US Navy’s Report on China’s Navy

choi

The PLA Navy; New capabilities and missions for the 21st century. Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Apr 17, 2015.
www.oni.navy.mil/Intelligence_Co ... B_Print_Low_Res.pdf

Quote:

"China also developed the world’s first antiship ballistic missile (ASBM), a system specifically designed to attack enemy aircraft carriers."  page 9  

"During the 1995-96 cross-strait crisis, Beijing engaged in large-scale exercises and missile demonstrations; however, its options for dealing with Taiwan directly were limited. China was ill-prepared to execute a major reunification campaign and even less capable of countering US forces intervening on Taiwan’s behalf. Nearly two decades later, China has closed some of the capability gaps"  Ibid.

"Every major PLA(N) [People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy] surface combatant currently under construction is capable of embarking a helicopter, an addition that supports over-the-horizon targeting (OTH-T), antisubmarine warfare (ASW), and search and rescue." p 14

"In recent years, shipboard air defense is arguably the most notable area of improvement on PLA(N) surface ships: [eg, HHQ-9 [海红旗-9; also vertically-launched] surface-to-air missile (~55 nm [nautical mile]), HHQ-9 Extended Range (80 nm), and the vertically-launched HHQ-16 (~20-40 nm) * * * These newer platforms use modern combat management systems and air-surveillance sensors, such as the Chinese SEA EAGLE [382型雷达(海鹰S/C MP710)] and [Type 346] DRAGON EYE phased-array radar [346型龙眼相控阵雷达]. * * * the addition of these new units allows the PLA(N) surface force to operate with increased confidence outside of shore-based air defense systems"  pp 15-16

"For its diesel-electric force alone, between 2000 and 2005, China constructed MING-class SS, SONG-class SS, the first YUAN-class SSP, and purchased an additional eight KILO-class SS from Russia. While all of these classes remain in the force, only the YUAN SSP is currently in
production. * * *  Currently, the submarine force consists of five nuclear attack submarines, four nuclear ballistic missile submarines, and 57 diesel attack submarines. * * * China’s submarine force is very different from that of the US Navy, but has characteristics that are
well suited for its more limited mission set. Most of China’s submarine force is conventionally powered, with ASCMs [antiship cruise missiles], but without towed arrays. These submarines are optimized for regional missions that concentrate on ASUW [or ASuW: Anti-surface warfare] near major SLOCs [sea lines of communication]. * * * The YUAN SSP is China’s most modern conventionally powered submarine. Twelve are currently in service, with as many as eight more slated for production. Its combat capability is comparable to the SONG SS, as both are capable of launching Chinese-built ASCMs, but the YUAN SSP has the added benefit of an air independent power (AIP) system and may have incorporated quieting technology from the Russian-designed KILO SS."  pp 18-19

"Perhaps the most anticipated development in China’s submarine force is the expected operational [to distinguish the last clause of this quotation ('in service'), my view is "operational' is the key word here] deployment of the JIN-class SSBN, which will mark China’s first credible at-sea second-strike nuclear capability. The JL-2 submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM), has nearly three times the range of the XIA-class SSBN’s JL-1 SLBM, which was only able to range targets in the immediate vicinity of China. The JL-2 SLBM underwent successful testing in 2012 and is likely ready to enter the force. Once deployed, the JIN/JL-2 weapon system will provide China with a capability to strike targets on the continental United States. * * * four [JIN-class SSBNs] are currently in service."  pp 19-20

"During the past two decades, the PLANAF [PLAN Air Force] has made great strides in moving beyond its humble origins. Antiquated fixed-wing aircraft such as the Nanchang Q-5 Fantan [强-5; NATO reporting name: Fantan 番摊] and the Harbin H-5 Beagle have given way to an array of relatively high-quality aircraft [such as Su-30MK2 Flanker G, J-10A Firebird A, and J-11B Flanker L]."  p 21

"Unlike a US carrier, LIAONING is not well equipped to conduct long-range power projection. It is better suited to fleet air defense missions, where it could extend a protective envelope over a fleet operating in blue water. Although it possesses a full suite of weapons and combat systems, LIAONING will likely offer its greatest value as a long-term training investment. This 'starter carrier' will enable the PLA(N) to train its first groups of pilots and deck crews * * * China’s first carrier air regiment will consist of the Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark [], as it is known in China, which is externally similar to the Russian Su-33 FLANKER D. However, in a pattern typical of Chinese military systems indigenization, the aircraft is thought to possess many of the domestic avionics and armament capabilities of the Chinese J-11B FLANKER. Notable external differences between the J-15 and J-11B include folding wings, strengthened landing gear, a tailhook under a shortened tail stinger, two-piece slotted flaps, canards, and a retractable in-flight refueling probe on the left side of the nose."  p 23

My comment:
(a) This is ONI's first unclassified report on China’s navy in six years (the last time was 2009). There is no need to read the rest.
(b) embark (vt): "to cause to go on board (as a boat or airplane)"
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embark
(c) "In the late 1990s to early 2000s, the PLA(N) transitioned from a 'green water' force to one capable of operating offshore."  p 14

green-water navy
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green-water_navy
("a naval force that is designed to operate in its nation's littoral zones and has the competency to operate in the open oceans of its surrounding region. It is a relatively new term, and has been created to better distinguish, and add nuance, between two long-standing descriptors: blue-water navy and brown-water navy")
(d) "SONG-class SS, the first YUAN-class SSP"

hull classification symbol
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull_classification_symbol
("SS: Submarine, Attack Submarine"/ "SSP: Attack Submarine (Diesel Air-Independent Power)")