The Fiscal Times about the new arms race
Increasingly, there are statements about the new arms race. The situation in the international arena is constantly deteriorating and countries are forced to pay great attention to their armed forces. The old confrontations of countries are sharpening, and also new players appear, defending their interests. The attention of most analysts focused on the armed forces of the United States, Russia and China. It is these states that are believed to fight with each other in the future for the title of world leader. One of the tools of such a struggle will be the armed forces.
The United States, Russia and China pay great attention to the development of their armies and are trying to provide them with everything they need. With a certain reservation, these processes can be considered a new arms race. Nevertheless, the development programs of the armed forces have several specific features that allow some specialists to doubt the outcome of the current race. 16 September The American edition of The Fiscal Times published an article by David Francis Here's the Proof We're Losing the Arms Race to Russia and China (“Evidence of our lagging behind Russia and China in the arms race”). In this article, the journalist examined the features of the military programs of the three countries. As is clear from the title, D. Francis came to a disappointing conclusion for the United States.
His article D. Francis began with a reminder of the military budgets of countries. So, the United States continues to spend more on defense in the world. The US military budget is about three times the Chinese and 500 billion dollars more than the Russian. This or a similar ratio of budgets will remain in the future. Nevertheless, each country has its own peculiarities in the development of finances allocated for defense. The result of this specificity is a certain advantage of Russia and China over the United States in the beginning of the arms race.
The United States, starting a war against international terrorism, increased its defense budget. In the future, if no significant changes in strategy occur, defense spending will be gradually reduced to 600 billion dollars a year. At the same time, D. Francis recalls, over the next six years, Russia will increase its military budget to almost $ 700 billion. China does not lag behind Russia and gradually increases defense spending. Thus, the United States is reducing the military budget, and their main competitors are increasing.
The author of the publication Here's Proof We're Losing the Losing the Arms Race to Russia and China confirms his words with several tables illustrating the change in the military budgets of the three countries over the past few years. They clearly show the fluctuations of US defense spending and the constant growth of the budgets of Russia and China.
Referring to Robert Haddick, an employee of the US Special Operations Command and author of the book Fire on the Water: China, America, and the Future of the Pacific, D. Francis writes that in the past ten years, Chinese defense spending, adjusted for inflation, is increasing annually on 10-12%. Every 7-8 years, China’s military budget doubles. Thus, China is a serious danger to the United States, even in terms of the defense budget.
Naturally, one budget increase is insufficient. In favor of the United States, an argument can be made regarding absolute numbers: the US military budget is still larger than the Russian and Chinese. However, D. Francis notes that not only expenditure is important, but also their structure. It is necessary to consider not only how much money is spent on the armed forces, but also how it is done.
The Russian and Chinese military are investing in the most modern weapons and military equipment. As an example of such practice, the American journalist cited Russian multi-purpose nuclear submarines of Project 885 Ash, the first of which was accepted into the Navy in July, as well as Russian Tankswhich, with equal combat capabilities, are much lighter than American ones. China in recent years has been successful in unmanned and rocket technology. In addition, there is reason to believe that China and Russia have an advantage over the United States in the field of cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, the US military continues to implement several new projects and are upgrading existing systems. In this case, as noted by D. Francis, some American projects can be considered unsuccessful, for example, the development program of the F-35 Lightning II fighter. Existing expenses forced the Pentagon to take appropriate measures. The US Department of Defense is interested in creating new technologies aimed at increasing the profitability of new projects.
In early September, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel spoke about the current situation and prospects. According to him, at present, the US military power has a decisive military and technological advantage over all likely adversaries. However, this advantage is not guaranteed in the future. China and Russia are actively trying to reduce the existing backlog by implementing long-term comprehensive programs for the development of the armed forces.
Potential opponents of the United States are currently developing advanced weapons of various classes, including those intended for the destruction of ships, aircraft, rockets and spacecraft. In addition, work is underway in the field of cybersecurity, electronic systems, etc. All of these weapons and other systems can be used to level the existing advantages of the American army.
