PLA plans core restructuring
China's President Xi Jinping has launched an ambitious restructuring of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with the force to be progressively reformed by 2020.
A 24-26 November meeting allowed the Central Military Commission (CMC) to lay out details to senior PLA figures.
The PLA will reduce in size, with Xi stating during the 3 September parade in Beijing that China would cut 300,000 troops by 2017. The majority of cuts will affect the army as it is the largest of the PLA’s four services and those being trimmed will be mostly administrative and non-combatants to improve the ‘teeth-to-tail’ ratio.
'Now,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
