China is testing anti-ship ballistic missiles in the South China Sea. Which is a potential carrier killer. It's a battle of the kill chain. And India needs to worry, too.
This is something to keep an eye on:
In August 2020, China fired what were reported to be anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) into the South China Sea. The missile firings were the second time that China launched such missiles into the disputed waters. The first occurred in June 2019, when China fired six ASBMs into the area. Whether the two missile firings were launched against mobile targets or predetermined ones at sea is unclear, but it is likely that the ASBMs involved were DF-21D medium-range or DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
Is this is a political test to warn America away from challenging Chinese claims to own most of the South China Sea? Or is it pushing forward a real military capability?
The weapon is a threat to more than carriers, but the weapon is a waste against smaller ships when other anti-ship weapons are available. Nor should American carriers be operating that close to China before we can grind down their anti-ship capabilities.
And India should worry, too, though I never see that mentioned.
