CHINA THROUGH USA PRISM (Indo – China Perspective) Part – 3

MODERNIZATION OF CHINA’S ARMED FORCES IN THE “NEW ERA”

Annual Report to US Congress. Office of the US secretary of defense recently published the unclassified part of the annual report on military and security developments involving the people’s republic of china. The US Department of Defense (DoD) has been providing this report for the last 20 years.

Excerpt from US Report. The PRC’s strategy includes advancing a comprehensive military modernization program that aims to “basically” complete military modernization by 2035 and transform the PLA into a “world- class” military by the end of 2049.

Comments. 

• China’s is modernizing its armed forces in a planned way.
• The land marks are being achieved well before the stipulated  timelines.
• World – class military has not been clearly defined by her (not in the open domain).

Excerpt from US Report. The PLA’s evolving capabilities and concepts continue to strengthen the PRC’s ability to counter an intervention by an adversary in the Indo-Pacific region and project power globally.

Comments.

• Her mid term aim is to be a regional power with final aim to be a global power.
• China has realized the importance of Indo-Pacific region.

Excerpt from US Report. The People’s Liberation Army Army (PLAA) is the largest standing ground force in the world. In 2019, the PLAA continued to transition into a modern, mobile, and lethal ground force by fielding upgraded combat systems and communications equipment and enhancing its ability to conduct and manage complex combined-arms and joint operations.

Comments.

• Strength lies in infusion of technology.
• HR development, motivation and tactics etc. remain a relatively weak areas.

Excerpt from US Report. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)—the largest navy in the world—is an increasingly modern and flexible force that has focused on replacing previous generations of platforms with limited capabilities in favor of larger, modern multi-role combatants. As of 2019, the PLAN is largely composed of modern multi-role platforms featuring advanced anti-ship, anti- air, and anti-submarine weapons and sensors.

Comments. 

• China has realized that Naval and Air power are essential for global  power projection.
• Her naval power is already visible in the south china sea.

Excerpt from US Report. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and PLAN Aviation together constitute the largest aviation forces in the region and the third largest in the world, with over 2,500 total aircraft and approximately 2,000 combat aircraft. The PLAAF is rapidly catching up to Western air forces across a broad range of capabilities and competencies.

Comments. 

• Strength of air power includes infusion of technology, numerical strength and indigenous aviation industry.
• Weaknesses include lack of engine technology, unproven & borrowed tactics and  lack of air combat experience.

Excerpt from US Report. Integrated air defense systems: The PRC has one of the world’s largest forces of advanced long-range surface-to-air systems—including Russian-built S-400s, S-300s, and domestically produced systems—that constitute part of its robust and redundant integrated air defense system (IADS) architecture.

Comments. 

• Following the Russian principle of fortifying home ground with multilayered AD systems.
• Following US model of capability to project power away from home ground.

Excerpt from US Report. The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) is responsible for the PRC’s strategic land-based nuclear and conventional missile forces. The PLARF develops and fields a wide variety of conventional mobile ground-launched ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The PRC is developing new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that will significantly improve its nuclear-capable missile forces. The number of warheads on the PRC’s land-based ICBMs capable of threatening the United States is expected to grow to roughly 200 in the next five years. The PRC is expanding its inventory of the multi-role DF-26, a mobile, ground-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile system capable of rapidly swapping conventional and nuclear warheads. The PRC’s robust ground-based conventional missile forces compliment the growing size and capabilities of its air- and sea-based precision strike capabilities. Land-based conventional ballistic and cruise missiles: The PRC has developed its conventional missile forces unrestrained by any international agreements. The PRC has more than 1,250 ground-launched ballistic missiles (GLBMs) and ground-launched cruise missiles (GLCMs) with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The United States currently fields one type of conventional GLBM with a range of 70 to 300 kilometers and no GLCMs.

Comments. 

• China is strengthening it’s rocket force in tune with her strategy of no contact warfare.
• The opening salvo would be with rocket force in tune with her  “Stun and Knock out” strategy.

Excerpt from US Report. The PLA Strategic Support Force (SSF) is a theater command-level organization established to centralize the PLA’s strategic space, cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare missions and capabilities. The SSF Network Systems Department is responsible for cyberwarfare, technical reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and psychological warfare. Its current major target is the United States.

Comments. 

• China believes in multi domain warfare.
• Formation of SSF indicates importance China gives to space, cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare.

Excerpt from US Report.  The PRC’s space enterprise continues to mature rapidly. Beijing has devoted significant resources to growing all aspects of its space program, from military space applications to civil applications such as profit-generating launches, scientific endeavors, and space exploration. The PLA has historically managed the PRC’s space program. The SSF Space Systems Department is responsible for nearly all PLA space operations. In 2019, the PRC described space as a “critical domain in international strategic competition” and stated the security of space provided strategic assurance to the country’s national and social development.

Comments. 

• Biggest strength is her space based surveillance capability.
• China has already demonstrated Anti satellite capability.

Excerpt from US Report. Naval Shipbuilding and Modernization: The PRC has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants.  China is the top ship-producing nation in the world by tonnage and is increasing its shipbuilding capacity and capability for all naval classes.  The PLAN remains engaged in a robust shipbuilding and modernization program that includes submarines, surface combatants, amphibious warfare ships, aircraft carriers, and auxiliary ships as well as developing and fielding advanced weapons, sensors, and command and control capabilities.  

Comments.

• Most important for global power projection.
• Aircraft carrier project is another success story.

Excerpt from US Report. Military Readiness: In recent years, CCP leaders have directed the PLA to improve its combat readiness. This guidance is increasingly evident in the intensity of the PLA’s training and the complexity and scale of its exercises.

Comments. 

• 2019 was a trailer of things to come in future.
• China’s belligerent and aggressive attitude would continue to increase with increase in her military and economic power.

Comments and value additions are most welcome