New photos show China’s massive naval ships that experts say could be used for possible Taiwan invasion

Photos emerged Friday that apparently show China’s newly constructed and behemoth naval vessels that experts have reportedly suggested would fit right into a strategy for an invasion of the coveted island of Taiwan.

THE NEW YORK POST | Published March 15, 2024

Photos emerged Friday that apparently show China’s newly constructed and behemoth naval vessels that experts have reportedly suggested would fit right into a strategy for an invasion of the coveted island of Taiwan.

Naval News first reported months ago that China was building at least five unique, massive barges outfitted with a long road-bridge extending 393-feet from their bow that could be used to land tanks on a shore.

The pictures circulating on social media show vessels fitting that description in Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China upriver of the coastal Hong Kong.

“Any invasion of Taiwan from the mainland would require a large number of ships to transport personnel and equipment across the Strait quickly, particularly land assets like armored vehicles,” Dr. Emma Salisbury, Sea Power Research Fellow at the Council of Geostrategy, told Naval News.

This extended reach capability of the ships means that China could choose from a wider range of targets for landing their ships than previously considered and would no longer be reliant on Taiwanese ports for landing military vehicles, according to Naval News.

Underneath the massive ship are eight “jack-up” pillars which can be dropped to stabilize the platform as military vehicles pass over like a makeshift highway, according to diagrams included in the report.

On the back of the ships is a self-supporting ramp that allows for the docking of other boats.

The barges are designed specifically to work with China’s roll-on/roll-off ferries, which are required to meet military specifications, though they are mainly used for commercial purposes.

Those RO-RO ferries are built to carry military vehicles including heavy battle tanks and would latch directly onto the backs of the barge, according to images circulated in the report.

“China is constructing a huge fleet of dual-use ships — commercial vessels that could be easily requisitioned for military use when needed,” Dr. Salisbury told the outlet.

Taiwanese conscripts take part in a live-fire exercise featuring the Taiwan-made Kestrel Rocket launcher, at a military base in Tainan, Taiwan, in Nov. 2024.Anadolu via Getty Images

“These include in particular roll-on/roll-off ships that would be perfect for transporting military vehicles — and have indeed been built with military specs in mind,” she said.

Other civilian vessels have received similar modifications as part of a People’s Liberation Army initiative, according to Maritime Executive.

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SOURCE: www.nypost.com

RELATED: Chinese ‘invasion barges’ spotted on drills for first time

Beijing’s navy exercising huge Normandy landing-style craft could be early warning sign of full-scale Taiwan assault

The Shuiqiao barges have long road bridges measuring up to 120m (394ft) extending from their bows Credit: x.com/Defence_IDA

THE TELEGRAPH | Published March 15, 2024

Chinese “D-Day style” barges have been spotted practising what appear to be amphibious landings in the South China Sea.

Footage shows the Chinese Navy exercising the huge special landing barges, which defence analysts warn could prove critical in the event of a full-scale invasion of Taiwan.

The Shuiqiao barges, which seemingly draw inspiration from the Mulberry harbours built for the Normandy landings in 1944, have long road bridges measuring up tp 120m (139ft) extending from their bows.

The bridges act as floating retractable pier that could be used to rapidly unload tanks, fighting vehicles, heavy equipment or troops from ships to enemy shores.

They may allow Beijing’s forces to bypass beach defences or to reach beaches previously considered unsuitable for amphibian landings.