Bradstyley said:
SmartAsCarrots- as I understand it, the PLA is moving toward a brigade based structure, with the CoC going Group Army-Bde-Bn, are they entirely abandoning the divisional level or are they retaining some divisions alongside bdes? Also higher levels of command-are Military Regions (eg Shenyang, Guangzhong) still operational commands, or is their role purely administrative/logistic now? I've seen reference to a 'Theatre War Command' somewhere, as a step toward a theatre-level joint forces command, was this just an experiment or is it part of their doctrine now?
As I understand it, the shift to brigade-oriented command is going to be progressive and dependant on role. Brigade and Division formations will both remain and be deployed as appropriate to the task. Most comment on the recent Exercises under the banner of Stride 2009 have revolved around the new vehicles, the new EW/ELINT kit, the new C3 kit, etc., but the biggest surprise (to me, anyway) was that they were allowing comparatively junior levels of command to control the movement of major units â brigade HQs in all but name. Having said that the divs involved in Stride were quite definitely the First 15, the cream of Lanzhou, Shenyang and Jilin Military Districts. Theyâd be ideal if you were experimenting to see what would work before rolling it out nationwide.
Military Districts are going to remain important levels of command , according to a 1993 document called âMilitary Strategic Guidelines for the New Periodâ which is behind the last decade of reform. Youâve got to remember that the PLA is a tri-service organisation and its various services coordinate (when they can be bothered talking to each other) at MD-level and above. Other things to bear in mind are: the range of missions that PLA has that wouldnât fall under military control anywhere else; the creation of permanent specialised units for e.g. peacekeeping, where other nations would train and retrain units rotating through that role; the variety of terrain; and the sheer humungous size of the feckin place. The MDs also have a lot more direct responsibility for veteransâ welfare issues like pensions and retirement homes for ex-forces than pretty much any other countryâs armed forces I can think of.
Iâve only seen passing reference to Theatre War Commands myself, but the phrasing strikes me as meaning this is intended to be an ad hoc arrangement formed and disbanded as needed â much like the Army level in UK forces traditionally was. The Beihang Army used a similar term as part of itâs evolving doctrine for defending the late Qing Empire, much good it did them.
I know armchair_jihad has some contacts in the PLA through his work there; perhaps he might be able to shed some light on their thinking at higher levels?
