TNAG-0741-FCO40-945-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 114

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CONFIDENTIAL

DSR 11C

8. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) embraces all

arms of the Chinese Defence Forces and number over 3

The Arms

million men.

It is predominantly an infantry force

and is short of armour, heavy artillery and transport.

Most equipment is produced in China but designs are

based upon obsolete Soviet technology. The air force

has over 4,500 aircraft, but, apart from 60 BADGERS and

400 BEAGLES, most aircraft are obsolescent fighters.

Due to a lack of sophisticated avionics, most aircraft

would be no match against modern air defences.

The navy

has little experience outside coastal waters and consists

principally of missile-armed patrol craft, escorts, and

diesel submarines.

9. The re-equipment programme of all three Services

has suffered in recent years because priority has been

given to the design, development and deployment of nuclear

ballistic missiles. We believe that plans for modernisation

in other fields are now being formulated, but meanwhile

between 600-900 tanks and 200-300 aircraft, based on 20

year old Soviet designs, are being produced annually.

The warship programme includes diesel submarines,

destroyers, frigates and smaller ships. In addition, sbe

has already built one submarine which is probably nuclear

powered. The Chinese are experiencing their main develop-

advanced naval ment problems in advanced aero-engines, weapon systems

and nuclear propulsion technology.

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CONFIDENTIAL

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