Robert Farley, assistant professor at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky, said China's dependence on Russian supplies and technology will come to an end in the next 10 years, reports Washington-based right-wing National Interest magazine on July 2.
In his article about what the People's Liberation Army could look like in 2025, Farley said that China's current ground, naval and air forces have become changed dramatically from the 1990s. At that time, the PLA was still using antiquated equipment and concentrating on making money rather than preparing for a conflict. It was also focusing more on threats from the north rather than from the east, according to Farley.
The author said one area in which the PLA remains far behind the US military is in operational experience. Though the US campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan could charitably said to have been a mixed experience, it cannot be denied that the US now has a battle-hardened fighting force at its disposal. The same cannot be said of the PLA.
Read the full story at Want China Times