The Chinese Defence Industry Expenditure to Reach $174.9 billion By 2017 PR Newswire NEW YORK, LONDON, BERLIN, PARIS, July 12, 2012 NEW YORK, LONDON, BERLIN, PARIS, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese defence market registered significant growth and is expected to retain this positive growth rate during the next 5 years period. The Chinese defence budget, which valued US$104.62 billion in 2012, is the largest defence budget in the Asia-Pacific region. Defence expenditure grew at a CAGR of 11.5%. Due to the rapid growth of the country's defence budget, the Chinese army is now capable of rivalling the leading military powers of Western European countries, claim industry analyst in a new report titled - The Chinese Defence Industry Market Opportunities and Entry Strategies, Analysis and Forecasts to 2017. China is expected to spend US$722.4 billion in the fulfilment of its defence requirements. Factors such as Sino-US relations, asymmetric warfare and the threat from Taiwan to its territorial integrity are expected to stimulate defence expenditure. China's emphasis on the import of technology rather than in the import of finished equipment will continue to lead the development of domestic defence firms. Chinese defence expenditure, estimated at US$104.62 billion during 2012, grew at a CAGR of 11.5% during the review period. It is expected to record a CAGR of 8.49% and reach $174.9 billion by 2017.