Changes

Professor Andrew Erickson of the US Naval War College said Militia trawlers have been portrayed in Chinese media as armed with machineguns and carrying firearms for their crews. But these are not their primary weapons.  “The ships themselves are the main weapon.  Far larger and stronger than typical fishing vessels from the Philippines or other South China Sea neighbours, their comparatively robust hull designs — with additional rub strakes welded onto the hull’s steel plating aft of the bow, and — typically — powerful mast-mounted water cannons, make them powerful weapons in most contingencies, capable of aggressively shouldering, ramming, and spraying overmatched civilian or police opponents.”

Professor Andrew Erickson of the US Naval War College said Militia trawlers have been portrayed in Chinese media as armed with machineguns and carrying firearms for their crews. But these are not their primary weapons.  “The ships themselves are the main weapon.  Far larger and stronger than typical fishing vessels from the Philippines or other South China Sea neighbours, their comparatively robust hull designs — with additional rub strakes welded onto the hull’s steel plating aft of the bow, and — typically — powerful mast-mounted water cannons, make them powerful weapons in most contingencies, capable of aggressively shouldering, ramming, and spraying overmatched civilian or police opponents.”

Once faced with Coast Guard or military opposition, these trawlers can fall back on their fishing guise.  “Their supposed civilian status would come to the fore, especially for propaganda purposes,” Professor Erickson writes. “Against the US Navy or other capable foreign forces, they would become … [[human shields]] forcing consequential choices for rules of engagement.  If China wants to be treated as a responsible power, it has to be honest and open about all three of its Armed Forces at sea — the Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Militia — not conceal key vessels as “civilian” fishing boats”.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/china-accused-of-gaslighting-philippines-over-south-china-sea-maritime-militia/news-story/3ff52ffe45d63ba0b9dc231353b933ad</ref>

Once faced with Coast Guard or military opposition, these trawlers can fall back on their fishing guise.  “Their supposed civilian status would come to the fore, especially for propaganda purposes,” Professor Erickson writes. “Against the US Navy or other capable foreign forces, they would become … human shields forcing consequential choices for rules of engagement.  If China wants to be treated as a responsible power, it has to be honest and open about all three of its Armed Forces at sea — the Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Militia — not conceal key vessels as “civilian” fishing boats”.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/china-accused-of-gaslighting-philippines-over-south-china-sea-maritime-militia/news-story/3ff52ffe45d63ba0b9dc231353b933ad</ref>

===PLA Navy===

===PLA Navy===