Sunday SITREP (1-6 July 2024)

Weekly update of activity from the First Island Chain

Author

Nicholas Weber
July 07, 2024

Good morning and welcome to another Sunday SITREP - an update on activity from the First Island Chain.

Reporting Period: 1-6 July 2024

Bottom-Line Up Front:

  • Taiwan experienced 137 aerial and 42 naval incursions by the PLA this week.

  • The U.S. is using a long-range ground-based missile on its F/A-18 Super Hornets for the first time.

  • Russia and China conducted joint naval patrols in the East China Sea.

  • China is conducting an exercise in Laos.

  • Two of China’s aircraft carriers were spotted conducting patrols near the Paracel Islands.

PLA Incursions Into Taiwanese Waters And Airspace

From 1-6 July, Taiwan experienced the following incursions by the PLA:

Aerial incursions: 137

Naval incursions: 42

U.S. Navy Uses Versatile New Missile On F/A-18
4 July 2024

The Navy has revealed an air-launched variant of the SM-6 known as the AIM-174 during the ongoing RIMPAC exercise. The SM-6 is originally a ground-launched missile, but it has been upgraded to be employed with aircraft.

Why This Matters

The AIM-174 marks a new milestone in air-launched ordnance. The SM-6 is a ground-launched projectile that can intercept air-breathing threats as well as ballistic missiles. It’s lauded for its long range of 260 miles. Using the missile on aviation platforms greatly improves their air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capability.

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Russian And Chinese Naval Patrols
4 July 2024

Russia’s TASS news agency reported that Russian Navy vessels joined a PLA Navy flotilla in the East China Sea, near South Korea and Japan, to conduct joint patrols. The Russian corvette Sovershennyy joined the Chinese destroyer Yinchuan, frigate Hengshui, and ship Weishanhu.

Why This Matters

Russia claimed the ships were scheduled joint anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and search and rescue drills. The U.S. and allies are currently conducting the massive RIMPAC exercise, so the Russian and Chinese patrols are a subtle reminder that the U.S. is being contested at sea.

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China Conducting Exercise In Laos
5 July 2024

On 2 July, Chinese troops arrived in Laos to begin exercise “Friendship Shield 2024.” The exercise runs from 5 - 18 July and is focused on “defense” operations. 300 of the 1,200 participants are from the PLA’s Hong Kong garrison.

Why This Matters

China has been aiming to align more Pacific nations to their cause, especially in an effort to establish permanent military relationships and to construct overseas bases.

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Chinese Aircraft Carriers Conduct Joint Patrol
2 July 2024

A PLA Navy formation of two aircraft carriers and eight support vessels were spotted conducting patrols in the South China Sea near Woody Island. Woody Island is the largest island in the Paracel Islands just outside of the First Island Chain. Woody Island has a PLA airstrip, hangars, and air defense batteries.

Why This Matters

China’s naval patrols are often more than just military displays or shows of force. In this case, the patrol circled islands that are contested by both China and Vietnam. Much like the PLA do to the Philippines, these naval actions are designed to threaten nations into abandoning claims and policies that are counter to CCP and PLA goals out of fear of conflict.

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End Brief

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