Back last month, there was a question on the Wings reading that asked about the
significance of using aircraft carriers during WWII. American forces successfully defended our
Pacific island bases by using air support launched from these large
carriers. Recognizing that being able to
land and take off from the sea is a big advantage, from time to time various
countries with sea borders have proposed, and even built, floating
airstrips. Deemed largely unstable, as
well as unprofitable (because regular airports conduct business other than
simply allowing airplanes to take off and land), these floating airports simply
do not have the space for airport support (and we all know that commercial aviation
looks to its bottom line).
On the
other hand, military aviation does not usually employ bottom line budgeting,
and China is very willing and able to pour as much money as possible into its
military – especially if the result is an advantage in the disputed South China
Sea. Because they have the largest
military force on Earth, China isn’t too subtle about using their might to
intimidate or outright threaten those who resist them. China claims the South China Sea (or at least
most of it – they do recognize that sovereign countries have ownership of their
own borders and a limited amount of ocean extending from these borders).
Now,
satellite imagery shows that China has been building up some small underwater
islands called the Spratlys in order to build an airbase. This will give their military some land based
access to the entire region (something they currently lack – having to deploy
aircraft carriers for the time being – and giving up stealth in the
process). Although China is taking the
stance that their construction is only for providing support for their
country’s fishermen and commercial shipping interests (i.e. search and rescue,
refueling), nobody else is buying it, tensions are high in the region, and are
beginning to be felt around the world.
The U.S.
government has formally requested that China desist, and notes the article “China's
moves in the region should spark fear around the world, with military conflict
possible, Philippine President Benigno Aquino told AFP on Tuesday” (“China”). Military aviation is still a significant
player in global security.
“China
'Building Runway in Disputed South China Sea.’” Associated Free Press via Yahoo News. 17 April 2015. Web. 18 April
2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment