CHINA-INTERNAL: MILITARY MODERNISATION/NDU REPORT
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The Center for Economic Research of China's prestigious National Defence University published a 6-part 'Chinese Military and Civilian Integration Development Report, 2014', which was revealed by Chinese state media outlets on 25 July. Containing six parts, the report covers the theory and practice of civil-military integration and reviews its progress in China along with recommendations for its improvement. The NDU report is significant as the PLA almost never openly discusses future requirements for major military systems. The report's treatment of China's transport sector has gained the most attention, with the most prominent suggestion being that China consider the acquisition of up to 400 Y-20 transports. The report noted that the United States has 700 medium and large transport aircraft, while Russia has 800 and India 200.
The report also recommends that the transport aircraft should be organized in 10 'divisions', each comprising two regiments of 20 aircraft. It also acknowledges that Y-20 development is impeded by domestic engine development, something not previously acknowledged in official publications.
The NDU report also makes four basic recommendations to improve civil-military integration in China's transport sector. The recommendations are:
i) to increase investments in dual-use technology, specifically commercial transport aircraft that can also serve military missions such as transport, airborne early warning and control, and aerial refueling;
ii) to better exploit the capability of civil transport assets, especially maritime assets, to create a reserve strategic delivery capability;
iii) that command of civil transport assets be better co-ordinated and centralized to be more reflective of a military structure; and
iv) there should be an 'overseas' aspect to civil-military integration, such as building a network of foreign bases or supply depots. It further recommends the strengthening of "strategic frontier islands" and "reefs" by building airports and "large floating platforms" that could facilitate "remote strategic delivery" and serve as supply depots.
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