Japan:

Japanese Self-Defense Force
Navy: Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force
- Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyers

- Modern conventionally powered submarines

- Air-capable surface ships

- Modern maritime air arm

- Equipped to operate out to 1,000 nautical miles from the home islands (Bering Sea to the Luzon Strait)

- Most powerful Asian navy, with the potential to expand if US withdraws

- The Japanese are continuing modernization efforts in their anti-submarine capabilities through the building of destroyers, submarines, anti-mine minesweeping systems and a minesweeper tender, as well as, minesweeping helicopters

- In operation as of mid-1995: 62 destroyers; 16 subs; 39 mine warfare ships; 6 patrol craft; 10 landing ships; 31 auxiliary ships (see marked pages "Defense of Japan 1995")

Air Force: Japanese Air Self-Defense Force
- The air force is buying F-15s, patriot missile batteries, C-13H air transport planes, rescue-search aircraft (U-125A and UH-60J) and multi-purpose support aircraft (see marked pages "Defense of Japan 1995")

- Is continuing work with the United States on the development of the F-2 fighter, due to be airborne by 2000

Army: Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force

- Procurement of type-88 surface to ship missiles, anti-ground firepower with MLRS, type-90 tanks, and type 81 short-range surface-to-air guided missiles. Also anti-tank helicopters (AH-1S)

- In operation as of mid-1995: 3,340 recoilless gun; 1,890 mortars; 840 field artillery pieces; 80 rocket launchers; 140 aniti-aircraft guns; 1,160 tanks, 730 armored vehicles (see marked pages "Defense of Japan 1995")

China:
People's Liberation Army

Navy: People's Liberation Army Navy
- Three pronged approach by Li Huaqing - By 2000, navy powerful enough to gain control of the first island chain; By 2020, establish control out to the second island chain; By 2050, would be global naval power, complete with aircraft carrier battle groups

- Navy consists of three fleets (North Sea, East Sea, and the South Sea fleets), there are 880 combat aircraft assigned to these navy fleets

- Submarine fleet, 90 mostly older conventionally powered boats (1/3 in reserve); recently got two Kilos, with two more to follow. (mostly Russian subs)

- 54 guided missile destroyers and frigates, not technologically advanced, most recent escort is the Luhu-class, with the French Croatale antiaircraft missile system that has only a 7.5 mile range.

- In fleet replenishment, support, and power projection (amphibious) China's Navy lacks the ability for regional maritime dominance.

- Chinese are continuing construction on the Russian-built aircraft carrier, but recent reports suggest that the carrier is now being dismantled due to high expense

- Chinese recently purchased two Savremenny DD deystroyers from Russia, equipped with 8 SS-N-22 supersonic missiles

- Chinese now are being sent 8 over the horizon Searchwater radars from the British, for use on Y-8 aircraft in South China Sea

Air Force: Peoples Liberation Army Air Force
- Recently purchased modern SU-27s and air defense systems from Russia, under the new 'strategic partnership'

- Chinese still have ICBMs, although not many, 100 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM), and 120 medium-range bombers (TU-16)

- The Air Force has about 5,280 combat aircraft, mostly older generation,, but has introduced the Chinese built F-8 II and the SU-27s. It is also making efforts to obtain the capability of in-flight refueling and modernization of its air force strength

- China has improved its missile defense capabilities by developing and deploying the S-3000 surface to air missile

- Chinese are buying an advanced Phalcom radar system from the Israelis, 360 degree coverage for fighters at a range of more than 200 nautical miles

- Chinese are improving missile systems to the DF-15, which has a range of 1,125 miles, is capable of reaching Taipei

- Chinese have developed a short-range air defense system called the LY-60 with a range up to 180 kilometers

Army: People's Liberation Army
- Weakness in force projection, logistics, training and command and control

- Increased military spending, March 5, 1997, boost of 12.7 percent

- Chinese suspected spies observed recently in Abu Dhabi arms trade expo stealing military technological and engineering information from various representatives, among which were designs for the Bradley fighting vehicle and the Lockheed missile defense video tapes

Republic of Korea:
Republic of Korean Military

Navy: Republic of Korea Navy
- 24 surface ships and craft armed with either Harpoon or Exocet surface-to-surface missiles., some oar the ex-US Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Gearing (DD-710)

- By 2000, there will have at least 7 modern, conventionally powered submarines

- Have indigenous capabilities, procuring the HDF-2000 frigate

Air Force: Republic of Korea Air Force
- South Korea has 60 F-16C/D fighters and 300 F-5 and F-4 aircraft, plus assortment of Nike-Hercules, Maverick, Sparrow, and Sidewingder missiles.

- South Korea has, in addition to their US fighters, eight Lockheed P-3C patrol aircraft, and US fighter helicopters

Taiwan:
Taiwanese Military

Navy: Taiwanese Navy
- Two modern submarines

- 22 ex-US Gearing, Sumner, and Fletcher (DD-445) class destroyers, updated with surface-to-surface missiles

- Naval air capabilities with purchases of Sikorsky S-70b Seahawks helicopters

- Recently purchased a Cheng Kung-class guided missile frigate

- Six ex-US Knox (FF-1052) frigates and six La Fayette (French) missile ships

- Six FFG-7 guided missile frigates built in Taiwan

Air Force: Taiwanese Air Force
- Ordered 150 American F-16s and 60 French Mirage 2000-5s to replace aging air capabilities (are being shipped currently)

- Taiwan has 470 combat aircraft, and its troops are equipped with the "Tian Gong" ground to air defense missiles,

- Indigenous weapons manufactoring capability to make F-5e aircraft "Jing Guo", UH-1H helicopters, and TC-2 aircraft (already being processed, helicopters, guided missiles, armored vehicles(army) and surface ships (navy)

- Have new fighter aircraft, new frigates, improved air defense system, complete with patriot missile batteries - Taiwan poses an effective deterrent to Chinese agression

Philippines:
Philippine Military

Navy: Philippine Navy
- Practically nonexistent, no indication that Manila has resources to change this

Indonesia:
Indonesian Military

Navy: Indonesian Navy - Recent naval build-up, purchase 16 ex-East German corvettes, plus 23 assorted other craft from the East German navy

- Two conventionally powered submarines

- 17 surface combatants, armed with surface-to-surface missiles, and a huge patrol and coastal force - however, no clear maritime strategy

Air Force:
- 24 Hawk fighters, and has recently purchased 12 F-16s, with 7 more expected this year

- Has 11 helicopters, nine mine sweepers

Singapore:
Singapore Military

Navy: Singaporean Navy
- Modern radar air-defense capabilities, supported by F-16 and E-2C aircraft

- Minehunters, 10 corvettes, and 12 patrol combatants, and patrol craft armed with harpoon missiles, and is in the process of buying 12 more

- One conventionally powered submarine (Sweden)

- 7 coastal minesweepers

Air Force:
- Nine Fokker Maritime Enforcer MK-2s

- Suadron F-15s from US, and 16 UH-1HB attack helicopters

- 16 Cougar attack helicopters

Malaysia:
Malaysian Military

Navy: Malaysian Navy
- Two Excocet-equipped frigates

- Two missile-equipped frigates, one gun frigate, and eight missile boats

- Numerous smaller craft and four Lerici-class mine hunters

- 27 patrol craft

- Six navy helicopters

Air Force:
- 10 hawk 100, and 18 hawk 200 fighter aircraft, with 12 more expected this year from the US

- Purchased F-18s and Russian MiG-29s are on the way

- Is going to acquire attack helicopters

Thailand:
Thai Military

Navy: Thai Navy
- Chinese naval purchases, including six frigates, armed with harpoons and Chinese version of the exocet

- Two harpoon-armed Knox-class frigates, and two harpoon-armed corvettes

- Spainish-built aircraft carrier, small (four helicopters and six harriers)

Air Force:

- 18 A-7 strike aircraft, two P-3 patrol aircraft, and 18 F-16s, 3 EC-2 Hawkeyes

- 36 Czech L-39 fighters and British Harrier vertical takeoff aircraft

Vietnam:
Vietnamese Military

North Korea:
DPRK Military

Navy: DPRK Navy

Air Force: DPRK Air Force

- Air force is antiquated and expected not to be highly effective, however, what is unnerving about North Korea is their persistent development of missile technology. The North Koreans already possess the Nodong-1 missile, which can hit Japan, and is developing the Taepo Dong, with a much longer range. Recent tests indicate that the DPRK has tested a missile in the Sea of Japan capable of hitting Tokyo

- Barely has enough fuel to fly their 110 Mig-17s, 160 Mig-19s, and 130 Mig-21s, the only challenge to be posed by the North Korean air force is 30 Mig-29s that are reportedly in bad condition

Army: DPRK Army
- Potential to inflict enormous destruction on Allies, has long-range artillery and surface-to-surface missile capabilities

- Despite its large numbers, the North Korean army is malnourished. They have recently been allocated as the primary recipients of the dwindling North Korean food supply. Their fighting effectiveness is unquestionable, but seems to be rooted in sheer number of soldiers

Cambodia:
Cambodian Military

Russia (Far Eastern Forces):
Russian Military

Navy: Russian Navy
- Eastern forces have 60 major surface chips, and 65 subs (45 of which are nuclear)

Air Force: Russian Air Force

Army: Russian Army
- Strategic nuclear forces remain backbone of military strength, have ability to maintain operations near abroad, but have weakness in manning, training, readiness, morale, sustainment, and modernization

India:
Indian Military

Pakistan:
Pakistani Military

Navy: Pakistani Navy

Air Force: Pakistani Air Force

Army: Pakistani Army

- The Pakistanis are modernizing as tensions between India and Pakistan over shared border heats up, the Pakistanis have recently purchased several M-11 missiles from China to enhance their missile capabilities


http://www.cdi.org/issues/Asia/