China Restructures Military, Replaces Strategic Support Force with New Information Support Force

In a significant overhaul of its military structure, China has disbanded the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Strategic Support Force (SSF) and established a new entity called the Information Support Force (ISF). The decision, which comes eight years after the SSF was initially created, has caught many observers by surprise.

The SSF, formed in 2015 as part of a broader restructuring of the PLA, brought together China's electronic warfare, network warfare, and space warfare forces under a single umbrella. It was previously hailed as evidence of innovation in the Chinese military, handling critical missions in the domains of space, cyber, and electronic warfare.

The unexpected elimination of the SSF suggests that something went wrong with its operations or structure. In its place, the PLA has now established the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, and Information Support Force. This move is seen as part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's efforts to consolidate power and tighten control over the military.

The newly formed ISF will report directly to the Central Military Commission, indicating its status as a strategic resource for the Chinese military. President Xi personally presented the ISF with a military banner, highlighting the high-level support accorded to the new force. Lt. Gen. Bi Yi, previously the deputy head of the SSF, will lead the ISF, while Li Wei, who held the role of political commissar in the SSF, will assume the same position in the ISF.

Why this matters: The restructuring of China's military and the establishment of the Information Support Force signify the country's increasing focus on information warfare capabilities. This move has implications for the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region and the future of modern warfare.

Alongside the ISF, the PLA has also established separate Military Aerospace Force and Network Space Force, which will report directly to the Central Military Commission. However, the division of labor between these new forces and the ISF remains unclear, particularly regarding the responsibility for electronic warfare.

The reasons behind the disbanding of the SSF are not entirely clear, with speculation ranging from potential corruption at the highest levels to a desire to streamline the military's information warfare capabilities. The restructuring is part of the broader efforts by the Chinese military to adapt to the evolving nature of warfare, with a focus on establishing information dominance.

Key Takeaways

• China disbanded its PLA Strategic Support Force and established a new Information Support Force.
• The new Information Support Force will report directly to the Central Military Commission.
• China also created separate Military Aerospace Force and Network Space Force under the CMC.
• The restructuring aims to consolidate power and tighten control over China's military information warfare.
• The reasons behind the SSF's disbandment are unclear, but it's part of China's efforts to adapt to evolving warfare.