Corruption in China's Military Linked to Serious Equipment Issues
-
US intelligence says China's recent military purge stemmed from serious equipment issues like missiles filled with water instead of fuel.
-
Entire fields of missile silos in Western China were fitted with faulty lids that prevented missiles from launching properly.
-
Corruption was so severe it will likely force Xi Jinping to recalibrate whether Beijing can take on any major military action soon.
-
The issues undermine Xi's efforts to rapidly modernize China's Rocket Force, the main nuclear arm focused on Taiwan.
-
Xi's purge axed over a dozen senior commanders, including the Defense Minister, over graft concerns that were long speculated.