WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- U.S. military planners are no longer confident they can repel an attack against Taiwan by an increasingly large and sophisticated Chinese force.
China launched 13 attack submarines between 2002 and 2004, a period when it also built 23 ships that can ferry armored vehicles and troops across the Taiwan Strait, the New York Times said Friday.
"Their amphibious assault ship building alone equals the entire U.S. navy shipbuilding since 2002," said an intelligence official in Washington. "It definitely represents a significant increase in overall capacity."
U.S. carriers responding to a crisis would now, initially, have to operate at least 500 miles from Taiwan, severely limiting the number and flight time jet fighters could loiter over Taiwan.
In addition, U.S. forces would first need to subdue Chinese submarines before moving ships close to Taiwan.
The slightest delay in dispatching U.S. carriers could mean China would be able to defeat and occupy Taiwan before U.S. assistance even arrives.
