The Chinese Threat

The Strategy Page ^ | 12/20/2009 | The Strategy Page

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The U.S. Navy is looking for a sufficiently impressive foe to help scare more money out of Congress. The Chinese Navy (or, more correctly, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy) is now the favorites candidate, for navy and defense industry analysts, to become the new Big Bad. Just how dangerous are these Chinese sailors and their ships? It turns out that, on closer inspection, not very. This is the sort of thing that what went on during the Cold War. Russian military prowess was hyped by American the military, and their defense suppliers, to justify further increases in defense spending. When the Cold War ended, it was revealed how the Russian military, and defense manufacturers, plaid the same game. It also revealed that Russian military capabilities were far less than the hype indicated.

The basic weapon for this sort of thing is FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt). Works every time, although it is difficult to pitch the Chinese navy as a crack force. Most of their ships are elderly, poorly designed and rarely used. Their nuclear subs are worse than the first generation of Russian nukes back in the 1960s. The most modern Chinese ships are Russian made, Cold War era models. Chinese ships don't go to sea much, not just because it's expensive, but because Chinese ships tend to get involved in nasty incidents. Like the submarine that killed its crew when the boat submerged (and the diesel engines did not shut down when the batteries kicked in, thus using up all the oxygen.) Breakdowns are more common, as well as a lot of accidents you don't hear about (weapons and equipment malfunctions that kill and maim.)

[Clintonfatigued]

Ping

[org.whodat]

The U.S. Navy is looking for a sufficiently impressive foe to help scare more money out of Congress.

Oh, yes the good old navy wants to keep fighting WWII.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

You’re going to seriously disagree with this article...

[dog breath]

Trying to confuse and lie to the American people never seems to go out of style. I am talking about by those who wish to weaken the United States, not the Navy. The Chinese or somebody seem to be trying to take a page out of the North Vietnamese playbook.

[fullchroma]

China is our friend. Not a threat. They need us to buy all their cr@p.

[astyanax]

Normally “The Strategy Page” is a decent source of information.
I'd have to disagree with this article however.
Look at the the last decade of China's R&D, technology acquisition and their production.
Trying to pretend they're not a threat is dishonest and naive.