China’s newly-formed Rocket Force, a revamped unit of its strategic missile force, may include nuclear submarines and bombers, making it the first independent unit in the world with integrated land, sea and air nuclear forces, the Chinese military said.
After incorporating the navy’s strategic nuclear submarine and the air force’s strategic bomber, the PlA Rocket Force will be the first independent service with land, sea and air nuclear forces in the world that is much more integrated than those of the US, Russia, Britain and France, an article in the military’s official publication China Military Online quoted an expert as saying.
The People’s liberation Army (PlA) kicked off the new year with a major revamp of its 2.3 million-strong military, elevating the status of strategic missile force to be placed along with army, navy and air force.
It also formed a new Strategic Support Force to provide proper electronic and cyber intelligence backup for precision missiles strikes during war.