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Chinas military might on an upswing, Pentagon says
NEW DELHI: From potent long-range missiles and new-generation nuclear submarines to expanding space, electronic and cyber warfare capabilities, China is pursuing ``long-term comprehensive'' military modernization designed to ``fight and win short-duration, high-intensity regional military conflicts''.
This is the assessment of Pentagon in its latest report on China's expansive military might, which was submitted to the US Congress on Monday. The report acknowledges that ``preparing for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait appears to be remain the principal focus and primary driver of China's military investment''.
But India, especially after the recent three-week military standoff with China on the eastern Ladakh heights, has to remain constantly on its guard. India is way behind in terms of military capabilities, and China's massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) further accentuates its already stark combat superiority.
Pentagon says China has 79 major warships and 55 submarines, five of them nuclear-powered. It is also undertaking a robust programme to build ``multiple'' aircraft carriers, after inducting its first one Liaoning last September, to project its power further offshore. The new Jin-class nuclear submarines, being armed with the 7,400-km range JL-2 missiles, also give China its ``first credible, long-range sea-based nuclear deterrent''.
In sharp contrast, India has only about 30 major warships, an ageing fleet of 14 conventional submarines and one nuclear-powered submarine, INS Chakra, leased from Russia without any long-range missiles. India's first indigenous nuclear submarine, the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant, armed with the 750-km range K-15 ballistic missiles, however, is slated to begin sea trials soon. Only after it becomes operational by 2015 will New Delhi's long-awaited nuclear weapon triad be in place.
With projects underway to build J-31 advanced stealth fighters, counter-space weapons, long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, guided-missile destroyers and frigates, Pentagon says it will ``enable the PLA to conduct a range of military operations in Asia well beyond Taiwan, in the South China Sea, western Pacific, and Indian Ocean.''
The report also takes note of the ever-growing China-Pakistan nexus. ``Pakistan remains China's primary customer for conventional weapons. China engages in both arms sales and defence industrial cooperation with Pakistan, including co-production of the JF-17 and F-7 fighters, F-22P frigates with helicopters, K-8 jet trainers, early warning and control aircraft, main-battle tanks, air-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles.''
Cyber-warfare is another top-priority for China, with it being viewed as ``unconventional warfare as well as preemption weapons''. Pentagon directly accuses China of indulging in major online espionage and hacking of US networks to steal technology to fuel its military modernization. India, too, has faced incessant cyber attacks, with Chinese online espionage agents frequently breaking into sensitive Indian military and other computer networks.
China --------- * Annual defence budget: $114 billion (declared budget but spends much more) * Large nuclear-capable missile arsenal. Road-mobile DF-31A missile can hit targets 11,200-km away, while the JL-2 submarine-launched missile has a 7,400-km range. * Armed Forces: 2.2 million troops * Submarines: 55 (at least 5 nuclear attack ones) * Major Warships: 75 (one aircraft carrier) * Fighter Jets: Over 1,700 * Main-Battle Tanks: Over 7,000
India ---------- * Annual defence budget: $39 billion * Limited nuclear-capable missile arsenal. Agni-I (700-km), Agni-II (2,500-km) and Agni-III (3,000-km) inducted. Agni-IV (3,500 km) and Agni-V (5,000-km) being tested. * Armed Forces: 1.3 million troops * Submarines: 15 (one nuclear-powered but without strategic missiles) * Major Warships: Over 30 (one aircraft carrier) * Fighter Jets: Over 550 * Main-Battle Tanks: Over 3,200
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chinas-military-might-on-an-upswing-Pentagon-says/articleshow/19941805.cms
NEW DELHI: From potent long-range missiles and new-generation nuclear submarines to expanding space, electronic and cyber warfare capabilities, China is pursuing ``long-term comprehensive'' military modernization designed to ``fight and win short-duration, high-intensity regional military conflicts''.
This is the assessment of Pentagon in its latest report on China's expansive military might, which was submitted to the US Congress on Monday. The report acknowledges that ``preparing for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait appears to be remain the principal focus and primary driver of China's military investment''.
But India, especially after the recent three-week military standoff with China on the eastern Ladakh heights, has to remain constantly on its guard. India is way behind in terms of military capabilities, and China's massive build-up of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) further accentuates its already stark combat superiority.
Pentagon says China has 79 major warships and 55 submarines, five of them nuclear-powered. It is also undertaking a robust programme to build ``multiple'' aircraft carriers, after inducting its first one Liaoning last September, to project its power further offshore. The new Jin-class nuclear submarines, being armed with the 7,400-km range JL-2 missiles, also give China its ``first credible, long-range sea-based nuclear deterrent''.
In sharp contrast, India has only about 30 major warships, an ageing fleet of 14 conventional submarines and one nuclear-powered submarine, INS Chakra, leased from Russia without any long-range missiles. India's first indigenous nuclear submarine, the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant, armed with the 750-km range K-15 ballistic missiles, however, is slated to begin sea trials soon. Only after it becomes operational by 2015 will New Delhi's long-awaited nuclear weapon triad be in place.
With projects underway to build J-31 advanced stealth fighters, counter-space weapons, long-range ballistic and cruise missiles, guided-missile destroyers and frigates, Pentagon says it will ``enable the PLA to conduct a range of military operations in Asia well beyond Taiwan, in the South China Sea, western Pacific, and Indian Ocean.''
The report also takes note of the ever-growing China-Pakistan nexus. ``Pakistan remains China's primary customer for conventional weapons. China engages in both arms sales and defence industrial cooperation with Pakistan, including co-production of the JF-17 and F-7 fighters, F-22P frigates with helicopters, K-8 jet trainers, early warning and control aircraft, main-battle tanks, air-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles.''
Cyber-warfare is another top-priority for China, with it being viewed as ``unconventional warfare as well as preemption weapons''. Pentagon directly accuses China of indulging in major online espionage and hacking of US networks to steal technology to fuel its military modernization. India, too, has faced incessant cyber attacks, with Chinese online espionage agents frequently breaking into sensitive Indian military and other computer networks.
China --------- * Annual defence budget: $114 billion (declared budget but spends much more) * Large nuclear-capable missile arsenal. Road-mobile DF-31A missile can hit targets 11,200-km away, while the JL-2 submarine-launched missile has a 7,400-km range. * Armed Forces: 2.2 million troops * Submarines: 55 (at least 5 nuclear attack ones) * Major Warships: 75 (one aircraft carrier) * Fighter Jets: Over 1,700 * Main-Battle Tanks: Over 7,000
India ---------- * Annual defence budget: $39 billion * Limited nuclear-capable missile arsenal. Agni-I (700-km), Agni-II (2,500-km) and Agni-III (3,000-km) inducted. Agni-IV (3,500 km) and Agni-V (5,000-km) being tested. * Armed Forces: 1.3 million troops * Submarines: 15 (one nuclear-powered but without strategic missiles) * Major Warships: Over 30 (one aircraft carrier) * Fighter Jets: Over 550 * Main-Battle Tanks: Over 3,200
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chinas-military-might-on-an-upswing-Pentagon-says/articleshow/19941805.cms
