The Pentagon’s annual assessment indicates that China has kept approximately 120,000 troops stationed along the 3,488-km-long LAC, which stretches from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to the soldiers, the PLA has stationed heavy weapon systems, including tanks, howitzers, surface-to-air missiles, and other advanced military equipment. The report further highlights that over 20 combined arms brigades (CABs) remain in forward locations across the western, middle, and eastern sectors of the LAC.
Strategic Focus on the Western Theatre Command
The Pentagon report further elaborates that China’s Western Theatre Command, which oversees the border with India, has been prioritising the security of its frontier with India. “In recent years, differing perceptions between India and China regarding border demarcations have facilitated multiple clashes, force build-ups, and military infrastructure construction,” the report noted. Despite some CABs having returned to base, the “overwhelming bulk remain there,” the source added, indicating that China remains firmly entrenched in the region.
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China’s Nuclear Expansion and Modernisation
The Pentagon report underscores China’s accelerating efforts to modernise its nuclear forces. As of mid-2024, China has over 600 operational nuclear warheads, with the number expected to surpass 1,000 by 2030. The report highlights China’s diversification of its nuclear arsenal, with a range of weapons from low-yield precision strike missiles to multi-megaton intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). “The PLA seeks a larger and more diverse nuclear force of systems ranging from low-yield precision strike missiles to ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles) with multi-megaton yields to provide it multiple options on the escalation ladder,” the Pentagon report states.
In addition to its nuclear capabilities, China has been advancing its counter-space technologies, including direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, co-orbital satellites, electronic warfare, and directed energy systems like lasers, which allow it to contest or deny other nations’ access to space. The report notes that China is modernising its military across all domains—land, air, maritime, nuclear, space, electronic warfare, and cyberspace.Also Read: China and India should put border issue at ‘appropriate place,’ Chinese foreign minister says
Increasing Tensions with Taiwan
China’s military assertiveness extends to Taiwan, with the Pentagon report emphasising the PLA’s growing presence in the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. Defence Department has noted that Chinese naval forces have been more active in the region, conducting frequent military exercises and increasing crossings into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. Taiwan remains a critical flashpoint, with Beijing continuing to assert its claim over the island and threatening forceful reunification.
The Pentagon warned that Taiwan continues to be the primary source of tension between the U.S. and China. “The island democracy has been the chief source of tension between Washington and Beijing for decades and is widely seen as the most likely trigger for a potentially catastrophic U.S.-China war,” the report added. The Biden administration has continued to bolster U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to counter Beijing’s growing military assertiveness while promoting diplomatic engagement.
China-Russia Ties and Support for Moscow’s War
The Pentagon report also addresses China’s growing relationship with Russia. It notes that China has provided support to Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, including the sale of dual-use items—materials that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This strengthening of Sino-Russian ties comes as both nations seek to challenge U.S. global influence.
“China continues to demonstrate an increasing willingness to use military coercion and inducements to achieve its aims, while emphasising a greater global role for itself,” the Pentagon report states. The military collaboration between China and Russia underscores their shared interests in countering U.S. influence and shaping a more multipolar global order.
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Internal Corruption and Its Impact on Military Modernisation
China’s military growth faces internal challenges, notably corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Pentagon report highlights that the Central Military Commission, which oversees the PLA, has been rocked by corruption scandals. In June, China expelled former Defence Minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe from the ruling Communist Party. “This wave of corruption touches every service in the PLA, and it may have shaken Beijing’s confidence,” the report noted. In addition, the suspension and investigation of senior officials, including Miao Hua, continue to raise concerns about the internal stability of China’s military leadership.
Despite these challenges, China has made significant strides in modernising its military capabilities, with unmanned aerial systems now approaching U.S. standards. However, the Pentagon’s report underscores that China’s military progress remains uneven, with certain areas of development lagging behind others.
The Pentagon’s report highlights China’s continued military expansion, with a particular focus on its growing nuclear capabilities, naval power, and increased presence around Taiwan. Despite internal corruption scandals, China’s commitment to modernising its military and projecting power in the Indo-Pacific region remains unwavering. The increasing military collaboration between China and Russia, along with growing tensions with Taiwan, suggests that China will continue to shape the region’s security dynamics in the coming years.
(With inputs from TOI)
