| Publication |
2014.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Despite Western skepticism, all signs point to a Chinese navy that is skillfully tackling surface-force maintenance challenges.
In 2013, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) commissioned 17 new battle force surface ships. 1 These units continue the transition of the PLAN surface order of battle from smaller, Soviet-pattern warships to modern, multi-mission platforms capable of extended deployments. As impressive as these vessels appear, naval professionals are acutely aware that platforms and payloads only represent real capability if they are functioning and available for rigorous training and real-world operations. Modern and sophisticated combatants present complex maintenance challenges that must be addressed if their technological advances are to be anything more than promise and potential.
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