New US warships will prompt PLA to play catch-up
Advances in US naval firepower are likely to speed up Beijing's drive for sophisticated weapons it says it needs for self-defence
Beijing is closely monitoring the US' development of two new, highly advanced marine warfare ships which will likely operate in Asia-Pacific in the coming years, several analysts say.
Their deployment would prompt China to intensify efforts to accelerate the technological prowess of its navy, and ensure it could adequately defend against the sophisticated weaponry, said Li Jie , an analyst with the PLA Navy.
The United States is expected to officially unveil next month the first ship in its Ford-class aircraft carriers, the successor to the Nimitz-class design. According to US Congressional documents, the nuclear-powered vessels can handle a quarter more aircraft sorties, and generate more power to support ship systems, all while requiring several hundred fewer sailors for its crew.
Two additional carriers are scheduled to become operational by 2025. The total cost has been estimated at US$43 billion.
The US on Monday also put the Zumwalt into the water ahead of its final phase of construction. The ship is 30 metres longer than the existing class of destroyers, the Associated Press has reported.
It features an unusual wave-piercing hull, electric drive propulsion, advanced sonar and guided missiles, and a gun that fires rocket-propelled warheads as far as 160 kilometres.