Chinese armed forces: structure, strength, weapons. China's strategic strengths are clearly underestimated

If the world were ideal, then no armies or weapons would be needed and there would never be wars. But the reality is that threats both abroad and domestically put national security at risk. This reality forces many states to have a powerful army in the form of human potential and weapons.
There are several outstanding armies that are widely known for their size, combat experience and military equipment. They are among the ten largest armies in the world.

1. China

The world's largest army in terms of army size is unsurprisingly occupied by the most populous country in the world, the Chinese People's Army. This nation is known not only for its large territory, but also for its huge population and, accordingly, the largest army. The Chinese People's Liberation Army was founded in 1927.

Its main part consists of citizens aged 18 to 49 years. Number of people: 2,300,000. Budget $129 billion per year. About 240 installations for launching nuclear missiles. The Chinese army is well trained and has large resources in weapons and mobilization resources in the event of war, it can put 200,000,000 people under arms. It is armed with 8,500 tanks, 61 submarines, 54 surface ships and 4,000 aircraft.

Russian army

The Russian army is one of the most experienced in the world. Its strength is 1,013,628 military personnel (according to the presidential decree of March 28, 2017). The annual budget is $64 billion and ranks 3rd in the world in terms of military spending. It is armed with 2,867 tanks, 10,720 armored vehicles, 2,646 self-propelled guns, and 2,155 towed artillery pieces. Russia also has the largest number of nuclear warheads in the world.

3.United States of America

US Army

The US Army was founded in 1775. The United States currently has 1,400,000 active military personnel and 1,450,000 in the active reserve. The defense budget is what truly sets the US apart from all the other countries on the list; it is over $689 billion per year.
The United States also has the most trained troops and a powerful arsenal. Its ground forces use 8,325 tanks, 18,539 armored combat vehicles, 1,934 self-propelled guns, 1,791 towed artillery pieces, and 1,330 nuclear warheads.

Indian Army

Located in southern Asia, India is the world's largest arms importer. With a strength of 1.325 thousand soldiers and officers. The Army's military budget is $44 billion a year. There are also about 80 nuclear warheads in service.

5. North Korea

North Korean Army

North Korea has a well-trained and coordinated army of 1,106,000, as well as a large number of reservists, 8,200,000 as of 2011. It also has a large number of weapons, they include: 5,400 tanks, 2,580 armored vehicles, 1,600 self-propelled guns, 3,500 towed artillery pieces, 1,600 air defense systems and other powerful weapons. Military conscription in this state is compulsory for everyone; the period of military service is 10 years.
While the totalitarian regime in North Korea has built a large army, much of its military equipment is considered obsolete. However, they have nuclear weapons, which in turn poses a threat to the stability of peace in this region.

6. South Korea

Photo of the South Korean Army

Next on the list of the largest armies in the world is the South Korean army. In this state, the conscription age is from 18 to 35 years, the service period is 21 months.
Its armed forces are called the Republic of Korea Army. It uses both domestic and imported weapons. It is armed with 2,300 tanks, 2,600 armored vehicles, 30 air defense systems and 5,300 artillery pieces. The number of its troops reaches approximately 1,240,000 people.

7. Pakistan

Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army rightfully ranks among the largest armies in the world. It has a workforce of 617,000 people and a personnel reserve of about 515,500 people as of 2011.
Its ground forces use a wide range of weapons: 3,490 tanks, 5,745 armored vehicles, 1,065 self-propelled guns, 3,197 towed artillery pieces. The Air Force is armed with 1,531 aircraft and 589 helicopters. The naval force consists of 11 frigates and 8 submarines. With a budget of just over $5 billion, it is the smallest budget of the top ten military powers. Pakistan may be a small country in size, but it is undoubtedly one of the largest armies in the world in terms of size and military prowess. This army is also a permanent ally of the United States.

Iranian army

They say that the most powerful army in the Middle East is the army of Iran. Iran is also known for its large troop numbers. It has approximately 545,000 personnel, divided into 14 infantry divisions and 15 air bases. Their army is equipped with 2,895 tanks, 1,500 armored vehicles, 310 self-propelled guns, 860 air defense systems, 1,858 aircraft and 800 helicopters. The defense budget is just over $10 billion.

Turkish army

Türkiye has the largest army at the meeting point of Asia and Europe. Citizens are called up for service at the age of 20. Conscription lasts approximately 6 to 15 months, depending on the educational level of the students. The strength of the Turkish army is 1,041,900 people, of which 612,900 are regular military personnel and 429,000 are in the reserve. Its army is also well armed and has 4,460 tanks, 1,500 self-propelled guns, 7,133 armored vehicles, 406 air defense systems, 570 airplanes and helicopters. The annual budget of this army is 19 billion dollars.

10. Israel

Israeli army

The army of the State of Israel is known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Men over 18 years of age are subject to conscription every year. Every year, about 121,000 men can be drafted into the army to serve in any of its military branches. Currently, the Israeli army consists of 187,000 regular military personnel and a reserve of 565,000 people. As a result, the number of troops in the Israel Defense Forces is about 752,000. The army is equipped with the latest technology and is armed with 3,870 tanks, 1,775 armored vehicles, 706 self-propelled guns, 350 towed artillery pieces, and 48 air defense systems.

Not all countries in the world need a large army for reliable protection. However, maintaining peace and order would be impossible without a well-organized and armed army.

The size of China's army can be the envy of any modern sovereign state. According to official estimates, more than 2 million people are involved in the armed forces of the Celestial Empire. The Chinese themselves call their troops the People's Liberation Army of China. There is not a single example in the world of more numerous armed forces. Experts say that in recent years the number of Chinese soldiers has decreased due to a new military-political doctrine. According to it, the main focus in the PRC army is now placed not on the quantity of manpower, but on the quality of weapons and equipment of the troops.

History of the formation of the Chinese armed forces

Despite the fact that the domestic militarization of the PRC was first carried out in 1927, its history dates back much earlier. Scientists believe that in fact the army of Ancient China was formed approximately 4 thousand years ago. And there is evidence of this.

We are talking about the so-called Terracotta Army of China. This name was adopted to describe the terracotta statues of warriors at the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in Xi'an. Full-size sculptures were buried in the 3rd century BC. e. together with the body of the emperor of the Qin dynasty, whose policy achievement was the unification of the Chinese state and the connection of the links of the Great Wall.

Historiographers report that the future ruler began building his tomb while still a 13-year-old teenager. According to the idea of ​​Ying Zheng (that was the name of the emperor before ascending to the throne), the sculptures of warriors were supposed to remain next to him even after death. The construction of the mausoleum required the efforts of about 700 thousand workers. Construction lasted almost 40 years. Contrary to tradition, clay copies of warriors were buried with the ruler instead of living soldiers. China's Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 while drilling an artesian well near the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an.

If we talk about the modern legions of this country, then they are the direct heirs of the communist combat units that arose during intrastate battles in the 20-30s of the previous century. One fateful date stands out from the history of the Chinese People's Army. On August 1, 1927, an uprising took place in the city of Nanchang, which became the driving lever in the mechanism for the founding of what was then called the Red Army. The then armed forces were headed by the future leader of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong.

The PLA (People's Liberation Army of China) received its current name only after the end of World War II, and from the moment of its formation it was the Red Army that fought against the combat units of the Kuomintang and the Japanese invaders.

After the devastating surrender of Japan, the Soviet Union decided to transfer the weapons of the Kwantung Army to a neighboring friendly state. Voluntary formations equipped with USSR weapons took an active part in the war on the Korean Peninsula. Thanks to the efforts and help of Stalin, the Chinese were able to build new combat-ready troops. Not the least role in the formation of the armed forces of the Celestial Empire of that period was played by semi-partisan associations. In 1949, after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, the army acquired the status of a regular armed force.

Development of Chinese troops in the second half of the twentieth century

After the death of Joseph Stalin, relations between the once partner countries began to deteriorate, and in 1969, a serious border conflict broke out between the USSR and the PRC on Damansky Island, which almost caused the outbreak of a full-scale war.

Since the 50s, the Chinese army has been subjected to significant reductions several times. The most significant event that affected the number of active troops occurred in the 80s. At that time, the Chinese army was represented mainly by ground forces, that is, it was tailored for a possible military conflict with the Soviet Union.

After some time, relations between the countries stabilized. The Chinese, realizing that the threat of war from the northern side had passed, turned their attention to internal problems. Since 1990, the country's leadership has launched a large-scale program to improve the current model of the national army. China is still actively modernizing its navy, aviation, and missile forces.

From 1927 to the present day, tremendous work has been done to reform the PLA. The successful transformations led to a new division of the army according to territorial affiliation and the formation of new branches of the military. The country's leadership, led by Xi Jinping, see their goal as achieving the highest level of controllability and combat effectiveness of the Chinese army, optimizing the structure of combat units and creating troops that have an advantage in the era of information technology.

Indicators of the PRC armed forces

Like a number of other states, Chinese legislation has introduced compulsory military service. However, the number of people seeking to join the ranks of the regular troops is so large that in the entire history of the existence of the PRC army (since 1949), the authorities have not carried out a formal conscription. For every Chinese, regardless of gender, it is a matter of honor to repay debt to the Motherland through military service. In addition, military craft is the only way for most Chinese peasants to feed their families. Soldiers are accepted into volunteer units of the Chinese army until they reach the age of 49.

The armed forces of the People's Republic of China are a separate structural unit that is not subordinate to either the Communist Party or the government. Two specially formed committees are called upon to manage the army in China - the State and the Party.

