Anticipating Taiwan's Artillery Fire Range, China Strengthens Its Three Front Air Bases

JAKARTA - A recently published satellite image reveals that China's military (PLA) is increasing its capabilities and strengthening its defense of its most airbase with Taiwan along its southeast coast.

Not only one, but three air bases in Fujian Province have been upgraded, providing long-term logistical air combat support for the Chinese Air Force.

The images, taken by Planet Labs and first published by American technology and military website The Drive, show work on aircraft shelters and reinforced ammunition storage beginning early last year and continuing uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Longtian air base, work has included expansion and upgrades for air defense sites, runways, aprons and bunkers, according to images taken on October 2 showing four hangars under construction, all connected directly to the runway for rapid deployment.

Similar construction work was seen at the nearby Huian air base, 300 km (186 miles) from Taiwan's large underground Chiashan air base in Hualien. The design of the air defense sites, bomb shelters, and hangars is different from that of Longtian.

A new surface-to-air missile defense site has also been added in Zhangzhou, where the air force commander of the Chinese Air Force's Eastern Theater Command is based.

This work is in addition to the previously reported new hangars, as well as an upgraded and expanded missile base to accommodate more weapons systems in the eastern and southern theater commands.

Macau-based military expert Antony Wong Tong said the different designs and investments suggested the two airbases might play different roles in the PLA's plans for a possible war against Taiwan.

"Longtian is likely to be used as an alternative aerodrome after a major overhaul. While the four new aircraft shelters and 24 existing sunshade shelters at Huian air base, tell us it will be able to accommodate a full-scale aviation brigade," he said, citing the Korea Times from SCMP October 15th.

Separately, former instructor at the Taiwan Naval Academy in Kaohsiung Lu Li-Shih said the bomb shelters, hangars and other reinforcement projects were in response to an assessment of the threat of possible attack from the Taiwanese military, in the event of a war in the Taiwan Strait.

"The PLA is aware of the three air bases on the front line within range of Taiwan's new M109 self-propelled howitzer and other powerful weapons purchased from the United States after the war between the two sides broke out," Lu said.

"Not only the three air bases, but also other air bases and rocket bases on the coast and the southeastern province have been upgraded and expanded, showing Beijing has stepped up its combat preparations to 'reunify Taiwan' even though the supreme leader refused to reveal the schedule."

Meanwhile, Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wang Institute of Military Science and Technology in Beijing, said the upgrade and refurbishment project was part of the PLA's modernization program.

“Much of the airbase infrastructure on the southeast coast was built in the 1980s to accommodate older generation J-6 and J-7 fighter jets. However, now those aircraft have been replaced by more J-10s and J-16s, which are bigger and more expensive. advanced and needed large shelters and hangars," Zhou said.

"Indeed, more new weapons have been used, including more advanced air-to-air missiles and long-range missile launchers, all of which require newer and larger storage."