Air War beyond the First Island Chain: Implications of China's Military Modernization for U.S. Maritime Strategy

摘要: Abstract : Since China's provocative military exercises across the Taiwan straits in March 1996, strait remains calm and little has changed diplomatically, but balance of power region is changing. The remarkable rate which China modernized its last decade left many to question intentions whether modernization based on a change maritime strategy. Many analysts believe that if truly intends expand regional control "second island chain," they will have build or acquire aircraft carriers achieve this capability. Due technological challenges building maintaining carriers, appears be gaining capability Seas through non-conventional means. Although it yet determined capacity piece together forces projection beyond their costal waters, critical U.S. strategists recognize pieces without obtaining an carrier.