From cargo to combat: China urged to prepare civilian ships for wartime use

Defence researcher at top planning agency says Beijing should draw lessons from the Falklands conflict to commandeer commercial vessels

,”Li Jin, from the Research Centre for Coordinated Economic and National Defence Development at the National Development and Reform Commission, wrote.

According to the article, Britain’s experience in the Falklands showed the importance of having a large pool of civilian vessels, detailed mobilisation plans, ships designed with defence requirements in mind and effective compensation and incentive measures.

It noted that Britain mobilised dozens of civilian vessels within days of the outbreak of the war, using them to transport aircraft, fuel and other supplies, and to perform medical and support missions.

The author said China should conduct a general survey of its enormous civilian fleets to establish a comprehensive database, including information on their speed, carrying capacity, ownership and crew qualifications – especially for vessels with military potential such as oil tankers and semi-submersibles.

The article called for plans detailing command and communications arrangements, responses to unexpected situations and which vessels should be mobilised.