This article is reprinted from 【China Radio International Military】;

Recently, the United States said that the United States and the Philippines have agreed to "restore so-called 'deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region' and promote peace through force", one of which is that the United States will deploy the "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System" in the Philippines.

So, what kind of system is this? What is the intention of the US move? Military observer Zhang Xuefeng interprets it.

US deployment of "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System"

Illustrative image: The instant when the US "Nemesis" coastal missile system launches the NSM anti-ship missile (Source: China National Defense Post)

Host: What are the characteristics of the US "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System"?

Zhang Xuefeng

The "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System" is a counter-ship missile system using a lightweight unmanned chassis, which is a key equipment of the Marine Corps littoral combat team. This system consists of two main parts: one part is the anti-ship missile and its launch device, and the other part is the remote control system.

This system has several features: first, the total weight of the vehicle is very light, which can be airlifted by C-130 transport aircraft, facilitating strategic mobility. Second, the shape is relatively small, making it difficult to detect. Third, the launch device uses unmanned technology, and if attacked, there will be no casualties. Fourth, the missile is quite advanced, adopting stealth penetration technology, infrared imaging guidance, good resistance to interference, and the ability to strike ground fixed targets, with a relatively long range.

US Marine Corps

Experimenting with the "Expeditionary Forward Base Operations" concept

Host: What is the purpose of the US deploying the "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System"?

Zhang Xuefeng

The US move is mainly aimed at testing the "Expeditionary Forward Base Operations" concept of the US Marine Corps. This operational concept is also known as "island-hopping operations" and focuses on the so-called "first island chain".

According to the US plan, when a crisis occurs, the US can quickly deploy the combat detachments of the littoral combat team to the islands in the so-called "first island chain". These detachments are equipped with equipment that is highly concealed and mobile, enabling them to continue fighting within the range of the opponent's long-range firepower, buying time for the arrival of subsequent forces. The core equipment in this process is the "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System". The combat detachment can use this system to strike nearby surface ships, block channels, and achieve "sea control through islands".

The US ties the Philippines to the "war machine"

Host: Why did the US choose the Philippines as the deployment location for the "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System"?

Zhang Xuefeng

The US has three considerations in choosing the Philippines: first, the Philippines itself has many islands, providing a natural venue for "island-hopping operations". The US military can improve its survivability with the "three holes for a rabbit".

Second, the geographical position of the Philippines is important, bordering the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. If this system is deployed in the north of the Philippines, its range can cover a considerable part of the Bashi Channel; if deployed in the west of the Philippines, its range can cover a considerable part of the South China Sea.

Third, it is relatively easier for the US to control the Philippine government. If the US were to deploy this system in Japan or South Korea, it would be more complicated.

What about the operational effect?

Host: The US has publicly claimed that the "Expeditionary Forward Base Operations" concept is "specifically targeting China". So, if the US uses the "Marine Expeditionary Vessel Interception System" in the so-called "first island chain" in the future and applies the "Expeditionary Forward Base Operations" concept, how effective will it actually be?

Zhang Xuefeng

The US military is suitable for fighting "with the wind at their back", i.e., fighting in areas where they have air superiority and sea supremacy. However, the usage scenario of the "Expeditionary Forward Base Operations" concept is within the denied area of the opponent. In this area, the US forces are insufficient to seize air supremacy and sea supremacy, so the safety of their own forces becomes a problem.

For example, if deployed in the Philippines and near the South China Sea islands, these areas are not only within the strike range of Chinese missiles, but also within the fire coverage range of Chinese aviation. Long-endurance armed reconnaissance drones are particularly suitable for hunting and eliminating such systems. Deploying such systems in the so-called "first island chain" is undoubtedly self-destructive.

Source: China Radio International Military

Reporter: Hu Chengcheng

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493533265832247848/

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