The Economist: China will soon have air power rivalling the West’s
In some technologies, it has surpassed it
THERE is no question which country gets the starring role in “The Military Balance”, the latest annual review of the world’s armed forces by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a London-based think-tank. Amid renewed jostling between the world’s great powers, it is the pace of military modernisation in China that stands out.
China’s president, Xi Jinping, wants to be able to challenge America’s military might in the western Pacific. He is making big progress. China’s once bloated armed forces are becoming leaner and a lot more capable. They are also benefiting from a defence budget that is growing at a steady 6-7% a year, in line with GDP. The IISS declares that China has become an innovator in military technology and is “not merely ‘catching up’ with the West”.
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 16, 2018
U.S. intelligence: Russia and China will have ‘operational’ anti-satellite weapons in a few years -- Space News
US General: '100 percent confident' in North Korea missile defense -- The Hill
US Cyberattacks On North Korea Precede Military Options, Former Intelligence Experts Say -- IBTimes
Is This North Korea's Fatal Missile Flaw? -- Peter J. Brown, National Interest
For South Korea's military to thrive, it needs to get off the US dole -- Doug Bandow, The Hill
Wary over North Korea threat, Japan flexes military muscle despite Olympic reconciliation -- The Independent
Pakistan to send troops to Saudi Arabia on training mission -- AP
Israel to receive F-35 air vehicle deliveries -- UPI
Russian aircraft producer to deliver first batch of Sukhoi-57 fighter jets in 2019 -- TASS
Russian defense contractor completes trials of new-generation fighter jet -- TASS
Russia tests new Arctic air-defense system (VIDEO) -- RT
Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen: Germany will spend more on its military -- DW
European spy chiefs in joint plea for post-Brexit co-operation -- BBC
SecAF Says B-21 ‘On Schedule’ As China Rises To Air Force’s Top Threat -- Breaking Defense
US Marines are flying more than the Air Force -- Marine Times
US Pacific Command Admiral ready for war with China, but hopes it won’t happen -- RT
US Seeks Hypersonic Weapons as China Zooms Ahead -- Sputnik
U.S. planning radars in Hawaii to deter North Korea missiles -- UPI
Navy turns to General Dynamics for anti-missile protection -- UPI
The Navy Might Finally Get the Cash to Fix One Its Greatest Flaws -- Dave Majumdar, National Interest
US Army Tests Advanced Guided Missiles from Apache Helicopters -- Sputnik
US Army’s next-gen combat vehicle prototyping to be accelerated -- Defense News
US Army sees faster path for Patriot radar replacement -- Defense News
Pentagon's 'deploy-or-be-removed' policy takes effect -- UPI
Pentagon's New Deploy-or-Out Policy Could Separate Up to 286K -- Military.com
Personnel bosses are latest to weigh in on limiting military moves -- Navy Times
Mattis: Talks with Turkey centered on ‘absolute honesty and transparency’ -- The Hill
Democrats Ask Mattis to Probe Kelly’s Handling of Any Military Misconduct -- Daily Beast
Could the Military Start Drafting Hackers in Their 40s? -- Joseph Marks, NextGov
Army strips general of star over inappropriate texts with soldier's wife: report -- The Hill
Why USS Missouri is Easily the Most Famous Battleship of All Time -- Robert Farley, National Interest
'Discover your inner spy' at New York's latest museum -- AFP
