China to boost military budget by 10 percent

China’s official military budget will grow by about 10 percent in the coming year, according to a top government official, amid unease among Beijing’s neighbours about its growing might and territorial ambitions 

CHINA’S PUBLICLY DISCLOSED DEFENCE BUDGET*

2006-2015 ($ billions)

Percentage increase over previous year

*Pentagon and global arms bodies estimate actual spending may be 40-50 percent more than published amount

Slowest growth in spending for five years. Still outpaces expected GDP growth of 7%

06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
35.3
15.0
57.2
17.6
45.0
17.8
70.3
14.9
77.9
7.5
91.5
12.7
106.4
11.2
114.3
10.7
132.0
12.2
145.0
10.0

POSSIBLE EXPENDITURE
General: Modernising and improving conditions for 2.3 million-strong People’s Liberation Army. Production of advanced weaponry. Greater pay for officers to combat corruption 

Navy: First indigenous aircraft carrier reportedly being built – due to become China’s second carrier, entering service around 2020. Expansion of submarine fleet and anti-submarine capability

Air and space: Development ofstealth fighter jets. Money also likely togo into satellites and cyber capabilities 

TOP 10 DEFENCE BUDGETS

IISS data, 2014 ($ billions)

U.S.defence budget of $581.0bn exceeds those of next nine highest budgets combined
China 129.4
Saudi Arabia 80.8
Russia 70.0
UK 61.8
France 53.1
Japan 47.7
India 45.2
Germany 43.9
S. Korea 34.4

Type 056 corvette Ji’an –belongs to new class ofpatrol vessels developed independently by China 

Sources: Global Security, IISS, wire agencies
Picture: Associated Press