People's Liberation Army Rocket Force

People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
漫漫长冬 · Public domain · source
Unit name	People's Liberation Army Rocket Force
Native name	中国人民解放军火箭军
Dates	1966–present
Country	People's Republic of China
Branch	People's Liberation Army
Type	Rocket force
Role	Strategic deterrence, conventional precision strike
Garrison	Beijing
Nickname	PLA Rocket Force
Anniversaries	1 August

People's Liberation Army Rocket Force is the strategic and tactical missile branch of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, responsible for land-based ballistic and cruise missiles that provide nuclear and conventional strike capabilities. Established from the former Second Artillery Corps and reorganized in 2015, it operates alongside other People's Liberation Army services such as the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, People's Liberation Army Navy, and People's Liberation Army Air Force. The force plays a central role in China's deterrence posture with deployments across multiple theater commands including Beijing Military Region, Shenyang Military Region, and Guangzhou Military Region predecessor areas.

History

The unit traces origins to the 1966 creation of the Second Artillery Corps during the Cultural Revolution (China), consolidating ballistic missile development from institutes like the China Academy of Engineering Physics and test sites such as Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Throughout the Cold War it fielded systems derived from technology linked to interactions with the Soviet Union and later indigenous programs influenced by lessons from the Sino-Soviet split and the Vietnam War. Post-1970s modernization accelerated with research by institutions including the Academy of Military Sciences (China) and industrial conglomerates like China North Industries Group and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. Reforms after the 1996 Taiwan Strait Missile Crisis and the 2000s emphasized precision, mobility, and survivability, culminating in the 2015 rebranding into its current structure under the Central Military Commission and chairman Xi Jinping.

Organization and Structure

The Rocket Force is organized into corps-equivalent echelon units deployed under the PLA's theater commands such as the Eastern Theater Command, Western Theater Command, Northern Theater Command, and Southern Theater Command. Its command apparatus interfaces with the Central Military Commission and training institutions like the PLA Rocket Force University of Engineering. Support and logistics draw on firms such as China State Shipbuilding Corporation for transport and Norinco for ground equipment. Intelligence and targeting coordination involve the Ministry of State Security (China), the People's Liberation Army Joint Staff Department and space assets from the China National Space Administration. Historically, units were grouped into bases and brigades named after regions, with mobile launcher regiments derived from designs by CASC ancestors like China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

Equipment and Capabilities

Inventory spans intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), and land-attack cruise missiles (LACMs). Notable systems include road-mobile ICBMs such as the DF-31 and DF-41 developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, silo-based missiles linked to projects managed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and road-mobile IRBMs like the DF-26. Cruise missiles in deployment include variants descended from designs by CASC and CASC Third Academy groups; anti-ship variants are intended to hold targets such as United States Pacific Fleet assets and bases in the Western Pacific. Supporting equipment includes transporter erector launchers built by companies like China Chengfa Group and command systems integrated with satellites launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Force-wide modernization emphasizes accuracy improvements, multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV) capacity, and road-mobile concealment to complicate adversary counterforce efforts including targeting by United States Strategic Command sensors.

Nuclear Role and Doctrine

The Rocket Force maintains the principal land-based leg of China's nuclear triad alongside People's Liberation Army Navy ballistic missile submarine deployments and strategic airlift options. Official doctrine emphasizes a policy of No First Use that China announced in the 1960s and has reiterated through diplomatic instruments with institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (China). Operational concepts published by Chinese military analysts at the Academy of Military Sciences (China) and in journals associated with People's Liberation Army Daily discuss countervalue and counterforce options, survivable second-strike forces, and limited nuclear escalation control. Command and control is tightly centralized under the Central Military Commission, with warhead custody linked to strategic storage facilities and technical oversight from the China Academy of Engineering Physics.

Training and Exercises

Training occurs at ranges and facilities such as the Korla Missile Test Complex and missile training areas in the Xinjiang region, often coordinated with joint exercises involving the People's Liberation Army Air Force and People's Liberation Army Navy. Large-scale exercises have simulated scenarios referenced in PLA publications and reported during events like the Zhanlan 2016 series and theater command drills near the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Personnel education draws from institutions like the PLA Rocket Force University of Engineering and joint war colleges such as the PLA National Defence University, emphasizing missile operations, targeting, electronic warfare, and nuclear surety. Internationally observed drills have occasionally involved observers from states with defense ties including Pakistan and Russia.

Modernization and Development

Modernization programs emphasize MIRV deployment, road-mobile solid-fuel missiles, improved command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) integration, and survivability measures like road-mobile concealment and silo hardening. Development projects involve major state enterprises including China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, and research bodies like the National University of Defense Technology and Tsinghua University laboratories. Programs aim to field ICBMs capable of penetrating advanced missile defenses such as those developed by the United States Missile Defense Agency and integrate space-based sensors from the China National Space Administration and dual-use commercial satellite providers. Procurement strategies and doctrinal writings reflect lessons from the Gulf War and evolving Great Power Competition dynamics with the United States and regional neighbors.

International Relations and Strategic Impact

The Rocket Force shapes strategic stability debates involving New START counterparts and dialogues with the United States Department of Defense, the Russian Federation, and regional actors such as India and Japan. Its capabilities influence security calculations regarding territories like Taiwan and maritime claims in the South China Sea and have prompted responses including enhanced missile defense cooperation among U.S. allies like Australia and South Korea. Arms control analysts at institutions such as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute and Center for Strategic and International Studies study its modernization, while diplomatic engagements occur through venues like the United Nations and bilateral strategic dialogues. The Rocket Force's expansion affects regional force postures, crisis stability, and military technology proliferation concerns tracked by groups including the Arms Control Association.

Category:People's Liberation Army units