It is difficult for a person far from military affairs to imagine the true power of the military “machine” of the Celestial Empire. For a substantive understanding, let’s look at the numbers:

• Both men and women over 19 years of age have the right to join the ranks of various types of troops.
• The size of the Chinese army, according to rough estimates of experts, is about 2.5 million people.
• From year to year, more than $215 billion is allocated from the state budget for the maintenance of the armed forces.

An interesting feature of the Chinese army’s weapons is their similarity to the Soviet ones. For the most part, Chinese weapons and equipment are a direct legacy of the USSR, copies of Soviet models. Over the past decades, in the course of modernization, the weapons of the Chinese army have increasingly been replenished with new types of ultra-modern weapons, which are not inferior in their parameters to their world analogues.

The beautiful half of the Chinese troops

Since the formation of the PLA, not only men have joined its ranks. Women in the Chinese army occupy predominantly positions with minimal threat to life. As a rule, this is the field of communication and healthcare.

The first graduation of female Marines from the South China Navy dates back to 1995. About 10 years ago, representatives of the fair sex began to be allowed to take fighter pilot exams. Some ladies have become captains in the Navy and manage warships and crew. Women, just like men, march in Chinese army parades. Military demonstrations take place in China once every ten years. According to experts, ladies type the step clearly and competently, in no way inferior to men.

On the composition of the military forces of the People's Republic of China

The strength of the current PLA has been significantly reduced compared to the Chinese army of the 1960s and 70s. But, despite this, against the background of the combat effectiveness of the armies of other states, the troops of the Celestial Empire still look impressive. The main difference between China's former armed forces is that the main resource for their formation was soldiers, that is, manpower. At the same time, the number of units of military equipment amounted to several dozen throughout the country. Today's Chinese army includes all units of modern troops:

• land;
• air force;
• Navy;
• strategic nuclear forces;
• special forces and other types of combat groups, in the absence of which it is impossible to imagine any army of a modern state.

In addition, new types of ballistic missiles and intercontinental weapons enter service with the Chinese army every year. Considering that each nuclear power keeps full information about the state of its weapons potential secret, it is likely that China also has an order of magnitude more nuclear warheads than are officially reported. According to publicly available information, there are about 200 isotopically charged carriers in the country.

Missile and ground forces

The strategic units of the PRC armed forces have access to 75 ground-based ballistic missile launchers and about 80 Hong-6 aircraft belonging to the strategic nuclear aviation forces as basic equipment. The command of the Chinese flotilla has at its disposal a nuclear submarine equipped with twelve launchers for launching Julan-1 missiles. Despite the fact that this type of weapon was developed more than 30 years ago, it is considered effective today.

As for the composition of the ground forces, in China this unit has the following resources:

• 2.5 million soldiers;
• about 90 divisions, of which a fifth are tank and rapid reaction divisions.

Chinese Air Force and Navy

The military aviation of the People's Republic of China openly declares the presence of about 4 thousand aircraft. Moreover, most of them represent an outdated “legacy” from the USSR, which was transferred by the Union. Many operational aircraft are models designed on the basis of Soviet flying machines. More than two-thirds of China's aircraft fleet are fighters used to destroy military targets and air defense. Not long ago, Chinese aircraft were not intended to support ground forces. Over the past few years, the situation in this direction has changed radically.

More than a hundred warships and several hundred helicopters and aircraft belonging to the naval aviation department make up the Chinese naval forces. To regularly guard the border and coastal zones, the Chinese Navy uses thousands of equipped patrol ships.

Not many people know that China owns the aircraft carrier Liaoling (formerly Varyag). The PRC purchased it from the Ukrainian fleet for a fairly impressive amount - $25 million. The United States prevented the purchase of the aircraft carrier, so the Chinese company had to resort to a peculiar trick: a private company acquired the Varyag, which in the documents received the status of a floating amusement park. As soon as the aircraft carrier arrived in China, it was decided to complete and improve it. Not long ago, the PRC created two more aircraft carriers based on the Liaoling model.

Military-political partnership

Despite the fact that the Celestial Empire continues to actively develop weapons, this country still lags behind the superpowers in the field of high-precision weapons. A considerable share of the funds allocated to ensure the defense capability of the state goes to the development of a new type of weapon. The country's leadership chose this course because, in its opinion, the future belongs to precision weapons.

To get an objective assessment and compare the armies of China and the United States, there is no need to list all the super-powerful weapons of both powers at their disposal. Without further arguments, it is clear that the PRC has something to strive for in the field of military weapons. Despite all the scientific and technical achievements of designers, the Chinese defense industry still lags significantly behind the American one. It is only worth noting that the United States, as the main competitor of the Chinese in the international arena, does not particularly hide its dissatisfaction with their successes.

In order to gradually reduce the gap with the world leader, the PRC decided to actively develop cooperation with the Russian Federation in the military-technical sphere. China owes much of its rapid development of its army to its partner. Thanks to Russia, which not only supplies the latest weapons, but also takes part in the development of military equipment on an equal basis with Chinese specialists, the PRC was able to take a decisive step forward.

Today, many joint Russian-Chinese projects are operating, various agreements have been concluded at the intergovernmental and interstate levels in the following areas:

• joint military technological processes and development of new weapons;
• studying technologies used both to destroy military targets and to protect civilians;
• cooperation in the space field, which involves conducting numerous projects and developing programs;
• strengthening relations in the communications sector.

The rapid development of partnership relations between Russia and China is of significant importance for the armies of both countries. Increasing the pace of modernization processes of the armed forces of China is not welcomed by the United States, which fears the potential emergence of a direct competitor. At the same time, the number of concluded cooperation agreements between Russia and China has increased significantly over the past few years. The most significant achievements in the sphere of relations between these two countries are worth noting the acquisition of SU-27 fighters, as well as permission for their production in China, and the consent of the Russian side to carry out repair work on Chinese submarines on its territory.

Main priorities in the field of defense construction

Comparing the armies of China of the last century and our time has enormous differences. The change in the military-political doctrine of the PRC and the competent setting of priorities have brought real results in the development of the armed forces of the republic. Numerical reductions against the backdrop of rapidly progressing technical modernization, requiring the annual allocation of impressive budget sums, did not in any way affect the combat effectiveness of the Celestial Army. On the contrary, China's position in the international arena has strengthened significantly.

The country's leadership will not consider suspending army modernization as long as the United States acts in interstate relations from a position of strength. The PRC plans to reach a level of armed forces at which the republic will be able to protect its borders and strike back at the enemy. For the same purpose, huge funds are allocated from the budget for the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

China's nuclear weapons policy fits into the concept of a “limited nuclear retaliatory strike.” Despite the fact that the military-political doctrine of the PRC implies the development of nuclear potential, its presence should be perceived by other states not as a threat, but as a deterrent that can be used in response against an enemy using nuclear weapons on the territory of the republic.

Mobile rapid reaction teams, whose task is to quickly move to areas of active conflict and neutralize it, are of strategic importance in the field of defense construction. According to the provisions of this concept, the Chinese army is developing mobile forces, annually equipping them with modern electronics, including systems:

• long-range detection and communication;
• remote control of weapons and troops;
• electronic warfare.

Financing the Chinese army

When comparing the armies of China and Russia, the difference between the amount of funds allocated annually for the maintenance of the armed forces is striking. If the Russian military budget over the past few years has averaged around $65 billion, then the growing Chinese spending on troop modernization has already exceeded $200 billion. In this context, the Chinese army is second only to the United States. At the same time, the Chinese allocate only 1.5-1.9% of the country’s GDP for defense. Interestingly, this figure was $50 billion just ten years ago. As GDP grows, funding for the Chinese military is expected to increase proportionately.

The development of trade relations with most world powers contributes to the normalization of diplomatic relations. As already noted, the warmest friendly relations, based on the terms of equal partnership, are maintained between China and Russia.

Does China want world domination?

The size and armament of the Chinese army allows us to consider this country one of the strongest potential adversaries. But since any successes and achievements give rise to envy, suspicion and slander, the republic did not escape this fate. The country's leadership expresses regret that individual states treat China as a potential aggressor. The reason for such suspicions is an incorrect understanding of Chinese foreign policy. Among the versions are the following:

• The PRC strives to become the most significant military force in the Asia-Pacific region, so the republic began to invest heavily in the army as soon as Russia and the United States reduced the number of warships in this area.
• The purchase of modern weapons from Russia provokes an arms race. Allegedly, this is considered one of the real reasons why the DPRK (North Korea) decided to acquire nuclear warheads.
• The modernization of Chinese troops is carried out only in order to strike a blow at the United States.

These accusations are refuted by military experts from the Middle Kingdom. China is not striving for world domination, and the rapid growth of economic indicators would be more correct to perceive as a common business practice that strives to expand and increase profits.

The process of modernizing the army itself, according to the PRC authorities, lies a heavy burden on the shoulders of the state economy. However, China does not have the right to refuse to improve its armed forces, since the country’s army is currently vulnerable to the stronger troops of other powers.

The United States assumes that the PRC will launch a military offensive from Taiwan, with which the Chinese have certain territorial disputes. But such thoughts have no logical basis in light of the steadily developing economic relations between China and Taiwan. The two countries are linked by large annual turnover. Therefore, why should China lose billions of dollars in profit?..

