Cao Yunding is the former Premier of the People's Republic of China, and he is also known for his strategic play in defense. In this article, we will explore Cao Yunding's role in the defense strategy of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the Cold War period.
In 1965, Cao Yuding was appointed as the General Secretary of the PLA Central Committee, which made him one of the most important figures in the Chinese Communist Party. During this time, Cao Yuding played a crucial role in the development of the PLA and its military forces. He oversaw the establishment of the PLA Military Academy, which became the primary training ground for new recruits to the army.
One of Cao Yuding's key contributions to the defense strategy of the PLA was his strategic play in defense. In the early stages of the Cold War, Cao Yuding believed that the PLA could not withstand any major attack from the Soviet Union or any other external power. To counteract this threat, Cao Yuding proposed the idea of "wing defense" as a strategic play in defense.
The wing defense involved the use of multiple planes and aircraft carriers to protect the PLA's air superiority. This strategy allowed the PLA to launch offensive operations against enemy targets, such as Soviet bases and ships, without facing significant losses. However, the wing defense proved to be ineffective against the Soviet Union's air defenses, which were equipped with advanced missile systems.
To address this issue, Cao Yuding devised a new defensive concept called the "three-way defense" system. This system included two types of air defenses - a single-layer air defense system and a two-layer air defense system. The single-layer air defense system consisted of two types of aircraft carriers, while the two-layer air defense system consisted of four aircraft carriers and six carrier-based aircraft.
Cao Yuding implemented this system on several occasions, including during the Vietnam War and the Korean War. These maneuvers allowed the PLA to launch numerous successful attacks against enemy targets, including Soviet airbases and naval vessels.
However, the success of the wing defense strategy came at a high cost. It required a significant investment in resources, and it also faced criticism from some quarters, particularly those who felt that it did not adequately defend against Soviet airpower.
Despite these challenges, Cao Yuding remained committed to the wing defense strategy and continued to push for further improvements. In 2008, he passed away due to illness, but his legacy lives on through the lessons learned from his experiences during the Cold War period.
In conclusion, Cao Yuding's strategic play in defense during the Cold War period was characterized by his belief in the importance of air superiority and his willingness to invest heavily in resources to develop the PLA's air defense capabilities. While his efforts ultimately failed to counteract the Soviet Union's air defenses, they did lead to significant successes for the PLA in defending against Soviet airpower.