Strategic Direction of the PLA Navy: Capability and Intent Assessment

摘要

China's military strategy of “active defence” and “strategic guideline of active defence for the new period” focuses on enhancing the capabilities of its armed forces to counter various security threats and accomplish diversified military tasks. Accordingly, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has been seeking to increase its strategic reach and attain true “power projection” capabilities. From a conventional coastal defence force, the PLA Navy (PLAN) is now aiming to emerge as a blue water force. In the future, the PLAN seeks to include aircraft carrier(s), anti-access concept, and “Military Operations Other Than War”. The sustenance of anti-piracy patrols by the PLAN for the last 18 months has raised the question of China possibly seeking a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). India must, therefore, take due note of the PLAN's profile, its future intentions and its gaze towards the IOR, and plan accordingly.