How does China’s military might match up with that of the United States?

COL Ted Mc — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:01:36 -0400

From "Reuters"

Podcast: How China’s military might matches up with the United States

China is the world’s youngest and most ambitious superpower. Over the past decade the country has dumped billions of dollars into its military. That rapid expansion worries some analysts.

Now Beijing is regional military juggernaut, expanding its hold on the Pacific and pushing against the U.S and its allies. China can now project military power like never before.

But does regional power lead to global dominance? What does China really want in the Pacific? And would China and America ever go to war? In this week’s War College podcast, we look for some answers.

EDITORIAL COMMENT:- An interesting 26 minute podcast (pay special attention to the comments starting at minute 00:04:00 and ending at 00:04:30).

http://blogs.reuters.com/war-college/2015/08/12/podcast-how-chinas-military-might-matches-up-with-the-united-states/

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 16 at 2015 2:05 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:05:43 -0400

Interesting Question and Very Appropriate right now. At this time and date No but they do appear to be very ambitious and they do have money to spend and they are intent on making themselves Masters of the Sea. With todays announcement of the Devaluation of their money it might slow them down a little bit but I wouldn't be surprised to see them controlling the Pacific in a Decade or so.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 16 at 2015 2:06 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:06:50 -0400

They have the superior number of troops but technology and desire wise our troops are far superior

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 16 at 2015 2:36 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:36:05 -0400

As they build up and we cut back we will come to a point that by numbers and will power they will beat us. If we reach that point recovery to U.S. superiority will be most unlikely.

Elections have consequences.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 16 at 2015 7:45 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 07:45:29 -0400

Let's plan some war games and find out! Put it on TV and I think it will blow the Olympics away as far as number of viewers.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Aug 16 at 2015 9:28 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 09:28:44 -0400

Do the math ...
China
Military @ 2,333,000
Percent of population = .15%
Percent GDP @ 2.1

U.S.
Military @ 1,400,000
Percent of population = .44%
Percent GDP @ 3.5

Think of what will happen if China bumps their spending (% GDP) to our level!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 16 at 2015 12:38 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:38:20 -0400

COL Ted Mc The Chinese and India are significant military powers and if they keep investing in Navy and Airforce and have effectively caught up with the US in any significant power on power element. China has limited Naval capacity to project power but their State enterprises have purchased and developed in South America, Africa, ME and Central Asia. The positioning of deployment of forces is the only advantage of one side or the other.
Total war with China is unthinkable and must be avoided at all cost. Limited war with China over a specific territory like Taiwan is not in the US interest. Even if we deployed all forces, we could not prevent the Chinese from taking Taiwan. Korea or any area that does not require significant Naval projection is a losing fight.
It is a matter of time and market effectiveness China, then India will be the largest economies. Large MNC will look to the Asian markets for guidance, not the US or Europe, because we will be the 3rd major market behind China and India. Even it we treat Mexico and Canada as part of the US in a North American marketplace. We will need to determine NOW how to develop an effective partnership out of necessity.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Aug 16 at 2015 2:39 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:39:26 -0400

In a situation where we go to war with China I feel that usage of nuclear weapons is inevitable and there is no winners with that. However, I feel that with China's strength and capabilities they would probably come out a little better off than we would.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 5:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:35:33 -0400

It matches up as target practice.
The only way China wins in a direct confrontation is if we run out of ordinance.
We outclass them vastly in technology (admittedly, the gap has closed some, but in key areas like avionics and naval technology, the gap is immense) and training.
It would be a turkey shoot, bordering on a massacre.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 17 at 2015 1:09 AM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 01:09:40 -0400

It matches up as a turkey. In a cage. With no room to move while being aimed at.

Look, China is very good at talking up their capabilities. But, just off the top of my head, their 'stealth' fighter can't turn, their decades-old Soviet Carrier can't launch planes with any load at all, and all of their subs are old, loud, and vulnerable. A direct engagement with the Chinese would be over within a week, in my opinion, not including physically occupying them. But their ability to fight would be destroyed.

One week. That's what I think.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 2:53 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 02:53:03 -0400

My main concern with china would be the cyber warfare aspects of their military. The use of cyber attacks could become exponentially detrimental to our c4i systems if the future is to include more autonomous weapon platforms. Our ability to communicate is one of the most important aspects of any tactical operation and also could become vulnerable to cyber warfare with the advent of 5th generation weapon systems reliant on computers to integrate all military assets in a combat theater. Imagine if a virus could give enemy commanders the ability to manipulate where these future weapons end up on the field. We aim to be on the cutting edge of technological superiority but i fear that our approach to these new systems is akin to building a tank with a big cannon but cardboard armor.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 8:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:55:49 -0400

Their navy is a pale shadow of ours; they have 1 carrier and that is an old, Cold War era ex-Soviet ski-jump model, half the capacity of a single US carrier. Their air force is based mostly on 1970's era Soviet knock-offs with a couple of "parade" wings equipped with more recent tech. Their army is dangerous only by sheer numbers.

We don't have much to worry about, but they are aware of the tech disparities and are working to close them, It will take many years, decades, to catch up, and it will be expensive for them. A lot can change in that time.