Masint) data from ball missiles, and equipped with electric light sensors, which is likely to provide data that other platforms cannot collect.This may include the trajectory of the missile, the duration of the rocket engine burning stage, and the spectrum of the pusher flame, which can evaluate the type of a pushing agent.

Voice of Germany: How much do you know about these two anti -ship missiles?

Daming Guiz: It is believed that the range of the Dongfeng-26 medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) is 3,000 to 4000 kilometers.The missile first appeared at the Beijing military parade in 2015.

Dongfeng-21 with nuclear capabilities is a medium-range ballistic missile system for road maneuver transportation. Its extended model-Dongfeng-21D is said to carry conventional warheads with a maximum range of 2000 kilometers.It is estimated that this model of missiles can be used for targets for ships.

These missiles are said to have the ability to fight large ships, which is why some media call it Quot; aircraft carrier killer quot;.In addition, there are few other additional information about the weapon.

It should be noted that Dongfeng-21D and Dongfeng-26B returning to the atmosphere warhead is likely to be mobility.In other words, to how much China's anti -ship ballistic missiles need third -party data to update the target's position and the adjustment subsystem of the missile at the aircraft of the missile, there are still questions.

Voice of Germany: A spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense said that the military exercise in the South China Sea is not for any country's Quot; how do you think of this statement of the Chinese military?

Daming Guiz: I think it is difficult to ignore the time for these special ballistic missiles.The timing of this launch is increasingly tense on a series of issues between Washington and Beijing.

These include not only the South China Sea and Taiwan, but also the Sino -US trade dispute, the new national security law implemented in Hong Kong in Hong Kong, the Sino -Indian border dispute, the treatment of Xinjiang Uighurs, and the treatment of the new crown epidemic.The governments of the two countries have continued to blame each other in terms of trade, and the military conflict and tensions in the Asia -Pacific region have been upgraded.

Washington has strengthened the number of navigation operations (FONOP) carried out by the U.S. Navy in the Taiwan and the South China Sea Chinese Sea China, and emphasized that it refused to recognize China's attitude in the South China Sea in July.In recent months, the U.S. Navy has also conducted double ship exercises in the area.Since May, the number of air reconnaissance flights in the United States has increased significantly.

The Pentagon also reiterates that it is given priority to reorganizing resources and troops to the Pacific Theater in India to maintain a credible deterrent with Quot; and show the US government's long -term promise in this region.Establish a more network interoperability.

Beijing has also increased the number and intensity of military exercises in the region, and it seems that more military equipment has been deployed to the region.In April, Beijing also added Chinese name to the 80 geographical characteristics of the region, which seems to be another measure to declare Chinese territorial claims in controversial sea areas.

In the same month, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China announced that it had established two administrative districts for the Palacel Islands (known as the Xisha Islands) and the Spratel Islands (China), which are controversial in the South China Sea.In one statement, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said that Sansha City, which is located in Hainan, the southernmost end of China, has established two districts-Xisha and Nansha District, which has been approved by the Chinese State Council.

Considering all these factors, the rocket test operation we see now may not only mean further testing and improve the missile strike ability of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Rockets, but also warn any foreign military that trys to challenge China in the region.EssenceBut what I need to emphasize is that, given the details of the Chinese government's missile test, it is difficult to know how successful it is.

Voice of Germany: As you said, as the military operations of the China and the United States in the South China Sea and the waters near Taiwan are constantly being upgraded, do you think that China and the United States are QUOT; how far is the hot war?

Deming Guiz: I can only say that the risk of the wrong evaluation situation in both sides is increasing.With the intensity of the tension between Washington and Beijing, and the increase in military activities in related regions, the risk of the two sides' wrong evaluation situation has been increased.

FullyBoth Washington and Beijing seem to have no interest in further upgrading that may lead to military conflicts, but there are still risks of error evaluation or Quot; accident quot; especially with the increase of military activities in the region and the government of the two governments continued to accuse each other accusations with each other accusations with each other.And compete for influence in the region.

Another risk factor is that no signs have shown that any party is willing to compromise.Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in June 2018 that Beijing would not abandon the Quot in the area; any inch of territory QUOT; and added that the Pacific Quot; enough, can accommodate China and the United States and other countries QUOT;

In contrast to this, US Secretary of Defense Esper described the Pacific region of India as Quot on August 26; the center of competing for QUOT; in a strong country with China, he issued a similar statement: Quot; the United States has responsible leadershipEssenceWe have always been the Pacific country. A country in the Pacific region of India has been such a long time for a period of hellip; hellip; you can say that: we will not cut one inch of land in the area to another country-one thinksThe government form, the views of human rights, and their views on national sovereignty. They have a better view of press freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and all these things than we share.quot;