Rusty Ships and Unused Aircraft Carriers: the Other Side of Asia's Militaries
What's Driving Military Spending in Asia?
As China spends billions to upgrade and reorganize the People's Liberation Army, the deficiencies in competing Asia-Pacific militaries are coming into focus. And even some of China's much heralded military advances are drawing attention for their shortcomings. Here is a snapshot of some of Asia's less illustrious military kit.
Nothing illustrates the disparity of power in the South China Sea more than the Philippine ex-naval vessel, the BRP Sierre Madre, run aground on the Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands in 1998. The ship, so rusted it's impossible to walk over parts of the deck, is manned by a handful of marines and sailors. Its dilapidation contrasts with the 3,200 acres of land reclaimed by China, creating seven islands in the same archipelago.