The US Navy has sent small armada to the South China Sea. These show of force may lead to military confrontation in the South China Sea as tension rise over Chinas construction of artificial islands in the disputed waters.
The Navy Times reported that the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, two destroyers, two cruisers and the 7th Fleet flagship have sailed into the disputed waters, where China has installed surface-to-air missiles and built an airstrip on reclaimed area.
The command ship Blue Ridge, the 7th fleet is also in the area and on its way to the Philippines for a port call.
The deployment comes after US accusations that the Chinese deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile battery to the Paracel Islands. US Pacific Command head adm. Harry Harris told lawmakers that China would declare an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea as China had so far reclaimed around 3,000 acres in the disputed waters.
"Clearly the Navy and DoD is demonstrating its full commitment to presense and freedom of navigation in the region," said Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain and analyst with the Center for a new American Security in Washington, D.C."With the full interests and ability to project presence and power around the world."
China has reportedly deployed advanced HQ-9 anti-air warfare missiles on Woody Island in the Paracels near Vietnam. The advanced air search radar capable of detecting US stealth aircraft may also be installed, according to reports.
The Navy Times reported that the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, two destroyers, two cruisers and the 7th Fleet flagship have sailed into the disputed waters, where China has installed surface-to-air missiles and built an airstrip on reclaimed area.
The command ship Blue Ridge, the 7th fleet is also in the area and on its way to the Philippines for a port call.
The deployment comes after US accusations that the Chinese deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile battery to the Paracel Islands. US Pacific Command head adm. Harry Harris told lawmakers that China would declare an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the South China Sea as China had so far reclaimed around 3,000 acres in the disputed waters.
"Clearly the Navy and DoD is demonstrating its full commitment to presense and freedom of navigation in the region," said Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain and analyst with the Center for a new American Security in Washington, D.C."With the full interests and ability to project presence and power around the world."
China has reportedly deployed advanced HQ-9 anti-air warfare missiles on Woody Island in the Paracels near Vietnam. The advanced air search radar capable of detecting US stealth aircraft may also be installed, according to reports.
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