Such accusations can be heard mainly from the United States or its allies. Apparently, it is beneficial for America to portray China in a bad light, arguing that the PRC is just waiting for the moment to attack. What goal are the Americans actually pursuing by putting a spoke in the wheels of the Celestial Empire? Most likely, America is afraid of losing world leadership. It does not need a strong competitor, another superpower on the world stage.

CHINA ARMED FORCES

CHINA'S MILITARY

CHINA ARMED FORCES

PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY OF CHINA

The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA, Chinese pal.: Zhongguo Renmin Jiefang Jun) is the official name of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, the largest in number in the world (2,250,000 people in active service). The army was founded on August 1, 1927 as a result of the Nanchang Uprising as the communist "Red Army", under the leadership of Mao Zedong, it organized large raids during the Chinese Civil War (1930s) (the Long March of the Chinese Communists). The name "People's Liberation Army of China" began to be used to refer to the armed forces formed in the summer of 1946 from CCP troops - the 8th Army, the New 4th Army and the Northeast Army; after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, this name began to be used in relation to the country's armed forces.
The legislation provides for military service for men from 18 years of age; Volunteers are accepted up to 49 years of age. The age limit for an Army Reserve member is 50 years. In wartime, theoretically (without taking into account restrictions on material support) up to 60 million people can be mobilized.
The PLA is subordinate not directly to the party or government, but to two special Central Military Commissions - the state and the party. Usually these commissions are identical in composition, and the term CVC is used in the singular. The post of chairman of the Central Exhibition Committee is key for the entire state. In recent years, it usually belongs to the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, but in the 1980s, for example, the Central Military Commission was headed by Deng Xiaoping, who was actually the leader of the country (formally, he never
He was neither the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, nor the Prime Minister of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, but he held the post of General Secretary of the Party Central Committee earlier, even under Mao before the “cultural revolution”).
In terms of territorial deployment, the armed forces are divided into seven military regions and three fleets, organized on a territorial basis: in Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Lanzhou and Jinan.

GROUND-BASED STRATEGIC FORCES

The total potential is estimated at 400 nuclear weapons, of which 260 are formally located on strategic carriers. Meanwhile, there are different opinions on this matter. For example, the fact that China, as of 2010, possessed only 240 nuclear warheads, of which only 175 were on duty. Or, on the contrary, Beijing has more than 3,500 nuclear weapons, with 200 new generation warheads produced per year. For each of the launchers there are up to five missiles, which allegedly indicates an intention to both hide the real size of the arsenal, which is usually measured by the number of carriers, and a readiness to launch a nuclear strike in several waves.
It seems more realistic that the PRC's nuclear potential does not exceed 300 munitions on strategic carriers, including free-fall bombs with a yield of 15-40 kt, as well as 3 mt, missile warheads with a charge of 3 to 5 mt and more modern 200-300 kiloton warheads . Another 150 munitions could be carried on medium- and shorter-range ballistic missiles, and possibly cruise missiles.
According to American experts, by 2020 China may achieve the potential of so-called “doctrinal” or limited nuclear deterrence. Up to 200 ICBMs, both silo-based and on a vehicle chassis, will be on combat duty. The basis will be the Dongfeng-31NA and Dongfeng-41 complexes with a range of 11 and 14 thousand km, respectively, and the latter can carry up to 10 warheads (both warheads and decoys).

According to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PLA Rocket Force had only 458 ballistic missiles in service at the end of 2015.
Of these, 66 are intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), namely: DF-4 (CSS-3) - 10 units; DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) - 20 units; DF-31 (CSS-9 Mod 1) - 12 units; DF-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) - 24 units. Medium-range missiles 134 units, namely: DF-16 (CSS-11) - 12 units; DF-21/DF-21A (CSS-5 Mod 1/2) - 80 units; DF-21C (CSS-5 Mod 3) - 36 units; anti-ship ballistic missiles DF-21D (CSS-5 Mod 5) - 6 units. Short-range ballistic missiles 252 units, including: DF-11A/M-11A (CSS-7 Mod 2) - 108 units; DF-15M-9 (CSS-6) - 144 units. Ground-based cruise missiles DH-10-54 units.
According to the US intelligence community, the PLA Rocket Force has approximately 75-100 ICBMs, including silo-based DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) and DF-5B (CSS-4 Mod 2); mobile ground-based missile systems DF-31 (CSS-9 Mod 1) and DS-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) with solid-fuel intercontinental-range ballistic missiles and DF-4 (CSS-3) intermediate-range ballistic missiles. This arsenal is complemented by the DF-21 (CSS-5 Mod 6) PGRK with a medium-range solid-fuel ballistic missile.
About 180 ballistic missiles of five types are deployed as part of the ground-based strategic forces: DF-4, DF-5A, DF-21, DF-31 and DF-31A. It is generally accepted that they all carry one warhead.
DF-4 (CSS-3) is a liquid-propelled two-stage medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) mobile and silo-based. This MRBM will be replaced by the solid-fuel MRBM DF-21, its modification DF-21A and the solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) DF-31.
DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) - silo-based liquid-fueled ICBM - since 1981, began to replace the silo-based liquid-fueled ICBM
DF-5. The DF-5A ICBMs are designed to deter the United States and Russia. If China, in response to the US deployment of a missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region, decides to increase the number of deployed warheads, the DF-5A ICBM will eventually be able to carry up to three lightweight warheads.
DF-21 (CSS-5) and its modifications are mobile-based solid-fuel MRBMs. The DF-21 is currently China's main means of regional nuclear deterrence. Since 2005, the United States has recorded a significant increase in the number of deployed DF-21 MRBMs. If in 2005, according to estimates by the US Defense Department, about 20 such missiles were deployed, then in 2010 their number was approximately 80 units. The DF-21 IRBM has several modifications (A, C), of which the DF-21C IRBM can be used in both conventional and nuclear configurations.
DF-31 (CSS-9) and modification DF-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) are solid-fuel three-stage mobile-based ICBMs. They are placed on a three-axle transport and launch unit (TPU) inside a 15-meter container. US intelligence agencies believe the DF-31A's mission should be strategic deterrence against the US. In turn, DF-31 ICBMs in the future will have to take on the main role in regional deterrence. It should be noted that the adoption of the DF-31 ICBM in 2003 significantly reduced the gap between China and Russia and the United States in the development of strategic missile weapons.
In 2014, China confirmed the presence of a number of DF-26C medium-range missiles (range 3,500 km), the so-called “Guam killers,” with nuclear warheads. Since 2007, ground-based launchers have also deployed from 40 to 55 CJ-10 cruise missiles with a range of 1,500 km, their total arsenal is estimated at 500 units.
In December 2014, China tested the DF-41 ICBM, which carried several maneuvering warheads, which became a kind of confirmation of gaining access to the technology of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). According to estimates from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), the DF-41 can carry up to 10 warheads. DF-31B missiles will also be built using this technology. Thus, after testing this technology, Chinese strategic nuclear forces missiles can carry several warheads, as well as decoys, which will increase both the strike potential and the survivability of warheads when penetrating the missile defense system.
The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, capable of hitting a mobile surface individual target at a distance of up to 1,500 km with a conventional maneuvering warhead, can also serve as a kind of deterrent weapon. The missile has already been dubbed the “aircraft carrier killer”; its deployment is expected before the end of 2015.

Short range ballistic missiles
The PLA Second Artillery has at least five active DF-15 shorter-range ballistic missile (SLBM) brigades. Additionally, there are two brigades armed with the DF-11 operational-tactical missile (OTR) and subordinate to the ground forces - one is located in the Nanjing Military District, and the other in the Guangzhou Military District. All BRMD and OTR units are deployed in areas in close proximity to the Taiwan Strait.
The DF-15 (CSS-6) entered service in 1995. In recent years, production of its modified version, the DF-15A, has continued with increased shooting accuracy and the ability of the head to maneuver at the final part of the trajectory.
The DF-11 (CSS-7) entered service in 1998. In subsequent years, as a result of work to modernize the missile, its maximum firing range was significantly increased. An improved version of this missile, called DF-11A, was put into service in 2000.

Cruise missiles
CJ-10 (DH-10) is a cruise missile (CR) designed to strike ground targets. The ability of this missile to carry nuclear weapons remains unclear. In the United States, it is classified as a dual-use CD. The US Department of Defense believes that the CJ-10 missile launchers, which can be launched from both ground and air carriers, should increase the survivability, flexibility and efficiency of China's nuclear forces. However, according to some reports, these missile launchers are currently deployed mainly on ground-based launchers with conventional equipment. At the same time, there is a strong disproportion in the number of missiles and their carriers. According to the US Department of Defense, the number of deployed carriers intended for the CJ-10 missile system in 2010 was about 50 units, and the number of CJ-10 missile systems itself increased in 2009-2010 by 50% - from 150-350 units in 2009 up to 200-500 units in 2010.

GROUND TROOPS
Ground forces: 1,830,000 people, 7 military districts, 21 combined arms army (44 infantry, 10 tank and 5 artillery divisions), 12 tank, 13 infantry and 20 artillery brigades, 7 helicopter regiments, 3 airborne divisions (combined into airborne corps), 5 separate infantry divisions, separate tank and 2 infantry brigades, separate artillery division, 3 separate artillery brigades, 4 anti-aircraft artillery brigades, local troops: 12 infantry divisions, mountain infantry, 4 infantry brigades, 87 infantry battalions, 50 engineering regiments, 50 communications regiments. Reserve: 1,000,000 people, 50 divisions (infantry, artillery, anti-aircraft missile), 100 separate regiments (infantry and artillery). Armament: about 10,000 tanks (of which 1,200 are light), 5,500 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 14,500 PA guns, PU ATGMs, 100 2S23 “Nona-SVK” guns, 2,300 MLRS of 122, 130 and 273 mm calibers, 15,000 anti-aircraft artillery mounts, SAM launchers , more than 143 helicopters.

