Seizing the commanding heights: the PLA Strategic Support Force in Chinese military power

The People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) will enhance the Chinese military’s future deterrence and war-fighting capabilities. Established in December 2015, this new force is poised to leverage synergies and the integration of critical capabilities across space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum. The PLASSF will support joint operations and provide new strategic capabilities to complement the PLA’s existing arsenal. In any future conflict scenarios, the PLASSF will play an integral role in the PLA’s quest to ‘fight and win’ wars. Looking forward, the PLASSF may also become a critical force for innovation as the PLA prepares for future warfare.