The Electronic Battlefield

The acquisition of modern command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems is one of the key aspects of China’s military modernisation. The PLA has been watching closely how the revolution of military affair (RMA) transforms the U.S. armed forces, and helped the success of the U.S.-led military operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The PLA’s latest operational doctrine highlights the importance of information technology, electronic and information warfare, and long-range precision strikes in future warfare.

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). The PLA is enhancing its battlefield awareness for a possible regional conflict through the acquisition of modern land-, air-, sea-, and space-based ISR systems. The PLA is developing its ISR capabilities based upon indigenous development, supplemented by foreign technology acquisition and procurement of complete foreign systems. Its procurement of new space systems, AEW/AWACS aircraft, long-range UAVs, and various radar systems will enhance its ability to detect, monitor, and target military activities in the Western Pacific Ocean.

Command & Control. Command and control modernisation and automation has been a priority of the PLA’s modernisation for nearly 25 years. China has constructed a command network capable of rapidly passing orders and information up and down the chain of command and moving intelligence to decision makers at the national and theatre level, though it is still regarded behind western standards for integrating and controlling complex joint military operations.

Electronic Warfare. The PLA has made electronic warfare (EW) a key component of its ‘Three Attacks and Three Defences’ initiative to meet requirements of a “local warfare under high-tech conditions.” The PLA is procuring state-of-the-art technology to improve its intercept, direction finding, and jamming capabilities, and experimenting with new EW units to field test the latest EW systems and new operational concepts.

Information Warfare. Both military and civilian sectors in China are actively exploring the information warfare (IW) concept, which could be gradually developed into a corps of “network warriors” able to defend China’s telecommunications, command, and information networks, while uncovering vulnerabilities in foreign networks.