Naval and Air Modernization  
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Introduction

The South China Sea is the principal maritime component linking the Pacific and Indian Ocean, and is the location of contested territory, natural resources and shipping lanes. Control over this region is vital to the sea lines of communication (SLOC), and its security is now 'one of the priorities in regional countries' strategic thinking and policy making.' (Source: Ji Guoxing)

Given the importance of the region and its contested sovereignty, the military capabilities of its bordering countries take on importance as a factor in measuring a particular country's ability to project its worldview over this region. This website aims to provide an overview on naval and air modernization in the countries bordering the South China Sea.


 
 
  
 
Conclusion  
Though there is a widespread attempt to modernize the militaries of countries bordering the South China Sea, there does not seem to be indications of a region-wide arms race, defined as a 'competitive building up of armaments by actors in a potential conflict that proceeds in an action-reaction pattern' due to relatively stable military expenditures as a percentage of GDP. The large absolute increase in military expenditure, especially in China's case, is a byproduct of its increase in absolute GDP. There is, however, indication that an arms race may occur in the near future, not on the acquisition of more arms, but on the acquisitions of specific weapons and counter-weapons. There is indication towards the acquisition of submarines and ASW equipment, especially on the part of China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. A focus on the acquisition of an air force that is capable of adequately defending claimed territory is also seen, as indicated by the recent acquisitions of 4th generation multi-role attack aircraft by nearly all countries in the region and the focus of acquisition of AEW&C aircraft and aerial refuelling tankers by China, Taiwan, and Singapore. In context, however, none of the countries bordering the South China Sea remotely approaches the United States in military capability, allowing the US to remain a key out-of-theatre actor in the region.  

 

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