China will accelerate the modernization of the People's Liberation Army over the next five years with the introduction of advanced weapons such as the new Xian H-20 stealth bomber and a third aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults.
Equipping the People's Liberation Army with more modern equipment along with changes to the army's officer corps and scientific military exercises are priorities of the country's 2021-2025 five-year plan. The plan was approved at the latest Central Committee of the Communist Party of China meeting.
By 2035, the goal is for China to complete the modernization of its national defense and the army.
The party meeting made "making significant strides in the modernization of national defense and armed forces in the next five years" one of the main goals for the latest plan. It affirms the development of the economy should go hand in hand with the strengthening of China's five services.
The five-year plan specifically says the army must be enhanced by advanced technologies. These technologies will include the integrated development of mechanization, the acceleration of "informatization and intelligentization" and the accelerated and coordinated development of innovative fields.
Attaining these goals makes it necessary for China to continue its high rate of economic growth.
Resources will be devoted to equipping the People's Liberation Army Air Force, the People's Liberation Army Navy and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force with the expensive equipment they need to attain their diverse missions.
The five-year plan concentrates on strengthening the air force, which will experience "a very hopeful and fruitful period," said Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert.
The headline for the air force is the continuing development of the H-20 stealth bomber - China's version of American's Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bomber that first flew in 1989.
In 2017, the Pentagon confirmed reports the H-20 would be able to drop nuclear missiles on targets as far away as the continental U.S.
In its 2017 Report on Chinese Military Affairs, the Pentagon said the air force "does not currently have a nuclear mission." This omission will end with the development of the H-20 - which will become China's first heavy and long-range strategic bomber.
The H-20 "will be at least as good as the U.S. B-2 Spirit stealth bomber," said Fu.
"We have been studying the bomber for a certain period," according to Fu. "As we have conquered the difficulties in large aircraft production, stealth technologies and engine design and production, the time is ripe for us to roll out a new bomber."
Mass production of an improved version of the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter is expected to begin within the next five years. The J-20 has been hampered by its underpowered and unreliable Russian-made engines. These engines will be replaced by engines made in China.
Air force drones and artificial intelligence used to control drone swarms will also see redevelopment.
