US Defense News Releases Satellite Images, SCMP Analyzes Namhae Command Defense Purpose
Runways Increased to Two and Lengthened... Capable of Large Aircraft Takeoff and Landing Including Bombers
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] It has been confirmed that the People's Liberation Army is expanding the Suixi County Air Force Base in Guangdong Province amid Chinese President Xi Jinping's orders to maintain combat readiness. The Suixi County Air Force Base is under the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military and is known to be responsible for defending the South Sea Command of the People's Navy in nearby Zhanjiang City.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 10th, citing satellite images from the U.S. military media Defense News, that the number of runways at Suixi County Air Force Base has increased from one to two.
The newly constructed runway is 2,800 meters long, and the existing runway has been extended to 3,500 meters. The width of the military aircraft taxiway has also expanded from 18 meters to 34 meters.
In this regard, Defense News interpreted the runway length extension and taxiway widening as an indication of plans to operate large military aircraft such as strategic bombers.
SCMP also analyzed that the runway length was extended to enable the takeoff and landing of large military aircraft. Mahmood Ali, a professor at the China Research Institute of Malaya University, told SCMP, "The runway length extension is for the takeoff and landing of large military aircraft," adding that the Suixi County Air Force Base's mission could expand into a comprehensive air force operations center operating not only fighter jets but also strategic bombers, early warning aircraft, and aerial refueling tankers."
SCMP pointed out that the expansion of Suixi County Air Force Base also implies a defense of the nearby South Sea Command in Zhanjiang City in case of emergency. SCMP explained that in the worst-case scenario, if the South Sea Command in Zhanjiang City falls, not only Guangdong Province but also Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hunan Province, and Guizhou Province could be breached.
Zhanjiang City was formerly a French concession and was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II, making it a key military strategic point in southern China. Additionally, Guangdong Province borders Fujian Province, which is known as the frontline facing Taiwan, making it a crucial area to defend militarily.
It is known that SU-35 fighter jets are deployed at Suixi County Air Force Base, and the possibility of additional deployment of core Chinese Air Force fighters such as the stealth J-20 cannot be ruled out.
Meanwhile, the People's Daily reported that on the 9th, President Xi visited the Chinese military's Joint Operations Command Center and ordered strengthening of combat readiness, citing the unstable and uncertain security situation. On that day, President Xi commanded the military leadership to "focus all energy on war and accelerate building the capability to win."
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