Brendan Kelly: China's Maritime Strike Capability
Abstract
An assessment of the extent to which the PRC can threaten US Naval Surface Ships. Methods comprised a review of China’s most advanced anti-ship systems. Efficacy of the systems was assessed in the context of theater geography and existing locations of forces, the ability of those systems to project power across distance, and the efficacy of those systems upon reaching their intended targets. Exposed is the extent of China’s deep precision strike capability out to the First, Second and Third Island chains as one that will require improvements in US Naval tactics and power projection techniques at the strategic level if American freedom of access to the western pacific is to be maintained into the 21st century.
