China Military Forces 🇨🇳

Strategic Position

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) bases its defense policy on the "Active Defense" doctrine, which posits that China will only use military force in response to provocations but will conduct offensive operations once a conflict begins. Primary security concerns center on the "First Island Chain," specifically the status of Taiwan, territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and competing maritime claims in the East China Sea.

China maintains a formal mutual defense treaty with North Korea. It is a leading member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and maintains a comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, characterized by joint exercises and technology sharing. The military posture is also defined by the border dispute with India along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Strategic priorities include the protection of sea lines of communication (SLOCs) in the Indian Ocean and the development of capabilities to deter or counter external intervention in regional conflicts.

Military Forces

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed wing of the Communist Party of China, commanded by the Central Military Commission (CMC). The force is organized into five theater commands: Eastern, Southern, Western, Northern, and Central. Active personnel total approximately 2 million, supported by the People’s Armed Police (PAP) and a reserve force.

The PLA Ground Force (PLAGF) focuses on mobile operations and integrated electronic warfare. It operates Type 96 and Type 99A main battle tanks, ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicles, and various self-propelled artillery systems.

The PLA Navy (PLAN) has transitioned to a multi-mission "far seas" force. The fleet includes aircraft carriers (the Liaoning, Shandong, and the catapult-equipped Fujian), Type 055 cruisers, Type 052D destroyers, and Type 054A frigates. The submarine force consists of Jin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and Shang-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), alongside a large conventional fleet.

The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) operates a mix of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft. The inventory includes J-20 stealth fighters, J-16 multirole fighters, and J-10C aircraft. Long-range strike capability is provided by H-6K and H-6N bombers. The PLAAF also maintains a fleet of Y-20 heavy transport aircraft and KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platforms.

The PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) manages the land-based nuclear and conventional missile arsenal. This includes DF-21D and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as the DF-31 and the road-mobile, MIRV-capable DF-41.

Following a 2024 restructuring, specialized capabilities are organized into the Information Support Force, the Aerospace Force, and the Cyberspace Force. These units manage satellite communications, orbital assets, and network warfare operations.

Defense Industry

China’s defense industry is composed of large state-owned enterprises that have achieved high levels of self-sufficiency. Major entities include the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO), and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

The industry produces the full spectrum of military hardware, from J-20 stealth fighters to Type 003 aircraft carriers and hypersonic glide vehicles. While China formerly relied on Russian aero-engines and naval propulsion, domestic alternatives such as the WS-10 and WS-15 engines are now in production. China is a major arms exporter, supplying JF-17 fighters, VT-4 tanks, and Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Strategic Trends

Military modernization focuses on "informatized" and "intelligentized" warfare, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence, big data, and autonomous systems into joint operations. The 2027 modernization milestone serves as a target for achieving integrated development of the force.

Defense spending has consistently increased, generally aligned with overall economic growth, and is estimated between 1.2% and 1.7% of GDP. Procurement priorities include the expansion of the nuclear triad, the construction of additional aircraft carriers, and the development of a world-class logistics network to support global operations.

Challenges include the integration of new command structures and the transition from a conscript-heavy model to a professionalized force. The military also faces constraints related to demographic shifts affecting recruitment and the ongoing requirement to develop indigenous high-end semiconductor and propulsion technologies to mitigate the risk of international sanctions.