The Pentagon on PLA Modernization Processes

Tanks "Type 99A" at the parade. Photo Wikimedia Commons

In late November, the Pentagon released a new annual report, "Military and Security Developments Involving The People's Republic of China", dedicated to China's defense potential, its military policy, and so on. One of the main topics of the report is the current process of deep modernization of the People's Liberation Army of China. The main goals and objectives set by the country's leadership, as well as the current renewal processes and the results already obtained are considered.

Main goals

The first chapter of the report, "Understanding China's Strategy", provides information on Beijing's main goals and objectives in various fields. Attention is paid to domestic and foreign policy, economic strategy, etc. At the same time, the military plans listed in the "Defense Policy & Military Strategy" section are of the greatest interest.

According to the 2019 White Paper, the PLA and related structures have several main tasks. These are containment and response to the aggression of a potential enemy, ensuring national security and territorial integrity, “showing the flag” and protecting the interests of the country in remote regions, etc. At the same time, the army must work and solve problems in all environments, including space, the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace.

A major program for the modernization of the armed forces, designed for several decades, has been drawn up, adopted and is being implemented. For greater convenience of execution, it is divided into several periods. If necessary, the program is supplemented or corrected. Thus, the Pentagon report notes that in 2020 and 2021. Beijing has announced new targets of one sort or another.

Modern aviation equipment of the PLA Air Force at the Airshow China 2022 exhibition. Photo by Thedrive.com

In general, China uses an "active defense" strategy. Depending on the circumstances and various factors, he plans to protect his interests in different ways. Despite all the new proposals, this aspect of the defense is not changed or revised.

On time

In 2020, a new task was set. Until 2027, it is required to increase the degree of mechanization and informatization of the army. It is necessary to develop not only new weapons and equipment, but also promising means of reconnaissance, command and control, communications and control. It is assumed that such developments will improve the overall combat capability of the PLA.

In this context, since 2021, the development and implementation of a fundamentally new concept of warfare has been discussed. The idea of ​​"high-precision operations in various environments" provides for the development of network-centric technologies and the growth of the potential of both real forces and means, and cyberspace systems.

The Pentagon believes that such concepts can really improve the potential of the PLA in confrontation with potential adversaries. They are proposed to be considered in the light of a hypothetical Taiwanese military operation and in the context of developing competition with the United States.

Destroyer pr. "055". Photo 81.cn

After 2027, new stages of modernization are expected to be launched. In general, plans for the renewal of the PLA are drawn up for the next three decades. As a result of all future activities, the Chinese armed forces should become a world-class army. They want to get this result by 2049 - by the centenary of the PRC.

Nuclear forces

The development of strategic nuclear forces occupies a special place in the modernization processes of the PLA. Information on this is provided in Chapter 2, China's Forces, Capabilities, And Power Projection. The Pentagon was able to find out that the most active work is taking place in this area, and the indicators of Chinese strategic nuclear forces have recently increased significantly. At the same time, further improvement in quantitative and qualitative terms is expected.

In the recent past, American experts assumed that the PLA strategic nuclear forces had about 200 nuclear warheads. A new Pentagon report says that in 2021 their number exceeded 400 units. Production continues, and by 2035 it is expected to overcome the mark of 1500 items. All this will have a positive impact on deterrence and retaliation capabilities.

In parallel, the means of delivery are developing. The development of complexes for various purposes with ballistic missiles is underway. IRBMs and ICBMs are deployed on fixed and mobile launchers. The armament of the naval component of the strategic nuclear forces is also being modernized. The existing H-6 bomber remains the main air carrier, but promising equipment is being developed, as well as new types of aircraft weapons.

Strategic submarine "Type 094". Photo Telegram / ChDambiev

According to a Pentagon report, the PLA has about 300 nuclear-armed ICBMs in its land-based missile units. The Navy can deploy up to 72 missiles on the six existing SSBNs. The quantitative aspects of long-range aviation are not specified.

Nuclear forces could be replenished with hypersonic weapons. The authors of the report recalled the creation and adoption of the DF-17 missile system with a hypersonic gliding warhead. It is assumed that the latter is capable of carrying both conventional and special charges.

conventional weapons

The development and modernization of the conventional forces of the PLA also continues. The Pentagon report pays special attention to the development of the naval forces - in connection with their importance for the defense of China and with the impact on the military-political situation in the Pacific region. There is an increase in current indicators fleet and the presence of very bold plans.

