Indigenous weapons development in China's military modernization
By: primary author, Amy Chang, USCC Research Fellow for Military & National Security Affairs; editor and contributing author, John Dotson, USCC Research Coordinator
Contributors: Dotson, John, author, editor; U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Series: U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission staff research report; U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission staff research report
Publisher: U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
Published: 2012
Place of publication: [Washington, DC]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 41
Subjects: Armed Forces; Weapons systems; Submarines (Ships); Ballistic missiles; Military policy; Anti-satellite weapons; Military Airplanes
Description: China's process of modernizing its armed forces has involved the development of indigenously designed weapons systems, some of which appeared to undergo a process of development, procurement, and/or deployment that outpaced the estimates of U.S. and other foreign observers. This paper specifically focuses on four key weapons platforms that have been discussed as 'surprise' developments to U.S. analysts. Based on the four case studies covered in this report, there are no universal trends in publicly reported U.S. government analysis on the development of indigenous Chinese weapon systems. The trends of past decades are no longer a reliable guide to the performance of China's defense industries. Furthermore, U.S. observers should not take at face value statements from the Chinese government on military policy, as they could either be deceptive, or simply issued by agencies (e.g., the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs) that have no real say over military matters. Based on the trends identified in this paper, U.S. analysts and policymakers should expect to see continued advancements in the ability of the PRC to produce modern weapons platforms, and an attendant increase in the operational capabilities of the People's Liberation Army.
Notes: "April 5, 2012."

Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Glossary of acronyms.; title: Executive summary.; title: Introduction. - Section 1: The Yuan class submarine.; title: Section 2: The anti-satellite (ASAT) missile system.; title: Section 3: The anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM).; title: Section 4: The J-20 fighter.; title: Conclusions.; title: Appendix: Controversies regarding competing analysis on Chinese military developments.