Sunday SITREP (5-11 August)

Weekly update of activity in the First Island Chain

Author

Nick
August 11, 2024

Sunday SITREP

Good morning,

Below is your Sunday SITREP for this period. Get up to speed on activity in the world’s most hotly contested region - the First Island Chain.

Reporting Period: 5-11 August

Bottom-Line Up Front:

1. Taiwan experienced 138 aerial and 61 naval incursions by the PLA.

2. The United States led air and naval maneuvers in the South China Sea. China responded by tailing the movements.

3. Coverage of a Brookings Institute webinar suggests Chinese naval manufacturing is unmatched globally. China is currently growing its navy to reach parity with the United States.

4. The U.S. and Japan concluded exercise Resolute Dragon 24. The bilateral exercise took place across Japan, and included the deployment of an advanced radar to an island near Taiwan.

5. Taiwan’s president proposed a defense budget of $19.8 billion for next year. The proposal awaits approval by the Taiwanese legislature.

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PLA Incursions Into Taiwan’s ADIZ

The following PLA assets entered Taiwan’s ADIZ from 5 to 11 August:

  • Aircraft violations: 138

  • Naval vessel violations: 61

Joint Drills In South China Sea Prompt Chinese Response

On 7 August, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines conducted air and naval maneuvers in the South China Sea. The maneuvers were designed to promote joint cooperation and uphold international maritime law.

Shortly after the maneuvers began, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also conducted maritime patrols. The Filipino military stated that three Chinese vessels tailed the allied maneuvers.

Why This Matters

In a joint statement on 7 August, the allied partners stated that they stand together to “address common maritime challenges” and their interest in “upholding international law and the rules-based order.”

China has claimed the South China Sea since the 1930s, but has been increasingly aggressive in asserting those claims.

Want To Read More?

Chinese Navy Manufacturing At Unmatched Rates

On 6 August, The Economic Times suggested that China’s naval manufacturing efforts are unmatched.

Center for a New American Security expert Tom Shugart used satellite imagery to determine China’s ongoing shipbuilding. In a 26 July webinar with the Brookings Institute, he cited the following projects:

  • Huludao Shipyard. Four or more Type 093B and Type 096 nuclear submarines being built.

  • Dalian Shipyard. Five Type 053DL destroyers being built.

  • Hudong Shipyard. Three frigates being built.

  • Jiangmen Shipyard. Five unidentified surface vessels being built.

The previously mentioned Chinese shipyards constructing PLA Navy vessels. Google Earth

Why This Matters

China’s immediate and most apparent goal is the seizure of Taiwan and its integration into “One China.” Xi has other ambitions for China though. Xi wants the PLA to be a world-class fighting force by 2027 (in time for the PLA’s 100-year anniversary), and he wants them that way so they can reach parity with the United States.

Xi thinks if China can out-compete the U.S. military in the Pacific, it can dominate the region and launch global projects more effectively. One way China will do this is by dominating and controlling the maritime activity in the South China Sea.

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U.S. Marines Conclude Bilateral Exercise Resolute Dragon 24 With Japan

On 7 August, the Marine Corps and Japan concluded exercise Resolute Dragon 24. 3,000 Marines and sailors trained along the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF).

RD24 ran from 28 July and took place across Japan, to include main islands Honshu and Kyushu as well as Okinawa and some outlying southwest islands. The Marines deployed an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar on Yonaguni island. The island is Japan’s closest piece of territory to Taiwan.

Yonaguni in relation to Taiwan. Google Earth

Why This Matters

RD24 is an important exercise for American and Japanese forces to test their bilateral readiness. Japan is one of America’s core partners in the Pacific, and that security relationship is only growing.

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Taiwan To Boost Defense Spending

On 8 August, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te proposed a $19.8 billion dollar defense budget for next year. Radio Free Asia estimates that being 20% of Taiwan’s projected revenue for 2025. Despite their defense spending increasing every year since 2017, this would be Taiwan’s largest investment into defense to date.

The proposal awaits approval by the Taiwanese legislature. Their deadline is 1 December.

Why This Matters

Taiwan is firmly committed to resisting a Chinese invasion. PLA incursions and exercises around Taiwan have become more frequent. President Lai’s presidency began with the PLA surrounding the island as a show of force.

Want To Read More?

  • Coverage by RFA

End Brief

That concludes this Sunday SITREP. Thanks for sticking around.

Remember, new briefs are coming this week:

  • Monday @ 0630 ET

  • Thursday @ 0630 ET

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Thanks and see you tomorrow.

Nick