The Good Helpers of Aircraft Carriers, Destroyers, and Frigates: They Can Be Called the Navy's "Invisible Power"

In the grand journey of the People's Navy towards the open sea, there is a group of special "behind-the-scenes heroes" that together forge a solid guarantee for the People's Navy's advance into the deep blue. This article interprets the three major auxiliary vessels: mine sweepers, semi-submersibles, and supply ships.

01

The Navy's "Invisible Combat Power"

What responsibilities do the three major auxiliary vessels undertake?

Mine Sweepers

Mines have strong concealment and tremendous lethality. They are easy to lay but very difficult to clear. To solve the problem of anti-mine warfare, various types of mine countermeasure vessels have emerged.

To avoid the mines being triggered by the magnetic field of the vessels themselves, most mine sweepers are constructed using low-magnetic steel.

Typically, mine sweepers are used in conjunction with the following combat scenarios:

The enemy may lay mines around islands;

Key navigation channels that must be traversed to reach the target may have mines laid;

The enemy may quietly lay mines near military ports, which could be triggered when warships leave the port.

Therefore, mine sweepers must conduct mine clearance operations in these potentially mined areas to ensure the safe departure of vessels.

Semi-Submersibles

Semi-submersibles, also known as semi-submersible mother ships, also contain the word "submersible," but they cannot fully submerge like submarines.

The semi-submersible's operations involve a dynamic process that changes with the draft, where the ship and cargo are interconnected after loading, causing changes in the ship's stability and height.

In addition to safely transporting malfunctioning warships back to base for repairs, as a "marine flatbed," semi-submersibles can quickly deploy heavy equipment such as tanks, hovercraft, and helicopters to remote islands, and even serve as a "marine transfer platform," connecting large transport ships with small landing craft to enhance landing operation efficiency.

Supply Ships

Our country has multiple types of supply ships. The Qinghai Lake ship can carry tens of thousands of tons of fuel and other supplies, primarily providing fuel and fresh water, and is equipped with a helicopter hangar for vertical replenishment.

The 901-type large comprehensive supply ship, Chagan Lake ship, is a dedicated fast supply ship that accompanies aircraft carrier formations for operational replenishment, capable of carrying tens of thousands of tons of ammunition, food, and various fuels, and possesses capabilities for lateral, longitudinal, vertical, and alongside replenishment, as well as night replenishment.

The 903-type comprehensive supply ship is like a "mobile warehouse at sea" that accompanies support, consolidating various supply materials on a single vessel, allowing ships in the formation to obtain all supplies with just one docking, reducing replenishment time and also lowering the risk of exposure to enemy fire.

02

A Solid Backbone for Systematic Operations

Experts Explain Auxiliary Vessels

Mine sweepers, semi-submersibles, supply ships... These seemingly auxiliary support vessels are crucial for today's People's Navy as it moves towards the deep blue. What do they really mean?

Military Expert Cao Weidong: To complete a systematic operation and carry out a large-scale maritime military action, these vessels are indispensable.

Whether it is an aircraft carrier or large destroyers and frigates, they can be lost before even reaching the battlefield due to mines.

Semi-submersible barges for transport, especially for large equipment, can play a role in the transportation and support of heavy and essential equipment.

Without corresponding supply ships, the support, intensity, and sustainability of operations at sea during prolonged engagements would significantly decline.

The role of these auxiliary vessels should not be underestimated; they perform functions that other vessels cannot undertake.

(Source: CCTV Defense Military Channel's "Forging the Sword" program)