Chinese Military Capabilities - Strategy, Technology & The Changing PLA

The modernisation of the Chinese PLA has represented a dramatic shift in the balance of military power in Asia.

Over the course of several decades, the PLA has shifted from a primarily ground combat force with a large stock of outdated equipment, to one that is increasingly capable of projecting power and holding targets at risk over longer and longer distances.

Having discussed the PRC's military budget, industry, rocket force and other critical drivers, today I finally want to give an overview of the PLA's changing capabilities and ask the question - what kind of force has China's modernisation process created, and how may it continue to evolve going forward?

Patreon:

Relevant Reading/sourcing

China's National Defence in a New Era (2019)

US DOD - Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2023

The PLA Strategic Support Force: Future-proofing China's Military - Cosmo Cao

China's Strategic Support Force: A Force for a New Era - Costello & McReynolds, National Defence University

Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook - Bronk (2020)

CRS-- China's military, the PLA - 2021

China Naval Modernisation: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issue for Congress

The Chinese Military Speaks to Itself, Revealing Doubts - Dennis Blasko

China Expanding YY-20 fleet

The Creation of the PLA Strategic Support Force and its Implications for Chinese Military Space Operations - Pollpeter, Chase & Heginbotham (2017)

The U.S. China Military Scorecard - RAND - 2017

Learning Warfare from the Laboratory - China's progression in wargaming and opposing force training - Kania, Burns & Caslin

Mentioned reporting of Chinese Type 99 usage during wargaming

2007 Reporting on ASAT test

Type 59 image (2018)

J-16 EW Version

PLA Operational Concepts - Burke,

Featured Economist article

Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply.
In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.

Featured Image of multinational exercises

Timestamps:

00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:00:42 — What Am I Talking About?
00:02:00 — Strategy And Strategic Environment
00:13:11 — The Forces
00:13:35 — The Strategic Support Force
00:17:59 — The Space Systems Department
00:18:49 — Network Systems Department
00:21:10 — PLA Ground Forces
00:27:51 — PLAAF (Air Force)
00:36:15 — PLAN (Navy)
00:49:22 — The Rocket Force
00:53:09 — Shortfalls, Trends & Perspectives
01:05:48 — Channel Update

[PerunAU]

Future Perun note - It looks like we crossed the 500k mark between recording and posting this one. That is, frankly, well beyond where I ever expected this channel to go. I'll reflect on it a bit, and have some thoughts on it next week. I'll also give some thought as to how to mark the milestone.

Also - there is a hilarious and i hope obvious error in this one as a result of a typo. No PLAN vessel has a 1.3meter calibre main gun... it is 130mm, not 1330

[Jmston]

Perun is the embodiment of “I don’t know how this is working but it is so I’m sticking with it.” Congrats on the half a million, mate. It says a lot about you that you can make PowerPoints every week and we all tune in every week.

[bertiesmalls]

Holy shit! 500k and a PowerPoint before midnight?

Everything is coming up Milhouse

[Crusader-tugb]

It does not surprise me in the slightest that this channel has reached 500k. Nevertheless, congratulations. This milestone is well-earned.

[maxstark]

15:10 "I might have access to incredible reconnaissance satellites" - Perun, 2024, showing his hand

[JinKee]

Ukraine is trying to build 1m “one way drones” to make up for a shortfall in artillery shells, Russia is doing the same with their Item-55. Meanwhile every quadcopter on the frontline in Ukraine has FCUs and motors and batteries made in China.

[Warszawski_Modernizm]

Hello from Warsaw, Poland.

I started following your channel in the 3rd week of march 2022. And back then I thought to myself. He HAS TO BLOW UP, at least up to 50K subs. 2 years later. 500 000K. WELL EFFIN DESERVED.

[ropeburnsrussell]

You are very smart, a million subscribers wouldnt surprise me at all.
I hope your success here will spill over into your professional life, you must be a great asset to the organization that employs you.

[kindnuguz]

Perun and the work done on the channel deserves way more than 500k, but congrats.
Yes it's a PowerPoint presentation but the research and knowledge into it goes way beyond PowerPoint

[krisrieser]

I've never seen a channel more deserving of subscribers and recognition than yours. Congrats bud on 500k, it's amazing to see and well deserved

[Coroebus]

Like five hundred thousand other folks, I truly look forward to the weekend Perun Powerpoint on Defense Economics. Thank you for the labor you put into researching, writing, and recording these videos.

[FLUFFYCAT_PNW]

It's Super Bowl Sunday here in the States, but I still woke up more excited to check out the new Perun video than for the big game.

You're providing a unique and valuable service, fine sir. Thank you, and congrats on all the success.

[TomatoFettuccini]

Congratulations on making 500k Perun! Well-deserved and here's to 1 million!


🍾

[MayaHaddad-un]

Using this to help my heart rate slow from a whine to a purr after finally getting my youngest to do her homework.
You, Perun, may well have saved my life.

[EAFSQ]

Congrats on 500k, Perun. Why do I have a feeling this video will get circulated within Defence and Foreign policy circles in Canberra...

p.s. 45:14 1330mm gun *wha*

[SomeRandomPerson]

@56:43 "Oversee these five can'ts" ... Man the Australian accent really makes that a sentence capable of drawing a significant double take.

[youarestoopud]

This is quite literally the best modern military information channel. I'm happy for your success, wish you more, and the only downside of all this is there aren't 2 of you to make more than one update a week. Thanks for your effort sir!

[DailyDetroit]

Proof smart, valuable content CAN get a following. Thank you for helping me understand whats happening, with humor and clarity. I recommend you to all my friends who want to learn more about the world. Congrats on 500k, and here’s to 500k more.

[stephaniewilson]

Fact, when investigating a Civil War (UK) battleground one of the weapons recovered featured a Viking Age blade. Obviously this was a treasured heirloom that was still of use, but it was found in the ground suggesting that the owner did not survive the battle.

[evilmountain]

“We should hit 500k by next week”

Meanwhile, the sub count already says 500k before I’ve even started the video. Well done, my friend! You deserve every sub you’ve got!