The multinational Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC 2024) involving 29 countries has concluded with the highly anticipated live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX). During the exercise, naval vessels from various countries sequentially fired anti-ship weapons, sinking a retired US amphibious assault ship and a dock landing ship. The objective of the sinking exercise is clear: in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict, the US military and its allies need to launch fierce attacks on the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s amphibious fleet to thwart their landing operations. The focus is on the 075-type amphibious assault ship and the 071-type landing ship.
The retired US amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1), with a displacement of 38,900 tons, was sunk on July 19 in waters off northern Hawaii. On July 11, another retired US amphibious dock landing ship, the USS Dubuque (LPD-8), with a displacement of 17,500 tons, was also sunk. The Chinese 075-type amphibious assault ship has a displacement of approximately 36,000 tons, while the 071-type landing ship has a displacement of around 25,000 tons.
In the “Shield of the Brave 2024” exercise conducted in the Philippine Sea in June, the US and coalition forces also sunk a retired amphibious dock landing ship, the USS Cleveland (LPD-7), with a displacement of 17,600 tons.
The frequent live-fire drills conducted by the US military to sink large amphibious assault ships and dock landing ships indicate preparation for a possible Taiwan Strait conflict and serve as a deterrent to China. The US has issued warnings that if Chinese landing fleets rashly deploy, they will meet their end in the Taiwan Strait, and any attempt to capture Taiwan will inevitably fail.
During a press conference on July 25, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense was asked about the portion of the “RIMPAC-2024” exercise that involved sinking a 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship. Some analysts interpreted this as a demonstration of strength. In response, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that the Chinese side is not afraid of the US using military exercises to intimidate them and emphasized their determination, capability, and means to defeat any aggressor.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defense’s response indicated a direct understanding of the US military’s exercise objectives, but erroneously labeling the US and allied forces as aggressors shows a clear distortion of priorities. While the US exercises focus on thwarting Chinese aggression, the Chinese defense ministry’s rhetoric seems more like a reluctance to take the first step. It may be posturing on the surface but ultimately indicates a defensive posture.
In the sinking exercise during RIMPAC, the US employed weapons such as AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles carried by F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, precision-guided bombs carried by B-2 bombers, naval strike missiles launched by destroyers, Harpoon missiles, Hellfire missiles carried by helicopters, and rockets from unmanned boats. Australian warships launched Naval Strike Missiles, Dutch warships fired Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Japan launched land-based Type 12 anti-ship missiles.
Multiple US fighter jets and bombers had the capability to carry AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles, with a warhead weighing 1,000 pounds capable of targeting the radars, communication systems, and command centers of any warship.
The US stockpiles at least 450 AGM-158C long-range anti-ship missiles, enough to cripple all large Chinese naval vessels. With a total of 85 active Chinese warships, including 2 aircraft carriers, 8 Type 055 destroyers, 25 Type 052D destroyers, 40 Type 054A frigates, 3 075-type amphibious assault ships, and 8 071-type dock landing ships, the US can use 4 to 5 AGM-158C missiles per warship to ensure the rapid sinking of the 075-type amphibious assault ships.
In this sinking exercise, the US showcased the B-2 stealth bomber’s ability to rapidly sink ships, known as QUICKSINK capability. This capability utilizes precision-guided bombs equipped with JDAM glide kits that can guide the bomb to detonate near the waterline of the target ship, causing a rapid sinking.
AGM-158C missiles first neutralize enemy ship radars, rendering them unable to detect and guide weapons, making it difficult for air defense missiles to function. Subsequently, US precision-guided bombs are deployed from B-2 bombers, benefiting from their stealth advantages. While other fighter jets and bombers like F-15, F-16, F/A-18, B-1B, and B-52 can also carry precision-guided bombs, caution is exercised to ensure Chinese air defense systems are fully neutralized.
The B-2 can carry 16 GBU-31 2,000-pound bombs, with just two bombers capable of destroying the Chinese amphibious assault ship fleet. The F-35 is also capable of stealth bombing missions, albeit carrying only one precision-guided bomb. Once the B-21 bomber is in service, the variety of options available to the US military will increase.
The US forces also targeted the Chinese aircraft carrier fleet, Type 055 and 052D destroyers. The live-fire exercises conducted by the US and its allies leverage coalition advantages using multiple means to maximize the impact on the opponent.
The 075-type amphibious assault ship, introduced in 2021, currently has 3 active ships – 2 in the Eastern Theater and 1 in the Southern Theater. The 075, primarily modeled after the US Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, has a slightly smaller displacement of about 36,000 tons compared to the US counterparts.
The US amphibious assault ships can transform into light aircraft carriers, capable of carrying up to 20 F-35B fighters, while the Chinese 075-type lacks fighter aircraft and mostly supports helicopter operations.
The US amphibious assault ships deploy a variety of helicopters such as the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, MV-22B Osprey, CH-53 Super Stallion transport helicopter, and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter, enabling coordinated amphibious landings. In contrast, the Chinese Navy’s helicopter types still have gaps, with failed attempts to procure Russian Ka-52 helicopters, potentially leading to a shortfall in capabilities.
