Chinese military sources indicate that the People"s Liberation Army (PLA) could potentially militarize shipping containers with various advanced systems. These systems may include heavy YJ-18C anti-ship missiles (AShMs), decoy launchers, electronic warfare (EW) radars and jammers, as well as anti-drone systems.
This development aligns with recent reports highlighting the PLA"s ambitions, including the 2025 China Military Power Report, which states that the PLA aims to win a conflict over Taiwan by 2027. The militarization of containers could enhance the PLA"s operational capabilities in various scenarios.
As the PLA continues to modernize its military assets, this potential strategy reflects ongoing efforts to expand its reach and effectiveness in maritime operations.
Further developments in the PLA"s naval capabilities are anticipated, with the Department of Defense expecting the PLA to launch five more aircraft carriers in the next ten years, indicating a significant expansion of China"s naval power.