At the moment, the PLA Navy is the largest fleet in the world. They contain approx. 340 pennants of all classes. Of these, 125 are combat units of the main classes, such as submarines and medium or large surface ships. In terms of combat capabilities, the Chinese Navy in the future will be able to compare with the US.

Missile systems DF-41 with ICBMs. Photo 81.cn

China does not stop there and plans to continue construction. By 2025, the strength of the Navy will be increased to 400 units, and by 2030 there will be 440 ships and vessels in service. Not all new pennants will be large warships, but in this case, the potential of the fleet should grow along with the size.

The ground forces continue to be the largest structure in the PLA and its main force, and their modernization has already begun. At this stage, it provides for the re-equipment of units due to modern platforms, weapons and equipment. At the same time, fundamental changes or innovations are not yet planned.

The situation is similar with combat aviation from the Air Force and Navy of the PLA. The production and supply of already known models of equipment and weapons continues. Also, aviation units receive the latest generation equipment, and in parallel, new aircraft and helicopters with improved characteristics and capabilities are being developed. Of particular interest is the promising H-20 strategic bomber, which will make it possible to rebuild the air component of the strategic nuclear forces.

International rivalry

Thus, the PRC continues to modernize its armed forces and is doing everything necessary to increase their performance. At the same time, the development strategy is based on qualitative improvements without major changes in numbers. New ideas and concepts are being created and implemented, as well as promising models of various kinds are being developed, built and mastered in the troops.

Missile systems with hypersonic equipment DF-17. Photo Telegram / Vatfor

To date, the PLA has reached a fairly high level and is capable of solving various tasks both on the borders of China and at a distance from them. At the same time, plans have been drawn up for several decades ahead, and, as they are implemented, the capabilities of the army will grow, and the areas of responsibility will expand.

Already in its current form, the PLA is a serious competitor to foreign armies - and forces foreign states to take the necessary measures. Thus, in the recently updated US National Defense Strategy, it is China that is named the main competitor in the long term. It is obvious that the further improvement of the Chinese army will only exacerbate this situation.

However, China is already preparing for such a development. The modernization of the PLA is carried out not only to expand the zones of influence and strengthen the positions of Beijing in the region, but also to counter potential adversaries, primarily the United States. At the same time, development plans are scheduled for several decades ahead, and their first results can be observed even now.

Comments

[Uncle lee]

They want to get this result by 2049 - by the centenary of the PRC.

But it has been achieved!

[Doccor18]

Quote from Uncle Lee

But it has been achieved!

For me, before that, the plan will be overfulfilled against the background of the general degradation of many others.

[Civil]

XIII five-year plan (2016—2020)
As part of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the goal was set to "comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society" - changing the development model of the Chinese economy from export-oriented and foreign investment to an economy based on domestic demand. In addition, the 13th Five-Year Plan was the first five-year plan in recent times when the Chinese economy did not increase growth rates, but reduced them. This was planned to improve the quality of economic development by reducing the quantitative indicators of the "new normal" strategy (Chinese exercise 新常态) implemented since 2014[2]. By 2019, the share of China's GDP in world GDP reached 16,3%, China's GDP per capita reached 70 yuan. The poverty rate from the end of 892 to the end of 2015 decreased from 2019% to 5,7%, in this five-year period, 0,6 million slum dwellers were relocated to new homes; in 50[2020] poverty in China was completely eradicated. 3 pilot free trade zones have been organized, more than 21 large projects in the field of scientific and technological infrastructure have been implemented, China has signed 50 agreements with 200 countries and 138 international organizations on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative[30]. The number of people included in the health insurance system reached 4 billion, and old-age insurance - 1,3 billion, the average life expectancy reached 1 years. The middle class reached 77,3 million[400].

Now the 14th five-year plan is underway, where the communists have set even more progressive goals. By 100, the PRC will be the communist power of the future.

[Doccor18]

Quote: Civil

where the communists set even more progressive goals ...

Only one resettlement of 50 million people. from the slums already looks like a fantasy.

[evgen1221]

Human abilities are limited, but the needs are unlimited, so communism will not come soon. In theory, it can, provided that the country of communism remains alone on the planet and all other countries disappear

[dauria]

They want to get this result by 2049 - by the centenary of the PRC.
But it has been achieved!

Yeah. Who would have believed in 1985 that one hundred years of the Great October Socialist Revolution so note. . In 2049 other Chinese will live. with other values. Here is where the trick is.

[Doccor18]

Quote: dauria

In 2049 other Chinese will live. with other values

This is just 26 years later. Those who are now 30-40 years old will rule.

