Revealing Cutting-Edge Weapons Within 5 Years: Aircraft Carrier, H-20 Strategic Bomber, Electromagnetic Railgun
Growing Regional Security Uncertainty Calls for New Missions of Chinese Military
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Attention is focused on China's future defense spending as the 5th Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (19th CPC Central Committee 5th Plenary Session) mentioned military modernization.
After the conclusion of the 5th Plenary Session, the Chinese leadership released a communiqu? presenting a new vision to achieve the goal of "military modernization" by 2027. The year 2027 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The Chinese state-run Global Times reported on the 3rd that the PLA will showcase cutting-edge weapons within the next five years, including China's first stealth long-range strategic bomber and an aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult.
The newspaper stated that the Chinese military has created a military modernization roadmap by 2027 to protect sovereignty, territory, security, and development interests.
The Global Times explained that this roadmap aligns with urgent demands facing China, such as regional instability.
The newspaper reported that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021?2025, 14·5 Plan), the military's modernization, informatization, and intelligence capabilities must be accelerated to optimize China's defense and technological industries.
During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016?2020), the Chinese military newly developed and deployed in actual combat the J-20 stealth fighter, multi-purpose helicopters, H-6 strategic bombers, 10,000-ton class Type 005 destroyers, Shandong aircraft carrier, DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles, DF-17 hypersonic missiles, and DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Global Times revealed that during the 14·5 Plan period, the H-20 strategic bomber, similar to the U.S. B2 strategic bomber, will be unveiled. China has reportedly been developing a long-range stealth bomber since 2018.
The newspaper cited military sources saying that the commissioning of China's third aircraft carrier during the 14·5 Plan period is highly likely. This aircraft carrier will be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, enhancing the maneuverability of fighter jets.
Along with this, the development of destroyers like the Type 052D, landing ships, and anti-submarine fighters will continue.
In particular, it added that an electromagnetic railgun using electromagnetic energy will also be developed and mounted on destroyers.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping explained that "as regional security instability and uncertainty increase, new missions must be assigned to the Chinese military," emphasizing the necessity of China's military modernization.
The Global Times also mentioned China's defense budget, noting that the ratio of defense spending to China's gross domestic product (GDP) remains at 1.3%, which is lower than the global average of 2.6%.
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