The situation in the Taiwan Strait has been tense in recent years, and the Taiwan authorities have constantly provoked the mainland in an attempt to seek "the best space." In order to achieve this goal, the Taiwan authorities do not hesitate to collude with the United States and purchase a large number of advanced US products in an attempt to enhance their military strength. Recently, Taiwan has purchased 11 sets of American-made "Seahorse" rocket launchers purchased by the Taiwan military, which are scheduled to be in place in 2024 and all deployed on the side close to the mainland. This caused concern among military experts, who believe that these rocket artillery will pose a great threat to the PLA landing force. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the power of the "Seahorse" rocket launcher and the possible countermeasures of the PLA.
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a lightweight, multi-launcher, long-range rocket system developed by Lockheed Martin and entered service in 2005. It is an important fire support for the U.S. military, with high mobility and rapid deployment. Its flexibility in multi-barreled ranged kill** makes it extremely powerful on the battlefield.
The main armament of the Hippocampus rocket artillery is a 6 6-wheeled truck with a 6-tube rocket launcher mounted on the vehicle, which can launch different types of rockets or tactical missiles. Its range varies depending on the type of projectile, but can reach up to 300 kilometers. It is also highly mobile, allowing it to move quickly and conceal itself on any terrain, quickly withdrawing after launch to avoid enemy counterattacks. It is also simple to deploy, with only 3 operators, it can be prepared for launch in a few minutes, and the launch can also be controlled remotely.
The main countertactics of the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery are to use its long-range strike capability to carry out precise strikes on the enemy's important targets, destroy the enemy's command, communications, radar, airports, ports, and other facilities, weaken the enemy's defense and reaction capabilities, and create favorable conditions for friendly forces to attack or defend. It can also deliver saturation strikes on the enemy's assembled forces or mobile forces, causing massive losses in personnel and equipment, and disrupting the enemy's deployment and plans.
The purpose of the Taiwan authorities' purchase of the "Hippocampus" rocket launcher is to enhance their anti-landing capability and prevent the PLA from acting in a unified armed manner. Through a detailed analysis of the range of the Hippocampus rocket launcher, its mobility, and the armament of the tactical missile, we recognize its potential threat.
First of all, in terms of range, the maximum range of the "Hippocampus" rocket launcher can reach 300 km, which means that it can cover most of the Taiwan Strait and even hit some cities along the coast of Fujian. This is a serious threat to the landing forces of the PLA, because they are the most vulnerable during the build-up and loading of the landing forces, and they can easily become targets for the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery. If the Taiwan military can accurately grasp the landing plan and position of the PLA, then the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery can inflict a fatal blow on the PLA's landing force, and may even lead to the failure of the landing operation.
Secondly, from the point of view of mobility, the "Seahorse" rocket artillery is very mobile, can quickly move and conceal on any terrain, and quickly evacuate after firing to avoid enemy counterattacks. This is a challenge for the PLA's firepower strike, because in order to effectively destroy the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, it is necessary to first find its location and then strike with sufficient firepower. However, the mobility of the "Hippocampus" rocket launcher makes it difficult to detect and lock, and even if it is detected, it is likely that it has already shifted its position before the strike arrives. Therefore, if the PLA wants to carry out effective firepower strikes against the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, it must have efficient reconnaissance, surveillance, and target designation capabilities, as well as rapid fire response capabilities.
Finally, from the point of view of tactical missiles, the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery can launch different types of tactical missiles, the most threatening of which is the American ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System). ATACMS is a long-range precision-guided** that can carry different types of warheads, including high-explosive warheads, cluster warheads, armor-piercing warheads, etc., and can deliver precision strikes against enemy fixed or moving targets. With a range of up to 300 kilometers, ATACMS can strike at important targets of the PLA, destroy the PLA's command, communications, radar, airports, ports and other facilities, and weaken the PLA's defense and response capabilities. The strike accuracy of ATACMS is also very high, which can reach a circular probability error of several meters, and can carry out precise strikes on the assembled forces or mobile units of the PLA, causing a large number of losses in personnel and equipment, and disrupting the deployment and planning of the PLA.
To sum up, the range, mobility, and equipment of tactical missiles of the "Hippocampus" rocket launcher make it a serious threat to the PLA landing force.
Taiwan's geographical location has enabled the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery to effectively strike at the PLA landing force. The topography of the Taiwan Strait and the distribution of ports in surrounding cities add to the complexity of the PLA's response to the challenges. This section analyzes the challenges that the PLA may face.
First of all, geographically, Taiwan is located on the opposite side of the southeast coast of the mainland, only 130 kilometers from the nearest place to the mainland, while the average width of the Taiwan Strait is 180 kilometers. This means that most of Taiwan is within range of the "Seahorse" rocket artillery, and Taiwan's western coastal areas are Taiwan's political, economic and military center, as well as the main target of the PLA landing. Therefore, Taiwan's geographical location makes it possible for the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery to strike at the PLA's landing force in an all-round way, putting tremendous pressure on the PLA's landing operations.
Second, judging from the topography of the Taiwan Strait, the Taiwan Strait is a long and narrow body of water, and the land on both sides of the strait forms a natural barrier to it. The water depth of the Taiwan Strait is also not deep, with an average depth of 60 meters and a maximum depth of no more than 100 meters. This means that the waters of the Taiwan Strait are vulnerable to monitoring by Taiwan's radar, sonar and underwater sensors, as well as by Taiwanese aircraft, ships and submarines. Therefore, the topography of the Taiwan Strait puts the PLA's landing force in a passive defensive state in the process of crossing the strait, and it is difficult to effectively evade or counter the strikes of the "Hippocampus" rocket artillery.
