The West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea are critical routes for international trade and resources, causing disputes between China and several Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. Control over this waterway has become a major issue due to its importance as an international global shipping lane and its vast underwater resources. The United States has taken a keen interest in the region, especially as China makes assertive and expansive territorial claims in the region.
Noel Adalia Dimasacat, Defence Analyst and East Asia Scholar, Manila, Philippines. Covers East Asia for News Analytics
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The South China Sea spans over 3.5 million square kilometers and is rich in resources like oil and gas. It is also a crucial waterway, with over $5 trillion worth of trade passing through it annually. China claims most of this sea, including the West Philippine Sea and the islands and reefs also claimed by other nations. This claim called the “Nine-Dash Line,” has led to increased tensions with several South East Asian countries. The United States and other international major players have pushed back against China’s claims, stressing the 2016 Hague ruling and the importance of freedom of navigation and international law, particularly as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China, for the past few years, has been militarizing the region by building artificial islands with military infrastructure, radar stations, airstrips, and missile systems, to assert its control and dominance in the region. To cope with this issue, the US Navy on the other hand has increased its presence in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, conducting regular freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) to challenge China’s claims and maintain the principle that international waters should remain open to all countries.
WHAT IS AN ESB SHIP?
The US Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ships are converted oilers, originally designed to refuel other vessels at sea. These ships have been transformed into versatile floating bases equipped with flight decks for helicopters and drones, facilities for special operations forces, and command-and-control centers. This conversion allows them to support a wide range of missions, from military operations to humanitarian aid. ESBs can operate in open water, providing a consistent US presence in contested areas like the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Their ability to project power without relying on land-based infrastructure makes them a significant asset for the US Navy in maintaining regional stability and countering China’s military build-up.
US Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ships represent a groundbreaking development in how the US projects power and ensures stability in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea.
ROLE OF ESB SHIPS
The US Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ships, which have been operational since 2019, are versatile and strategic assets in the American efforts to counter China’s growing military presence in the West Philippine Sea, the South China Sea, and anywhere in the world. ESB ships are a new class of converted vessels that provide a flexible, adaptable platform for various military and humanitarian operations. They are designed to operate in different environments, including contested waters like those in the West Philippine Sea. These ships are a crucial part of the US Navy’s expeditionary force projection capabilities.
ESBs are essentially mobile naval bases that can support a wide range of operations, from aviation operations (like helicopters and drones) to the launch and recovery of special operations forces. With a flight deck larger than that of an amphibious assault ship and extensive onboard facilities, they serve as a command-and-control hub and a staging area for maritime and land-based operations. This flexibility makes them particularly useful in the complex and contested security environment of the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.
FORWARD PRESENCE IN THE REGION
One of the primary advantages of ESB ships is their ability to project power into the Southeast Asian region without needing land-based infrastructure. Traditional naval operations often rely on access to ports or airfields in allied nations or on disputed territories. ESBs, on the other hand, with their ability to operate in open water, can provide a consistent US military presence in the region, even when faced with adversary challenges and threats. ESBs can serve as mobile bases from which US military forces can conduct maritime security operations, humanitarian missions, and intelligence gathering without relying on local land facilities.
The ability to operate in contested waters without needing a fixed, land-based presence is a key strategic advantage in an environment where China has militarized islands and reefs to create fortified military strongpoints. ESB ships can counterbalance this, allowing US forces to maintain a visible and sustained presence while avoiding the vulnerabilities associated with permanent military land installations.
IMPROVED OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY
ESBs can support a wide variety of operations beyond traditional naval combat roles. This includes humanitarian missions, surveillance operations, and air support and sea-based special operations forces. The US Navy can deploy ESBs in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea for various purposes. It can support humanitarian missions and can quickly provide relief during natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis, enhancing US influence and fostering goodwill in the Asia Pacific region.
ESBs help combat piracy, illegal fishing, and drug trafficking in Southeast Asia by serving as bases for surveillance aircraft and drones, providing real-time intelligence, and enforcing international maritime laws. They have large flight decks for helicopters and drones and can deploy special forces for missions in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, adding flexibility and surprise to US military operations in the region.
COOPERATION WITH REGIONAL ALLIES
The United States is not alone in its efforts to maintain stability in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Several nations in the region, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, have expressed concerns about China’s growing military influence. The ESBs offer a unique opportunity for multilateral operations. The flexibility of these vessels allows for joint operations with regional allies, enhancing interoperability and strengthening partnerships. Additionally, the US Navy’s ability to quickly position ESBs in key locations in the West Philippine Sea can facilitate rapid cooperation with allies during security challenges, such as maritime skirmishes or disputes over fishing rights.
As China continues to build its military presence and infrastructure on man-made islands, the US response is not only about direct military confrontations but also about maintaining a strong, visible deterrent military force. The ESBs can send clear messages about the US commitment to the principles of freedom of navigation and international law. Furthermore, their capacity to host large contingents of troops and equipment allows for rapid responses to regional crises or escalations, providing the US with a more flexible and credible deterrent capability.
The deployment of ESB ships represents a key strategic shift in how the US approaches its military presence in the Southeast Asian region. As China continues to assert its dominance through the expansion of military infrastructure in the region, the US response has moved beyond traditional FONOPs to more cost-effective, dynamic, flexible, and sustained operations. The ESBs, with their unique capabilities, will likely play an increasingly central role in countering China’s strategic military objectives while enhancing regional security and stability.
Moreover, the adaptability of the ESB platform—capable of supporting a variety of mission sets and operating in various types of environments—ensures that the US Navy can maintain a presence in the region despite challenges from China’s military build-up. Whether through direct engagement, humanitarian assistance, or maritime security operations, the ESBs provide the US with an unparalleled tool for maintaining its influence in the region.
The presence of US Navy ESBs in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea serves as a powerful signal to China and other hostile regional actors.
To conclude, the US Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base ships are a game-changer in the context of the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea disputes. These unique vessels provide the US Navy with unprecedented flexibility, operational reach, and the ability to project power in a volatile region where China’s growing military presence poses significant challenges. With their ability to operate in contested waters, serve as forward-operating bases, and support a wide range of operations, ESBs enable the US to assert its commitment to regional stability and freedom of navigation. As the geopolitical dynamics in the South China Sea continue to evolve, the strategic importance of these versatile ships will only continue to grow.
(Noel Adalia Dimasacat, is a Defence Analyst & East Asia scholar specialising in technology. He is also the Chief Technology Officer at GWT Philippines. He is the Awardee of World CIO 200-2024 & 2023 – Transformative Technology Leader. The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The News Analytics Journal.)
