New images have surfaced of huge barges built by China, which experts fear could be used in a possible invasion of Taiwan. The structures are similar to the Mulberry Harbours used by the Allied forces on D-Day in 1944 to bring equipment and supplies ashore.
At least five of the barges are believed to have been under construction in southern China, according to reports. It is thought each barge has a bridge that can extend almost 400ft to reach the coastline to bring ashore heavy armour and supplies, while also having a platform where ships can dock and unload. Some of the barges have special pillars, which can be lowered to provide a stable platform even in poor conditions, Naval News reports.
Dr Emma Salisbury, Sea Power Research Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, told Naval News earlier this year: “Any invasion of Taiwan from the mainland would require a large number of ships to transport personnel and equipment across the Strait quickly, particularly land assets like armoured vehicles”.
“As preparation for an invasion, or at least to give China the option as leverage, I would expect to see a build-up of construction of ships that could accomplish this transportation.”
The vessels are believed to have been built in Guangzhou Shipyard.
Defence analyst Tom Shugsart, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) think tank, said on social media that satellite images suggest some of the barges under construction had left the shipyard.
The new images taken from an unknown beach are believed to have originated on Chinese social media.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, viewing the self-ruled island nation as a breakaway province.
China has not ruled out the use of force to take Taiwan which is around 100 miles of China’s south-east coast.
Beijing has been rapidly advancing its military capabilities in recent years, with China’s navy now believed to be the biggest in the world.
China recently conducted drills off Taiwan’s coast to the alarm of Taipei.
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