The development of the same technology that was built by the US years ago, is being developed by China now. Should this raise questions? Or should this be the reason of concern for world? We will discuss the top secret weapons of China in this article.
As it has been observed in the recent years, the weapons of mass destruction and carriers are accumulated in certain regions of the world, therefore, it seems totally understandable if the distant regions also develop such technologies.
At the same time, building on the old structures, and coming up with new and innovative technologies can be a reason of concern as the specifications of these innovations are still not in the open. Considering the distance between China and the US, it is observed that all these missiles, submarines and launchers are clearly targeted to far region of United States.
Lethal Secret Weapons of China
Let’s have a look at all these “secret” and secretly developed weapons of China.
1. China’s growing Cyberwarfare Capabilities
In these disturbing times, the major offensive ‘weapon’ developed by China is their progressive and ongoing developments in the field of cyber warfare. President Xi Jinping had proposed a policy where the emphasis is on “new model of great power relation”; thus, reflecting that country is not going to lag behind in challenging the US and the world when it comes to cyberspace. The cyberspace development Programme of China includes specialized personnel, advanced and sophisticated equipment and modern, state-of-the-art cyber-attack techniques. According to the sources, since 2006 People’s Liberation Army has established and been using an elite cyberwarfare unit with special emphasis on the issues related to the US interest.
The unit, officially named as ‘Unit 61398’ has hundreds of highly trained personnel with an access to “infrastructure of computer systems around the world” – actively engaged in keeping a strict check on every kind of telecommunication activity and satellite imagery reconnaissance. To achieve their goals, China has employed a range of cyberattack methodologies. Like Unit 61398 is famous for its ‘zero-day exploits’; which means exploiting the “vulnerability in software that the software maker himself does not know exist” and their Advanced Persistent Threat (APT). it can be safely deduced that China is employing a strategy which can target and attack on the nonmilitary organs, thus proving to be more effective strategy.
2. SC-19 Anti-Satellite Missiles
Anti-Satellite Missile. Yes! You have read it right. Chinese have developed and continuously working on this space age technology.
As stated by one of the US military officials; it will sooner than later when China will be able to destroy all satellites in space.
China drew world’s attention to their secret mission in 2007 when it destroyed its own weather satellite with ‘a kinetic kill vehicle’. It was believed to be a modified version of DF-21 ballistic missile with that kinetic kill vehicle attached to it. The latest SC-19 has modifications to counter the global threats. It is basically designed to destroy or even render it disable or a spacecraft by using one of the ‘kill mechanisms’. The missiles are launched based on two strategies: either attack a stationery satellite within the launch site range or launched them against already determined targets as the technology has to wait for the target satellite to pass within the range site. Foreign and indigenous systems provide China with capabilities such as to block the ‘common satellite communications bands’ and GPS receivers.
PLA have reiterated that “space is the commanding point for the information battlefield. Battlefield monitor and control, information communications, navigation and position guidance all rely on satellites and other sensors.” And they continue to work on their anti-satellite missile programme.
3. Kongjing-2000 ‘Airborne Early Warning Aircraft’
The ‘Airborne Early Warning Aircraft’ (AWACS), named as KJ-2000 made its first flight in 2003 and then there was no turning back. The aircraft used the Russian design with a makeover and addition of the sophisticated radar system. The KJ-2000 can accommodate 5 flight crew and almost ten to 15 mission crew members. It has the ability to carry out patrol missions at an altitude of 5000 to 10000 meters; with an amazing flying endurance of seven hours and 41 minutes. Unlike the Russian or the US counterparts where the radar system rotates; in KJ-2000, the radars of which stationary. Rather ‘three ESA antenna modules are placed in a triangular configuration inside radome to provide a 360-degree coverage’, thus making it more versatile and effective to issue early warnings in the air.
4. ‘Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles’
The DF-26 is ‘intermediate range ballistic missile’ with state-of-the-art technology. Unlike its predecessor – DF-21 – it definitely has a longer range. This missile was first time publicly revealed in 2015 and considered as the most advanced missile technology in the world. The fierce looking missile equally matches its nuclear delivery capability and the range of 3000 to 400 km, which is long enough to strike the US bases in Guam. For this very reason, it is also popular as “Guam Killer.” According to PLA this missile is “capable of conducting precision strikes against ground targets and contribute to strategic deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region” and “if it shares the same guidance capabilities, would give China its first nuclear precision strike capability against theater targets.”
Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter: The First Stealth Fighter for the Chinese Air Force
5. Type-052D Luyang III Guided Missile Destroyer
The Type-052D is considered a true-blue water warship of China. Its structure helps in excellent maneuvering and speed. The radar system has also been considerably upgraded. This new system may be able to detect even stealthy aircrafts such as the F-35A/B Lightning II. The Luyang III has made use of PLA’s Navy first multi-purpose launch system that is vertical and it is capable of “launching ASCM, land attack cruise missiles (LACM), surface-to-air missiles (SAM), and anti-submarine rockets.” The Destroyer is fitted with a larger main gun (130mm) and secure communication.
6. Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine
Most of the sophisticated weapons of China are designed in a way to counter any offence from the US and the nuclear ballistic submarine is not less than the task. According to the US sources, Chinese submarines are “armed with JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missiles that have a range of about 4,600 miles.”
It can carry 3 to 6 warheads with 90 kilotons of power. Although Type 094 Jin Class submarine was developed in 2010 and has the capability of launching almost twelve to sixteen missiles.
Chinese officials stated that if they launch DF 31A ICBMs in the North Pole, they could easily destroy the New England and Eastern Coast regions of the US. Also, as, “globalsecurity.org notes that a Type 094 patrolling just northeast of the Kuril Islands would be able to strike three-quarters of the continental United States.”
7. Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark
The “Flying Shark” – name suggests it all. Shenyang J-15 is a carrier borne fighter jet with an exciting history. Back in the days China and Russia had agreement to develop such aircrafts but Russia later blamed China for stealing the design and developing their own version of ‘Russian Sukhoi Su-33, thus resulting in breaking the agreement.
Now Sheyang J-15 is considered a tough competitor of Sukhoi Su-33 fighter jet, Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet and other carrier borne crafts of the same class.
8. CV-16 Liaoning Aircraft Carrier
CV-16 Liaoning Aircraft Carrier is an accomplishment for PLA as it’s their first home-built aircraft carrier. Still a lot has to be done and probably the carrier will be operational by 2020 but all the mystery surrounding its construction already makes it formidable.
Originally it was a Soviet carrier which was bought by China in 1990s. the improvements are there but still a lot is needed to be done which is under the shroud of mystery. Liaoning has a ski ramp for the aircraft’s takeoff in comparison to the US steam powered catapult system for launching and landing of the crafts. Such ski-system does not support planes like E-2D Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound Cargo.
This carrier is supposedly able to displace 60,000 to 70,000 tons, although it is less than the capacity of the carriers of same class but we still have to wait and watch. It is estimated that it can carry 48 aircrafts and around dozen or so Z-18 or Z-9 helicopters
9. H-6K ‘Long-Range Strategic Bomber’
This H-6K ‘long-range strategic bomber’ is an improved weapon as compared to what China had earlier (of the same class). This strategic bomber has nuclear capability for long-range and stand-off attacks and fully capable of targeting the US carrier groups stationed in Asia. Equipped with 23 mm guns, the gunner positions are fully electronic now, thus a small crew is enough to operate it. The experts believe that this aircraft has improved avionics, sophisticated radar system and weapon precision. Experts have reported that this bomber “has a combat radius of 3 500 km. Long-range cruise missiles effectively extend the bombers range to about 4 000-5 000 km. It is enough to reach, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Guam and even Hawaii, Alaska and Moscow form Chinas mainland. Without leaving air defense zone.”
10. Xian Y-20 Heavy Strategic Airlifter
Xian Y-20 heavy strategic airlifter, also known as Kunpeng, is the first heavy airlifted constructed and developed in China, although with Russian and Ukrainian cooperation. It became operational with Chinese air force in 2016.
It has a payload capacity of almost 60 to 66 tons. It can even carry support vehicles and tanks. Due to advance technology, it is operated by a small crew of three members.
All these technologies, aircrafts and weapons are clear indication that a bipolar world is somehow the safest choice we have. Since the world “needs” weapons then it is much more realistic to have a balanced distribution rather than the accumulation of weapons of mass destruction in one region.
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