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
-
As Indonesia doubles up its order, who else is looking at the Arrowhead 140 frigate design?
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
-
How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
-
How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.