AIR FORCE
Air Force 470,000 people. (including 220,000 in air defense), 3,566 b. With.

Since 2016, the Air Force has been divided into five territorial commands, replacing the seven former military districts.
In general, the Air Force maintains a traditional structure and consists of divisions, each of which has three (sometimes two) air regiments. A regiment is armed with aircraft or helicopters of the same type; a division may have regiments with different aircraft. Recently, several divisions have been disbanded, and the regiments that were part of them were renamed into brigades (identical in composition to the previous regiment).
The Northern Command includes formations of the former Shenyang and Jingnan military districts. These are eight divisions, four aviation brigades, two anti-aircraft missile brigades and an anti-aircraft artillery brigade, and a radio technical regiment.
The central command includes formations of the former Beijing and part of the Lanzhou military districts.
The training and testing center is under the dual command of Central Command and the Air Force Command and includes four brigades: the 170th, 171st, 172nd and 175th. The 34th Division is also dual commanded, comprising the 100th, 101st and 102nd Regiments, equipped with transport, passenger and special purpose aircraft and helicopters. In addition, the Air Force of the Central Command has four divisions, a reconnaissance air regiment, the August 1st aerobatic team, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th air defense divisions, and the 9th radio engineering brigade.
The Western Command includes formations of the former Chengdu and most of the Lanzhou military districts. It consists of five divisions, four aviation and one air defense brigades, and three anti-aircraft missile regiments.
The Southern Command was formed on the basis of the former Guangzhou Military Region. It consists of five divisions, three aviation brigades, a helicopter regiment in Hong Kong, a combat UAV brigade, two anti-aircraft missile brigades and an anti-aircraft missile regiment.
The Eastern Command was formed on the basis of the former Nanjing Military District. It consists of five divisions, four aviation, one combat UAV, two anti-aircraft missile brigades.

Airborne Strategic Forces

Strategic aviation includes just over 80 H-6 (Hun-6) bombers (the Chinese version of the Soviet Tu-16 bomber) of various modifications (E, F, H). The H-6 is capable of carrying up to three nuclear bombs. Some H-6 bombers have been modernized in recent years and have acquired the ability to carry nuclear cruise missiles. In addition, some of them had updated electronic equipment.
In 2011, a deeply modernized version of the aircraft appeared, equipped with Russian engines, more advanced avionics and capable of carrying six CJ-10A cruise missiles (a copy of the Russian X-55). The H-6K's combat radius has been increased to 3,500 km, and the missiles can hit targets at a distance of up to 2,500 km. Probably, today the number of these aircraft in the Chinese Air Force is about 20.

Non-strategic air-launched forces

Information on the size and composition of China's non-strategic nuclear arsenal is even more limited. The PLA's second artillery and ground forces, as well as the front-line (tactical) aviation of the Air Force, are equipped with non-strategic nuclear weapons. The most famous fighter-bomber is the Qiang-5 (Qiang-5) and its modifications (D, E), capable of carrying one atomic bomb. To replace the obsolete Q-5, a new fighter-bomber Q-7 is being developed, but there is no data yet on whether it will carry nuclear weapons.
The frontline bomber of the PLA Air Force is the JH-7A. There are up to 140 of these machines, their production continues. In addition to conventional aircraft weapons, they are capable of carrying B-4 nuclear bombs (there are at least 320 of them in their arsenals).
The Q-5 attack aircraft was created in China on the basis of the J-6 fighter (a copy of the old Soviet MiG-19) in many modifications. Currently, up to 162 Q-5 of the latest modifications (J/K/L) remain in service. They can also carry B-4 nuclear bombs. At least 58 Q-5 are in storage.
The basis of the fighter aviation of the PLA Air Force is the heavy fighters of the Su-27/J-11/Su-30/J-16 family. Russia acquired 36 Su-27SK, 40 combat trainer Su-27UBK and 76 Su-30MKK. In China itself, 105 J-11A (a copy of the Su-27SK) were produced under license, and then unlicensed production of the J-11B and its combat training version J-11BS began. License-free production of the J-16 (a copy of the Su-30), which is still being supplied to naval aviation, is also underway. Now the PLA Air Force is armed with 67 Su-30 and up to 266 Su-27/J-11 (from 130 to 134 Su-27SK and J-11A, from 33 to 37 Su-27UBK, up to 82 J-11B, from 13 to 17 J-11BS), J-11B/BS production continues.
The first Chinese AWACS aircraft were created on the basis of the transport Y-8 (the prototype of which is the Soviet An-12). These are four Y-8T, three KJ-500 and six KJ-200 (aka Y-8W). In addition, five KJ-2000s, created on the basis of the Russian A-50, but with a Chinese radar, were purchased in Russia.
Electronic warfare aircraft are based on the same Y-8, there are from 20 to 24 of them in total. There are also seven Y-9JB/XZ/G electronic warfare aircraft.
Transport and passenger (VIP) aircraft - 12 Boeing-737, 3 A-319, 7 Tu-154 (up to 3 more in storage), 20 Il-76, 5 each Canadian CRJ-200ER and CRJ-700, 7 CRJ -702, at least 5 newest domestic Y-20, 57 Y-8C, 7 Y-9, up to 20 Y-11, 8 Y-12, 61 Y-7 (copy of An-24, another 2–6 in storage) , at least 36 Y-5 (copy of An-2, at least 4 more in storage). The Tu-154, Y-5, Y-7, Y-8 are gradually being written off, the Il-76 is being purchased from Russia, the Y-9 is being produced, and in the near future mass production of the first Chinese heavy transport aircraft, the Y-20, will begin.
A significant part of the PLA Armed Forces helicopters are in service with army and naval aviation. The Air Force has a small number of transport, passenger and rescue vehicles: 6–9 French AS332L, 3 European EC225LP, up to 35 Russian Mi-8 (up to 6 more in storage) and 12 Mi-17, 17 Z-9B (copy of French SA365) , 12–24 Z-8 (copy of French SA321).
According to the latest statistics, the People's Liberation Army Air Force of China includes 5 helicopter brigades and 5 helicopter regiments. The total number of helicopters in service is 569, including 212 Mi-17, 19 S-70 Blackhawk, 33 Z-8, 269 Z-9, 24 Z-10 and 12 Z-19.

The 1st Army Aviation Helicopter Regiment was founded in 1987 and today has 55 helicopters. The regiment consists of four groups:
1st and 2nd groups 22 Mi-17 and 8 Mi-17V-5
3rd and 4th groups 25 Z-9WZ

The 2nd Helicopter Brigade of the Chinese Air Force was created in 1991 and is armed with 69 vehicles. The brigade includes 5 groups:
1st and 2nd groups 5 Mi-171, 15 Mi-17V-5 and three Mi-17V-7
3rd Group 19 S-70C
4th group 15 Mi-171E
5th group 12 Z-9WZ

The Chinese Army's 3rd Helicopter Brigade was established in 1991 and includes 72 helicopters. The 3rd brigade includes 6 groups:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th groups 3 Mi-171, 3 Mi-17-1V, 11 Mi-17V-5, 16 Mi-17V-7 and 15 Mi-171E
5th and 6th groups 24 Z-9WZ

The 4th PLA Army Aviation Regiment was created in 1991. Today it is armed with 36 helicopters. It consists of three groups:
1st group 4 Y-7 and 4 Y-8 transport aircraft
2nd group 8 Mi-171, 4 Mi-171E and 4 Mi-17V-5
3rd group 12 Z-9WZ

The 5th Helicopter Brigade of the PLA Army Aviation was established in 1997, with a total of 75 helicopters. The 5th Brigade consists of six groups:
1st group 15 Mi-171
2nd group 12 Z-8B
3rd, 4th and 5th group 3 Z-9A 5 Z-9W, 6 Z-9WA and 22 Z-9WZ
6th group of 12 newest combat helicopters Z-10

The 6th Brigade was created in 1997, includes a total of 75 helicopters in 6 groups:
1st group 15 Mi-171
2nd group of 12 Z-8B helicopters
3, 4, 5, 6th groups 1 Z-9, 2 Z-9A, 6 Z-9W, 1 Z-9WA and 38 Z-9WZ

The 7th Helicopter Regiment of the People's Liberation Army was established in 2002 and includes 39 helicopters. Divided into three groups:
1st group 6 Mi-17V-5 and 9 Z-8A
2, 3rd groups 4 Z-9W and 20 Z-9WZ

The eighth helicopter brigade was created in 1988. Its 6 groups are armed with 76 helicopters:
1st group 9 Mi-171 and 4 Mi-171E
2nd, 3rd and 4th groups 14 Z-9A, 8 Z-9W, 4 Z-9WA and 13 Z-9WZ
5th Group of 12 Z-19 combat helicopters
6th group of 12 Z-10 combat helicopters

The 9th Helicopter Regiment of the PLA Army Aviation was created in 1988, consisting of three groups and 39 helicopters:
1st group 6 Mi-17V-5 and 4 Mi-171E
2nd and 3rd groups 6 Z-9A, 7 Z-9W and 12 Z-9WZ.

