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Over the past few months several reports and articles have noted the continued growth in the size and capabilities of the navies of both China and Russia. The Defense Department’s (DOD) annual report highlights China’s rapid military build-up and China’s continued refusal to disclose the purpose behind its comprehensive military modernization. Despite the continued lack of transparency, China continues to devote considerable resources to expanding its naval fleet. According to the DOD report:
- China has the most active ballistic missile program in the world. The country is developing and testing offensive missiles and working on methods to counter ballistic missile defenses. An emphasis has been placed on anti-ship cruise missiles, capable of striking ships at sea from great distances.
- China’s fleet is estimated to include 74 surface combatant ships, 57 attack class submarines, and 55 medium and heavy amphibious ships. Between its indigenous ship production and acquisition of ships from Russia, the country has added ten new classes of ships over the past ten years. China continues an active research and development program in support of an aircraft carrier, and could start construction by the end of this decade. It currently possesses the ability to surge production of its submarine and amphibious ship platforms.
- While China continues to rely on foreign suppliers for many of its technologies, it is steadily developing the ability to domestically produce its naval systems and components. Through acquisition of dual use technologies, obtaining military technologies via legal transactions with countries such as Russia, or espionage of American and European classified defense technology, China will not only possess the largest naval fleet by 2015, but also have a fleet that can match the capabilities of the United States fleet.
Though not equaling the explosive build-up of the Chinese, Russia has publicly committed to making the recapitalization of its naval fleet a priority. Last year, Inside the Navy reported an announcement by Russia’s government to devote $60 billion, or roughly 25% of its state rearmament rebuilding program, to its Navy. The country has stated its intent to increase warship production by 50% by 2010. The first of Russia’s new nuclear ballistic missile submarines is scheduled to join the fleet later this year. This new submarine class will become the core of Russia’s modern submarine fleet. In April, Russia’s Navy Commander and Chief, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky expressed the country’s plan to build 5-6 full deck, nuclear powered aircraft carriers, capable of carrying 30-40 aircraft. The country currently has only one operational aircraft carrier. Though the carriers are not presently included in the State Arms Program, construction is reportedly slated to begin between 2012 and 2013.
In an April 17th Forbes.com article, Russia’s “Blue Water” doctrine states a desire for active domination of foreign seas and the use of battle groups as a means of projecting both military and political power globally. One of the roles of its new Navy will be to “provide security for vessels traveling in the new arctic shipping routes.” Like China, Russia has been cultivating relationships along shipping routes to the Middle East and with other oil producing countries. In addition to investing in the port infrastructures in Syria, Russia has been developing stronger ties with Libya, Algeria, and Egypt. Russia is also reported to have entered into a contract with Venezuela to build Kilo-class diesel submarines for that country.
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