An Analysis On China's Military Presence In The South China Sea

Real Clear Defense/Strafor: Analysis: China's Military Presence in the South China Sea

Analysis

Widely published satellite imagery from Feb. 14 shows the presence of new Chinese air defense systems on Woody Island in the South China Sea, highlighting continuing maritime frictions in the area. But new imagery obtained by Stratfor provides a higher-resolution view of the deployment and activities taking place across the island. Specialists at AllSource Analysis have identified two batteries of HQ-9 surface-to-air launchers, as well as supporting vehicles such as an engagement radar and the Type 305B AESA acquisition radar. Chinese military personnel are also moving near the air defense batteries, and cables are connecting vehicles and equipment into a single networked system.

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WNU Editor: I concur with this Stratfor analysis that what China is doing in the South China Sea has more political undertones than military .... I also find it interesting that after much construction and reclamation .... sand erosion is a continuous problem for the Chinese .... it makes you wonder on what would happen if a major typhoon (or typhoons) would do to these structures.

Update: We already know what happens to these reclaimed islands when a typhoon hits .... Typhoon Blows Away Illegal Island Made by Vietnam in South China Sea (People.cn)