Chinese missile could shift Pacific power balance

[Studeo]

Nothing projects U.S. global air and sea power more vividly than supercarriers. Bristling with fighter jets that can reach deep into even landlocked trouble zones, America’s virtually invincible carrier fleet has long enforced its dominance of the high seas.

China may soon put an end to that.

U.S. naval planners are scrambling to deal with what analysts say is a game—changing weapon being developed by China, an unprecedented carrier—killing missile called the Dong Feng 21D that could be launched from land with enough accuracy to penetrate the defences of even the most advanced moving aircraft carrier at a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers (900 miles)....

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article553494.ece

[Fredkc]

Cleverly done, too. If the Dong Feng 21D is truly land-based-only then it becomes a counter move to the idea of US-based gunboat diplomacy, using our carriers, and not much else.

And given the current mood between China and India, I can see why it turned up in "The Hindu", as well.


The Pentagon has been worried for years about China getting an anti—ship ballistic missile. The Pentagon considers such a missile an “anti—access,” weapon, meaning that it could deny others access to certain areas.

[Wood]

With this missile the odds of a 'friendly' union of China and Taiwan have increased. It might also help to shift both Japan and South Korea foreign affairs to a more neutral stance.