 used to fire surface-to-air, anti-ship, and-or surface-to-surface missiles. Spratly Islands, South China Sea – Garages Another shows a pair of Type 022 Houbei class catamaran fast attack missile craft, which can carry up to eight anti-ship missiles. Spratly Islands){kind=link}
Images show disputed reefs and rocks that have been converted into bases with radar stations, airfields and fast attack boats
New images have been released of China’s artificial islands, revealing the country’s heavy militarisation in close detail for the first time.
The pictures by Getty photographer Ezra Acayan were taken from an aircraft flying near disputed reefs and rocks that China has converted into bases.
China claims the islands have been developed for navigation purposes, but the new images add to growing evidence they are being used by China to expand its armed forces into contested waters.
Military analysts said they showed close-ups of radar stations, airfields, artillery installations and fast attack boats in a region where the United States and China are competing for strategic influence.