Pentagons annual report on Chinese military developments (2020)

[Broccoli]

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/01/2002488689/-1/-1/1/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF

 

[Figaro]

https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/01/2002488689/-1/-1/1/2020-DOD-CHINA-MILITARY-POWER-REPORT-FINAL.PDF

I skimmed through this ... honestly their information is considerably worse and more vague than things you will find on Chinese defence forums (including here on PDF). The fact that this report cost 150k to compile really shows inefficiency in the US federal bureaucracy .

 

[Broccoli]

I skimmed through this ... honestly their information is considerably worse and more vague than things you will find on Chinese defence forums (including here on PDF). The fact that this report cost 150k to compile really shows inefficiency in the US federal bureaucracy .

It's the version what they show for the public.

There is another classifield version with all kinda images etc.

 

[Figaro]

It's the version what they show for the public.

There is another classifield version with all kinda images etc.

The classified images are likely images we have already seen via Chinese posters or from satellite/recon/other ELINT gathering. As they say, over 90% of intelligence is open source.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

I skimmed through this ... honestly their information is considerably worse and more vague than things you will find on Chinese defence forums (including here on PDF). The fact that this report cost 150k to compile really shows inefficiency in the US federal bureaucracy .

It's just a propaganda piece to justify the defence budget.

 

[FuturePAF]

This report is not as good as the old “Soviet Military Power” reports back in the day. On the subject of Soviet military power and Chinese military power, how much further does Chinese military development need to go until their reach the kind of capabilities the soviets once had, not the numbers but the capabilities?

there is a twitter post by a prominent US Arms control analyst; the Chinese have 200 DF-26 launchers, up from 80 a few years ago.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1300900973360148481

perhaps the Chinese maybe trying to go to Nuclear parity with the US and the Russians.

There is a lot of non-hardware human capabilities the Soviets developed that was integral to their capabilities.

 

[PeacefulWar]

perhaps the Chinese maybe trying to go to Nuclear parity with the US and the Russians.

I hope China do this.
It will reduce the chance of war with US to 0.
A bit ironic but meanwhile so real LOL

 

[PeacefulWar]

The classified images are likely images we have already seen via Chinese posters or from satellite/recon/other ELINT gathering. As they say, over 90% of intelligence is open source.

But they have access to military high-res satellite images. Something public can't access.
Our only hope is Trump's twitter

 

[FuturePAF]

I hope China do this.
It will reduce the chance of war with US to 0.
A bit ironic but meanwhile so real LOL

three sided Mexican standoff does create a kind of equilibrium. China’s done digging and is loading its gun. (Double meaning; China has finished building its 5000 km of underground tunnels to hide its missiles ((which Pakistan should also adopt in its strategy)), and ...)

btw, Chinese missiles and warheads would be new while minuteman missiles and warheads are decades old, and may not work like one of the guys in the clip (which as an American I hope isn’t true)

As the bulletin of atomic scientists would say, “and the clock moves one minute closer to midnight.”

 

[j20blackdragon]

Some highlights from the 2020 Pentagon report.

--------------------------------

China’s next-generation Type 096 SSBN, which will likely begin construction in the early-2020s, will reportedly carry a new type of SLBM.

In 2019, the PRC launched more ballistic missiles for testing and training than the rest of the world combined.

China appears to be considering additional DF-41 launch options, including rail-mobile and silo basing.

Commercial imagery from 2019 has revealed that China has constructed an ICBM silo at one of the PLARF’s Western training ranges that is smaller than China’s existing CSS-4 (DF-5) silos. According to state media, the CSS-X-20 (DF-41) ICBM can be launched from silos; this site is probably being used to at least develop a concept of operations for silo basing this system.

China may be developing a DF-5C and DF-31B ICBM

The PRC is also developing its indigenous CH-AB-X-02 (HQ-19), which will likely have a ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability.

China is working to develop ballistic missile defenses consisting of exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric kinetic-energy interceptors. In 2016, official media confirmed China’s intent to move ahead with land- and sea-based mid-course missile defense
capabilities. The HQ-19 mid-course interceptor has undergone tests to verify its capability against 3,000 km-class ballistic missiles, and an HQ-19 unit may have begun preliminary operations in western China.

The HQ-19 interceptor has undergone tests to verify its capability against 3,000 km-range ballistic missiles. In addition, China is pursuing a mid-course interceptor that may have capabilities against IRBMs and possibly ICBMs.

In addition to the development of directed-energy weapons and satellite jammers, the PLA has an operational ground-based anti-satellite (ASAT) missile intended to target low-Earth orbit satellites, and China probably intends to pursue additional ASAT weapons capable of destroying satellites up to geosynchronous Earth orbit.

China’s domestic CSA-9 (HQ-9) long-range SAM system likely has a limited capability to provide point defense against tactical ballistic missiles.

China already has several ground-based large phase array radars – similar in appearance to U.S. PAVE PAWS radars – that could support a missile early warning role.

China is the top ship-producing nation in the world by tonnage and has the capability to produce naval gas turbine and diesel engines as well as shipboard weapons and electronic systems, which makes it nearly self-sufficient for all shipbuilding needs.

The PRC has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants. In comparison, the U.S. Navy’s battle force is approximately 293 ships as of early 2020.

Following former PLAAF Commander General Ma Xiaotian’s 2016 public statement that China was developing a new generation of long-range bombers, a number of reports suggest the new bomber, likely named the H-20, could debut sometime in the next decade with the following features: a stealthy design, employing many fifth- generation technologies; a likely range of at least 8,500 km; a payload of at least 10 metric tons; and a capability to employ both conventional and nuclear weaponry.