The 10th Helicopter Regiment of the PLA Army Aviation was created in 2004, consisting of three groups and 39 helicopters:
1st and 2nd groups 2 Z-9WA and 25 Z-9WZ
3rd group 12 Mi-171E

Aircraft and helicopter fleet: 120 N-6 (Tu-16). 120 Il-28.400 Q-5. 1800 J-6 (B, D and E) (MiG-19), 500 J-7 (MiG-21), 180 J-8.48 Su-27, HZ-5,150JZ-5,100JZ-6.18 "BAeTrident" -1Ei-2E", 10 Il-18, Il-76, 300 Y-5 (An-2), 25 Y-7 (An-24), 25 Y-8 (An-12), 15 Y-11, 2 Y-12. 6 AS-332, 4 Bell 214, 30 Mi-8, 100 Z-5 (Mi-4), 50 Z-9 (SA-365N).

The anti-aircraft missile forces of the People's Liberation Army of China are armed with 110-120 anti-aircraft missile systems (divisions) HQ-2, HQ-61, HQ-7, HQ-9, HQ-12, HQ-16, S-300PMU, S-300PMU-1 and 2, for a total of about 700 PU. According to this indicator, China is second only to our country (about 1,500 PU). However, at least a third of this number of Chinese air defense systems are obsolete HQ-2 (analogue of the S-75 air defense system), the replacement of which is actively underway.
The basis of the ground-based air defense of the PLA Air Force is the Russian long-range S-300 air defense system, which was acquired by China in the amount of 25 divisions (8 launchers each, 4 missiles per launcher) in three modifications. This is one regiment (2 divisions) S-300PMU (analogue of the oldest modification of this air defense system - S-300PT), two regiments (4 divisions each) S-300PMU1 (S-300PS), four regiments (15 divisions: 3 regiments 4 divisions each , 1 regiment - 3 divisions) S-300PMU2 (S-300PM). The Chinese HQ-9 air defense system was created on the basis of the S-300 (although it is not a complete copy of our system). Now there are at least 12 divisions (8 launchers, 4 missiles each) of this air defense system in service, production continues.

NAVY
Navy of about 230,000 people. (including more than 40,000 average). Operational fleets: Northern, Eastern, Southern. FLEET: squadrons: submarines (6), escort ships (7), MTK (3); training flotilla; 20 naval base;

Sea-based strategic forces

The PRC's plans for the creation and deployment of a strategic submarine fleet remain closed.
China's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), Project 092 Xia, entered service in 1987 and is equipped with 12 Julan-1 (Big Wave) missiles with a range of up to 2,500 km. Until recently, she was not on combat duty, constantly defending herself in the Jianggezhuang base near Qingdao.
The first Jin-class SSBN to be launched and undergoing sea trials is believed to be assigned to the Yulin Naval Base on Hainan Island. Two more Jin-class SSBNs are currently being equipped at a shipyard in Hulodao City in Liaoning Province.

The Xia-class SSBN has 12 launchers designed to carry JL-1 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). It is assumed that the Xia class SSBN is intended primarily for testing technologies. The Jin-class SSBNs (approximately 135 m long) also have 12 JL-2 SLBM launchers.
In May 2008, the PLA Navy tested in the Yellow Sea the new Julan-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) (marine version of the DF-31, range 7,400 km), intended for placement on board the new Project 094 Jin SSBNs. (12 missiles) and subsequent ones. According to some reports, a large underground submarine base with a capacity of up to 20 pennants has been built in the south of Hainan Island, completely closed to tracking from space. In May 2007, a Google Earth image showed two new SSBNs at the Huludao base. According to data at the beginning of 2010, the PRC may have had three Jin class boats.
The JL-2 SLBM is currently completing flight tests. If adopted, these SLBMs will be able to cover the entire territory of India, the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Guam and most of Russia (including Moscow), even if the SSBN is on patrol in the territorial waters of the People's Republic of China.
By 2020, the number of SSBNs in the PLA Navy, according to American data, can be increased to eight. Also, according to some information, a new generation SSBN of Project 096 is being developed in China, the first of which may enter service in 2020.

ship composition: SSBN pr.092 "Xia", 5 submarines pr.091 "Han", 63 submarines (1 pr.039 "Sun", 4 pr.636/877EKM, 17 pr.035 "Min", 41 pr.033 "Romeo"). 2 OPL, 19 EM URO (1 project 054 "Lyuhai", 2 project 052 "Lyuhu". 16 project 051 "Lyuida"), 37 FR URO (2 project 057 "Jiangwei-2", 4 project 055 "Jiangwei-1", 1 project 053 "Jianghu-2", 26 project 053 "Jianghu-1", 4 project 053/NT "Jianghu-3/4", 92 RKA (4 project 037/2 "Houjian" , more than 100 PKA (about 90 Project 037 “Hainan”, about 20 Project 037/1 “Haiju”, 4 “Haiqi”), more than 100 AKA Project 062 “Shanghai-2” and 11 Project 062/1 “ Haizhui", 34 MTK (27 pr.010 T-43, 7 "Wosao"). 1 ZM “Will”. 17 TCC (6 project 074 "Yuting", 8 project 072 "Yukan". 3 "Shan"), 32 SCC (1 project 073 "Yuden", 1 "Yudao", 31 project 079 "Yuling"), 9 MDK pr.074 "Yuhai", 4DVTR "Qunsha", 44 DKA (36 pr.067 "Yunnan", 8 pr.068/069 "Yushin"), 9 DKVP "Jinsha". 2 CC. 3 TRS (2 Fuxin, 1 Naiyun), 10 PB submarines (3 Dayan, 1 Dazhi, 2 Dazhou, 4 Dalian), 1 SS submarine, 2 SS, 1 PM, 20 TR. 38 TN, 53 specialized equipment (including 4 KIK, 7 RZK), 4 LED, 49 BUK. AVIATION: 25,000 PEOPLE, 8 hell (27 an). Aircraft - about 685 (22 "Hun-6", about 60 "Hun-5", 40 "Qiang-5", 295 "Tseyan-6", 66 "Tseyan-7", 54 "Tsien-8". 7 " Shuihun-5″, 50 Y-5, 4 Y-7. 6 Y-8. 2 Yak-42. 6 An-26, 53 RT-b, 16 JJ-6. 4 JJ.7); helicopters - 43 (9 SA-321, 12 Zhi-8, 12 Zhi-9A, 10 Mi-8). MP: about 5,000 people, 1 brigade (battalions: 3 infantry battalions, 1 mb, 1 amphibious tanks, 1 artillery division), special forces units. Armament: T-59, T-63 tanks, armored personnel carriers, 122-mm PA guns, MLRS, ATGMs, MANPADS BO: 28,000 people, 25 districts, 35 rocket artillery regiments (PKRK "Hayin-2, -4", 85 -, 100-, 130 mm gun).

PRODUCTION AND STORAGE FACILITIES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The issues of the production of nuclear weapons by the PRC and their storage are no less closed than the quantitative and qualitative indicators of China's nuclear weapons.
Recently, there has been quite a lot of speculation about the fact that the PRC has created a large underground central storage facility intended for storing nuclear weapons. According to some sources, this storage facility is located northwest of the Mianyang city district in Sichuan province. According to others, it may be located in the Qinling mountain range in Taibai County in Shaanxi Province. It is argued that at any day most of China's nuclear arsenal could be moved to a central storage facility. In addition, each of China's five main missile bases may also have regional storage facilities.
Regarding weapons-grade fissile material, US military intelligence indicates that China has likely already produced enough weapons-grade fissile material to meet its needs for the near future. It is also possible that new nuclear warheads for the DF-31, DF-31A and JL-2 ballistic missiles have already been produced. However, this circumstance should not cause a significant increase in the total number of warheads, since it is expected that obsolete nuclear warheads will be decommissioned over the next few years.
In terms of the number of nuclear warheads (250), China is second only to Russia (8,000), the United States (7,300) and France (300). And it is ahead of the UK (225), Pakistan (120), India (110) and North Korea (8). There is also Israel, which either has or does not have 80 nuclear warheads - the nuclear program of this country is shrouded in darkness and uncertainty.

The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) is the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, the largest army in the world (2,250,000 people on active duty). Founded on August 1, 1927 as a result of the Nanchang Uprising as the communist “Red Army”, under the leadership of Mao Zedong during the Chinese Civil War (1930s) it organized large raids (the Long March of the Chinese Communists), after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949 - the regular army of this states.

The legislation provides for military service for men from 18 years of age; Volunteers are accepted up to 49 years of age. Due to the country's large population and sufficient number of volunteers, conscription was never carried out. In wartime, up to 300 million people could theoretically be mobilized.

The PLA is subordinate not directly to the party or government, but to two special Central Military Commissions - the state and the party. Usually these commissions are identical in composition, and the term CVC is used in the singular. The post of chairman of the Central Exhibition Committee is key for the entire state. In recent years, it usually belongs to the Chairman of the PRC, but in the 1980s, for example, the Central Military Commission was headed by Deng Xiaoping, who was actually the leader of the country (formally, he was never either the Chairman of the PRC or the Premier of the State Council of the PRC, but the post of Secretary General of the Party Central Committee occupied earlier, even under Mao before the “cultural revolution”).

The naval forces of the People's Republic of China number 250,000 and are organized into three fleets: the North Sea Fleet, headquartered in Qingdao, the East Sea Fleet, headquartered in Ningbo, and the South Sea Fleet, headquartered in Zhanjiang. Each fleet includes surface ships, submarines, naval aviation, coastal defense units and marines.

