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This report is fairly short and broad, and I believe does not contain the detail necessary to reflect the true scope of the emerging threat.

The Chinese have already built two each of brand new, very mordern, Aegis type destroyers, guided missile destroyers, guided missile frigates, three new amphibious assault class of ships, and a very modern diesle-electric attack subs. This is in addition to acquiring four very modern and capable Russian destoryers and attack subs in the same period. Those efforts continue as they continue to build new nuclear attack subs and ballistic missile subs, as well as continuing heavy research into aircraft carrier design and/or refitting.

They are also modernizing their air force at a rapid pace, acquiring many SU-30 aircraft from Russia and building their own new J-10 aircraft. Within the past two to three years there has been a quantum leap in terms of the quality of the equipment and the rate at which they ar bein built.

Here are some pics.

The new Lanzhou Class (Type 52C) Aegis destroyer. Two launched in 2003 and both being commissioned now.

The new Guangzhou Class (Type 52B) Guided Missile Destroyer. Two launched in 2003, being commissioned now.

The new Hangzhou Class (Tyep 951/EM) guided missile destroyers. Four acquired from Russia in the last five years. They carry the Russian Sunburn or Moskit cruise missiles, designed to attack US Aircraft Carriers.

The new Ma'anshan Class (Type 054) Guided Missile frigates. Two launched in 2003, being commissioned now.

The new Type 73 AMphibious Assault Ship class, of which three have already been built.

The new Yuan Class SSK diesel/electric attack submanrine.

The new Russian acquired Kilo Class SSK diesle/electric attack submarines, of which four have been acquired and EIGHT MORE are on order.

Red Chinese produced, Russian SU-30 aircraft, designated J-11.

The chinese Produced J-10 attack fighter.

Great pics!!!If you read the specs for these systems,you can see a consistent pattern emerging.While they maybe below American tech,they are not far from the American concept of warfare.For eg,early Chinese ships had an excess of obsolete anti-ship missiles but only a handful of anti-air weapons.Most of the new ships like the Type-052 & Type-054 have a more balanced armament pattern.Given that the EU will most probably left their arms ban by next year,you can expect these systems to get far better.The same goes for their Airforce-their buying the AA-10,AA-12 from Russia & developing their own BVRAAM,the SD-10 & are also investing in standoff cruise missiles.

BTW,did you hear anything about the new upgraded Sovremenny class destroyers being built for China by the Russians.From the sketchy reports Ive seen ,it seems to follow the pattern of the Talwar class frigates(Krivak-IV) the Russians built for the Indian navy.It is far more sleeker (& stealthy) than the original,gas turbine engines(instead of steam),has a vertically launched variant of the Shtil SAM & probably upgraded Moskit SSMs(also Vertically launched) & much improved CIWS.These ships will move from the concept of the "suicide boat" that the original Sovremennys had to that of sophisticated destroyers which can concievably hit coastal facilities too.

In short,in a few years,China could well trump Japan & South Korea in technology as well.