Finally, the PLAAF is preparing upgrades for the J-20, which may include increasing the number of AAMs the fighter can carry in its low-observable configuration, installing thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, and adding super cruise capability by installing higher-thrust indigenous WS-15 engines.

The H-6N features a modified fuselage that allows it to carry externally either a drone or an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) that may be nuclear capable.

 

[Figaro]

Some highlights from the 2020 Pentagon report.

--------------------------------

China’s next-generation Type 096 SSBN, which will likely begin construction in the early-2020s, will reportedly carry a new type of SLBM.

In 2019, the PRC launched more ballistic missiles for testing and training than the rest of the world combined.

China appears to be considering additional DF-41 launch options, including rail-mobile and silo basing.

Commercial imagery from 2019 has revealed that China has constructed an ICBM silo at one of the PLARF’s Western training ranges that is smaller than China’s existing CSS-4 (DF-5) silos. According to state media, the CSS-X-20 (DF-41) ICBM can be launched from silos; this site is probably being used to at least develop a concept of operations for silo basing this system.

China may be developing a DF-5C and DF-31B ICBM

The PRC is also developing its indigenous CH-AB-X-02 (HQ-19), which will likely have a ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability.

China is working to develop ballistic missile defenses consisting of exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric kinetic-energy interceptors. In 2016, official media confirmed China’s intent to move ahead with land- and sea-based mid-course missile defense
capabilities. The HQ-19 mid-course interceptor has undergone tests to verify its capability against 3,000 km-class ballistic missiles, and an HQ-19 unit may have begun preliminary operations in western China.

The HQ-19 interceptor has undergone tests to verify its capability against 3,000 km-range ballistic missiles. In addition, China is pursuing a mid-course interceptor that may have capabilities against IRBMs and possibly ICBMs.

In addition to the development of directed-energy weapons and satellite jammers, the PLA has an operational ground-based anti-satellite (ASAT) missile intended to target low-Earth orbit satellites, and China probably intends to pursue additional ASAT weapons capable of destroying satellites up to geosynchronous Earth orbit.

China’s domestic CSA-9 (HQ-9) long-range SAM system likely has a limited capability to provide point defense against tactical ballistic missiles.

China already has several ground-based large phase array radars – similar in appearance to U.S. PAVE PAWS radars – that could support a missile early warning role.

China is the top ship-producing nation in the world by tonnage and has the capability to produce naval gas turbine and diesel engines as well as shipboard weapons and electronic systems, which makes it nearly self-sufficient for all shipbuilding needs.

The PRC has the largest navy in the world, with an overall battle force of approximately 350 ships and submarines including over 130 major surface combatants. In comparison, the U.S. Navy’s battle force is approximately 293 ships as of early 2020.

Following former PLAAF Commander General Ma Xiaotian’s 2016 public statement that China was developing a new generation of long-range bombers, a number of reports suggest the new bomber, likely named the H-20, could debut sometime in the next decade with the following features: a stealthy design, employing many fifth- generation technologies; a likely range of at least 8,500 km; a payload of at least 10 metric tons; and a capability to employ both conventional and nuclear weaponry.

Finally, the PLAAF is preparing upgrades for the J-20, which may include increasing the number of AAMs the fighter can carry in its low-observable configuration, installing thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, and adding super cruise capability by installing higher-thrust indigenous WS-15 engines.

The H-6N features a modified fuselage that allows it to carry externally either a drone or an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) that may be nuclear capable.

All open source information that we have heard for years now ... nothing new at all.

 

[zectech]

I hope China do this.
It will reduce the chance of war with US to 0.
A bit ironic but meanwhile so real LOL

You are thinking 1950s MAD. US has triad of destroying any incoming ICBMs. This is classified decades old technology.

Only way is to move forward is EW, and new technologies for China to have a 'risk fleet' of German Navy. Have enough EW, laser, DEW, and other very classified and high tech weapons to scare the US that a war with China, even if US uses every classified technology has the risk of defeat.

Then do what the Germans failed to do - to surpass the British, this time Americans. Even if China advances 30 years in technology and develops a risk military, US could still challenge the rising China.

US wants to provoke a nuclear war with China, US would win.

 

[j20blackdragon]

In December 2019, China launched the sixth Renhai class cruiser (Type 055) and was set to commission the first hull of the class in early 2020. The Renhai carry a large load out of weapons including ASCMs, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and anti-submarine weapons along with likely LACMs and anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs)

 

[j20blackdragon]

China has already achieved parity with—or even exceeded—the United States in several military modernization areas, including shipbuilding, land-based conventional ballistic and cruise missiles, and integrated air defense systems.

Most of China’s missile programs, including its ballistic and cruise missile systems, are comparable in quality to other international top-tier producers.

China can produce ground weapon systems at or near world-class standards;

 

[Figaro]

China has already achieved parity with—or even exceeded—the United States in several military modernization areas, including shipbuilding, land-based conventional ballistic and cruise missiles, and integrated air defense systems.

Most of China’s missile programs, including its ballistic and cruise missile systems, are comparable in quality to other international top-tier producers.

China can produce ground weapon systems at or near world-class standards;

The most critical areas for China at this point are mastering the 4th generation aeroengine (i.e. WS-15) and producing state of the art SSNs and SSBNs. Everything else is of lesser importance.