General information:
Minimum military age for recruitment: 19 years
Available military manpower: 5,883,828
Total military personnel: 1,965,000
on the front line: 290,000
reserve forces: 1,653,000
paramilitary: 22,000
Annual military expenditure: $10,500,000,000
Available purchasing power: $690,100,000,000
Reported gold reserves: $282,900,000,000
Total workforce: 10,780,000

Units
Aircraft: 916
Armored cars: 2,819
Artillery systems: 2,040

Missile protection systems: 1,499
Infantry support systems: 1,400
Naval units: 97
Merchant Sea Force: 102
Presence of nuclear weapons: no

Territories suitable for military operations
Serviceable airports: 41
Railways: 2,502 km
Serviceable highways: 37,299 km
Main ports and harbors: 3
Total territory of the country: 35,980 km²

Amphibious MP PLA

Marines of the PLA Navy

other information:
Chinese army at the beginning of the 21st century

Almost seventy-four years ago, on August 1, 1927, Chinese revolutionaries, among whom was the famous Zhou Enlai, who later became the first Premier of the State Administrative Council of the People's Republic of China, raised an uprising in Nanchang (Jiangxi Province) against the “northern” government existing at that time in China.

Zhou Enlai

More than 20 thousand armed fighters under the leadership of the Communist Party of China thus expressed their disagreement with the existing regime, thereby marking the beginning of the armed struggle of the Chinese people against external and internal enemies. On July 11, 1933, the Provisional Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic decided to celebrate August 1 as the day of the founding of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. Later, this day became known as the date of birth of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA).

This is one of the few public holidays that originated long before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and today is one of the most revered and widely celebrated in the PRC and the Chinese people.

Readers of the Asian Library will learn about what the Chinese army is today, what it consists of, how it is characterized, and what prospects for the further defense construction of our great neighboring state from this article, written based on materials from the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian and foreign press.

According to the National Defense Law of the People's Republic of China adopted in March 1997, the PLA and reserve troops, together with the People's Armed Police (PAP) and the people's militia, form the "triple system" of China's armed forces.

People's Armed Militia

Today, the People's Liberation Army of China has been significantly reduced and numbers about 2.8 million people. It includes all the components of a modern army, including the air force, navy, and other troops, which are armed not only with conventional weapons, but also with intercontinental missiles and modern nuclear weapons.

Strategic nuclear forces include land, air and sea components and have a total of 167 nuclear weapons carriers. They are based on the Strategic Missile Forces, which are armed with 75 ground-based ballistic missile launchers. Strategic aviation has 80 Hun-6 aircraft (created on the basis of the Tu-16). The naval component includes the nuclear-powered missile submarine with 12 missile launchers, the Julan-1.

"Hun-6" (created on the basis of the Tu-16)

The ground forces number 2.2 million military personnel and consist of 89 combined arms field force divisions (including 3 “quick reaction” divisions and 11 tank divisions), most of which are consolidated into 24 combined arms armies.

The air force has about 4 thousand combat aircraft, mostly obsolete types, and is intended mainly to solve air defense tasks and, to a lesser extent, to support ground forces. They are dominated by fighter aircraft, which account for about 75% of the aircraft fleet.

J-10 fighters

The navy has about 100 large warships and 600 combat aircraft and naval aviation helicopters. To protect the coast, there are about 900 patrol ships capable of operating only in the coastal zone. The Chinese Navy does not yet have aircraft-carrying cruisers. For underwater operations, there are about 50 Kilo-class diesel submarines in service.

In the 90s The combat strength of the PLA has not undergone significant changes, which is explained by the attention of the country's leadership primarily to the problems of restructuring the scientific research complex and the defense industry. At the same time, the amount of military equipment in the troops and navy was slightly reduced due to the removal of the most outdated models from service.

KILO-class non-nuclear submarine (Project 636)

The size of the PLA reserve is estimated by Western researchers at 1.2 million people. However, if a threat to the PRC arises, it can easily be increased, since more than 600 thousand military personnel are discharged from the army annually, and the number of the most trained part of the reserve (persons discharged over the past five years) can be about 3 million people.

Modernization of the PLA at the current stage is carried out at a slow pace and is selective. The greatest efforts are being made to modernize strategic nuclear forces by replacing outdated liquid-propellant missiles with more advanced solid-fuel missiles Dongfeng-41 and Julan-2.

Recently, another direction has been developed - the creation, on the basis of existing formations, of mobile forces of the PLA, intended for action in local conflicts along the perimeter of the state border, as well as to provide support to the people's armed police in ensuring internal security and public order. The number of this developing component is about 250 thousand people (9% of the ground forces), and in the near future it is expected to include strike aviation and part of the naval forces. By 2010, mobile forces may include up to one third of the PLA (about 800 thousand people).

Along with the development of new types of conventional weapons, in particular the Type 90-11 main battle tank and the Jian-10 (R-10) multi-role fighter, steps are being taken to overcome China's lagging behind militarily developed countries in the field of precision weapons. The Chinese military leadership believes that this type of weapon has recently been actively proving its effectiveness. The widespread use of high-precision weapons during the recent NATO aggression in the Balkans, despite a number of blunders (or specially planned actions) that led to the tragedy at the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia, which resulted in the death of 3 Chinese citizens, indicates their high combat effectiveness.

Type 90-11 main battle tank

J-10 fighter (Jian-10)

The Americans cannot come to terms with the fact that in the person of the PRC they are acquiring another powerful competitor in the field of creating high-precision weapons. In 1997, the US Secretary of Defense's report on China's military strategy expressed concern about the work to create a Chinese cruise missile, which could enter service in 2010. The United States is also angry that in the foreseeable future China may cease to be one of the potential American nuclear targets, since in 1996 Beijing began developing its own missile defense system, which is also scheduled to be completed in design by 2005-2010.

According to Chinese experts, the technical equipment of China's defense industry lags behind the advanced level by more than 15 years. To quickly bridge this gap and solve the problems of defense modernization, the PRC leadership decided to resume military-technical cooperation with Russia. Today it is carried out on a long-term contractual basis in the context of the developing relations of equal, trusting partnership between the two countries and covers such areas as military science, high technologies (including dual-use), space, and communications. China received the opportunity to purchase Russian military equipment, train military-technical specialists in Russia, and implement joint projects for the development, modernization and repair of weapons. Such steps by China undoubtedly contribute to solving the most pressing problems of modernization of the PLA.

In recent years, China has purchased large quantities of military equipment from Russia; a license was acquired for the production of Russian Su-27 fighters (without the right to export to third countries), an agreement was concluded on the repair of Chinese diesel submarines at Russian enterprises.

An analysis of Chinese doctrinal views and trends in defense construction in the current decade shows that China intends to continue the modernization of the military-industrial complex and armed forces, considering these measures as a guarantee of external and internal security and a necessary condition for the successful economic and social development of the country.

Main trends in the field of defense construction of the PRC

The main trends in the field of defense development of the PRC are formed under the influence of new aspects in doctrinal views, which have replaced the previous concept of preparing the country for a global war. The main one is the thesis that a new world war is unlikely to be possible in the foreseeable future, since today there are opportunities to ensure a peaceful international situation for a relatively long period. At the same time, according to Chinese estimates, the stereotypes of thinking of the Cold War period and politics from a position of strength have not been eliminated from the practice of international relations, as evidenced by the humanitarian catastrophe that broke out in the Balkans in April-June 1999 due to the fault of the United States and NATO. The roles of countries and the balance of forces in world politics do not have a constant configuration and, under certain conditions, can change in a direction unfavorable for China. Therefore, at the turn of the century, the country's leadership considered it important to transform China into a state with powerful armed forces capable of effectively protecting the country from external threats. This is largely due to the experience of relations with the West in the last century, when China, which has a high culture but is weak militarily, was subjected to intrigue and outright robbery by Western countries, experienced national humiliation and fell into semi-colonial dependence on them.

In this regard, as follows from official statements, in particular from the White Paper on National Defense, recently published by the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the main content of the PRC's policy in the field of military development is strengthening defense, countering aggression and armed subversion, ensuring state sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the country. It is emphasized that the PRC cannot be a source of aggression and will never, under any circumstances, be the first to use nuclear weapons.

At the turn of the century, the prevailing trend in the field of military development of the PRC became the improvement of the qualitative parameters of defense potential while simultaneously reducing the number of the PLA. The country's leadership is putting forward a demand to strengthen the army through science and technology, strengthen defense research, create and improve a defense industry mechanism that meets the conditions of a market economy, and gradually update weapons and equipment.

The armed forces are tasked with increasing the capabilities of conducting combat operations in the event of sudden changes in the situation in the context of the use of modern equipment, including high-tech technologies.

One of the important trends in the defense development of the PRC is the further reduction in the number of the PLA. In addition to the reduction of 1 million people announced in 1985, China in 1997 announced its intention to implement a new reduction of this component by 500 thousand people by 2001 - from 3 million to 2.5 million people. The main reductions will be ground forces (by 19%) and, to a lesser extent, air and naval forces (by 11.6% and 11%, respectively). It is important to emphasize that this process is accompanied by measures to strengthen the People's Armed Police, the number of which is planned to increase from 1 million to 2 million by the year 2000.

China's nuclear strategy, which has committed itself not to be the first to use nuclear weapons, is reflected in the concept of a "limited nuclear retaliatory strike." It involves the construction of nuclear deterrent forces capable of creating the threat of causing unacceptable damage to force a potential enemy to abandon the use of nuclear weapons against China. This approach does not place emphasis on achieving nuclear parity with developed countries and is therefore rational from the point of view of saving material and financial resources.

