Assessing technology innovation in the PLA
Loading...
Authors
Pembleton, Gary L.
Subjects
China
Chinese
innovation
technology
military
modernization
Navy
air force
defense
pla
A2AD
asymmetric
counter-RMA
Chinese
innovation
technology
military
modernization
Navy
air force
defense
pla
A2AD
asymmetric
counter-RMA
Advisors
Huntley, Wade
Glosny, Michael
Date of Issue
2015-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
In the last 10 years, China’s defense capability has increasingly become the focus of military analysts as well as a driving factor in U.S. policy. This thesis asks the question How much of Chinese military modernization counts as innovation? In answering this question it defines innovation, creates a standard for identifying innovation, and applies this standard to the plan and plaAF. Historically, technological innovation is either overlooked or ignored by intelligence services and recent developments by China have come as a surprise to many. This thesis identifies a total of 79 instances of innovative technology fielded by the plan and the plaAF since 1970. Many of these innovations, like the DF-21D, PL-12, and recent JY series of radars, comprise weapon systems not yet developed by other nations and thus count as global-level innovations. China is focused on developing innovative technologies to exploit weaknesses inherent in other technologically superior forces such as those fielded by the United States in order to gain an asymmetric advantage in what Chinese strategists label a counter-RMA.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.