China is modernising its air force on an “unprecedented” scale and is “rapidly closing the gap with Western air forces”, the Pentagon said on Thursday in its annual report on the capabilities of the Chinese military.
The improvements in the Chinese air force were apparent not only in its aircraft, but also in its use of jamming communications and electronic warfare, said the report. China also appeared to be operating a drone for reconnaissance at sea.
The Pentagon said that China’s headline defence budget of $119.5bn was understated by about 20 per cent, with the real figure for spending on the military closer to $145bn.
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