TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China's new bridge barges highlight the increasing integration of its military, paramilitary, and civilian forces and its potential plans to invade Taiwan. 

A video of China’s new barges filmed by an unknown user in Guangdong Province was later removed from WeChat, The Guardian reported. Naval News first reported the barges' construction at Zhanjiang Beach in January.

If China conducts a ground invasion, Taiwan could defend its approximately 20 beaches with anti-landing equipment. However, defense analysts said the new bridge barges could allow the PLA to overcome challenging landing conditions and offload tanks onto Taiwan's roads.

China Maritime Studies Institute Professor Andrew Erickson said, “These bridge barges are purpose-built for a Taiwan invasion scenario.” He said the barges provide PLA planners options along wider stretches of Taiwan’s coastline.

As China integrates its military, paramilitary, and civilian operations, satellite imagery shows the bridge barges led by at least two civilian ships. Additional vessels, including ones marked as fishing boats, followed behind. 

Reports said at least three more of the barges are under construction. Their design suggests they will work with China's roll-on-roll-off ferries to bring tanks and heavily armored vehicles across the Taiwan Strait.

Taoyuan city councilor and retired army general Yu Pei-chen (于北辰) said Taiwan’s military could deploy its HIMARS rocket systems, which it purchased from the US last year, to take out the barges. 

Defense analysts said the barges are not likely to be used in the first wave of an assault. They would act as a causeway to deliver troops, vehicles, and equipment from accompanying vessels.