The Chinese Defense Economy's Long March from Imitation to Innovation

China's defense economy has been vigorously developing a comprehensive set of innovation capabilities that will eventually allow it to join the world's top tier of military technological powers. China's target is to catch up by 2020. Although this maybe possible in a few select areas, the defense economy as a whole will likely require another decade or more to successfully master the ability to produce major innovations of a radical nature. This paper analyzes the key areas in the Chinese defense economy's gradual but accelerating shift from imitation to indigenous innovation.