BRI investment, SCS claims could hit China's military development
China’s slowing economy, and financial pressures arising from its massive investment in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and construction of military facilities in the South China Sea (SCS), designed to secure trade routes for China into the wider global network, will reduce its ability to directly confront the US and could see it shift focus to asymmetric and political warfare capabilities.
Speaking on 4 February at the ADECS exhibition and conference in Singapore, Peter Nicholson, an independent strategic advisor and former AVM in the RAAF, said that the Indo-Pacific was a ‘strategic space’ with its sea lines of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
South Korea pushes forward on unmanned surface vessel development for future fleet
South Korean industry continues to evolve unmanned surface vessels as the ROK Navy targets future force needs and addresses manpower challenges.
-
How the US Government plans to put the US Navy’s shipbuilding programmes back on track
In an attempt to reduce delays in shipbuilding efforts, the US government, lawmakers and the Navy are betting big on further investments in the national defence industry and public shipyards. Reviewing and reformulating ongoing initiatives and business practices will also be form part of the effort.
-
Royal Canadian Navy advances with the construction of its first River-Class destroyer
Scheduled for delivery by 2033, HMCS Fraser will be a major surface component of the Canadian maritime combat power.
-
Ireland orders Thales towed array sonar
Ireland has a large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends 370km (200nm) offshore and contains 75% of the transatlantic subsea cables which carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily. The country is investing to increase protection and surveillance of these waters.
-
South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.