PLA still 30 years behind the US, says expert

While the People's Liberation Army continues to acquire more advanced weapons systems, it will still take China at least 30 years to compete with the United States and build the world's most powerful military force, according to Dennis J Blasko, a former US military attache to Beijing, in an article written for Jane's Defense Weekly on Sept. 27.

Blasko said that weapons systems and equipment are crucial for China's military modernization, but he stressed that the training of its personnel is far more important if the PLA hopes to challenge the position of the United States. He added a PLA officer once told him that acquiring new weapons is not the only goal as it does not mean victory on the battlefield.

Blasko said China fully realizes the importance of training its soldiers to operate advanced weapons systems properly. Without combat experience in a modern warfare environment, the PLA's leaders also know that the military is still 20-30 years behind America.

A 2008 China Defense White Paper pointed out that the modernization of the PLA will not be completed until the mid-21st Century. The PLA is now conducting exercises to speed up this development. The country now holds aerial training exercises similar to the US Air Force's aerial war games, or "Red Flag" exercises, Blasko said. PLA soldiers and officers are also being trained to conduct electronic and cyber warfare, he added.