According to R. Haddick, the Pentagon should take into account such threats and make further plans, considering them. Otherwise, the American strategy may become outdated, which will lead to a radical change in forces in some regions, for example in Southeast Asia.
The article Here's Proof We're Losing the Arms Race to Russia and China ends with a sad conclusion for the US military. D. Francis believes that the only thing that China and Russia cannot do in the current situation is a meaningless waste of money. The Pentagon, in turn, is one of the main embezzlers of public money in the United States.
The article by D. Francis is of great interest because it is a peculiar view from the other side: the situation with the armed forces of several states is considered by an American journalist. In addition, a number of statements are supported by references to other publications and summary tables. Thus, the conclusions of the article “Evidence of our lagging behind Russia and China in the arms race,” with a certain reservation, can be considered objective.
Indeed, China and Russia are still losing the US in the amount of their military budget. Nevertheless, even in conditions of relatively less funding, the Russian and Chinese military continue to implement a number of important projects, the purpose of which is the construction of new equipment, as well as the creation and development of military infrastructure. Recent events and news of the three countries directly say that the increase in defense spending has a positive effect on the state of the armed forces. At the same time, however, the amount of money allocated does not always translate into quality.
It is precisely on this problem that D. Francis concentrates. So, the F-35 fighter project used by him as an example is slowly moving towards completion, but its cost passed 50 billions of dollars a few years ago. This feature of the project causes claims from specialists, politicians and the public, however, work continues.
Thus, if in the near future a new arms race begins, in which three large and powerful states will take part, the United States must take a number of measures aimed at preserving the existing advantages. Otherwise, the likely opponents of the United States, taking into account the strategy of the Pentagon, will be able to develop their tactical techniques and create systems that will reduce or completely eliminate the existing gap in forces and capabilities.
It is not yet clear when exactly Russia and China will be able to compete on equal terms with the United States militarily. Nevertheless, it is already clear that promising defense projects should be started as soon as possible, and this applies to all participants in a possible arms race. Only a timely start of the development of new systems and strategies, full funding and control over the work will allow the three countries to maintain the status quo or change it in their favor.
Based on:
http://thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/09/16/Here-s-Proof-We-re-Losing-Arms-Race-Russia-and-China
The United States, Russia and China pay great attention to the development of their armies and are trying to provide them with everything they need. With a certain reservation, these processes can be considered a new arms race. Nevertheless, the development programs of the armed forces have several specific features that allow some specialists to doubt the outcome of the current race. 16 September The American edition of The Fiscal Times published an article by David Francis Here's the Proof We're Losing the Arms Race to Russia and China (“Evidence of our lagging behind Russia and China in the arms race”). In this article, the journalist examined the features of the military programs of the three countries. As is clear from the title, D. Francis came to a disappointing conclusion for the United States.
His article D. Francis began with a reminder of the military budgets of countries. So, the United States continues to spend more on defense in the world. The US military budget is about three times the Chinese and 500 billion dollars more than the Russian. This or a similar ratio of budgets will remain in the future. Nevertheless, each country has its own peculiarities in the development of finances allocated for defense. The result of this specificity is a certain advantage of Russia and China over the United States in the beginning of the arms race.
The United States, starting a war against international terrorism, increased its defense budget. In the future, if no significant changes in strategy occur, defense spending will be gradually reduced to 600 billion dollars a year. At the same time, D. Francis recalls, over the next six years, Russia will increase its military budget to almost $ 700 billion. China does not lag behind Russia and gradually increases defense spending. Thus, the United States is reducing the military budget, and their main competitors are increasing.
The author of the publication Here's Proof We're Losing the Losing the Arms Race to Russia and China confirms his words with several tables illustrating the change in the military budgets of the three countries over the past few years. They clearly show the fluctuations of US defense spending and the constant growth of the budgets of Russia and China.
Referring to Robert Haddick, an employee of the US Special Operations Command and author of the book Fire on the Water: China, America, and the Future of the Pacific, D. Francis writes that in the past ten years, Chinese defense spending, adjusted for inflation, is increasing annually on 10-12%. Every 7-8 years, China’s military budget doubles. Thus, China is a serious danger to the United States, even in terms of the defense budget.