Despite this, the 075-type amphibious assault ship poses the greatest threat to Taiwan, capable of carrying around 800 marines, approximately 60 amphibious assault vehicles, 2 hovercraft, equivalent to a Marine Expeditionary Unit, and 26 helicopters. Although its capacity is lower than that of US counterparts, when acting jointly with the 071-type landing ships, they can transport two Marine Expeditionary Brigade units and their equipment. If the US can successfully target and sink all 075 and 071 landing ships at sea, China would suffer significant losses, making further landing operations challenging.
The 075-type amphibious assault ship has weaker air defense capabilities, equipped with only 2 Red Flag-10 short-range air defense missiles and 2 close-in weapon systems, with a claimed defense range of up to 9 kilometers, making it ineffective against anti-ship missiles and precision-guided bombs.
The Chinese Type 052D destroyers in the Eastern Theater are primarily responsible for the air defense of the landing fleet with 64 vertical launch cells likely carrying Red Flag-9 air defense missiles, a replica of the Russian S-300. The S-300 system has shown questionable missile interception capabilities in actual combat. The Chinese Type 054A frigates only carry Red Flag-16 air defense missiles, further impeding their missile interception capability.
Consequently, the 075-type amphibious assault ship is vulnerable to attacks, with US jets carrying AGM-158C missiles targeting the ships outside the first island chain, threatening the 075 and 071 landing ships, as well as the escorting 052D destroyers and 054A frigates. These missiles can damage critical areas of the ships, such as the island, deck, hull near the waterline, and power systems, rendering them combat ineffective.
The island serves as the ship’s command and control center equipped with radars and communication systems, and a hit could disable air defense systems and disrupt communication, hindering the ship’s operation and navigation, impacting landing operations.
A hit on the deck could impede helicopter operations, affecting their ability to take off and land. Damage to the hull near the waterline could lead to flooding, causing the ship to list or capsize.
Taiwan’s F-16V fighters armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles also pose a threat to the 075-type amphibious assault ship.
Chinese J-20 and J-16 fighters would find it challenging to counter the numerous F-22 and F-35 fighters of the US, leading to a loss of air superiority and putting large Chinese warships at risk.
The US has a fleet of 9 amphibious assault ships and 22 large dock landing ships, including 12 San Antonio-class, 6 Whidbey Island-class, and 4 Harpers Ferry-class ships. The Chinese 071 landing ships mainly emulate the US San Antonio-class with a displacement of about 25,000 tons.
The 071 landing ships can carry around 800 marines, 60 amphibious vehicles, equivalent to a Marine Expeditionary Unit. Introduced in 2007, there are currently 8 071 landing ships, with 5 in the Southern Theater and 3 in the Eastern Theater.
In a scenario of conflict, the primary targets of a US air assault would include the three 075-type amphibious assault ships and eight 071 landing ships, effectively crippling these 11 large ships and thwarting Chinese landing operations.
China also possesses around 33 Type 072 landing ships and 11 Type 073 landing ships, smaller in tonnage, capable of carrying around 180 to 250 personnel and 6 to 10 tanks, totaling nearly two Marine Expeditionary Brigade units. However, these landing ships would likely follow the 075 and 071 ships, with some primarily carrying tanks, awaiting successful initial landings before moving in.
Should the majority of the 075 and 071 landing ships be incapacitated or sunk, preventing the initial wave of landing operations, the subsequent 072 and 073 landing ships would find it difficult to execute the landing plan and resist Taiwan’s anti-ship missiles and missile speedboats. They would either retreat hastily or risk being sunk.
The smaller landing ships collectively can accommodate fewer than four Marine Expeditionary Brigade units, totaling approximately 20,000 personnel, with the likelihood of significant losses. The lack of available larger landing ships for follow-up operations would lead to the repurposing of civilian roll-on/roll-off ships for landing support. China’s plans for an assault on Taiwan would be halted, and attempts to continue with numerous smaller boat landings in the face of drone attacks and artillery strikes would only result in more destruction.
Recently, during the Aspen Security Forum, General Mark Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked if the US military could defeat the Chinese military in a Taiwan Strait conflict. He responded with confidence, stating, “Yes, I have complete confidence in our forces. We are the most lethal and revered fighting force in the world. Every country I have visited aspires to be like us. We must set an example. If we come into conflict with China, it will take the full force of the nation.”
He further mentioned that such a war would be as brutal as World War II.
General Brown’s resolute response indicates that the US military is preparing for a large-scale conflict rather than limited skirmishes. His statements, along with the live-fire sinking exercises during RIMPAC, send clear signals to Beijing. If China risks war, the subsequent outcomes and conclusion will likely be beyond their control. Large and medium Chinese warships may face quick destruction; with most of their air force assets lost, airspace control will be relinquished. Such developments are part of US planning and ongoing military maneuvers – can Beijing handle such a scenario?
The Epoch Times was the first to report on this.