A new article from mainland China simulates the PLA’s “attack on Taiwan” and points out that the PLA’s new generation aircraft carrier Type 003 can break through the second island chain and lift the restrictions on attacking Taiwan.
China’s most authoritative and widely circulated naval science magazine “Ship Knowledge” simulated the PLA’s “attack on Taiwan” on September 26, saying that the PLA’s attack capability is limited by the second island chain, which will lead to a protracted war with the United States, and that the mainland China’s next aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults may reverse the strategic situation.
The article in Ship Knowledge analyzed that although the PLA’s attack range has been extended to the second island chain, an attack on Guam would not be wise because it would inevitably lead to a prolonged conflict between China and the United States. In contrast, the U.S. could rapidly deploy military resources, including B-1B and B-52 heavy strategic bombers.
But the situation could be reversed if China’s next aircraft carrier – Type 003 carrier, equipped with electromagnetic catapults and stealth aircraft, is able to approach Hawaii. “At that point, the Taiwan issue and the future of the Western Pacific will be irrelevant to the United States.”
While the article describes the current limitations of the PLA’s “attack on Taiwan,” it suggests another possible scenario, starting with the launch of DF-16 ballistic missiles and DF-10A ground-attack cruise missiles to cripple the island’s airports, early warning systems and anti-aircraft missile bases.
After the first round of missile strikes, J-16 multi-role fighters would destroy small airfields and highways capable of serving as runways for military aircraft. The resulting air superiority would minimize the danger to PLA soldiers who would cross the Taiwan Strait by that stage, according to the article.
The Chinese mainland has already begun testing or building a variety of equipment to accompany the Type 003 aircraft carrier, such as the J-15 catapult-type carrier aircraft, the KJ-600 naval fixed-wing early warning aircraft, and the Z-20 naval-type transport aircraft. In addition, China may develop a new generation of stealthy naval fighter jets based on the FC-31.