Thread by @nktpnd

It's here!

Okay. Getting around to reading now. A few assorted thoughts to follow. 1/x

Report offers a glimpse at new DF-41 basing options, "including rail-mobile and silo basing." Language is noncommital, so unclear if China is pressing ahead with this or not. 2/x

Not new, but first for a DoD report on China mil power (DIA had previously disclosed two years in a row): "The PLA is also upgrading its aircraft with two
new air-launched ballistic missiles, one of which may include a nuclear payload." 3/x

(If you missed it, the nuclear-capable ALBM is dubbed the CH-AS-X-13 by the USIC. Read about it here: thediplomat.com/2018/04/reveal…) 4/x

2018 report keeps SSBN count constant at 4 Type 094s. Expected, IMO. Adds: "China’s nextgeneration Type 096 SSBN, reportedly to be armed with the follow-on JL-3 SLBM, will likely begin construction in the early-2020s." 5/x

The mention of "more sophisticated C2 systems" caught my eye—especially given follow-up with what may be required by "future SSBN deterrence patrols". (Quantum?) 6/x

In case any doubt was left, DoD says PLAAF has been "re-assigned a nuclear mission". 7/x

Somewhat disappointingly, this is not the year that DF-17 will be publicized by the United States. (Read about it here: thediplomat.com/2017/12/introd…) 8/x

Interesting notes on China's indigenous BMD efforts, including mid-course hit-to-kill systems. 9/x

Details on Chinese conventional precision strike systems—no surprises here, but good to have the update. 10/x

A map! 11/x

This is a really helpful chart—on PLA maritime bomber operations in East Asia & WESTPAC. 12/x

#Doklam makes the DoD 2018 China report: notes that both India and China "maintain a heightened military presence in the surrounding region" following last year's standoff. 12/x

This is probably the least euphemistic discussion of the Belt and Road Initiative in an official USG publication in some time. " Some BRI investments could create potential military advantages for China..." 13/x

"The growth of China’s global economic footprint make its interests increasingly vulnerable to international and regional turmoil, terrorism, piracy, serious natural disasters and epidemics" — DoD welcoming PRC to the superpower club? 14/x

On #NorthKorea: "China’s objectives for the Korean Peninsula include stability, denuclearization, and no U.S. forces near China’s border" 15/x

Indication in this year's report that DoD is "unclear" about China's interpretation of the applicability of article 2 of the 1961 China-DPRK Friendship Treaty on collective defense. 16/x

@wslafoy has a good thread!

https://twitter.com/wslafoy/status/1030202634752409600?s=19