DefinePK

Abstract

The current pace of People's Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) modernisation drive manifests China’s intentions for the future outlook of the Asia Pacific region. It is not only employing sophisticated weapon systems in service of PLAN to improve its efficiency but also reforming its military doctrine to cope with the current geopolitical and geostrategic realities of the region. On the one hand, China is flexing its muscles to expand its sphere of influence while on the other hand, it is trying to deny reach of the rival powers to its backyard. A closer analysis of the pattern of weapon acquisition by PLAN, and its A2AD and Offensive Defense policy divulge its strategy of regional domination which has security implications for the regional states. Drawing on the Offensive Realism theory, this paper analyses the PLAN struggle for absolute security by developing both offensive and defensive weapons. It further looks into geopolitical, geostrategic and geo-economic complexities and, the overall regional security architecture being affected by the rapid PLAN modernisation drive.