The formation of views on the construction of general-purpose forces occurs on the basis of an analysis of major armed conflicts that took place in the current decade. The evolution of views in this area has led to the approval of the concepts of “quick response” and “limited war in the context of the use of high-tech technologies,” which involve the creation of relatively compact armed forces, equipped with modern equipment and weapons and capable of immediately carrying out combat missions in local conflicts. Accordingly, the Chinese armed forces have developed the mobile forces of the PLA and placed special emphasis on the development of various electronic systems for military purposes, including early detection and warning systems, communications, command and control of troops and weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

According to Chinese statistics, China's defense spending in 2000 amounted to about $10 billion and is one of the lowest in the world. Their share in the gross national product of the PRC does not exceed 1.5% (1995) and tends to decrease: in 1999 this figure was 1.1%.

However, skeptics believe that the official data reflects only expenditures within the Ministry of Defense and does not take into account military allocations provided for in the budgets of other departments and institutions. In addition, some Western scholars believe that part of the cost of maintaining military garrisons, local troops and reserves is financed from provincial budgets, and not from the central budget. Taking this into account, they estimate China's real military expenditures as exceeding official ones. For example, the Japanese claim that actual defense spending in China in 199 amounted to about $30 billion.

Be that as it may, it is quite obvious that, taking into account the objective need to modernize the defense complex, the foundations of which were formed in the 50-60s, the huge population of the country (more than 1.2 billion people), the immense area of ​​​​the territory and the length of land and sea ​​borders, China's military spending does not exceed the level corresponding to the principle of defense sufficiency. By comparison, in 2000, Japan's military spending was about 48; Great Britain - 38; Germany - 40; France - 47; USA - 290 billion dollars. This is who needs to take care of reducing their militaristic appetites!

The construction of the Chinese army in the 21st century will most likely be influenced by a number of external and internal factors, which generally have a restraining effect on the financing of military expenditures.

External factors are characterized by the normalization of China’s relations with neighboring countries and the world’s major powers. A special place among them is occupied by the dynamically developing Russian-Chinese relations of equal partnership aimed at strategic interaction in the 21st century. The growing integration of China into the world economy is acquiring serious significance here as one of the necessary conditions for successful economic construction in this country.

Among the internal factors, we should highlight the priority attention of the PRC leadership to ensuring internal political stability in the state and solving complex socio-economic problems in the context of a shortage of natural resources and certain demographic and environmental tensions.

China’s significant successes in the economic, political, social and other spheres, in addition to the obvious dividends, brought it an unforeseen threat, namely, it gave rise to fears in the world, and in our country as well, related to China’s alleged retreat from its commitment to peace and good neighborliness. As a result of a misunderstanding or deliberate distortion of the military intentions of the PRC, the thesis about the “Chinese threat” emerged, periodically inflated in both Western and Russian media.

China deeply regrets that publications appear abroad indicating a misunderstanding of Chinese foreign policy and defense development. Their essence boils down to the following accusations:

1) after the reduction of Russian and American troops in the Asia-Pacific region (APR), China is trying to occupy the resulting power vacuum;

2) China is going to become a military and economic superpower in the region;

3) with its purchases of modern types of weapons from Russia, the PRC is responsible for the arms race in the region;

4) China is just waiting to flex its military muscles as quickly as possible and strike at neighboring countries, and even the United States.

Chinese experts refute these accusations, citing data on the number of weapons (including nuclear) of Russia and the United States in the region. In their opinion, they exceed China's weapons. Chinese scientists say that although Russia and the United States have reduced their weapons, these countries still have the most powerful armies in the Asia-Pacific region, and therefore there is no “power vacuum” here, since the United States and Russia have not left one.

Refuting another accusation, Chinese leaders and scientists argue that China does not intend to achieve hegemony and political dictatorship in the world, and even having become a sufficiently strong state, it will not strive for this.

As for the next accusation, Chinese experts believe that military modernization to meet the needs of modern defense is a huge problem for China, since the current state and level of the PLA is inferior in many respects to the armies of neighboring powers. In their opinion, China's military spending is less than the defense spending of even such a country as South Korea and such an economic entity as Taiwan.

There is a considerable amount of truth in these judgments. The second half of the 80s and 90s are characterized by the fact that internal threats worry China much more often and are sometimes more dangerous than external ones. For 20 years, China has focused inward on vital reforms. For the Chinese leadership, the primary problems are internal ones, which interfere with the normal functioning of the state and create serious threats to its existence. Social, economic, political, environmental problems have a huge potential for creating serious crisis situations, which makes the security and stability of the country vulnerable.

Consequently, creating additional external problems for oneself means distracting from internal ones, and this would contradict the logic of Chinese reforms.

The above gives reason to believe that at the beginning of the 21st century the Chinese army will not attack either Russia or another country. It is also highly doubtful that the PLA will ever forcibly invade its Taiwan province, despite statements by the PRC leadership at the end of the last century that they did not rule out violent action against Taiwan if its leadership (by the way, left the political scene after the recent political elections on the island) will, through its provocations, disrupt the process of unification of the Chinese nation.

It simply makes no sense for China to carry out armed aggression against Taiwan, since the latter is de facto already moving into the fold of mainland China. Taiwanese investments in the mainland now amount to tens of billions of dollars a year, and the business of leading Taiwanese corporations in the PRC is expanding at cruising speed and acquiring gigantic proportions. Does it make sense to chop down a hen that sits in the nest itself to lay golden eggs?

All activities of the PLA today are determined based on the principle of defense sufficiency. And for those “specialists” who, by painting China and its army as a bloody monster, are trying to intimidate people and prevent the inevitable strengthening of Russian-Chinese cooperation, I would like to remind you of a good Russian proverb: “The thief shouts loudest: “Stop the thief”!”

The armed forces of the People's Republic of China are the largest in the world. The strength of the Chinese army as a general structure is 2,480,000 people. In terms of total combat capabilities, they are still in third place after the United States and Russia. It consists of: Air Force, Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Strategic Missile Forces and People's Militia. The units are equipped with both modern and very outdated equipment. Due to the increased level of secrecy, quantitative estimates of Chinese military equipment are often only approximate.

In 2010, a new military reform was launched to increase the size and quality of China's army. In 2018, there was a sharp jump in the combat effectiveness of the PRC Armed Forces. According to current Chinese military doctrine, measures are being taken to implement the so-called “access limitation principle.” It is designed to create restricted zones in China and nearby waters, where even the US Armed Forces will not be able to conduct combat operations. Comprehensive measures are being implemented to create no-fly zones and counter aircraft-carrying strike groups. Much attention is paid to the development of nuclear forces, as well as the expansion of the space group and ensuring security in cyberspace.

Air Force

The number of air force personnel in the Chinese army in 2018 is 330 thousand people. The Chinese Air Force has a mixed fleet of modern and obsolete aircraft, an extensive network of airfields, including extremely fortified underground ones, located in mountain ranges. They use both Russian and domestically produced machines, often resorting to illegal copying of Russian equipment. The Air Force also includes anti-aircraft missile forces.

Aviation is divided into the following main categories:

Strategic aviation

Strategic aviation is one of the components of the Chinese nuclear triad and is represented by 130 long-range Xian H-6 missile-carrying bombers, essentially modified copies of the obsolete Soviet Tu-16. Depending on the modification, the H-6 can carry from 2 to 6 cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. Presumably, the Air Force units have deployed from 120 to 150 nuclear warheads of the strategic and tactical class, which is approximately a quarter of the total nuclear potential of the PRC. Unlike American and Russian strategic aircraft, Chinese bombers have a much shorter range and payload capacity, and are essentially not intercontinental.

Tactical aviation

The composition includes: fighter-bombers - 24 Su-30MK2, 73 Su-30 MKK, 43 Su-27SK, 32 Su-27UBK, 205 J-11 (Su-27 clone), 323 J-10, 120 JH-7, 4 FC-1, 12 J-20 (5th generation), as well as obsolete fighter-bombers and attack aircraft - 192 J-8 (modification based on the MiG-21), 528 J7 (Mig-21 clone), 120 Q- 5 (attack aircraft based on the MiG-19), 32 multi-purpose Z-9 helicopters, 200 Z-10 and Z-19 attack helicopters, several dozen V-750 UAVs

The range of weapons is predominantly dominated by unguided weapons, although there is a fairly wide range of high-precision weapons, including guided bombs, anti-radar and anti-ship missiles, various air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles with active radar guidance. A great achievement of the Chinese defense industry is the launch of the fifth-generation J-20 multirole fighter into serial production.

Aircraft AWACS

The composition includes: 4 KJ-200, 2 KJ-500, 4 KJ-2000, 1 KJ 3000.

Chinese AWACS are built on modern components and generally meet the standards required for machines of this class, although there are some doubts about the quality of the phased array manufacturing and software.

Military transport and auxiliary aviation

The composition includes: 2 Xian Y-20, 16 Il-76 MD\TD, 1 Il-78, 4 Y-9, 61 Y-8 (An-12), 2 Boeing 737, as well as several dozen more middle-class transport aircraft and about 300 light An-2s, about 40 transport helicopters of Russian, domestic and French production.

At the moment, the Chinese Air Force has a small number of heavy transport aircraft, so the ability to transport military equipment is very limited.

