Russian expert: China's military industry is surpassing the United States, but most of its weapons have not been tested in combat.

Introduction

When it comes to the rise of China's military industry, the past few years have been truly overwhelming. From drones to missiles, and even aircraft carriers, China has made significant progress in military technology over the years, which is quite impressive.

At the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow, a Russian expert named Vasily Kashin bluntly stated that China's military industry has surpassed the United States in certain areas.

However, he also poured cold water on the situation, saying that most of these weapons have not been tested on the battlefield, and their combat effectiveness remains questionable. This statement sparked a lot of discussion.

The Rise of China's Military Industry: Technology Is Strong, But How About Combat?

Technological Breakthroughs: From Drones to Aircraft Carriers

Kashin said that China's military industry has surpassed the United States, and it's not just empty talk. In recent years, China has indeed come up with solid products in several fields. Let's start with drones; this thing is really well done by China.

From small single-person flying bombs to large drones with a range of over 20,000 kilometers, the R&D and production systems are all in place. The CH-4 and CH-5 series drones are particularly famous, and at the 2022 Zhuhai Airshow, the CH-5 immediately attracted a lot of foreign delegations.

It is said that its reconnaissance images can be transmitted in real-time, and it performs well at high altitudes. International data also shows that China is now the world's largest exporter of drones, and the CH-4 and CH-5 have been sold to more than 10 countries, performing well in places like Iraq and Yemen.

For example, in 2019, the CH-4 eliminated several targets in Iraq, proving that it can be effective even in chaotic environments.

As for missile technology, the DF-17 hypersonic ballistic missile is definitely a formidable weapon. It can reach ten times the speed of sound, and its trajectory is unpredictable, making it almost impossible for current air defense systems to intercept.

At the 2022 airshow, the model of the DF-17 was placed in the center of the exhibition hall. Technical personnel said that it can penetrate traditional defenses, posing a significant threat to countries like the United States that rely heavily on missile defense.

There are also long-range precision-guided missiles with a range of over 500 kilometers, capable of accurately striking key enemy targets, comparable to the U.S. "Sinais."

Quantum technology sounds more mysterious. China has developed a quantum radar, which is said to use the principle of quantum entanglement to detect stealth targets, such as the U.S. F-35. Although this technology is not yet fully mature, it has great potential. The simulated interface displayed at the 2022 airshow left many people in awe.

Naval equipment is no less impressive. The 052D destroyers are equipped with the "Chinese God Shield" system, which is comparable to the U.S. "Arleigh Burke" class destroyers.

The Shandong aircraft carrier demonstrated its anti-ship and air defense missiles during exercises in 2022, significantly improving its long-range combat capabilities.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute states that China's military spending in 2024 reached $29.3 billion, second only to the United States. This investment is no joke.

The J-20 stealth fighter jet is comparable to the U.S. F-22 and F-35 in terms of stealth performance and avionics systems, and in some aspects, it may even be slightly superior. When these weapons are displayed, anyone who sees them would say: the technology of China's military industry is indeed strong.

Combat Experience: Where Are the Shortcomings?

However, Kashin turned his tone, saying that most of these weapons have not been used on the battlefield, and this is not an empty claim.

Since the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979, China has not engaged in any large-scale warfare, and the practical combat data of modern weapons are practically zero. Even if the technology is excellent, without real combat testing, it always makes people uneasy.

Why is combat experience so important? Simply put, the battlefield is not a laboratory. Whether a weapon is good or not, you have to test it with real combat.

For example, in the 2003 Iraq War, the U.S. "Apache" helicopter had frequent malfunctions in the desert, forcing the U.S. military to modify the design and adjust tactics.

China's new weapons, such as the J-20 and the Dongfeng missiles, perform well in exercises, but what about the wind, sand, electromagnetic interference, and enemy countermeasures on the battlefield? Who knows?

China is also aware of this problem and has been trying to make up for the shortcomings through exercises, peacekeeping missions, and weapon exports.

For example, in exercises, large-scale operations are often conducted. Like the multi-nation joint military exercise in the South China Sea in 2023, the 052D destroyers fired anti-ship missiles effectively.

Weapon exports are also useful. The Wing Loong-II drone performed stably in the Libyan conflict, and the operators reported that it could withstand high temperatures and sandstorms, and these experiences were fed back to improve the design domestically.

But honestly, the feedback from exercises and exports is still different from actual combat. On the battlefield, everything changes rapidly, and the reliability of weapons, tactical coordination, and the quality of soldiers must all be tested. Without real combat data, the evaluation of these weapons by the outside world will inevitably be questioned.

The Future: Combining Technology and Experience

The Next Step for China's Military Industry

After Kashin's words, China's military industry has clearly placed more emphasis on combat experience. The 2023 South China Sea exercises are a good example, where multiple countries participated, and the environment was quite harsh. The anti-ship missiles were fired accurately, and the technical staff obtained a lot of data.

In 2024, the third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was commissioned, equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system that allows it to carry more advanced aircraft, significantly enhancing its combat capability. At the Zhuhai Airshow, a stealth drone was also unveiled, with a low radar cross-section that caught everyone's attention.

Technological innovation has not stopped either. Stealth drones and swarm technology are being developed, with considerable progress. In terms of exports, the feedback from the Wing Loong-II directly led to the upgrade of the anti-interference system, and the practical combat thinking is becoming clearer and clearer.

International cooperation has also deepened. China and Russia held joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, and the 052D worked well with Russian ships. The United Nations peacekeeping missions have also played a role. In 2023, in South Sudan, Chinese forces used domestic armored vehicles and drones, verifying a number of performance features.

Conclusion:

China's military industry has indeed become strong in recent years, from drones to aircraft carriers, its technological advancements have surpassed many countries, and even the United States must take notice. Kashin is right, China's technology is indeed capable of surpassing the United States, but the aspect of combat experience still needs improvement.

What about the future? Technology should continue to advance, and experience should be gradually accumulated. Exercises, exports, and international cooperation are all paths. This issue is not just a question for China itself, but also affects the global stage.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7525771795090194979/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author and others. Please express your opinion by clicking the [Up/Down] buttons below.