PLA Modernization and Europe: Strategic Implications and Policy Responses

The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) rapid modernization under Xi Jinping represents one of the most significant shifts in global military power since the end of the Cold War. With China committing $1.4 trillion to military modernization between 2024-2028 and targeting comprehensive military transformation by 2027, Europe faces unprecedented strategic challenges that extend far beyond the Indo-Pacific theater. This project examines how PLA modernization directly impacts European security interests, defense planning, and strategic autonomy, while outlining policy recommendations for a coordinated European response. 
Key Findings: 
– PLA modernization poses multidomain threats to European security through cyber, space, and information warfare capabilities 
– China’s Belt and Road Initiative increasingly serves as a vector for military influence and technological penetration into Europe 
– European critical infrastructure and supply chains face growing vulnerabilities from Chinese military-civil fusion strategies 
– NATO’s traditional deterrence framework requires adaptation to address hybrid and long-range threats from China