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Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena)

@sinotalk.bsky.social

47 followers 79 following 1.1K posts

Former USMC intel analyst with operational experience in the Indo-Pacific region. Main focus is on PLA modernization, the CCP, and domestic Chinese politics. Sino's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sino_talk

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Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The Type 076 could conduct its first sea trial within four to six months, depending on the success of the catapult tests.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The catapults would allow the PLAN to utilize Vertical and Short Take Off and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft from the Type 076 and its sister ships.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

This capability would enable units not to depend on PLAA or PLAN aerial assets to provide CAS and other types of fire support during operations.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

For instance, the catapults would allow the Type 076 to launch UAVs equipped to provide organic Close Air Support (CAS) to PLAA or PLANMC units during beach landings.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The catapults would allow the LHA to operate large UAVs, which enables the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to conduct additional types of aerial missions.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

While the Sichuan is considered an LHA because of its well deck and ability to carry three People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLANMC) or People’s Liberation Army Army (PLAA) companies, its EMALS and ability to control Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) mean the vessel is also a drone carrier.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The Type 076’s catapult test is important because its power projection capabilities significantly depend on the EMALS’ ability to effectively operate. However, the timeline for the LHA's first sea trial depends on the success of the nine-day catapult test and other ones that the Sichuan conducts.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The announcement was published after the canopies that previously covered the Type 076’s catapults were removed and the flightdeck markings added between late September and early October.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The advisory stipulated that the activities will occur from October 20th to October 29th, and it prohibits unauthorized vessels from entering the area.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) issued an advisory on October 18th that underwater activities will take place in front of the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard wharf from 9:00am to 17:00pm local time.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

The sled landed in the water approximately 290 feet (88 meters) in the Baoshan Waterway, and a dredger, Yangrongtai59, recovered it for reuse. At least two tugboats, the Hutuo03 and the Donghua2hao, assisted the Yangrongtai in the recovery.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

A weighted sled was used to conduct the test, which was attached to the catapult’s shuttle and launched from the flighdeck.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 1d

On October 21st, the first test of the Type 076/Yulan class LHA, the Sichuan’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) was conducted at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard on Changxing Island.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

However, the PLAN would require time to both completely develop and incorporate the new SOPs and tactics regarding how they would employ the barges during real-world operations.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The data would also be used to refine SOPs and tactics to enable the barges to be employed at small piers and ports that are located along Taiwan’s western coast.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

Furthermore, the data that the PLAN collected during this exercise would be used to evaluate how RoRo ships would dock with the barges and offload armored vehicles and other equipment.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The planners would combine what they learned from the exercise with the data from the LPUs' first drill in July to refine the SOPs and tactics for the barges.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The second exercise was conducted to allow the PLAN to increase their understanding of how the barges would operate in environments and locations that are similar to potential landing sites in Taiwan.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The LPUs’ effective deployment is crucial for the People’s Liberation Army to provide its units with adequate supplies and reinforcements as they conduct breakout operations to capture Taiwan.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is conducting a second exercise at Hepu Dasha Beach to further develop Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) and tactics on how to employ the barges effectively.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

However, cargo ships sailed further away from Nantian Island than usual, suggesting that the exercise took place from October 14th to 20th.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

Examination of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) of vessels that sail near the Ningbo-Zhoushan area indicates that no Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) vessels traveled to the exercise area.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The prohibited area also includes a channel that extends about 27.85 miles (44.82 kilometers) from the mainland to the islands.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration issued an air traffic advisory on October 14th regarding military drills that will be conducted in an area approximately 24.56 miles (39.53 kilometers) away from Hepu Dasha Beach at Daojiuwan and Luoqiuwan Islands on October 15th.

Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena) @sinotalk.bsky.social · 3d

The barges reached the beach and were assembled into a temporary pier by October 13th, according to @taiwanmonitor.bsky.social.

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Taiwan Security Monitor on X: "FYI: @MT_Anderson @SinoTalk @tshugart3 @AlexLuck9 @KTristanTang @supbrow." / X

FYI: @MT_Anderson @SinoTalk @tshugart3 @AlexLuck9 @KTristanTang @supbrow.

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