The Chinese military has established a new Information Support Force, which analysts believe will significantly enhance its intelligence capabilities. The force, which was inaugurated in a ceremony hosted by President Xi Jinping, takes over some of the functions of the disbanded Strategic Support Force (SSF).
The Information Support Force will be led by Bi Yi, the former deputy commander of the SSF. Its primary mission is to support combat operations, integrate information resources, strengthen information protection, and improve joint operation capabilities. President Xi emphasized the crucial role the new force will play in coordinating the military’s network information system and ordered it to be prepared for information-focused warfare.
The reorganization is part of the PLA’s modernization drive, with the goal of becoming a world-class military power by 2049. Experts believe the Information Support Force will enhance the PLA’s situational awareness while weakening that of its adversaries. The integration of information, intelligence, and electronic warfare functions into a single force is seen as essential for conducting effective information operations.
The new force will work closely with the PLA’s space and cyber forces. It is a reflection of China’s increasing focus on developing intelligent warfare capabilities through the use of AI and other advanced technologies.
