Military build up in South China Sea

Vietnam has fortified several islands in the disputed South China Sea with mobile rocket launchers capable of striking Chinese bases across the vital trade route. The move follows China’s construction of reinforced aircraft hangars on islands under its control

Chinese claim line

SOUTH CHINA SEA

160km 100 miles

Spratly Islands

Fiery Cross Reef

Chinese-built islets with operational airstrip: Hangar space for up to 24 fighter jets and four larger planes on each reef

Subi Reef

Mischief Reef

SOUTH CHINA SEA

PHILIPPINES

MALAYSIA

EXTRA

4m

ISLAND CLAIMS

China

Vietnam

Taiwan

China land reclamation

Malaysia

Philippines

Airstrips

Spratly Islands: Launchers deployed on five bases. Believed to be  rocket artillery system recently acquired from Israel

EXTRA – Extended Range Artillery Highly accurate to range of 150km. 150kg warheads can carry high explosives or bomblets to attack multiple targets simultaneously

Four-unit pod configuration for land-based launches

GPS-based inertial navigation system corrects trajectory during flight, ensuring precision to within 10m

Sources: Center for Strategic and International Studies, Israel Aircraft Industries