Chinese navy has developed its capabilities of "conducting operations in distant waters" and in "countering non-traditional security threats," says a white paper on the country's national defense on Thursday.

In line with the requirements of offshore defense strategy, the Navy of the People's Liberation Army "endeavors to accelerate the modernization of its integrated combat forces" and "enhances its capabilities in strategic deterrence and counterattack," says the white paper, issued by the Information Office of the State Council, or Cabinet.

"It seeks to further improve its combat capabilities through regularized and systematic basic training and actual combat training in complex electromagnetic environments," the white paper says.

It says by organizing naval vessels for drills in distant waters, it develops training models for military-operations-other-than-war (MOOTW) missions.

"New types of submarines, frigates, aircraft and large support vessels have been deployed as planned," the white paper says.

The navy also "enhances the construction of composite support bases so as to build a shore-based support system which matches the deployment of forces and the development of weaponry and equipment," it says.

The paper says the navy has accelerated the building of surface logistical platforms by deploying ambulance boats and helicopters, and a standard 10,000 DWT hospital ship, and is working to further improve its surface support capabilities.

The navy also explores new methods of logistics support for sustaining long-time maritime missions, it says.

Accord to the white paper, there are three fleets under the navy, namely, the Beihai Fleet, the Donghai Fleet and the Nanhai Fleet, each of which has under its command fleet aviation, support bases, flotillas, maritime garrison commands, aviation divisions and marine brigades.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments