Disputing Chinese Sea Control Through Offensive Sea Mining
Abstract
This article focuses on the application of how mines can be useful for disputing sea control against China. It argues that the United States Indo-Pacific command should aggressively pursue offensive mining capabilities in the Yellow Sea and Pearl River Delta in order to enhance the commanders ability to dispute Chinese sea control. This paper expands on the current body of mine warfare academic work by demonstrating the applicability of sea mine use in peer competition conflicts and detailing the advantages the United States gains from mines as a tool for challenging sea control. The use of mine warfare against China would provide three key effects. The mining of these two key waterways would strike at a known vulnerability in Chinese military capability. Mines are also an effective and inexpensive weapon that can provide INDOPACOM with the time and space to build forces for an effective counterattack. Finally, mining will allow the United States to disrupt the Chinese economy by interrupting the flow of Chinese trade goods and oil imports.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 13, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1147961
Entities
People
- Victor Duenow
Organizations
- Naval War College