The Chinese War Machine

Fülszöveg

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) - collective name for the armed forces of the People's Republic of China - is the world's largest military force, with a total in excess of four million regulars and many millions more militia. The Navy ranks only second in the world to the Soviet Navy, in terms of number of vessels, and its Air Force is the third largest in the world, boasting some 4,000 aircraft. The PRC has also built an increasingly powerful strategic capability, so that she could retaliate against a nuclear strike by the Soviet Union (some of her missiles could even reach Moscow). But China's weapons are mostly obsolescent, and she is anxiously modernizing her armed forces in preparation for what many in China feel is an inevitable war with the Soviet Union. China is understandably apprehensive about the massive Russian armoury ranged along their common border, and has already, in 1979, joined battle with Russia's Southeast Asian protégé, Vietnam. . Y'^Y ' ' . - ,Y ' ' Y' '... Tovább

Fülszöveg

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) - collective name for the armed forces of the People's Republic of China - is the world's largest military force, with a total in excess of four million regulars and many millions more militia. The Navy ranks only second in the world to the Soviet Navy, in terms of number of vessels, and its Air Force is the third largest in the world, boasting some 4,000 aircraft. The PRC has also built an increasingly powerful strategic capability, so that she could retaliate against a nuclear strike by the Soviet Union (some of her missiles could even reach Moscow). But China's weapons are mostly obsolescent, and she is anxiously modernizing her armed forces in preparation for what many in China feel is an inevitable war with the Soviet Union. China is understandably apprehensive about the massive Russian armoury ranged along their common border, and has already, in 1979, joined battle with Russia's Southeast Asian protégé, Vietnam. . Y'^Y ' ' . - ,Y ' ' Y' ' 'v.' '"'V- ' Y'i- Y'-? YY^v ¦". - Y - Y ' . ¦" As the rest of the world looks on with trepidation, China seeks scientific, industrial and economic assistance from Japan, the United States, Western Europe and the Middle East, in an effort to close the technology gap between her and Russia by the year 2000. Will the Soviet Union wait that long? ' Against this dramatic, foreboding and fascinating background is set this most revelatory, and timely, volume. Intriguing facts andfigures are put into perspective with incisive comment, supported by beautiful colour illustrations and action photographs. This unique book closely examines the entire Chinese military organization, evaluates its strengths and weaknesses, explains in detail its known tactical manoevres and strategic doctrine, and presents an interesting technical analysis of the major Chinese weapons. The international team of authoritative commentators highlight the reasons that the People's Republic of China will become increasingly capable of affecting, and disturbing, the rest of the world by its growing ability to conduct both conventional and nuclear warfare, and to influence other strategically emergent nations. Vissza