"Spratly Islands campaign2" Topic

I've been giving some thought to running a solo campaign based around the Spratly islands. I thought I'd post a brief description in case someone might find it interesting or usful. The first one is based on a clash between Malaysian and Indonesian interests. These nations have a history and their Navies both include Submarines.
The campaign will include a series of randomly selected missions undertaken by which ever side has the initiative. Fail a mission and the initiative changes. The Task groups on both sides will also be randomly selected from National force strengths with no unit being able to participate consecutively.
The missions I have chosen are Troop ship escort, Supply ship escort, Submarine operation, Airstrike, Gun Support, replenish at sea and offensive sweep.
I have positive/negatives campaign results for most of these beyond the obvious attrition and initiative. The ground forces are strength points.
If anyone has any other mission ideas I could fit into this system please let me know.

What rules do you plan on using?

Sounds like fun.

Perhaps add in both air and sea armed reconnaissance missions as well.

Air battle seems likely too.

I'd add in the Vietnamese too, and/or a USN patrol, just for fun.

You could add in forces from the Phillipines too, but they don't have much to speak of currently, other than a few ex-US Coast Guard Cutters. They are hoping the US Navy will back them.

For the games, I'd recommend Shipwreck, or Bulldogs Away for the naval battles, and Air War:C21 for the air combat. Lots of nice, modern fighters fielded by most in the region, so should be fun.

I have just received my copy of the Shipwreck rules. Haven't tried them yet but they are very enjoyable to read.
An armed air patrol is a great idea.
At present,for airforces or maritime patrols, one roll says they are present. Another roll chooses their mission. Then if required there is another to pick the aircraft type.

I look forward to hearing about your campaign. It could inspire me to get into something similar.

Just FYI, and you may know this already, but Indonesia does not have any claims on the Spratly Islands.

Indonesia and Malaysia do have a bilateral territorial dispute of their very own, however, so maybe that is what has sparked your hypothetical conflict.

Given all the different possible nationalities in the region, and similar kit being used by many (aircraft, vessels, etc.), don't overlook the possibility of "friendly fire", and/or firing on aircraft and vessels from nations you don't plan to have a fight with, or vice versa.

Your right of course Collins355. I'm using a change of Indonesian government resurrecting old claims for the northern Borneo states that they fought over in the 60's. The three islands in my campaign belong to the Sabah state, I think.
Thanks for the idea Mako. It might get me out of a fix such as if one side blitzes the other early etc.

If you want to widen things a bit more, both China and Taiwan are a bit miffed at Japan, for offering to buy a few small islands just off Taiwan, that are currently owned by some private Japanese citizens.

Apparently, they are offering about $20 USD million, or so, for them, and the islands have been in Japanese control for quite some time, though the Chinese and Taiwanese dispute their claims. Supposedly, the fishing grounds are rather rich, and the mineral and oil rights appear to also be quite lucrative.

The Chinese and Taiwanese are hopping mad about the possible sale, and the area has been a flashpoint for bumper boats in the past, between fishing boats, and coast guard vessels in the area.

Sounds like a good idea for the next one Mako. :o)

A bit late to this discussion, but most of the fun scenarios I've run for the Spratleys don't involve major combatants. China has a "coast guard" called China Maritime Surveillance, and the number of vessels they have alone outnumbers most of the standing navies of her neighbors. They're all lightly armed (23mm quad mount was the most dangerous I've seen) or unarmed, which makes for a more interesting play, and levels the field for opponents like the Philippines operating with mostly WW2 and 60s/70s hand-me-downs (less the recent WHEC purchases). Giving one side or the other better sensors can be offset by using assets such as helos. Or even better, a one-time "picture" of the area using an MPA.

If your rules allow it, maintenance and shallow depth are big issues in the area – most vessels are modified to operate in extreme tropical conditions (enhanced airconditioning spaces for example) and this maintenance can be a nightmare, so having ships operating at less than optimal condition could affect warfighting ability (speed, manning etc.) The Half-Moon Shoal incident is just one of many groundings in the area, you can speed all you want, but plenty of reefs and rocks are around to slow you down permanently.

Try this one – smuggling or insurgency ops. This is prevalent in the area. Have the Chinese try to supply arms and logistics to the insurgents in neighbor X using armed civilian boats (trawlers with MGs and RPGs). You can have actual PLAN patrol boats nearby to assist if they encounter interference. Neighbor X is patrolling and looking for anything suspicious, but clearly not expecting a shootout with peer vessels.

Good ideas and scenario. Thanks Juramentado. My ships arrived yesterday and so still need to be painted so good timing. I never thought of grounding. Perhaps shallow water areas and a chance of 1,000 ton plus ships grounding there. Night landing agents or insurgents is going onto the scenario list.

Our club is thinking about a Spratly campaign using Mal Wright's CiC rules.

If you do I'd be interested in following how it gos. Especially if it involves China, Philippines or Vietnam.
I've started mine using Malaysia and Indonesia first report here. TMP link

Looks like the Philippine Navy might not be such a pushover in a few years time:
link

They are taking the situation seriously thanks for the link. I wonder how long it would take to train the crews starting from scratch?

Sounds like fun.

Thanks for sharing your battle report.

Appreciate the update on the Phillipine navy as well.

If I were them, I'd be looking to purchase some of those Swedish Visby class boats, assuming they can arm them effectively. Stealth boats would be quite useful in the region, and with helo capability, and a decent SAM weapons fit, they should be about perfect for many of the expected scenarios.

A bit more tension…

link

I can see where that tactic might lead to a shooting war.

Repel boarders!

I wonder if they would try to board a US CV that wandered into the contested waters?

OK.. I know – not going to happen..

a/ a CV in that area
b/ a US naval ship there (does the US need any more woes than it's economy at present)
c/ a PLAN officer taken such an action without the highest direction..