【By Observer Net, Shanzhuai】
In recent years, new achievements in China's military equipment construction have continued to emerge. In particular, at the end of 2024, the appearance of two suspected sixth-generation fighter prototypes has attracted attention. Considering that some previous generation star equipment, such as the J-20, was also first exposed at the end of the year, some foreign media and analysts have begun to "look for a boat by its shadow" and are seriously waiting for "possible new Chinese equipment to be revealed at the end of the year." Recently, a set of images circulating on the Internet, supposedly showing a "Chinese container weapon cargo ship," has drawn attention. The American website "The War Zone" reported that this medium-sized cargo ship, equipped with what appears to be modular container missile vertical launch systems, sensors, and self-defense weapons, seems to indicate that China may have the capability to "convert large merchant ships into armories, not just missile launch platforms."
Images of the modified cargo ship that first appeared online (top image) and other subsequent pictures
The report analyzed these images and concluded that the containers loaded on the deck can store, load weapons, and sensors. These containers form a temporary superstructure, which can be used to convert the cargo ship into some kind of heavily armed surface combat vessel. This includes a (suspected) rotating phased array radar antenna installed in front of the bridge, three dome-shaped antenna covers on top of other containers, possibly radar or communication antennas; a 11-barrel 30mm close-in weapon system mounted on a raised container at the bow, interference rocket launchers at lower positions on both sides, and inflatable life rafts for additional personnel on board.
Radars and antennas placed on the raised containers in front of the bridge (left), and close-in weapons, interference rocket launchers, and inflatable life rafts placed on the raised containers at the bow (right)
The next part is the most important part of the ship, the midship deck filled with containers. These containers are suspected to have missile launchers in an upright position, with four cylindrical objects on each "launcher" inside the containers. These container-mounted "launchers" have five rows from left to right and three rows front to back, totaling 60 units of large vertical launch systems. This is equivalent to two-thirds of the number of Mk41 VLS units on the "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyers of the Flight I or Flight II batches.
The report believes that due to the relatively large structure of the suspected radar antennas, the ship is more like a warning ship capable of providing area air defense rather than a simple arsenal ship. Although this does not mean that the launch devices cannot carry other weapons. In summary, this type of modified ship might be "very useful" in providing sustained air defense in specific regions.
The report also connects this "impressive new discovery" with other normal maritime defense mobilization exercises conducted by China, including but not limited to roll-on/roll-off passenger and cargo ships for troop transportation, combined training between Army Aviation Corps helicopter forces and semi-submersible ships for maritime docking and support. Container weapons have gradually evolved from a controversial "novel concept" at the beginning of this century into a mainstream choice. The United States itself has developed various weapon systems based on standard container sizes. Even without considering the "Typhoon" missile using military trailers, the LCS deck tested the Mk70 "containerized VLS system" (PDS), and the "Ranger" unmanned demonstrator ship added a container "Standard" SM-6, all demonstrating this point. In recent years, the U.S. Navy has also considered "merchant ships equipped with shipboard weapons," further attempting to use modular container weapons to quickly and cost-effectively convert civilian ships into combat platforms to compensate for the lack of warships.
The "Independence"-class LCS-28 "Savannah" (left) and the "Freedom"-class LCS-27 "Nantucket" (right) littoral combat ships, each carrying the Mk70 container launch system on their stern helicopter decks for testing
An article published on the USNI website discussing the use of container weapons to modify merchant ships
On the other hand, assessing the credibility and rationality of this modified cargo ship requires answering some questions, such as how close it is to the real configuration? Is it a conceptual demonstration prototype or just a model? And what is the strength of the installation of radar and close-in weapons? The report believes that at least the radar equipment appears "relatively stable," but the radar being at the same height as the bridge may cause some line-of-sight obstructions, although there may be other ways to alleviate this. Moreover, installing all the equipment on a merchant ship does not necessarily mean it can be effectively used. Therefore, what kind of combat command system can integrate these weapons and sensors and make them effective in combat is difficult to judge from the appearance.
The report stated that although some people strongly oppose arming merchant ships, believing that this would make all ships potential targets in conflicts, the advantage of "readily available" is obvious. The report also claimed that due to China's massive shipping fleet and shipbuilding capacity, it may use this concept to "cause great trouble for the U.S. and its allies," and looking back, the U.S. Navy, whose shipbuilding capabilities are increasingly lagging and exacerbated by a series of failed warship projects, may "have to take a similar approach," although it is unclear how the U.S. will quickly expand its "converted warship" fleet with its current shipbuilding capabilities and merchant fleet size. In conclusion, the report believes that the concept of armed cargo ships from China still has many aspects worth paying attention to, and the report, following its usual experience, still believes that this may not be the only "Christmas surprise" coming from China in the remaining days of this year.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7588143390870241818/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.