PLA undergoing major restructuring as it emphasizes information capabilities for warfare

Chairman Xi Jinping initiated a far-reaching and large-scale restructuring of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2015–16. He cut 300,000 troops, created joint theater commands, redesignated various key departments, and upgraded the PLA Rocket Force. Another significant change was the creation of the Strategic Support Force on 31 December 2015, but Xi has now abolished that organization and replaced it with another.

On 19 April, Xi was present at a high-level PLA ceremony in Beijing to inaugurate the Information Support Force as a replacement for the Strategic Support Force (SSF). The latter existed for just over eight years, and it remained somewhat of a shadowy power. However, its functions were encapsulated by the names of major component units such as the Department of Space Systems and the Department of Network Systems.

The removal of the SSF and the creation of a brand new Information Support Force represents the most serious change for the PLA since the turmoil of 2015–16. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND), explained, using the typical style of government announcements: “The establishment of the Information Support Force through restructuring is a major decision made by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. “A strategic move to build a strong army, and establish a new system of services and weapons, and improve the modern military force structure with Chinese characteristics.”

In fact, as a result the PLA now sports a more streamlined “4+4” force structure. This formula refers to the four services – the already existing PLA Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force – as well as four weapons. The new Information Systems Department, joining the newly upgraded Aerospace Force and Cyberspace Force and the existing Joint Logistics Support Force, comprises these four arms of the PLA.

Another important change brought about by the new “4+4” structure is that these four arms are now directly under the Central Military Commission. The CMC, headed by Xi, is the top party organ in charge of all China’s military and paramilitary forces.

The first commander of the Information Support Force is Lieutenant General Bi Yee, who was previously the Deputy Commander of the SSF. General Li Wei was named political commissar of the force, having previously been political commissar of the SSF. The former commander of the SSF was General Xu Qiansheng, but his current status is unknown. He disappeared last year before reappearing in February, and it is unclear whether he has been implicated in the type of corruption scandal that last year rocked the PLA Rocket Force and its top leadership. The leadership ranks were destroyed.

So, what does the Information Support Force do? Despite Senior Colonel Wu explaining that it outlines the “coordinated development and application of networked information systems”, its roles remain somewhat unclear. Nonetheless, their description suggests that it is responsible for handling network information systems, communications support, and possibly network defense. It probably incorporates the functions previously performed by the information communication base.

At the investiture ceremony in Beijing, Xi cryptically said the new force would “effectively support operations, adhere to information-based and joint victory, smooth information links, integrate information resources, strengthen information security, It is necessary to integrate deeply into the joint operational system of the Army.” , Implement information support accurately and efficiently, and work to support military conflicts in all directions and areas.

Why did Xi implement this change at this point? Dr Brendan Mulvaney, director of the US Air Force Department’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), told ANI: “Corruption may be a part, but they are perfectly happy to remove senior leaders and keep the organization going, so it’s more.” More than that. What should have happened was that there was a lot of bureaucracy, but even that doesn’t seem to be the whole story, especially when you now add the Information Support Force. Perhaps the CMC (aka Xi Jinping) wanted more direct control over information sector forces and felt the SSF was not working.

He also said that perhaps the SSF’s network systems department and cyber forces were spread too thinly and hence the PLA wanted to divide some of its tasks and responsibilities.

Certainly, it appears that improving military operational efficiency and strengthening political oversight were the major reasons, and Xi was not satisfied with the current performance of the SSF. The latter likely proved to be an external management layer that obscured Xi’s visibility of what the PLA was doing in the cyber, information, and space areas. In fact, as a source suggested to ANI, the SSF’s demise may be indirectly related to China’s notorious high-altitude spy balloon program, which resulted in the United States shooting down a balloon over its territory in February 2023 Was.

That secret SSF program may have angered Xi and prompted him to demand greater visibility over unsanctioned programs. Now, after the reorganization, Xi and his CMC contingent can always deal directly with the four individual support forces without having to deal with an intermediary SSF headquarters. All four arms will also benefit from this, as they are not hindered by an unnecessary management layer on top of them.

Furthermore, the four arms are now one grade lower than each of the PLA’s five theater commands and four services. Each force/arm is headed by someone of the rank of Deputy Theater Command Leader. Earlier, SSF was at the same level as these five commands. In armies, where the chain of command is paramount, this means that the commanders of the five regional theater commands should be able to more easily request and receive support from the four forces without resorting to higher headquarters.

