Ever heard about asymmetric warfare? Im not saying anything about closing the strait. There was once an era where the "piracy" over malaka strait somehow got bloomed. This event followed by accusing Indonesia not being able to maintain security in their own area thus bringing the idea of having US/Foreign troops permanently patrol the area. To do that the US/Foreign troops need a place to refuel and making a base over there justified. If I recall correctly this was supported by 2 of our "friendly" neighbor. This anger our Govt and indirectly accuse our neighbor has hidden agenda over this event.
Naval asymmetric warfare has become obsolete in the facteof satellite tracking + MPA's. Current satellite technology has progressed to the point that you can track a skiff fairly accurately with the aid of a manned/unmanned MPA aircraft. Why else do you think the Singaporeans largely abandoned their fast missile boat doctrine in favor of satellites, large warships, MPA's and and Strike Eagles equipped with Harpoons?
Gunboat diplomacy is one of many tools in geopolitics. This kinda of diplomacy doesnt stand alone, its part of strategic/tactical diplomacy to influence others to reach the goal. It also has its own limitation as in how far this kind of diplomacy can go before it backfired.
But the reality is that China has so far refused to enter into diplomatic talks with its neighbors regarding the SCS issue. Instead, tey repeatedly sent warships with their transponders offline and repeatedly claim that the sea that they are operating on is "sovereign/traditional CHinese waters".
China had every opportunity to engage diplomatically with her neighbors in order to jopintly secure mining rights in those waters, but instead they used armed PLAN warships in order the bully and threatens those around them. They are literally taking a page out of Commodore Matthew C. Parry's playbook.
We know that some if not most of China missiles is using french tech parts, this alone will give leverage to French is somehow they got cornered by China. By having good relation to French can also help us influence China via back channel not to do anything foolish. So both gained something, and again "guarantee access and cooperation" seems ilogical and foolish statement when the whole world agree that politics is dynamic.
You are VASTLY underestimating the ability of the Chinese electronics industry. Remember, they have far surpassed Russia's by 20-10 years, and are catching up behind the United States by 10-8. Do you really think a country that largely prioritizes their military (and have been constantly developing new military technologies) can't simply create (and improve) something based off technology that they stole or bought? If they can create the J-20 and the J-31 just from technical data stolen from the F-35 program, or the Z-20 from the Blackhawk; You really think China can't simply recreate the stuff that they bought from France? Remember, IP rights means nothing to them.
Well to think diversification is mainly just for cash-grab scheme alone is also unwise and like seeing with kaca mata kuda. It might benefit some oknum or factions, but to think that it will give us less benefit as Nation is unwise. But I can understand where your frustation come from, I know a thing or two about how procurement works.
I worked for that procurement process, I know for a fact it's a cash grab scheme. What benefit for a nation would it be we get something that would inevitably be a defense budget sinkhole? The army Alone is already cash strapped because of the constant purchase of assets that more or less functions the same, to do that to a an aircraft would be 10 times worse by the operational costs alone.
Gado-gado doctrine simply does not work and if you don't believe me, simply ask those over on places like DefenceTalk, r/credibledefense, etc. who are FAR mor experienced in the industry that I am.
Think big, those natural resources is just a bonus if not a cover up. What they aim is to solely control one of the world trade route and give them huge leverage. Thats bigger then any natural reource in the eyes of geopolitic/economic influence. Thats what their after.
Their aim IS the natural resources. The one thing the US has that they don't are oil reserves. if their aim is to control the strait than the 9 dash line would be FAR larger.
See the green blocks? That's Vietnam's gas block claims that are currently trying to be controlled by China. There is no point in China attempting to control the strai if US Navy ships can simply blockade any Chinese bound cargo ship heading towards the strait while it's in the Indian Ocean/Pacific Ocean.
What chestnut forgot is that we don't physically need to close the strait ourselves. Even the threat of closing the strait and sinking a ship is already enough to cause widespread disruption to the global supply chains.
Everyone knows we are militarily unable to do that. We can barely do regular patrols as it is, and to think we can attempt to sink a ship, (let alone a warship_ would simply put US in the wrong.
bringing in others countries is precisely the point. The moment we close the strait is the moment all countries will collectively act to prevent it from happening who do you think the international community will side with? One of the world largest democracy fighting in defensive war to protect ourselves or a communist dictatorship in an offensive war.
You would know that once money in involved, politics and ideologies goes right out the window.
has begun hardening their utility infrastructure and maintain vigilant of the cyber domain (Multi Domain Warfare)
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