Finally, judging from the distribution of ports in surrounding cities, the urban ports on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are important support and target points for the PLA landing force. The city port on the mainland side is the assembly and loading point of the PLA landing force, as well as the logistics support point of the PLA. The city port on the Taiwan side is a breakthrough and control point for the PLA landing force, as well as a strategic point for Taiwan. This means that the cities and ports on both sides of the strait are the priority targets of the "Haima" rocket artillery, and if they are successfully hit by the "Haima" rocket artillery, it will have a serious impact on the PLA's landing operations. Therefore, the distribution of cities and ports on both sides of the strait makes it difficult for the PLA landing troops to face the threat of "Hippocampus" rocket artillery before and after the landing, and it is difficult to ensure the smooth and safe landing.
To sum up, Taiwan's geographical location, the topography of the Taiwan Strait, and the distribution of cities and ports on both sides of the strait have all brought different challenges to the PLA's landing force and increased the difficulty for the PLA to deal with the "Seahorse" rocket artillery.
In response to the threat of "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, the PLA has adopted a series of countermeasures. Including the deployment of PHL-191 vehicle-mounted rocket artillery, the armed *** air force multi-role fighter of the army aviation brigade and other advanced systems. This section provides a detailed description of the PLA's possible strategic and countermeasures.
First of all, from a strategic point of view, the PLA's countermeasures are to take the initiative to attack, supplemented by defensive counterattacks, and to quickly eliminate Taiwan's fire support capability as the goal, and to ensure the safety of the landing force as the premise. Specifically, the PLA will carry out a pre-emptive strike on Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery before the start of the landing operation to weaken its threat. At the same time, the PLA will carry out sustained strikes against Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery during the landing operation to eliminate its threat. In addition, after the end of the landing operation, the PLA will carry out a clearance strike on Taiwan's "Seahorse" rocket artillery in order to completely eliminate its threat.
Second, from the point of view of the PLA, the PLA's countermeasures are to use diversified systems as means, precision strikes and saturation strikes as methods, to destroy Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery as the goal, and to ensure the landing force's firepower superiority as the goal. Specifically, the PLA will use the following ** systems to strike at Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery:
PHL-191 Vehicle-mounted Rocket Artillery: This is a new rocket artillery system of the PLA, consisting of an 8 8 wheeled truck carrying an 8-tube rocket launcher, which can fire different types of rockets or tactical missiles. With a range of up to 350 km, it can deliver long-range strikes against Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, destroying its launch platforms and ammunition depots. It is also highly mobile, allowing it to move quickly and conceal itself on any terrain, quickly withdrawing after launch to avoid enemy counterattacks. It is also simple to deploy, with only 3 operators, it can be prepared for launch in a few minutes, and the launch can also be controlled remotely.
The armed *** of the army aviation brigade is an important fire support of the PLA, which is composed of various types of armed ***, such as Z-10, Z-19, Z-20, etc. They can carry different types of missiles, rockets, artillery shells, etc., and can strike at close range at Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, destroying its launchers and operators. They are also highly maneuverable, can fly at low altitudes and take advantage of terrain cover, and quickly move after launch to avoid enemy counterattacks. They are also flexible in deployment and can take off and land anytime and anywhere, as well as in coordination with the landing force.
Air Force Multi-Role Fighter: This is a core fire support of the PLA**, consisting of a variety of multi-role fighters, such as J-10, J-11, J-16, J-20, etc. They can carry different types of missiles, bombs, rockets, etc., and can carry out long-range strikes against Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery and destroy its launch platforms and ammunition depots. They are also highly maneuverable, allowing them to fly at high altitudes and utilize stealth technology, quickly moving after launch to avoid enemy counterattacks. They are also stable in deployment and can take off and land at multiple air bases on the mainland, as well as coordinate operations with naval aircraft carriers.
To sum up, the PLA's countermeasures are to use diversified first-class systems as means, precision strikes and saturation strikes as methods, to destroy Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery as the goal, and to ensure the firepower superiority of the landing force.
Finally, this article warns against the illusion that some people in Taiwan are pinning their hopes on buying US military forces to realize the illusion of "resisting reunification by force." The PLA's geographical advantage and diversified equipment enable it to respond quickly and accurately to potential threats. The article calls for a rational view of the arms race and to avoid turning "rejecting reunification by force" into a dangerous dream.
First of all, geographically, the PLA has strong military forces on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and can effectively blockade and control Taiwan. The PLA's rocket artillery, armed multi-role fighters and other systems can counteract Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery and render it useless. The landing force of the PLA can also break through Taiwan's defenses in multiple directions and at times, achieving rapid landing and control. Thus, the PLA's geographical superiority allows it to form an overwhelming advantage over Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, making it impossible to prevent the PLA from acting in unity.
Secondly, from the point of view of equipment, the PLA has a significant advantage in quantity and quality, and can effectively destroy Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery. The PLA's rocket artillery, armed multi-role fighters and other first-class systems have been tested in actual combat and have a high degree of reliability and practicability. The PLA's first-class system is also constantly updated and upgraded, maintaining a technological level that keeps pace with the times. Therefore, the PLA's superiority in equipment enables it to form an absolute superiority over Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, making it impossible for it to withstand the PLA's firepower strikes.
To sum up, the PLA has a huge advantage in terms of geographical location and equipment, and can effectively counter and destroy Taiwan's "Hippocampus" rocket artillery, making it impossible to realize the illusion of "resisting reunification by force." This article calls on some people in Taiwan to take a rational view of the arms race, not to be confused by the United States, not to let "resisting reunification by force" become a dangerous dream, but to conform to the trend of history, peacefully reunify, and share the prosperity and development of the motherland.