The PLA has historically been a very efficient organization, so the move should improve the efficiency of joint operations. Of Xi’s surprise move, Dr Mulvaney explained: “There were no external signs, at least not publicly available, that the SSF was going away. We had heard rumors of corruption at the top, but PLARF had similar issues and they removed the political commissar and commander. Obviously, a lot of planning and ground work is required to create a new army, let alone eliminate another, but the PLA appears to have kept these plans hidden from public view.

At the inauguration ceremony on 19 April, Xi ordered the Information Support Force to “firmly adhere to the Party’s order and ensure that it remains completely loyal, pure and trustworthy”. As reported in the “China’s National Defense in the New Era” white paper in 2019, it was stated that the PLA would move from “informatized” to “intelligent” through technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum information, big data, cloud computing and so on. Will develop into war. Internet of Things. As this happens, centralized control becomes even more important for the Chinese Communist Party, and this may be another reason why Xi has placed the Information Support Force directly under the purview of the CMC.

“Mechanization” and “intelligence”, as well as “informatization”, are the key words of the PLA’s modernization programme. Indeed, the PLA considers the information domain to be as important as the four traditional domains of air, land, sea and space. Xi is more mindful of the 2027 deadline – the centenary of the Chinese military – for the PLA to achieve its interim modernization goals. Xi said the information support force “plays an important role in the high-quality development of the Chinese military and furthering its competitiveness in modern warfare”.

Will the restructuring be disruptive to PLA operations? Dr. Mulvaney said it wouldn’t be very big. The CASI representative said, “Whenever there is a restructuring, it causes disruption, but it will definitely be manageable. I believe the Aerospace Force will continue as normal with minimal changes. The Cyberspace Force will likely hand over part of its organization to the Information Support Force, but the rest will still operate as before. “And even the parts that move probably won’t cause much damage.”

Dr Mulvaney added: “It will take time to get the new headquarters up and running, to stake out positions and roles and to establish command and control, as well as organizational relationships with other services, forces and theater commands. But this would not be as big a change as the 2015–16 reforms, and in fact only affects a very small portion of the PLA overall.

Returning to the other two units that received force status on 19 April, the MND spokesperson described the Cyberspace Force’s role as “strengthening national cyber border defense, promptly detecting and countering network intrusions, and safeguarding national cyber sovereignty and information security.” Described as “maintaining”. Absent from his description were offensive cyber activities, which actually play an important role in PLA and Chinese doctrine. In fact, several Five Eyes countries publicly accused China of illegal cyber activity last month. The Cybersecurity Force essentially takes over the responsibilities of the former Network Systems Department of the SSF.

Without any irony, Senior Colonel Wu said, “We actively advocate the building of a cyberspace of peace, security, openness and cooperation, and call on the international community to jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace. “Committed to working with the community.” Of course, China has one of the most heavily controlled internet systems in the world and has been guilty of massive and repeated breaches of private and government networks around the world.

As far as the Aerospace Force is concerned, it replaces the Space Systems Department of the SSF. This means that it will monitor space missions and space launches. As Senior Colonel Wu said, “To strengthen the ability to safely enter, exit, and openly use space, enhance the effectiveness of crisis management and comprehensive governance in space, and promote the peaceful uses of space.” The creation of Aerospace Force is very important for India. China’s space policy is clear. We are committed to the peaceful uses of space…”

Although China prefers to emphasize peaceful uses of space, the PLA has an extremely aggressive military space program that includes satellites and counter-space weapons. It is interesting that, among the four forces, the MND first mentioned the Aerospace Force. Since the PLA follows strict protocols in formal announcements, this could indicate that the Aerospace Force will be the most senior force of the quartet, followed by the Cyberspace Force and Information Support Force respectively.

Dr. Mulvaney confirmed: “Aerospace Force and Cyberspace Force are actually former SSF departments of the same name (‘Force’ now replacing ‘Department’), so they were not actually created here, but rather The transition to aerospace and cyberspace forces should be relatively simple, as they will likely continue as usual from existing locations.

Referring to all these changes introduced on April 19, Senior Colonel Wu said, “This is of deep and far-reaching significance for the national defense and modernization of the armed forces and the effective fulfillment of the missions and tasks of the people’s army.” New era.” The work of reshaping the PLA and making it war-ready is also not complete. China’s MND said, “As circumstances and tasks develop, we will continue to refine the modern military force structure.” Will keep”.