Report to the US Congress: Chinese naval modernisation

Congressional Research Service presents a report on Chinese naval armaments to Congress on 20 January 2022.

China's naval modernisation has become the focus of US defence planning and budgeting. China's navy has developed into a formidable military force and is increasingly conducting manoeuvres in distant waters, including the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the waters around Europe.

The PLAN is a challenge for the US Navy to maintain control of the Western Pacific in the event of war - the first such challenge since the end of the Cold War. The United States' long-held status as the leading military power in the Western Pacific is in jeopardy. US observers are expressing concern or alarm at the pace at which China is pressing ahead with the construction of naval vessels.

The modernisation of the Chinese navy includes a wide range of programmes for the acquisition of ships, aircraft and weapons as well as improvements in the areas of maintenance and logistics, doctrine, personnel quality, education and training as well as exercises. The priority seems to be to deal with the situation around Taiwan militarily if necessary. It is also a question of dominating the South China Sea. China believes that foreign military activities in its 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) require authorisation. The aim is to displace the influence of the USA and consolidate China's status as a leading regional power.

In line with these objectives, China is seeking to enable its navy to act as part of a Chinese anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) force - a force that can deter the US from intervening in a conflict in China's near sea region around Taiwan or any other issue, or, failing that, delay the arrival of US forces or reduce their effectiveness. The Chinese Navy's other roles include conducting maritime security operations (including counter-piracy), evacuating Chinese nationals from abroad when necessary, and conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

The US Navy has taken a number of measures in recent years to counter China's modernisation efforts. Among other things, more forces of higher quality have been deployed to the Pacific. The overall presence and co-operation with allied naval forces in the Indo-Pacific has been increased.

The question for Congress is whether the US Navy is responding appropriately to the Chinese Navy's modernisation efforts. You can view the report here.

Source and photos: US Naval Institute