What Taiwan can learn from the war in the Ukraine pt.2 #defencenews  #taiwan #china #ukraine
Channel: Soldiers Five
Date: 25/03/2024

To continue drawing useful lessons from the Ukraine with the ultimate aim of countering PLA airpower it’s important to first understand PLA doctrine. 

There is a critical difference between the PLA’s definition of air superiority and that of the US military.   

PLA commanders do not believe strategic air superiority or even short-term air supremacy is possible but prefer to achieve local air superiority within a defined time and geographic space. 

This is likely due to weaknesses regarding joint fires integration and extremely limited airborne refuelling capabilities compared to Western powers like the United States. 

China’s doctrine and professional writings indicate that the PLA will pursue a decapitation strategy in the initial stages of an amphibious invasion to obtain local air superiority. 

According to the PLA’s Science of Campaigns China will rely on the PLAAF and the PLA Rocket Force to execute long- range stand- off strikes to attack quote “critical targets, such as the enemy’s command institutions, air and naval bases, missile positions, and air defence positions” End quote. 

Make sure you put your thoughts on PLA doctrine in the comments below. 

This is Part two of one of my ongoing series covering innovations in military strategy and tactics.