An Analysis of Major Developmental Influences on the Peoples Liberation Army - Navy and Their Implications for the Future.
Abstract
This study examines the development of the navy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the various influences that have shaped Chinese maritime capabilities. Since 1949, the People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) has grown from a small collection of surface vessels to a major regional navy with significant air, surface, and subsurface capabilities. Throughout its history, the PLAN was subjected to developmental influences that can be categorized as strategic, political, economic, and institutional. The effects previous influences had on the PLAN can be used as a guide to determine how current influences will affect the PLAN in the next 25 years. In the past 15 years, these developmental influences on the PLAN have changed dramatically. Currently the PLAN is changing in response to a lack of a superpower threat, China's continuing quest to recover "lost" territories in the South and East China Seas, the reduction of political interference in military affairs, the PRC's growing economy, the growth of the PRC's coastal regions, expanding international trade, and the PRC's offshore resource development. Also the PLAN has minimized its historical subordination to the army. Together, these influences forecast a modern, capable, and independent navy that will become a dominant presence in the waters surrounding China's island claims.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA299253
Entities
People
- John R. O'donnell
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College