Although the PLAN’s future force structure is largely still a state secret, open intelligence sources have already documented up to 275 ships of both ocean-going and littoral types being completed and commissioned into the PLAN in the past 15 years.
The PLAN’s explosive growth has become a source of major alarm for regional countries in the Indo-Pacific theatre. Chinese claims on the South China Sea (SCS), which it contests as a whole entity more so than individual territories within it, have intensified with provocative actions conducted not just by Chinese naval units but also by its paramilitarised Coast Guard and commercial fishing fleets. With the increase in blue-water fleet strength, China stands to gain a much bigger continuous and assertive presence in Indo-Pacific waters and with it the ability to coerce and overwhelm regional navies from conducting their own maritime patrols.
Denne historien er fra April/May 2021-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
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Denne historien er fra April/May 2021-utgaven av Asian Military Review.
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SMART MUNITIONS INCREASE MARKET SHARE
Top attack munitions are now widely developed for different artillery calibers with varied ranges.
NEXT GEN NVGS - A CLEAR IMPROVEMENT
Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night.
MILITARY ROTORCRAFT DEVELOPMENT - NO MORE ‘STOVEPIPES'
New rotorcraft are going to come with new abilities founded on open systems that provide easier upgrade paths and cheaper through life costs.
INDO PACIFIC UAV DIRECTORY 2021
The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing apace, especially in China. New longer range ISR platforms are also on the procurement list of several nations.
TIME TO RESET TRILATERAL RELATIONS
United States President Joe Biden has made it a top priority of his Administration to repair and re-energize global alliances during its first year in power. This is a necessary strategic and political calculus made in light of growing global security, public health, and environmental challenges that will require cooperation and multilateral contributions. President Trump’s ‘America first’ policy did much to undermine confidence in such relationships over his time in office.
SOCPAC KEEN TO SHARE JOINT DOCTRINE AND TRAINING
The return of Great Power competition means that US SOCPAC is more than ever seeking joint training opportunities with regional special forces.
MARINE ENGINE POWER - NOT JUST ABOUT KNOTS
Navies not only want more engine power, there are also coming under increasing pressure to become environmentally conscious.
AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
New amphibious concepts are re-shaping marine forces to break the A2AD defensive line.
SPACE V AIRBORNE ISR OR MIX AND MATCH
Owning satellite based ISR for military use is still an exclusive ‘club’, but airborne ISR still provides that most countries need.
SHIPBUILDING - A NUMBERS GAME
While experience grows among Indo-Pacific naval designers, order numbers remain crucial to keeping costs down and yards in business.