Andrew S. Erickson

David Axe, “Your Move, Beijing: Big Year Ahead for Chinese Navy,” AOL Defense, 23 December 2011.
… As part of its 11th five-year military plan beginning in 2006, China has: commissioned dozens of new frigates, destroyers, submarines and amphibious ships; begun sea trials of the country’s first aircraft carrier, the former Soviet Varyag; deployed ships overseas for the […]

Andrew S. Erickson, “Through the Lens of Distance: Understanding and Responding to China’s ‘Ripples of Capability’,” Changing Military Dynamics In East Asia Policy Brief 3.9 (January 2012), Project on the Study of Innovation and Technology in China, University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation.
Several pronounced trends are emerging as the United States moves […]

Another must-read for those who still haven’t read it. Sadly, these issues have not gone away…
Gabriel B. Collins and William S. Murray, “No Oil for the Lamps of China?” Naval War College Review, 61.2 (Spring 2008): 79–95.
The ubiquitous Made in China stickers and labels on consumer products remind us daily of China’s incredible economic rise. The […]

This path-breaking and thought-provoking article, which has already had significant analytical and policy influence, remains as relevant today as when it was published—despite some encouraging developments in cross-Strait relations. I commend it to anyone interested in these important and difficult issues. It merits a very careful read.
William S. Murray, “Revisiting Taiwan’s Defense Strategy,” Naval War […]

John Reed, “Photos Show China’s Carrier Steaming Under Own Power,” Defense Tech, 14 December 2011.
Here’s something we haven’t seen before. China’s first aircraft carrier, the ex-Soviet Varyag, steaming under its own power in the open seas. This satellite photo was taken by the group Digital Globe during the ship’s nearly two week-long cruise that ended […]

Presented on “China’s Place in the World–Increasingly Assertive?” panel, “The ‘Chinese Century’: Promises. Pitfalls. Presumption?” China Summit conference, sponsored by The Economist, 18 November 2011, Sofitel Wanda Beijing.
Many observers say the 21st century belongs to China. But with political, macroeconomic and social stability concerns looming in the next few years, many questions abound. Where is […]

Andrew S. Erickson and Michael S. Chase, “Informatization and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy,” in Phillip C. Saunders, Christopher Yung, Michael Swaine, and Andrew Nien-dzu Yang, eds., The Chinese Navy: Expanding Capabilities, Evolving Roles (Washington, DC: Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 2011), 247-86.
No […]

Navy looks at offer from Seychelles
Updated: 2011-12-13 06:53
By Li Xiaokun and Li Lianxing (China Daily)
BEIJING – The navy is considering taking on supplies in the Seychelles while conducting escort missions to tackle piracy.
Military experts stressed that the move did not equate to establishing military bases.
“According to escort needs and the needs of other long-range missions, […]

This study is as relevant today as when it was published. Many who have not done so already would benefit from reading this thought-provoking piece.
Geoffrey Till, “Asia Rising and the Maritime Decline of the West: A Review of the Issues,” RSIS Working Paper No. 205, 29 July 2010.
The notion that Asia is rising and is […]

Rear Admiral John N. Christenson, U.S. Navy, President, Naval War College, “Promoting Global Maritime Partnerships,” President’s Forum, Naval War College Review, 65.1 (Winter 2012): 12.
China Maritime Studies Institute. The maritime relationship between the United States and China will be particularly critical to the world’s maritime security in the twenty-first century. China’s rapidly expanding overseas commerce […]

Congressman J. Randy Forbes, 4th District of Virginia, “China’s aircraft carrier ‘is not the beginning of the end; it is the end of the beginning,’” 8 December 2011.
U.S. Naval War College professor Andrew Erickson released a new analysis of China’s new aircraft carrier. In the report, he states, “This is not the beginning of the […]

“What Will China’s Carrier Be Used For?” Defense Tech, 6 December 2011.
U.S. Naval War College professor Andrew Erickson has just come out with another interesting analysis of China’s new aircraft carrier, noting that the ship, equipped with advanced radars and defensive weapons doesn’t sound remotely like a true training carrier. Instead, it will likely serve […]

 Andrew S. Erickson and Lyle J. Goldstein, eds., Chinese Aerospace Power: Evolving Maritime Roles (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2011); review in Ausmarine (November 2011): 36.
From Baird Maritime
Behind all the belligerent nonsense that appears in the general media it is reassuring to learn that there is genuine Sino-American co-operation in certain aspects of defence.
This enormously […]

Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications
With the ex-VARYAG off to its second sea trial, it is perfect timing for the US Naval War College Review to publish Andrew Erickson, Abraham Denmark, and Gabriel Collins’s latest article “Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications” as its lead article.
The paper is fact […]

Andrew S. Erickson, Abraham M. Denmark, and Gabriel Collins, “Beijing’s ‘Starter Carrier’ and Future Steps: Alternatives and Implications,” Naval War College Review, 65.1 (Winter 2012): 14–54.

Chinese version: Andrew S. Erickson, Abraham Denmark and Gabriel Collins, “China’s Trials at Sea: The ‘Starter Carrier’ and the Future of Chinese Naval Power” (中国航母海试: “起步航母” 与中国海上力量的未来), China International Strategy Review […]

Everyone interested in the military implications of Chinese space development should read this nuanced, well-researched analysis.
Eric Hagt and Matthew Durnin, “Space, China’s Tactical Frontier,” Journal of Strategic Studies, 34.5 (October 2011): 733-61.
ABSTRACT In recent years, China has made stunning progress in its satellite reconnaissance capabilities. Starting from almost no capacity for live surveillance ten years […]

Donna Miles, “Reading Lists Aim to Promote Personal, Professional Growth,” American Forces Press Service, 23 November 2011.
WASHINGTON – Legend has it that Alexander the Great slept with a copy of The Iliad, Homer’s epic tale set during the Trojan War, under his pillow.
Almost 2,500 years later, professional reading remains an important part of the military […]

Andrew Scobell, David Lai, and Roy Kamphausen, eds., Chinese Lessons from Other Peoples’ Wars (Carlisle, PA: U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, 2011).
The importance of China stems not only from its current international role and its influence on the Asia-Pacific region in particular, but also because China’s impact on global developments will likely continue […]

Gabriel B. Collins and Andrew S. Erickson, “New Access for U.S. Forces in Australia: Is it driven by China?” China SignPost™ (洞察中国) 50 (14 November 2011).
China SignPost™ 洞察中国–“Clear, high-impact China analysis.”©
What is happening?
A substantial enhancement in US-Australia military ties first referred to approximately one year ago now appears to be materializing.  A range of media outlets report that President […]