-Caveat Lector-
Gee, lets see what Clinton's friendly buddies are up to! - Bill
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Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War!
China tests supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles
By Bill Gertz
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
China has conducted the first flight test of its new Russian-made
anti-ship cruise missile, the most potent naval weapon in China's growing
arsenal and a major improvement over its other anti-ship cruise missiles,
according to U.S. intelligence officials.
A Chinese Sovremenny-class guided missile destroyer fired an SSN-22
Sunburn missile during a test Sept. 15, said officials familiar with reports
of the test.
"This is the first test from sea, and it gets them close to an initial
operating capability," said one military official.
The new supersonic cruise missile is part of China's naval buildup,
which Pentagon analysts say is focused on developing the capability to sink
U.S. warships.
Testing of the Sunburn, called the Moskit by Russia, had been expected.
U.S. intelligence agencies monitoring the region had spotted both of China's
Sovremenny destroyers in the northern China port of Bo Hai Bay a week before
the test, as the ships were loaded with missile cannisters.
The first batch of 48 SSN-22s were transferred from Russia last year. It
is not known exactly how many of the missiles the Chinese navy has
stockpiled, but officials said it could be several hundred.
One Navy official said recently that the new Chinese warships and their
missiles "changed the capability of the [Chinese] surface force."
The missile, which can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear
warheads, has a range of between 80 and 85 miles, and its high-explosive
warhead is believed to be capable of sinking most U.S. ships. Its supersonic
speed worries Navy officials.
Richard Fisher, a specialist on the Chinese military, said the Chinese
missile ships are now operational, and "there is an expectation that China
will be purchasing a more advanced version of this ship."
"The testing of the Sunburn serves as a reminder that as we seek
cooperation with Beijing over the terrorist threat, we should keep in mind
that Beijing's ultimate goal is the conquest of the democracy on Taiwan for
which the Sovremennys were purchased," said Mr. Fisher, who is working on a
book about the Chinese military.
Mr. Fisher said published reports have stated that China also is
planning to purchase a small, Russian-built attack boat that will be armed
with two Sunburns. "This would be an excellent blockade weapon" in a conflict
with Taiwan, he said.
China began its purchase of the weapons after the 1996 Taiwan Strait
crisis. Beijing fired short-range missiles north and south of Taiwan prior to
scheduled elections in what U.S. officials said was an attempt to intimidate
the island.
The United States responded by dispatching two aircraft carrier battle
groups to the region in a show of force.
China then began building up its anti-aircraft carrier weapons, taking
delivery of the first two Sovremennys last year.
U.S. intelligence agencies believe Beijing may purchase two more of the
missile ships in the next several years.
During China's recent large-scale war games near Dongshan Island,
opposite Taiwan, Chinese press reports said Chinese naval forces practiced
engaging U.S. aircraft carriers and warships in combat.
China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and is preparing for a
conflict with the United States if Beijing's leaders decide to use force to
retake the island.
President Bush earlier this year said the United States would do
"whatever it took" to defend Taiwan from such an attack.
U.S. officials said Russia initially built the SSN-22 for use by the
Soviet navy against U.S. ships during the Cold War.
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