Following recent tests of anti-satellite missiles and near-space hypersonic vehicles, Chines military all set to create a new Space Force within the People’s Liberation Army.
The Chinese military is preparing for future space warfare, analysts say there has been no official announcement of the new space warfare unit; however, unofficial sources in China revealed the unit will be part of a new Strategic Support Forces service that will include nuclear missiles — currently under the Second Artillery Force — along with an electronic information forces, cyber warfare units and electronic and signals intelligence.
The shift to space and information warfare is part of a major military reorganisation that has been underway in China for the past several years.
China conducted the sixth test of a hypersonic strike vehicle on Nov. 23, after having carried out an anti-satellite missile test on Oct. 30.
Both weapons are part of China’s large-scale high-technology arms buildup.
The new unit also is expected to control China’s future strategic missile defense forces.
