Russia Helps China Train Paratroopers for Potential Taiwan Operation
Key Insights
Russia has agreed to supply China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) with equipment and training for airborne operations, including armored vehicle airdrops.
The deal includes 37 BMD-4M amphibious assault vehicles, Sprut-SDM1 anti-tank guns, and BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers.
Training of Chinese paratroopers will occur in both Russia and China, focusing on landing, fire control, and maneuvering.
This collaboration aims to enhance the PLA's ability to rapidly project power and seize critical infrastructure in potential conflict scenarios, particularly concerning Taiwan.
Why this matters: This military cooperation provides the PLA with diverse options for rapid power projection, especially in regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea. It also allows China to project combat power further afield, securing airfields or other infrastructure that could otherwise support US operations.
In-Depth Analysis
The agreement between Russia and China involves the transfer of military equipment and training, enhancing China's airborne capabilities. The deal includes advanced parachute systems for inserting loads from high altitudes, expanding China's special forces' operational reach. This cooperation reflects a growing military-industrial relationship between the two countries, with Russia potentially leveraging its military-technical expertise to gain leverage over Beijing.
China already operates air-deployable armored vehicles, but the true value of this deal lies in the training and command procedures provided by Russia, whose airborne forces have combat experience. The deal also indicates China's willingness to deepen defense collaboration with Moscow, despite historical concerns about intellectual property theft.
This enhanced air maneuver capability provides the PLA with a diversity of options for rapid power projection. The capacity to airdrop armor vehicles on golf courses, or other areas of open and firm ground near Taiwan’s ports and airfields, would allow air assault troops to significantly increase their combat power and threaten seizure of these facilities to clear a path for the landing of follow-on forces.
FAQs
Q: What equipment is Russia providing to China?
Russia is providing BMD-4M amphibious assault vehicles, Sprut-SDM1 anti-tank guns, BTR-MDM armored personnel carriers, and special-purpose parachute systems, among other equipment.
Q: Where will the training of Chinese paratroopers take place?
Training will occur in both Russia (Kurganmashzavod base, Penza at JSC NPP Rubin) and at training grounds in China, with Russian instructors.
Q: What is the strategic implication of this deal?
This deal enhances China's ability to project military power rapidly, particularly in scenarios involving Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Key Takeaways
Russia is assisting China in developing its military capabilities, particularly in airborne operations.
The collaboration includes equipment transfers and training programs to enhance China's ability to project power.
This development has implications for regional stability, especially concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Discussion
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