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
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
-
German Navy’s Israeli missile test points to deepening defence-industrial ties
The test-firing of an Israel Aerospace Industries LORA ballistic missile from a German vessel highlights the Bundeswehr’s focus on speed to capability as it trials Israel’s operationally proven technology.
-
Global submarine suppliers compete for a rapidly shrinking market
Diminishing submarine competitions worldwide are leaving fewer acquisition opportunities, pushing contractors toward alternatives.
-
Future frigate programme highlights broader RNZN replacement challenge
New Zealand’s evaluation of the Mogami and Arrowhead 140 frigate designs reflects a wider push for alliance interoperability, and points to a larger recapitalisation of the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet beyond the current programme.