“In unpiloted aerial vehicles, China has made a lot of progress in recent years and has a vast array of systems under development,” said Harry Boyd of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. The United States, with a force of 1.3 million, was far ahead at $650 billion, or more than 2½ times China’s level.īeijing is regarded, along with the United States, as a leader in drone aircraft, which it sells in the Middle East. Last year’s spending on the PLA rose 5% to $250 billion, or about 10 times its 1994 level, according to SIPRI. Defense Intelligence Agency said in a report in January. “China has developed nuclear, space, cyberspace and other capabilities that can reach potential adversaries across the globe,” the U.S. The ability to project power is increasingly urgent for Chinese leaders who want to control shipping lanes and waters also claimed by Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and other governments. Asked whether that would include the Dongfeng 41, Cai said, “Please wait and see.” Many new weapons “will be shown for the first time,” Cai told reporters last week. Tuesday’s parade will include 15,000 troops, more than 160 aircraft and 580 pieces of military equipment, according to Ministry of Defense spokesman Maj. military, who say, ‘This is getting close to what we do,’ and they are starting to worry,” said Siemon Wezeman of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. “There are quite a lot of observers, including the U.S. The People’s Liberation Army, the world’s biggest military with 2 million men and women in uniform and the second-highest annual spending after the United States, also is working on fighter planes, the first Chinese-built aircraft carrier and nuclear-powered submarines.

China victory day parade