Abstract
Over the past three decades, China has evolved into a robust economic powerhouse, surpassing Japan to become the second largest economy. The effects of this economic prosperity are visible in the leapfrogging modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force has been designated as a strategic arm of the People’s Liberation Army and is equipping itself with the fourth and fifth generation aircraft, force multipliers and precision guided long range air defence systems. The wide network of airfields in the regions close to the China–India border can facilitate rapid force mobilisation. The evenly spaced out airfields in Tibet particularly, have the potential to render the formidable natural Himalayan barrier ineffective in case of a contingency. A modernised People’s Liberation Army Air Force deployed close to the Indian border may act as a counter force in offsetting any gambit that India may adopt in the Indian Ocean.
Read the article here (subscription required).
Skip to content
GW is committed to digital accessibility. If you experience a barrier that affects your ability to access content on this page, let us know via the Accessibility Feedback Form.