China alarmed as US tests 'Quicksink' bomb to rein in bellicose PLA Navy
Chinese quicksink bombs (File photo)
The United States is working on ‘Quicksink’ bombs, designed to annihilate ships the size of an aircraft carrier. With an eye on a belligerent Beijing, Washingtonrecently tested the low-cost bomb, dropped by a US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber onto the decommissioned USS Tarawa, an 820-foot-long, 39,000-ton amphibious assault ship. Experts are of the view that such a bomb might prove to be a game-changer in a war with China.
The US Navy's 3rd fleet conducted this exercise during the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) war drill off the shores of Hawaii, showcasing the ability of its B-2 bomber to sink a large surface ship.
The 3rd fleet in a press release said, "This capability is an answer to an urgent need to quickly neutralise maritime threats over massive expanses of ocean around the world at minimal costs.”
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The Rimpac drill was joined by 28 allies of the US, including the United Kingdom, France and Israel. A total of 40 surface ships, including destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers as well asthree submarines and 25,000 personnel took part in the exercise.
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A total of two sinking exercises were conducted, with the other target ship being the retired USS Dubuque.
China, the obvious target
Interestingly, China used to be a part of the Rimpac exercises till 2014. However, it was no longer invited in recent years due to increasing power struggles between the two countriesand Beijing's increased aggression in the 'South China Sea'.
Experts also linked the recent test of the USA's 'quicksink' bomb to China's increased hostilities in Southeast Asian waters.
“The B-2’s demonstrated anti-maritime capability will constrain if not deter plan operations east of Taiwan or off the Philippines,” said Carl Shuster, a former head of the US Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Centre, while speaking to news broadcaster CNN.
“You cannot ignore a weapon that can sink a 25,000-plus-ton ship with one hit,” he added.
China's bellicose media has issued sharp comments on the 'quicksink' bombs in the past. Even before the test was carried out on July 19, Chinese state media said American outdated ships cannotbe compared with China'smodern equipment.
(With inputs from agencies)