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Pentagon ready to counter China military buildup with the help of high tech armed India and Japan
The Pentagon is taking action to help India arm to counter the Chinese threats coming in these days. China's massive military build-up poses a ''long-term threat'' to regional powers such as India and Japan, besides to Taiwan and the American forces in the Pacific, according to the Pentagon.
India will be allowed to purchase Aegis technology, which is designed to protect naval vessels -- and battle groups -- from anti-ship missiles. So far, only Japan has acquired the technology, partly because of its cost. In addition, New Delhi will be able to purchase anti-submarine patrol aircraft. The United States, which until a few years ago regarded the Indian naval build-up -- based on Soviet technology -- as a threat to U.S. control of sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, has now completely reversed its posture. It is selling New Delhi naval technology that will allow the Indians to fulfill one of their key strategic objectives, which is to be able to control regional sea-lanes.
According to media sources, an annual assessment of Chinese Military Power released on Tuesday by the Pentagon said China was also improving and expanding its nuclear arsenal, fielding more advanced nuclear missiles capable of striking India, Russia and ''virtually all of the United States''.
Its release had been delayed by the State Department efforts to soften its tone because China's cooperation was needed to de-nuclearize North Korea. However, Pentagon's wish for its publication won over diplomacy.
The report, according to observers, may have played a role in President George W. Bush's decision not to oppose India's efforts to defend itself by building own nuclear weapons and solve energy crisis by installing civilian nuclear reactors.
In contrast to previous reports, this year's report places heavier emphasis on the threat posed by the modernization of the People's Liberation Army to other regional powers beyond Taiwan, including India, and to US forces in Asia, as well as to the continental United States.
"Over the long term, if current trends persist, PLA's capabilities could pose a credible threat to other modern militaries operating in the region," it said.
Meanwhile, China took a strong exception to the Pentagon's portrayal of the country as a threat and accused US of looking for an excuse to sell weapons to Taiwan.
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