Hong Kong, November 10 (ANI): The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the party-controlled armed force of China, has made tremendous progress in modernizing itself in recent years. Much of this credit must be given to Chairman Xi Jinping, who has personally and relentlessly driven the PLA’s transformation.
Just a couple of decades ago, the PLA was an outdated behemoth—oversized, operating antiquated equipment, and primarily focused on border defense. Now, as the military parade on September 3 demonstrated, the PLA is flush with modern weapons and backed by steadily increasing defense budgets, making it a formidable force not only in Asia but also against the United States.
Indeed, Washington regards China as its primary “pacing threat,” forcing the U.S. military to respond to the PLA’s growing capabilities. The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., has closely tracked this evolution through ten charts that highlight the PLA’s rapid rise.
The first indicator is Chinese defense spending, reflecting the country’s economic growth and expanding global ambitions. According to Beijing, China’s official defense budget reached nearly USD 247 billion in 2025, up from USD 232 billion in 2024. Over the past 30 years, spending has increased 13-fold. However, independent estimates place the figure much higher — SIPRI pegged it at about USD 318 billion in 2024, while the Texas National Security Review estimated USD 471 billion in 2023.
CSIS noted that while China still spends less than the U.S., the gap is narrowing. “In 2012, China’s defense spending was one-sixth that of the United States; by 2024, it had risen to one-third,” the report stated. China now spends five times more than Japan and nearly seven times more than South Korea, two of America’s key regional allies. The annual increase alone exceeds Taiwan’s entire defense budget, forcing Taipei to rely on asymmetric strategies rather than direct competition.
Another measure of growth is the PLA Navy (PLAN). Once a coastal defense force, it now operates globally. In February, a PLAN task group alarmed Australia and New Zealand after sailing through the Tasman Sea and around Australia. CSIS noted, “The PLA Navy surpassed the U.S. Navy in number of battle force ships around 2014 and is projected to continue growing.”
Currently, the PLAN fields about 350 ships compared to fewer than 300 in the U.S. Navy. By 2030, China’s fleet could reach 435 vessels, while the American total remains static.
In the air, too, China’s capabilities have grown sharply. CSIS reported that “the PLA Air Force and Navy field a significantly larger and more advanced fleet of combat aircraft than in years past.” China now operates fifth-generation fighters — the J-20 and J-35A — comparable to America’s F-22 and F-35 jets. It is also testing sixth-generation prototypes. As a result, older second- and third-generation planes are being phased out.
In 2024, CSIS counted 230 fifth-generation fighters, 1,100 4.5-generation jets like the J-10, 541 fourth-generation aircraft, and only 329 older types.
A major focus remains Taiwan. “Xi Jinping has ordered the military to be able to seize Taiwan by force by 2027,” CSIS said, adding that most PLA assets are concentrated in the Eastern and Southern Theater Commands. Nearly all amphibious assault ships, 88% of landing ships, and over 70% of destroyers and frigates are positioned near Taiwan.
China’s nuclear arsenal is also expanding rapidly. “According to estimates, China’s nuclear stockpile reached 600 warheads in 2025, more than doubling since 2019,” CSIS said. The U.S. Department of Defense predicts this could grow to 1,500 warheads by 2035, elevating China to the status of a nuclear superpower alongside the U.S. and Russia.
Recent parades showcased China’s DF-series intercontinental ballistic missiles, JL-3 submarine-launched missiles, and new air-launched nuclear systems, signaling a growing strategic deterrent.
China also possesses the world’s largest arsenal of ground-based missiles. The DF-26, with a 4,000 km range, can target U.S. bases in Guam and beyond. CSIS estimated China had about 240 such missiles in 2024.
In space, China’s military power continues to grow. As of 2024, it had hundreds of military and dual-use satellites, including 115 for surveillance, 81 for signals intelligence, and 45 for navigation. President Xi has described space as “an important strategic asset for the country.”
Interestingly, the PLA’s ground force has been shrinking, from 1.6 million personnel in 2014 to around 960,000 today. This reflects Xi’s push to streamline the force and shift focus to cyber, space, and technical warfare.
Corruption remains a challenge, but Xi’s anti-corruption campaign within the PLA underscores his determination to modernize and ready the force for future conflicts.
Despite these impressive numbers, the PLA remains largely untested. “How China would perform on the battlefield remains a major question,” CSIS concluded. “What is certain, however, is that China’s leaders are serious about improving the country’s military capabilities. The PLA has made rapid progress and is poised to continue making major strides in the years to come.” (ANI)
About The Author
