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Sunday SITREP (12-18 August)
Weekly update of Chinese activity in the First Island Chain
Nick
August 18, 2024
Sunday SITREP
Good morning,
Below is your Sunday SITREP for this week - your weekly update from the Indo-Pacific’s First Island Chain.
Reporting Period: 12-18 August
Bottom Line Up Front:
1. Taiwan experienced 83 aerial and 60 naval incursions by the PLA this period.
2. The United States and South Korea begin exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 this week. Last year, the exercise was portrayed by North Korea as an invasion rehearsal which led to ballistic missile tests.
3. The PLA Navy has launched its first Type 054AG frigate. The frigate is the first of 50 that the PLA want to build.
4. The PLA Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group deployed to the Philippine Sea for the second time this year. It arrived in the region as the USS Abraham Lincoln departed for the Middle East.
5. Japan and NATO vessels conducted bilateral maneuvers in the Pacific. NATO has expressed their need for greater security involvement in the region.
PLA Incursions Into Taiwan’s ADIZ
The following PLA assets entered Taiwan’s ADIZ from 12-17 August (ROC MOD did not publish data for 18 August):
Aircraft violations: 83
Naval vessel violations: 60
(Data provided by Ministry of National Defense Republic of China)
US And South Korea Begin Bilateral Exercise This Week
Scheduled for 19-29 August, the United States and South Korea will begin exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 this week. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff office said nearly 19,000 South Koreans will participate.
The exercise will focus on missile defense, cyberwarfare, and ground force maneuvers.
Why This Matters
Previous iterations of Ulchi Freedom Shield led to aggressive North Korean responses. North Korea depicts the exercise as an invasion rehearsal. In 2023, North Korea launched ballistic missiles during the exercise.
Typically, South Korea experiences notable protests that demand the U.S.-ROK exercises end.
Want To Read More?
Coverage by AP News
Upgraded Chinese Frigate Launches, More To Come
On 14 August, Naval News reported that China finished constructing its first upgraded Type 054AG frigate in early August. The frigate, and upgrade to the Type 054A, was constructed in the Huangpu Shipyard.
The upgraded frigate retains some sensors and weapons of the previous variant, but has and longer deck and extended hangar to provide for more rotary wing assets at sea. The frigate also has a new H/PL-87 100mm main gun.
The Type 054AG is a guided-missile frigate and carries significant assets:
Type 382 3D radar
Type 366 X-band radar
HQ-16 Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launchers
Yu-8 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missiles
Two H/PL-12 CIWS (anti-aircraft/anti-missile)
YJ-83 anti-ship missile launchers
Why This Matters
China is likely to continue the mass production of PLA Navy vessels, with plans to build at least 50 of these frigates.
The news comes as the US Navy is experiencing a 25-year low in the shipbuilding industry due to low manpower, high costs, and design changes.
Want To Read More?
Coverage by Naval News
PLA Navy Shandong Aircraft Carrier Deploys to Philippine Sea
On 12 August, Japan reported PLA Navy maneuvers in the Philippine Sea. The PLA Navy’s Shandong Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has deployed to the Philippine Sea for the second time in 2024.
Japan reported four PLA Navy ships (Shandong, Yan’an, Zhanjiang, and Yuncheng) 260 miles south of Miyako Islands on 12 August. In July, the CSG deployed to this same location to conduct fighter and helicopter operations.
The CSG entered the area as the USS Abraham Lincoln departed the Pacific for the Middle East amid tensions related to Iran and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Why This Matters
Departing American assets in the region have shed light on a closing “carrier gap” between the United Stated and China. Additionally, the PLA Navy gains a significant amount of training value out of conducting operations with no restrictions.
Want To Read More?
Coverage by USNI News
NATO Allies, Japan Conduct Bilateral Naval Maneuvers
On 14 August, two NATO naval groups conducted a passing exercise with Japanese Navy counterparts. The NATO groups were the Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2).
The exercise is intended to improve bilateral communications and coordinated maneuvers at sea.
Why This Matters
At the NATO Summit in July 2024, NATO allies emphasized the security crisis developing across the Indo-Pacific due to China, Russia, and North Korea. NATO leaders agreed to be more involved in the Pacific, and to form closer relations with security partners outside of the alliance.
The NATO and Japanese maneuvers come as the USS Abraham Lincoln leaves the Pacific for the Middle East.
Want To Read More?
Statement by NATO
End Brief
Thanks for reading this Sunday SITREP.
Tomorrow I’ll send your Monday morning brief @ 0630 ET.
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Enjoy your Sunday,
Nick