Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Or even a ship? No – it is something much more sinister.
Roaring just feet above the sea, a sprawling shadow has emerged from the Bohai Sea, off the northern coast of China.
This is the experimental resurrection of the Soviet Era ‘ekranoplan’, a hybrid between an aircraft and a ship, which can cruise over water at 340 mph.
Pulling from the pages of the history of the Cold War, China has presented its own ekranoplan nicknamed – quite predictably – the Bohai Sea Monster.
The dramatic reveal – part demonstration and part warning to its enemies – marks a bold escalation in the country’s military expansion.
Aviation expert Justin Bronk explained that China’s apparent development of the experimental vessel highlights its willingness to try almost anything in the pursuit of tactical advantages over its rivals.
He told RFE/RL about the plans: ‘China is notable in its willingness to fund and test large numbers of different technical and technological solutions for military problem sets.’
Bronk stressed that even designs with a low chance of success are being developed by the Chinese.
He added: ‘Presumably based on the logic that a few at least will prove to be unexpectedly useful and successful.’
The ‘ekranoplan’ fits this profile perfectly.
Historically, the Soviets were the main producer, building the infamous ‘Caspian Sea Monster‘ in the 1960s.
Some Soviet types were ginormous, but other types globally have always been much smaller. Until now.
An image shared on Chinese social media shows the unique grey-painted aircraft in the background.
Flying just above the surface, this Soviet engineering marvel was known for evading radar detection and is large enough to transport soldiers and missiles.
‘Ekranoplans’ utilize the ground effect – a cushion of air trapped between the wings and the water surface, to gain lift and maintain flight at low altitudes (typically a few meters above the water).
This low-altitude operation makes them challenging to track and intercept.
China has not yet revealed the name, manufacturer and price of its secret weapon – nor what it plans to use it for.
Securing a strategic edge is vital to the country, particularly as all signs point to a possible invasion of Taiwan in the next couple of years.
For years, China has poured billions into modernizing its armed forces – from investing in advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, and expanding its nuclear arsenal.
Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, told the House Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington earlier this year that the Indo-Pacific command faces a confluence of challenges, mainly China.
He said: ‘Foremost among them is China’s increasingly aggressive and assertive behavior.
‘Their unprecedented military modernization encompassing advancements in artificial intelligence, [hypersonic missiles], space-based capabilities, among others, poses a real and serious threat to our homeland, to our allies and to our partners.’
Last year, China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) boasted itsgrowing capabilities through persistent operations against Taiwan.
Paparo stressed that they have escalated by a whooping 300%, adding: ‘Its aggressive military actions near Taiwan are not just exercises – they are rehearsals.’
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