Which deterrence concept does the PLA rely on to keep US air power out, encompassing layered air defense and jamming?

• A. Deterrence-through-density approach
• B. Layered air defense
• C. Jamming of communications
• D. Deterrence-through-mobility

Answer: (A)

The key idea being tested is how deterrence can be achieved by building a dense, integrated barrier that makes air power costly and risky to use. The best choice—deterrence-through-density approach—captures this logic: by layering air defenses and combining them with electronic warfare like jamming, the PLA creates a highly dense, interwoven system that complicates penetration, disrupts command and control, and raises the risk and cost for any US air operation. Layered air defense describes part of the setup—the multiple rings of defense—while jamming describes a tactic that disrupts communications and sensors. But together, they embody a deterrence strategy that aims to deter by posing a high probability of loss and difficulty, which is the essence of deterrence-through-density. Deterrence-through-mobility focuses on moving forces to avoid detection, which is a different approach, and thus doesn't fit as well.