Russia is supplying China’s military with equipment and training on aerial infiltration, according to a recent report—a capability analysts say is intended to deliver a “decapitation strike” on Beijing-claimed Taiwan.
Why It Matters
U.S. officials believe Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be capable of moving against Taiwan by 2027. In the meantime, China has ramped up production of assets designed for what would be the most complex maritime invasion since the Allies’ D-Day landing in 1944.
While China has presented itself as neutral on Russia’s 43-month war against Ukraine, Washington and its allies have accused Beijing of enabling Moscow through continued fossil fuel purchases and dual-use exports. NATO chief Mark Rutte warned in July that Russia would work with its quasi-ally to keep the 32-member alliance tied down if Xi decides to pull the trigger.
What To Know
Although the areas where Russia surpasses China in military capability are diminishing, Russia has practical experience and British think tank RUSI, citing correspondence and contracts obtained by the hacktivist group Black Moon, released a report Friday detailing a 2023 deal in which Russia agreed to provide China with a suite of weapons designed for infiltration operations.
These include light amphibious assault vehicles, anti-tank self-propelled guns and armored personnel carriers, along with technical documentation and equipment to repair Russian-built platforms.
Russia has also committed to a “full cycle of training” for a Chinese airborne battalion. This is even more critical, the authors note, because while China’s rapid military buildup is narrowing the capabilities with Moscow, the latter has far more recent combat experience. China has not fought a full-scale war in more than four decades.
Moreover, a robust airborne assault would expand China’s options for assault vectors, bypassing the limited, well-known, and heavily fortified beachheads along Taiwan’s rugged coastline.
