China's Force Modernization and the Changing Concept of Nuclear Deterrence

Abstract

China's concept of deterrence is changing as evidenced by the quantitative and qualitative changes in its ballistic missile force structure. The old strategic doctrine of Mao's era was characterized by a small force structure, minimally capable (retaliatory in nature) and defensive in posture. With a small number of nuclear weapons, deterrence was always vulnerable to a disarming first strike, and required that survivability was a top priority. The small retaliatory force provided little to no options in an escalatory situation where deterrence fails. The impetus for China's modemization effort was to ensure a credible nuclear deterrent for modern conditions and create military options both nuclear and conventional, at the theater level.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 21, 2010
Accession Number
ADA600143

Entities

People

  • Val Taylor

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Power
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Civil War
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Conventional Capabilities
  • Conventional Warfare
  • Doctrine
  • Force Structure
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Medium Range Ballistic Missiles
  • Military Modernization
  • Military Organizations
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Security
  • United States
  • Warfare
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Asian Economic Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies