Strategic Support Force

Strategic Support Force
Unit name	Strategic Support Force
Native name	战略支援部队
Dates	2015–present
Country	People's Republic of China
Branch	People's Liberation Army
Role	Space, cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare
Command structure	Central Military Commission
Garrison	Beijing
Garrison label	Headquarters

Strategic Support Force. It is a major branch of the People's Liberation Army established in 2015 as part of sweeping military reforms under Xi Jinping. The force consolidates the PLA's capabilities in space, cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare into a unified command. It represents a critical component of the PLA's drive to achieve information dominance and fight modern, integrated joint operations.

History and establishment

The force was formally created on 31 December 2015, announced by Xi Jinping as commander-in-chief during a major ceremony in Beijing. Its establishment was the centerpiece of a larger restructuring that transformed the People's Liberation Army from a traditionally army-centric force into a more integrated system. This reform dissolved the former General Staff Department and the four general departments system, creating a new command structure under the Central Military Commission. The creation followed years of doctrinal evolution emphasizing the importance of the "information domain" and "systems confrontation" in modern warfare, concepts highlighted in publications like the Science of Military Strategy.

Organization and structure

The force is organized into several specialized departments, primarily the Space Systems Department and the Network Systems Department, which manage its core mission areas. It operates directly under the authority of the Central Military Commission, reporting through the Joint Staff Department of the PLA. Unlike traditional branches, it does not maintain a large conventional troop presence but is composed of technical units, research institutes, and operational bases. Key subordinate elements likely include facilities like the Xi'an Satellite Control Center and specialized cyber units, integrating capabilities previously scattered across the former General Staff Department, General Armaments Department, and various services.

Mission and responsibilities

Its primary mission is to ensure People's Liberation Army dominance in the strategic domains of space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum. This involves managing military satellite networks for reconnaissance, communications, and navigation, as well as conducting offensive and defensive cyber operations. The force is also responsible for electronic warfare, including signals intelligence and electronic attack, and military psychological operations. It provides critical information support to the other service branches—the PLA Ground Force, PLA Navy, PLA Air Force, and PLA Rocket Force—enabling joint operations as envisioned in contemporary PLA doctrine.

Equipment and capabilities

The force operates a wide array of advanced technological systems, including a fleet of Yaogan and other military reconnaissance satellites. It manages the military applications of the Beidou navigation system and utilizes ground-based systems for satellite tracking and space surveillance. For cyber and electronic warfare, it employs sophisticated network infrastructure, supercomputers, and electronic countermeasure systems. Capabilities extend to ground-based anti-satellite weapons and directed-energy weapons for counterspace operations, as suggested by tests such as the 2007 Chinese anti-satellite missile test. Its units are equipped for signals intelligence collection and advanced cryptanalysis.

Leadership and personnel

The first commander was General Gao Jin, who previously served as head of the Military Intelligence Department of the General Staff Department. Its first political commissar was General Liu Fulian. Leadership positions are typically filled by officers with deep backgrounds in technical fields, space operations, or intelligence. Personnel are recruited from top technical universities like the National University of Defense Technology and undergo specialized training in fields such as astronautical engineering, computer science, and cryptography. The force emphasizes the cultivation of "new-type combat talents" to operate its complex systems, as outlined in directives from the Central Military Commission.

Role in military reforms

The creation of the force was the most significant organizational innovation within the broader military reforms that began in 2015. It directly supports the PLA's strategic goal of becoming a "world-class military" by 2049, as stated by Xi Jinping. By centralizing information warfare capabilities, it breaks down traditional service barriers and enables the Joint Staff Department to orchestrate truly integrated operations. This reorganization mirrors similar developments in other advanced militaries, such as the United States Space Force and United States Cyber Command, reflecting a global trend in modern warfare. Its establishment has fundamentally reshaped the operational art of the People's Liberation Army.

Category:People's Liberation Army Category:Military units and formations established in 2015