The Chinese army has always been an impressive force, but how large is it really? The People’s Liberation Army of China, or PLA, is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and officially consists of the ground forces, navy, air and anti-aircraft force, and strategic support force. Despite this impressive list, what exactly is the headcount?
Well, according to a white paper on the China Military Power report published by the US Department of Defense in 2019, there were approximately 2 million personnel in active service in the Chinese army. This number has notably decreased since the peak of the army in the 1980s when there were over 5 million soldiers in active service. While the rank of the army may have shrunk in numbers, the immediate combat capability of this massive force has only increased with the addition of new generations of equipment.
In 2013, China announced their “Military-Civilian Fusion Strategy” and the resulting strategy has produced breakthroughs in military tech and biotechnical integration. For example, China is working on creating more advanced Network-Centric Warfare platforms and even drones that could potentially be used in combat operations. Aside from these high-tech platforms, China is also reportedly investing in the development of a high-altitude manned combat aerial vehicle, an important asset for an army on the move.
The Chinese army is also the largest in the world in terms of reserve forces and they include over 6 million personnel according to the same US white paper. This is a sizable reserve force to draw from in times of need, and is larger than the combined active service personnel of the US, India, South Korea and Australia. Furthermore, the Chinese army is supported by the People’s Armed Police, a security force consisting of around 1.5 million personnel.
It is clear that the Chinese army is no small force in global security and its size and capabilities set it apart as one of the most powerful militaries in the world. The Chinese government itself has become quite vocal in its commitment to modernising the Chinese armed forces and has reportedly made considerable investments into the purchases of new military hardware and the training of personnel. It is a growing military power that the world is keeping an eye on.
Sword and Shield Strategy
The Chinese army has a distinct strategy for defending its nation known as the “Sword and Shield” strategy. This military strategy refers to a defensive line which covers the border of China, shielding it from external threats while providing a basis to launch retaliatory strikes. This strategy is employed through a combination of both personnel and equipment. For example, the army is well equipped with tanks, armored personnel carriers, and radar-guided missiles.
The Sword and Shield strategy has proven to be effective and has been widely used throughout Chinese history. In the 21st Century, the Chinese army has become more focused on global power projection with a more proactive approach. The Chinese military are actively involved in peacekeeping operations for the United Nations and have conducted certain exercises with other nations in order to strengthen bilateral ties.
The importance of the Sword and Shield strategy lies in the fact that it provides an effective means of deterring invasion or attacks from abroad. In an ever globalizing world, regional powers such as China are dependent on their military strength in order to maintain regional stability. As such, the Sword and Shield strategy is an integral element to ensuring the safety and sovereignty of China in the modern world.
Overall, the Chinese army is an important strategic bulwark for China and its size, capabilities, and strategy is testament to its position as a leading military power. The country is committed to modernizing its military and increasing its presence abroad, gradually giant steps to make the PLA a global superpower.
Border Security Force
The Chinese army plays a crucial role in the defense of the country’s vast borders. The PLA runs the Border Security Force, a specialized force responsible for defending the country’s borders and conducting anti-terrorism operations. The force consists of over 400,000 personnel, making it one of the largest such forces in the world.
The Border Security Force is responsible for a number of duties including patrolling the vast Sino-Mongolian border, countering illegal border crossing, conducting anti-terrorism operations, and defending disputed territories. They are also equipped with a number of tools, ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles to ground and air based security systems.
The Border Security Force is a crucial element of the Chinese army, and its presence is augmented by the presence of the People’s Armed Police. The latter is a paramilitary force which is responsible for maintaining domestic security, such as crowd control and law enforcement. In times of crisis, they may also supplement the Border Security Force. Overall, the border security of China is extremely well defended and effective in deterring potential external threats.
The presence of the Chinese army in border defense further highlights the commitment of the Chinese government to ensure the safety of its people. The Chinese government is well aware of the potential dangers of a weakened border security and is taking steps to ensure that its borders are secure and safe for its citizens.
Future Projects
The Chinese military is constantly looking for ways to modernize and increase its capabilities. One of the areas they are focusing on is on implementing A.I. and robotics in their military operations. A.I. platforms and robots could significantly improve the operational efficiency and performance of the Chinese army and grants them an edge over traditional armed forces. The Chinese government has been investing heavily in these projects and is quickly becoming a leader in military A.I and robotics development.
In addition, the Chinese military is investing in space-based defense technologies. With its focus on the development of space-based early warning systems and access to space-based platform technology, such as satellites, thePLA will soon have a stronger capability to monitor activities in the skies and seas and use this information for their own military operations.
China is also pushing for greater international cooperation by participating in joint military exercises and occasionally even deploying troops to assist with international peacekeeping operations. This further enhances the reputation of China as a responsible player in global affairs and shows that it is willing to work with other nations to ensure global security.
Overall, the Chinese military is constantly striving for more advanced technological capabilities and greater international cooperation. These proactive steps taken by the Chinese government will ensure the continued strength and security of the Chinese military in the years to come.
Deployment Abroad
As part of their proactive approach to international security, the Chinese army has also deployed troops overseas on several occasions. The Chinese army has been deployed to several countries in order to assist with United Nationals peacekeeping operations. The PLA is also active in global disaster relief operations and has dispatched personnel to assist in the aftermath of several natural calamities.
In terms of other overseas operations, the Chinese army has also participated in several joint military exercises alongside other militaries. These exercises are usually aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between nations and providing more opportunities for service members to exchange knowledge and experiences.
The deployment of the Chinese army overseas marks an important milestone in the country’s history of military service. The active participation in international affairs displays a sense of responsibility and commitment to global stability and marks a departure from its traditional approach of isolationism.
The Chinese army’s increased activity abroad further solidifies its status as a major world player. The growing presence of the PLA in joint exercises and peacekeeping operations indicates its commitment to global security and its position as a reliable partner for other nations.
