TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A defense expert said special barges China is building to land PLA troops on Taiwan's beaches have limited combat value due to their strike vulnerability, CNA reported.
Shen Ming-shih (沈明室), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said Monday the vessels feature a 120-meter bridge-like structure at the bow for heavy armor to drive directly onto shore. The stern has a ramp that can connect with roll-on/roll-off ships, forming a continuous landing chain.
In theory, this design increases the PLA’s amphibious options, speeds armored unit landings, and compensates for its shortage of large-scale amphibious ships. Once a beachhead is secured, the barges could quickly ferry reinforcements to controlled shores
Shen pointed out that three barges, painted with hull numbers “Donggong 401, 402, and 403,” have been integrated into the PLA fleet. Naming conventions indicate they are assigned to the East Sea Fleet under the Eastern Theater Command, China’s main force for invading Taiwan.
He outlined countermeasures in two phases: transit and landing. During transit, the unarmed barges could be targeted by anti-ship missiles or aircraft, with any armored vehicles and personnel aboard at risk.
During the landing phase, the vessels link with ferries or larger landing ships, creating even larger targets. If junction points are struck, the entire landing operation would be disrupted.
Even if the PLA secures a beachhead, Taiwan’s long-range weapons, such as the Thunderbolt-2000 and HIMARS multiple rocket systems, could destroy the barges. Special forces that infiltrate near landing zones could also sabotage critical structures, rendering the vessels unusable.
Shen concluded that in a Taiwan Strait defense scenario, the barges could be destroyed at any stage with a variety of weapons. “Although the PLA has already built five of these vessels, their high susceptibility to detection and attack makes the vessels extremely vulnerable, and any damage would disrupt operations, leaving their overall combat effectiveness unremarkable,” said Shen.
