CHINA-U.S. NAVAL BUILD-UP AND EMERGING BALANCE OF POWER IN INDO-PACIFIC

Abstract

The article highlights fast track naval build-up by China and United States which is imparting transformative impact on the power dynamics of Indo-Pacific region. Rapid production of naval vessels by China’s industrial complex has turned People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) into largest navy in the world. However, United States Navy (USN) still dominates PLAN in terms of qualitative advantage and net-tonnage as superior technological systems are being employed by U.S. Navy’s bigger and more capable naval vessels. This article provides detailed overview of current strength of PLAN and U.S. Navy as well as their on-going and near-future modernization programs. These modernization programs cover the surface, sub-surface, and aerial domain. The article also provides analysis how these advancements will enhance their combat capability with respect to emerging threat environment in Indo-Pacific region. Using theoretical lens of Balance of Power (BoP) theory, the article predominately focuses on naval prowess to gauge the relative strength of both nations. However, it also incorporates and briefly discusses other important parameters including differences in strategies being employed, role of geographical factor, and formulation of new alliances and security arrangements by Washington like AUKUS and Quad, and their efficiency particularly from when compared with NATO’s example. The analysis concludes by assessing the impact of these factors on the evolving balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, and how balance of power in Indo-Pacific is likely to change depending upon future trajectories of China and U.S. force modernization drive.