Naturally, one budget increase is insufficient. In favor of the United States, an argument can be made regarding absolute numbers: the US military budget is still larger than the Russian and Chinese. However, D. Francis notes that not only expenditure is important, but also their structure. It is necessary to consider not only how much money is spent on the armed forces, but also how it is done.
The Russian and Chinese military are investing in the most modern weapons and military equipment. As an example of such practice, the American journalist cited Russian multi-purpose nuclear submarines of Project 885 Ash, the first of which was accepted into the Navy in July, as well as Russian Tankswhich, with equal combat capabilities, are much lighter than American ones. China in recent years has been successful in unmanned and rocket technology. In addition, there is reason to believe that China and Russia have an advantage over the United States in the field of cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, the US military continues to implement several new projects and are upgrading existing systems. In this case, as noted by D. Francis, some American projects can be considered unsuccessful, for example, the development program of the F-35 Lightning II fighter. Existing expenses forced the Pentagon to take appropriate measures. The US Department of Defense is interested in creating new technologies aimed at increasing the profitability of new projects.
In early September, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel spoke about the current situation and prospects. According to him, at present, the US military power has a decisive military and technological advantage over all likely adversaries. However, this advantage is not guaranteed in the future. China and Russia are actively trying to reduce the existing backlog by implementing long-term comprehensive programs for the development of the armed forces.
Potential opponents of the United States are currently developing advanced weapons of various classes, including those intended for the destruction of ships, aircraft, rockets and spacecraft. In addition, work is underway in the field of cybersecurity, electronic systems, etc. All of these weapons and other systems can be used to level the existing advantages of the American army.
According to R. Haddick, the Pentagon should take into account such threats and make further plans, considering them. Otherwise, the American strategy may become outdated, which will lead to a radical change in forces in some regions, for example in Southeast Asia.
The article Here's Proof We're Losing the Arms Race to Russia and China ends with a sad conclusion for the US military. D. Francis believes that the only thing that China and Russia cannot do in the current situation is a meaningless waste of money. The Pentagon, in turn, is one of the main embezzlers of public money in the United States.
The article by D. Francis is of great interest because it is a peculiar view from the other side: the situation with the armed forces of several states is considered by an American journalist. In addition, a number of statements are supported by references to other publications and summary tables. Thus, the conclusions of the article “Evidence of our lagging behind Russia and China in the arms race,” with a certain reservation, can be considered objective.
Indeed, China and Russia are still losing the US in the amount of their military budget. Nevertheless, even in conditions of relatively less funding, the Russian and Chinese military continue to implement a number of important projects, the purpose of which is the construction of new equipment, as well as the creation and development of military infrastructure. Recent events and news of the three countries directly say that the increase in defense spending has a positive effect on the state of the armed forces. At the same time, however, the amount of money allocated does not always translate into quality.
It is precisely on this problem that D. Francis concentrates. So, the F-35 fighter project used by him as an example is slowly moving towards completion, but its cost passed 50 billions of dollars a few years ago. This feature of the project causes claims from specialists, politicians and the public, however, work continues.
Thus, if in the near future a new arms race begins, in which three large and powerful states will take part, the United States must take a number of measures aimed at preserving the existing advantages. Otherwise, the likely opponents of the United States, taking into account the strategy of the Pentagon, will be able to develop their tactical techniques and create systems that will reduce or completely eliminate the existing gap in forces and capabilities.
It is not yet clear when exactly Russia and China will be able to compete on equal terms with the United States militarily. Nevertheless, it is already clear that promising defense projects should be started as soon as possible, and this applies to all participants in a possible arms race. Only a timely start of the development of new systems and strategies, full funding and control over the work will allow the three countries to maintain the status quo or change it in their favor.
Based on:
http://thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/09/16/Here-s-Proof-We-re-Losing-Arms-Race-Russia-and-China
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