Andrew S. Erickson

Apply here to become first-ever Research Professor of China Military Studies at The United States Army War College’s brand new China Landpower Studies Center (CLSC)! CLSC will be similar to the centers at other professional military educational institutions such as National Defense University, Air University, and the Naval War College.

By bringing cutting-edge insights regarding PRC […]

Christopher P. Carlson and Howard Wang, A Brief Technical History of PLAN Nuclear Submarines, China Maritime Report 30 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, August 2023).
About the Authors
Christopher Carlson is a retired Navy Reserve Captain and Department of Defense naval systems engineer. He began his navy career as a submariner but transitioned […]

Unique insights on the latest PRC military maritime capabilities and trends from two brilliant, cutting-edge researchers, based on one of the very best papers delivered at CMSI’s April 2023 “Chinese Undersea Warfare” conference!
Brian Waidelich and George Pollitt, PLAN Mine Countermeasures, Platforms, Training, and Civil-Military Integration, China Maritime Report 29 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China […]

China under Xi is steaming full speed ahead at sea. Navigate today’s troubled Indo-Pacific waters by consulting the latest version of Modern Chinese Maritime Forces—just released! This second edition includes new sections for PLA Army (pp. 63–75) and PLA Air Force (pp. 76–78) watercraft; the latest data updates, particularly concerning nuclear-powered submarines (pp. 21–22); and […]

Honored to meet President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 and 2023—bookends to a historic presidency.

It was wonderful to discuss key issues with a great leader and hear her insights on 29 June 2023 as part of the Wilson Center’s week-long delegation to Taiwan.

Official news release:

President Tsai Meets Delegation from the Wilson Center
29 June 2023
On the afternoon […]

Michael Dahm and Alison Zhao, Bitterness Ends, Sweetness Begins: Organizational Changes to the PLAN Submarine Force Since 2015, China Maritime Report 28 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, June 2023).

About the Authors
Michael Dahm is a principal intelligence analyst at the MITRE Corporation where he focuses on Indo-Pacific security issues and challenges presented […]

Andrew S. Erickson and Ryan D. Martinson, eds., China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2019; paperback 15 January 2023).

Paperback edition released 15 January 2023!
As with the previous six volumes in our “Studies in Chinese Maritime Development” series, an Amazon Kindle edition is available.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE VOLUME INFORMATION.
Sample Chapters:

Andrew S. Erickson and Ryan […]

Roderick Lee, PLA Navy Submarine Leadership—Factors Affecting Operational Performance, China Maritime Report 27 (Newport, RI: Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute, June 2023).

About the Author
Roderick Lee is the Director of Research at the Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI). Prior to joining CASI, he served as an analyst with the United States Navy […]

Andrew S. Erickson, “Tracking China’s ‘Little Blue Men’—A Comprehensive Maritime Militia Compendium,” China Analysis from Original Sources 以第一手资料研究中国, 30 May 2023.

American & Allied knowledge of the PRC’s Third Sea Force has come a long way since my outstanding Naval War College colleague Instructor Conor Kennedy & I began our focused research following his arrival in Newport in 2014—now […]

Just updated to keep up with the work of a National Treasure—whom I’m honored to call a colleague!
Complete bibliography with excerpts and links to all Conor’s publications in reverse chronological order. Search, scroll, read, enjoy here…
Conor M. Kennedy is a research associate at the U.S. Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI). At CMSI, […]

As part of Ronald O’Rourke’s continuous incremental improvements, this # 26X (!) edition of his report on PRC naval modernization incorporates numbers provided by the U.S. Navy. Given the authoritative analysis supporting these revelations, and the rarity with which they are made publicly available in this manner, they are all worth reading carefully in full!
Bottom […]

A comprehensive compendium of PLAN, PLAAF, CCG ships & aircraft + missiles/weapons & sensors from 1955 to present, as found nowhere else… Consult this unparalleled unclassified reference for analysis or gaming today! 
Larry Bond, Chris Carlson, and Peter Grining, eds., China’s Navy: Ships and Aircraft of the People’s Republic of China, 1955 – 2021 (Admiralty Trilogy Group, […]

Only from the Admiralty Trilogy Group… Check out these unique, fully updated Soviet/Russian orders of battle from 1955 to the present: (1) naval ships and (2) military aircraft! Consult these unparalleled unclassified references for analysis or war gaming today!
First, a comprehensive compendium of Moscow’s naval ships and associated missiles/weapons & sensors from seven decades ago […]

The Naval War College China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) has just released the Quick Look summary of its 11–13 April 2023 Conference on “Chinese Undersea Warfare: Development, Capabilities, Trends.”
***Please kindly note that this unclassified academic summary does not represent the views of any one individual participant, or the assessments or policies of the U.S. Navy or any other organization […]

China under Xi is steaming full speed ahead at sea. Navigate today’s troubled Indo-Pacific waters by consulting the latest edition of Modern Chinese Maritime Forces—just released!
This is the most comprehensive unclassified, open source PRC sea forces order of battle, data, and ship drawings available anywhere. It tracks the world’s most-numerous Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime […]

Great news! The U.S. Army War College is establishing a China military studies center at Carlisle Barracks, PA. The center will be similar to those at other professional military educational institutions such as National Defense University, Air University, and the Naval War College.
The China Landpower Studies Center will uniquely focus on the study of the […]

Great new job opportunity at the helm of the Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI)! Apply now to lead a leading team that publishes cutting-edge research to inform the Navy, advise national security decision-makers, and engage the Nation and its allies and partners—in a time of maximum consequence and potential to make a difference!
Faculty […]

CHINESE STRATEGY: UNIVERSAL OR UNIQUE?
Is Chinese strategy part of a universal field of strategic thought, or should it be seen as a distinct intellectual tradition that cannot easily be mapped onto Western concepts of strategy?
Friday 10 March, 1430–1800 & Saturday 11 March, 0900–1700
***Please note: all times are Central Standard Time, one hour behind Eastern Standard […]

Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community (McLean, VA: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 6 February 2023).

This annual report of worldwide threats to the national security of the United States responds to Section 617 of the FY21 Intelligence Authorization Act (Pub. L. No. 116-260). This report reflects the collective insights of the […]