- China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) developed and tested large amphibious landing barges, enhancing its capabilities for potential invasions. These Shuiqiao-class vessels feature retractable bridges, enabling tanks and troops to disembark without relying on ports.
- China conducted exercises with these barges in the South China Sea, near its naval headquarters, approximately 600 miles from Taiwan.
- Military experts warned that these vessels could significantly improve China’s amphibious operations, extending its reach beyond Taiwan’s well-defended beaches.
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China developed and tested large amphibious landing barges designed for transporting heavy military equipment onto shore, according to recently surfaced footage.
The barges, equipped with long retractable bridges, could play a key role in an amphibious assault by allowing tanks, armored vehicles and troops to be offloaded without relying on ports or established beachheads.
Defense analysts have drawn comparisons to the Mulberry harbors used during the D-Day landings in World War II, suggesting China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) may be enhancing its capabilities for a potential invasion of Taiwan.
The Shuiqiao-class vessels conducted exercises in the South China Sea near China’s naval headquarters in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, about 600 miles from Taiwan.
How could these barges change China’s military strategy?
Military experts warned that these barges could significantly improve China’s ability to conduct amphibious operations by extending its reach beyond Taiwan’s well-defended beaches.
Traditional landing craft require controlled ports or beachheads, but with their long road bridges, these vessels could enable China to land forces in previously deemed unsuitable areas.
While the PLA has a fleet of advanced amphibious assault ships, these barges could supplement existing capabilities by providing additional options for moving large numbers of troops and vehicles. The vessels appear designed to work alongside China’s roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) ferries, which, though primarily used for commercial purposes, are required to meet military specifications.
What vulnerabilities do these vessels have?
The barges could be highly vulnerable in a contested environment despite their potential advantages.
Timothy R. Heath, a senior international defense researcher at RAND, pointed out that these vessels’ slow-moving nature makes them easy targets for airstrikes, naval attacks or shore-based defenses.
Additionally, high winds and rough seas could impact the effectiveness of these barges.
A similar U.S. military system, the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) platform, faced operational difficulties when attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2023.
How has Taiwan responded to China’s growing naval capabilities?
Taiwan and the U.S. continue to monitor China’s military developments, with growing concerns over Beijing’s increasing naval strength.
Reports indicated that China built the equivalent of the Royal Navy in just a few years, surpassing the U.S. Navy in terms of ship count.
Taiwanese military officials fortified their coastal defenses and trained forces to counter potential amphibious landings. Taiwan’s government has repeatedly warned that China’s military exercises, including the latest testing of these barges, signal an ongoing threat to regional stability.
While analysts said the new vessels do not indicate an imminent attack, they indicate China’s military expansion and strategic preparations.