Anti-aircraft missile forces

There are about 120 divisions of air defense systems HQ-2, HQ-6, HQ-7, HQ-9, HQ-12, S-300 PMU in service. As an auxiliary force, the Chinese army has a large number of anti-aircraft artillery systems (more than 1100).

China's air defense system is an impressive force, with air defense systems predominantly located in the eastern coastal and central regions. Activities are underway to create a deeply layered air defense system and cover long-range complexes with the help of air defense missile systems and short-range air defense systems.

Naval forces

The Chinese Navy today has significant combat potential and is the fastest growing type of military force. The number of naval personnel in the Chinese army in 2018 is 290 thousand people. At the moment, the fleet is being completed entirely with the help of domestic shipbuilding companies, although copies purchased in Russia are still in service. Ships and submarines under construction are equipped with modern high-precision weapons of various classes. The breakthrough of the Chinese industry in the field of electronics allows the introduction of modern BIUS into the fleet (only on destroyers pr 052D and 055), which in their functionality approaches the capabilities of the American Aegis system, as well as modern radar and anti-submarine equipment.

The fleet is divided into the following categories:

Fleet of guided missile ships

It consists of: 4 Kunming-class destroyers, Project 052D, 6 Lanzhou-class destroyers, Project 052C, 2 Type 051C destroyers, 1 Type 051B destroyer, 2 Type 052 destroyers, 16 Luida-class destroyers, Project 051, 4 Sovremenny-class destroyers: Project 956E and Project 956EM, 2 Jiangkai-class frigates, Project 054/054A, 10 Jiangwei-2 type frigates, Project 053H3, 4 Jiangwei-class frigates, Project 053H2G, 29 frigates of the Jianghu-1 type, Project 053, 28 corvettes of Project 056/056A, 83 missile boats of Project 022, 31 missile boats of Project 037, 25 missile boats of Project 024.

The large number of missile boats in the Navy makes it possible to effectively solve the tasks of the coast guard and counteract larger enemy ships in coastal waters. The extensive fleet of corvettes is mainly concentrated on anti-submarine missions. About a third of the total number of destroyers are modern. 4 destroyers pr 052 D (8 more are planned to be built) are very innovative for the Chinese fleet and comparable to American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (without missile defense capabilities). Construction has begun on a series of even more advanced Project 055 destroyers, with 16 planned.

Submarine fleet

The composition includes: 4 SSBNs pr. 094 "Jin" (carrier of JL-2 SLBMs, 12 missiles per boat, range 7200 km), 1 SSBN pr. 092 "Xia" (carrier of JL-1 SLBMs, 12 missiles, range 1800 km), 4 MPLATRK pr. 093 “Shan”, 1 nuclear submarine pr. 097 “Kin”, 4 nuclear submarines pr. 091 “Han” (obsolete),

15 diesel-electric submarines pr. 041 "Yuan", 10 diesel-electric submarines pr. 636, 2 diesel-electric submarines pr. 877EKM, 13 diesel-electric submarines pr. 039 "Song" (039/039A/039G), 13 diesel-electric submarines pr. 633 "Romeo" (obsolete)

The Chinese Navy has one of the most powerful diesel-electric submarine fleets in the world (largely thanks to modern Russian Pr 636 boats). Due to their low noise, they pose a serious threat to the naval formations of any enemy, therefore the development of diesel-electric submarines in China is given special attention as part of the “access denial” strategy. The nuclear submarine fleet is actively developing, both in the field of creating multi-purpose boats and SSBNs. A significant part of China's nuclear deterrent forces are located on underwater platforms, being one of the components of the nuclear triad. In terms of low noise levels of nuclear submarines, there is still a noticeable lag behind the advanced models of the Russian and American fleets.

Landing fleet

The composition includes: 4 UDC of the "Qinchenshan" type, project 071, 25 BDK of the "Yukan" type, project 072, 15 SDK of the "Yudao" type, project 073, 4 MDK "Bison", 32 MDK of the "Yulin" type, project 079 , 10 MDK "Yuhai" type, pr. 074

The Chinese armed forces are actively increasing the number of marines, and landing ships of new designs are being laid down. Helicopter carriers pr 071 are the largest ships in the Chinese fleet after the Liaoning aircraft carrier. In general, the Chinese amphibious fleet has significant potential and is capable of landing fairly large marine units.

Naval aviation

The Navy is armed with the only Chinese aircraft carrier "Liaoning" (converted Soviet "Varyag"), and has 24 Shenyang J-15 fighter aircraft, 4 Z-18J AWACS helicopters, 6 Z-18F anti-submarine helicopters, 2 Z search and rescue helicopters. -9C.

Airfield-based naval aviation includes: multi-role fighters - 24 Su-30MK2, 110 J-11/15/16 (clones of various versions of the Su-27), 24 J10; 230 obsolete fighters, bombers and attack aircraft J7, J8, Q5 (converted versions of MiG-19 and MiG-21), 36 N-6 long-range bombers, 19 Ka-28 helicopters, 27 Z-8 helicopters, 25 Z-9S helicopters, 9 Ka-31 helicopters.

Despite the fact that the PRC army maintains a large number of outdated equipment on its balance sheet, the naval aviation has 134 modern multi-role fighters capable of performing anti-ship warfare and air defense missions in large areas of coastal waters. The disadvantage of Chinese naval aviation is the lack of modern anti-submarine aircraft.

Ground forces

The strength of the Chinese ground army in 2018 is about 870 thousand people. For a long time they were subordinate to the leadership of the central military council, and its chairman was one of the most influential figures in the PRC, but in 2015, a separate military command of the Ground Forces was created for the first time. At the moment they represent the most powerful ground strike force in the region.

In service are: 3,400 Type-59/59-2/59D tanks (modifications of the Soviet T-54), 300 Type-79 tanks, 500 Type-88 tanks and modern ones: 2,200 Type-96/96A tanks, 40 Type-98A tanks , 750 type-99/99A tanks, 750 type-03/type 62/type 63A light tanks, 200 type-09 wheeled tanks: 1850 type-92/92A/92B infantry fighting vehicles, 1650 type-63 armored personnel carriers, 1500 type-89 armored personnel carriers , 400 ZBL-09 armored personnel carrier, 100 WZ-523 armored personnel carrier, 1820 self-propelled guns of various modifications, 6340 towed guns and mortars, 1810 MLRS (BM-21, WS-2/WS-2D, WS-3), 1570 anti-aircraft guns, about 3000 MANPADS, several thousand ATGMs HJ-8, HJ-73, AFT-20, Red Arrow.

The power of Chinese artillery and the large number of Chinese ground forces in 2018 deserve special attention. The weapons are equipped with unique WS-2 and WS-3 MLRS systems, which are significantly superior to their Western and Russian counterparts in terms of firing range and accuracy, and are very close in their capabilities to operational-tactical missile systems at a much lower cost. They provide hit accuracy with a CEP of 30 m at a distance of up to 200 km. It was on the basis of these complexes that the Belarusian MLRS Polonaise was created as part of military cooperation.

Strengths also include the introduction of 3rd generation ATGMs (fire-and-forget principle) with optical and infrared guidance systems into the ground forces. At the moment, such systems can be mass-produced only in 5 countries (USA, Israel, China, Japan, South Korea) since they require high-tech production of uncooled thermal imaging matrices.

Nuclear missile forces

In China, this type of force is officially called the 2nd Artillery Corps. The number of personnel is approximately 110 thousand people. The actual size of this secret unit within the Chinese army remains a mystery. All data regarding this type of troops are approximate.

The total potential of China's nuclear forces is estimated at approximately 400-600 nuclear units of strategic and tactical classes. Of these, approximately 250 strategic class charges are distributed among the components of the triad. An extensive network of underground tunnels has been created for mobile ground-based ICBM platforms, both near Beijing and in various (mostly mountainous) regions of China, which significantly increases the secrecy and stability of nuclear forces from a possible first strike from the enemy.

The composition includes: ICBMs - 20 DF-5A, 28 DF-31A, 16 DF-31, 10 DF-4. IRBM - 2 DF-3A, 36 DF-21C, 80 DF-21. BRMD - 96 DF-15, 108 DF-11A, as well as 54 long-range missiles DH-10.

New ICBMs based on DF-31 modifications are typically placed on mobile ground platforms. It is assumed that there will be 3-4 nuclear units on one rocket. In addition to the listed types of missiles, the newest ICBM DF-41 is beginning to enter service, which is probably the first in Chinese missile technology to use a multiple warhead into 10 individually targeted units. This means that China has achieved technological parity in rocket science with the US and Russia.

Truly unique is the DF-21D medium-range missile with a maneuvering warhead and a guidance system that allows it to attack large moving targets (aircraft carrier class). It was created as part of the “access denial” strategy, implementing an extremely effective asymmetric response to US superiority in the field of naval weapons and AUG in particular. In fact, it is a completely new class of anti-ship missiles with record low flight times and a firing range of 1,750 km. According to Pentagon analysts, the appearance of such missiles could completely prevent the US fleet from entering the Taiwan Strait in the event of a conflict between China and Taiwan, and is also the first threat to the global dominance of the US Navy since the end of the Cold War.

People's Militia

The People's Militia of the People's Republic of China is a paramilitary unit of the internal troops (analogous to the National Guard). They are engaged in maintaining order in China, fighting terrorism, protecting important facilities and performing border service. According to various estimates, the size of the Chinese “internal” army in 2018 ranges from 1 to 1.5 million people.