Quote: dauria

Here is where the trick is.

So what's the catch?

[Lelik 56]

This is hello to our Kremlin, when a country with a bucket of rice has become a world superpower and a country with a barrel of oil has become a waddling invalid.

[Terran ghost]

Quote: dauria

In 2049 other Chinese will live. with other values. Here is where the trick is.

Only there is no "trick" here. This is a completely natural process of generational change.

[Evil 55]

The successes in terms of building modern armed forces of Russia's closest neighbor are not only impressive, but also make you think. Why does a continental power need such a powerful fleet and a developed nuclear triad.

[evgen1221]

The fleet is because the navy of Yusei and Japan with Korea, plus Africa and the Southeast region as a resource base, but the cores so that they don’t even think to climb into them with their democracy.

[Terran ghost]

In the recent past, American experts assumed that the PLA strategic nuclear forces had about 200 nuclear warheads. A new Pentagon report says that in 2021 their number exceeded 400 units. Production continues, and by 2035 it is expected to overcome the mark of 1500 items.

Here you just need to understand that China has not been a party to any treaties on the limitation of strategic nuclear weapons ... but never at all. Therefore, there were (and still are not) any mutual (between China and the United States) inspections and detailed declarations of arsenals.

[evgen1221]

The main thing here is not to play with China, if the states are rowing money from the air and the world is being robbed, then there is no other planet for China to do the same.

[Serg 122]

The dragon is preparing to jump. Gathers strength without wasting it in vain. Although, of course, I want him to never use them anywhere.

[bath]

The main tank force of the Chinese army is still Type 59 (T-54).

Tanks like the Type 99 only exist in one regiment in each of our theaters.

China also does not intend to replace obsolete tanks. We have no need for large-scale combat operations on land. The neighbor with the most powerful ground forces is Russia. Having established friendly relations with us, we are not afraid that Russia will attack China.

It is estimated that in peacetime the normal production of tanks in China is 300-400 per year. This means that it will take us 20 years to complete the transition. And 20 years later, the current Type 99 tanks are falling behind again. As for the army armored forces, our strategy is to focus on researching new equipment, but only in small numbers.

We believe the threats come primarily from the US to our offshore energy lines as well as to our overseas assets.


Now we are spending our resources on the air force and the navy.

[d4rkmesa]

The Chinese know how to draw conclusions, they also know how to study the economy. They will soon have something to counter the threat to supply chains. It is a pity that we did not begin to make analogues of the DF-17, the Yusovites still found fault with the "Caliber" with an increased range.

[Roman Efremov]

Quote from: wanna

The main tank force of the Chinese army is still Type 59 (T-54).

From Wikipedia: 6740 tanks. Of these, obsolete: 1600 units. ZTZ-59, 650 ZTZ-59II, 600 ZTZ-59D, 200 ZTZ-79, 300 ZTZ-88A/B; and modern 1000 ZTZ-96, 1500 ZTZ-96A, 40 ZTZ-98A, 600 ZTZ-99, 250 ZTZ-99A.

2500 analogues of our T-72B3 and 900 analogues of our T-90A and T-90M. Total 3400 modern, that is, 50% of the total. MUCH MORE than our T-72B3 and T-90.
Although the old half of the tank fleet.

[Ivan_Sechin]

Why should we rejoice for China as it is militarizing at a frantic pace, it has no common borders with America, but it has with Russia, and let me remind you that the last major military conflict with China was not so long ago, back in the 70s, but since The USSR then was crazy to compete, but now

[gsev]

Quote: Ivan_Sechin

Why should we rejoice for China as it is militarizing at a frantic pace, it has no common borders with America, but with Russia it has

China does not need the collapse of Russia, which the United States, Poland and Japan dream of and for which the arms factories of the Czech Republic, France and Bulgaria are working. There is a possibility that in the coming years of the war in Ukraine, China will become Russia's weapons forge. Without Chinese missiles, shells, drones, tanks and self-propelled guns, it will be difficult for Russia to hold out in the war for the next 3 years. In exchange for the supply of conventional weapons, Russia will inevitably have to share with the PRC technology for the production of aircraft engines, intercontinental missiles and nuclear technologies. Only a strong China capable of single-handedly dealing with the NATO bloc can keep the United States and its NATO allies from a combination of thermonuclear and hybrid war with Russia.

[Igor1915]

In my opinion, one of the most important things that the PRC has and we don’t have is a clear ideology, solidarity and clear goals for the future.