Envisioning a "World-Class" PLA: Implications for the United States and the Indo-Pacific

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: AD1084774 | Open PDF

Abstract:

During his address to the 19th Party Congress in October 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping raised eyebrows in the West when he stated that the Peoples Liberation Army PLA needed to attain the status of world-class forces by midcentury. The timing of the speech was obviously meant to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, but the precise meaning of world-class forces remains less clear. In this testimony, several thoughts are offered on the likely components of a future world-class PLA. Briefly assessed are the implications of such a development on the United States and the Indo-Pacific region.

Author(s):
Grossman, Derek
Author Organization(s):
RAND Corporation Santa Monica United States
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report
Pagination:
0012

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release;

RECORD

Collection: TR
Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_6.2.1_Information Sharing; JCA_6.2.2_Computing Services; JCA_6.2.3_Core Enterprise Services; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_6.2_Enterprise Services; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_3.1.4_Maneuver to Secure
Modernization Areas:
Space; Autonomy; Cyber; Biotechnology; Hypersonics
Communities of Interest:
Weapons Technologies
Descriptor(s):
china, Military forces (Foreign), Military forces (United States), government (foreign), military strategy
Field(s)/Group(s):
Military Forces and Organizations, Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
Keyword(s):
pla(people s liberation army), disruptive military technologies, third offset, xi jinping, maritime domain, Joint Operations
Report Date:
2019 Jul 01
Creation Date:
2019 Nov 22