"Taiwan Adds Minelaying to Defenses Against China" Topic

Taiwan on Friday commissioned new navy minelayers to add to its defenses against giant rival China…

Military: link

Good.

Very good.

Sounds like a good move !

Only if they laid the sea mines before invasion. Otherwise just targets.

A minelayer is a good start. Mines getting laid would be better. Is there another term for when a minelayer actually plants a mine?

One assumes they will NOT announce mine laying itself. Uncertainty is a key part of deterence. But of course they have to keep their sea lanes open for commerce. Tricky, in peacetime.

Right on the mark doc-kinda hard to be a merchant power if you mine your sea lanes and harbours.

Of course, you could always lay mines on the other guy's coast… ;-)

We should give or sell them some CAPTOR mines, just for grins.

I'd loan them, the Japanese, and the Ukrainians nukes too, with US key control, to make things REALLY interesting for their opponents as well.

Is there another term for when a minelayer actually plants a mine?

Mine-satisfied? Maybe smokes a cigarette?

I believe smoking near explosives is contraindicated.

It's fine to smoke, they are water mines anyway?

It will be interesting to see if their new subs will have minelaying capability.

Most modern subs do, and laying them off of Chinese naval ports could make things very interesting for the opposition, if when the mines need to be activated in time of conflict.

Any losses suffered by PRC ships will give Xi the go ahead to do what he wants.