US Navy handout photograph shows analyst pointing at screen showing Chinese construction activities at Fiery Cross Reef. REUTERS
China may soon carry out military air patrols over the West Philippine Sea following the completion of its airstrip at Fiery Cross Reef, located in the disputed Spratly Islands.
According to IHS Jane's Defense, surveillance photos taken by Airbus Defense and Space Satellite last September 20, 2015 show that the construction of the 3,125 meter long runway is complete.
The photos showed the presence of helipads and the workers had painted the bearings 050° at one end the runway and 230° at the other end.
"The completion of the runway, which previous imagery suggest only occurred in recent weeks, will enable China to accelerate construction of infrastructure and potentially start air patrols over the Spratly islands, which are claimed and occupied by a number of countries," IHS Jane's said.
Fiery Cross Reef is now China's largest base and its first operational combat airstrip in the disputed zone. China is also building two other airstrips at Subi Reef and Mischief Reef. All three reefs are within the area claimed by the Philippines. Photograph below is another handout from the US Navy, released through Reuters news service.
Philippine Defense officials had admitted that the Chinese airstrips can be used by China to enforce an Air Defense Interdiction Zone (ADIZ), where it could control air traffic over the West Philippine Sea.
Surveillance photos also show construction workers continue to build more structures on Fiery Cross Reef, including a seawall and road networks. A significant feature is the dumping of topsoil along the side of the runways – the topsoil is landscaping to grow food on the island and prevent erosion.
IHS Jane's points out Fiery Cross Reef is the "most extensive landmass" built by China in the Spratly islands, noting that this is the "future hub for (Beijing's) operations in the southern reaches of the South China Sea."
Meanwhile, China has apparently begun construction of its second aircraft carrier – which will be the first one built by China.
IHS Jane's said surveillance photos taken last September 22, 2015 show an unidentified ship hull under construction at the Dalian shipyard.
IHS Jane's pointed out the hull was in an advanced state of construction in the dry dock used by China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. The Liaoning is a Soviet- era Kuznetzov class carrier which Beijing bought from Ukraine.
The hull construction started in March 2015 and has been lengthened and widened. IHS Jane's concedes there can be no conclusive indenfication until the upper decks and the flight decks are built.
However, it noted, the "slow pace of assembly and outline suggests a military hull is under construction."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118177/china-completes-fiery-cross-reef-airstrip-building-2nd-aircraft-carrier
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