www.China-Defense.com

In line with its changing strategy, the PLA has been in the midst of a major modernization program since the late 80's. In general, this program is two pronged: one aims to promote self -reliance through the indigenous production of more capable weapons systems though progress is slow. The other is to rapidly bypass long and expensive development cycles of advanced weapons by importing these weapons, and more importantly, acquiring the technology for subsequent local production. Current and near term PLA force modernization priorities include acquisition of air, naval and to a lesser extent ground force projection capabilities by concurrently modernizing naval, air and ground forces (accordingly). Core development areas for the Navy include ASW, shipborne AAW, aircraft carriers, conducting sustained naval operations, and amphibious warfare capabilities. The first phase of this is to complete by 2010-2015.

The local development of newer warships and submarines equipped with a variety of state of the art Western and Russian equipment, coupled with purchases from Russia are part of a large-scale modernization process aimed at giving the PLA a degree of power projection. The Type 52 Luhu class destroyers along with the Type 57 Jiangwei class frigates are being introduced in increasing numbers and the two new Type 54 Luhai destroyers along with the stealthy F16U export design frigate is indicative of ever growing Chinese capabilities in warship building. Recent acquisitions of advanced Russian submarines, destroyers, missiles, and tactical fighters are also major force multipliers but quite how effectively these can be employed remains the question for now.