China’s economic problems have slowed Beijing’s major military buildup, but the overall stockpiling of missiles, warships, aircraft and nuclear forces is continuing apace, a knowledgeable military source tells Threat Status’ Bill Gertz.
Beijing’s mounting economic problems have forced the People’s Liberation Army to begin economizing on what some military leaders have called the largest military modernization of any nation since World War II. Much of the buildup is focused on restructuring the Chinese military from a large, land-oriented armed force into a high-tech, sea power-dominated force.
Investment in the Chinese military now emphasizes producing advanced aircraft with air-launched missiles; large, diverse and sophisticated missile forces; expanded naval forces; and, increasingly, sophisticated space warfare capabilities. “That’s what we’ve seen, and we’ve seen this over years and years,” according to the military source.
It’s notable that China’s military carried out a rare flight test this week of an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed in the Pacific Ocean. It’s also worth noting that a senior U.S. defense official said this week that satellite imagery shows China’s newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank alongside a pier while under construction.