Vietnam fortifies its islands with rocket launchers in South China Sea

Several islands controlled by Vietnam in South China sea have been fortified with mobile rocket launchers, which are able to strike the Chinese military bases in the region.

Reports suggest that Hanoi had shipped the launchers from the Vietnamese mainland into positions on five bases in the islands in recent months.

However, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said the information was inaccurate, reports the Guardian.

The launchers, recently acquired from Israel, are said to be part of Vietnam's 'Extra rocket artillery' system, a range of 150 km (93 miles) that can carry 150 kg warheads and attack multiple targets at once.

China reacted angrily to an international legal case that favoured Philippines over contested reefs and atolls last month.

Beijing, however, appears to have continued building bases on that islands that it has reclaimed.

The recent satellite photographs published by Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows the construction of the hangars on three reclaimed islands where Beijing has built military bases.