US Deploys P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Singapore

US Navy has deployed it's most advanced maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), the P-8A Poseidon in Singapore for the first time. The P-8 MPA is a Boeing 737 modified with advanced sensors for hunting submarines. It is also capable of electronic intelligence (ELINT) gathering.

The deployment of the P-8A is significant considering that the US Navy is cautiously challenging China on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. On 26 Oct, USS Larsen made a sortie through areas around the Spratly Islands claimed by China as its territorial waters. On 12 Nov, two USAF B-52 Flying Fortresses flew near the islands again, although not within 12-miles limit claimed by China.

Comment:
China has criticized the deployment as further militarization of the South China Sea region. It is probably concerned about the ELINT activities of the United States as it seeks to strengthen its position and claim to islands in the South China sea.



Navy Times

US Navy Practises Freedom of Navigation Passage In Disputed South China Sea Waters

Photo: USS Lassen Facebook

Having stated its intention months ago, the United States is now conducting navigation in international water around the Spratly Islands. The Arleigh Burke class AEGIS destroyer, USS Lassen will patrol within the 12-nautical-mile mark around the artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea. This marks the start of challenges to China's territorial claims in one of the world's busiest sea lanes.  China shore up Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago in a massive dredging project and turned them into artifical islands in 2014. These reefs that were formerly submerged at high tide. The United States has announced it does not recognise China's claims to territorial waters around the artificial islands.

Photo: USS Lassen Facebook. HSM-51 Air Detachment maintains an MH-60R onboard USS LASSEN, South China Sea, October 2015.

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