The PLA is increasingly relying on satellite to provide long-haul communication (Source: Chinese Internet)
China began to develop satellite communications (SATCOM) technology in the early 1970s. Development of China’s first SATCOM ground station was started in 1973, with the first analogue ground station featuring a 10m-diameter antenna built in Nanjing in late 1975. The first digital ground station was introduced in 1976 by 19th Institute. These ground stations were tested using foreign communications satellites and the results were satisfactory.
From 1982 the PLA began to build new SATCOM ground stations in Beijing, Nanjing, Urumqi, Kunming, and Lhasa to support China’s first communications satellite DFH-2. A mobile station was also developed for China’s nuclear submarines. The first Chinese indigenous communications satellite DFH-2 was successfully launched 8 April 1984. By 1988 China had built over 160 SATCOM ground facilities and its relevant technology became mature. The second-generation communications satellite DFH-3 was launched on 12 May 1997.
On 25 January 2000 China launched its first dedicated military tactical communications satellite FengHuo-1 (also known as ChinaSat 22). The satellite is a secure, jam-resistant, high capacity data link communications system for use in a tactical combat. It was China’s first space-based communication platform to provide tactical units with both C-band and UHF communications.
