Strategic sustainment? China's ships, silk roads, and Indian Ocean presence

摘要

China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) celebrated its 60th anniversary in April 2009. With more than 250,000 personnel, 450 ships and submarines, and more than 650 aircraft, it has grown considerably from its modest origins. While the number of ships and submarines needs to be qualified in terms of vintage and relative capability, the PLAN'S development as a navy nonetheless reflects the 'rise' of China. In recent years, one of the PLAN'S most distinctive operational characteristics has been the manner in which it has established a presence in the Indian Ocean.