In: Economics
tell me how china's military power works for their economic rise with referrence
Chinese military strategy underwent
a major change in the mid 1980s. The threat of a Soviet land attack
had diminished and the attention of the People's Liberation Army
(PLA) turned to the threat of regional disputes. Thus, the PLA
began to specialise in a technique of war . However, with the
downturn in relations with the West following the Tiananmen Square
massacre, this strategy was revised. The Gulf War also had a big
impact on the Chinese leadership and therefore the conflict was
carefully studied. As a result, a replacement defence strategy
emerged, supported fighting modern warfare using advanced
technology. The Chinese have learned many lessons from the Gulf
War. First, they need realized that EW and advanced weapons are
decisive. They have also learned the importance of strong air and
naval power which rapid response and fast deployment are a real
measure of overall capability. Finally, they need realized that
logistical support is as important as actual combat capability.
These lessons learned have had a profound effect on the PLA's
doctrine. First of all, the importance of army has been reduced to
permit additional specialise in the air force and navy. Secondly,
there has been a shift faraway from the philosophy that manpower is
superior to machine power which the offensive are often won by
strength in numbers. Finally, there's a decreased reliance on the
civilian population to fill the army's ranks as was required when
the concept of the protracted people's war was hip . China has
learned the teachings of the Gulf War and has doctrinally set a
course to develop a contemporary and effective military with an
influence projection capability.[15]
As a results of the main shifts in military strategy described
above, China has began an ambitious military modernization program.
China's economic growth has been key in the implementation of this
program. However, thanks to the secrecy surrounding military
matters, the particular size of military spending has been hard to
work out . Officially, China's 1996 defence budget was $8.7 billion
US.[16] Independent estimates vary from $8 billion US to $100
billion US.[17] Regardless of the independent estimates, the
official Chinese defence budgets reveal a 200 percent increase from
1988.[18]
Even in its present form China has the world's largest military.
The PLA consists of over two million men and is complemented by the
world's third largest air force, consisting of 5,300 aircraft, and
therefore the world's largest ship navy. Although these figures
look impressive, there are major problems with obsolete equipment,
poor training and therefore the transition to new doctrine.[19]
However, the longer term promises to vary . In an attempt to
modernize the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), China is
developing or acquiring the rights to supply six new tactical
aircraft models. China has already purchased Russian Su-27 aircraft
and has also acquired the license to supply these aircraft. This
purchase will include advanced capabilities like ECM pods, AA-10
Alamo and AA-11 Archer missiles with helmet-mounted sights. It is
also possible that the latest air-to-air missile, the AA-12, was
included.[20] The first Chinese Su-27 aircraft will be built around
the turn of the century, with the total fleet expected to number
over 250 aircraft. China is additionally developing a replacement
F-10 single seat aircraft that's supported the cancelled Israeli
Lavi fighter . Both Israel and Russia are providing assistance
during this project and therefore the F-10 is predicted to be
operational by 2005. A new light strike aircraft, the FB-7, is
predicted to be operational by 2000 and a light-weight fighter, the
FC-1, which is meant for export, is predicted to be ready by 2003.
China is within the process of developing a multi-role fighter,
referred to as the XXJ, which can have a stealth design. This
aircraft is predicted to enter service by 2015. Negotiations are
underway to get Russian Su-30 fighters and therefore the license to
create them. There are also plans to purchase and develop unmanned
vehicles