The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

tion distribution centers for closer distribution to users
units, which replaced the past practices of storing the
repair parts in a central warehouse. The unit negotiated
the delivery at no additional transportation cost
to using units, which increased efficiency and reduced
costs. 97
Another article frankly evaluating civil-military
integration of equipment support noted a number of
problems in implementing the change, including a
systemic resistance to civilian outsourcing, a lack of
macro-level planning for civil-military integration,
including an integration mechanism (organization)
that would oversee this change in how armament and
equipment support is managed. 98
Despite problems with implementing mobilization
and socialization reforms, particularly inadequate
regulations and laws, the PLA remains committed to
increasing its reliance on the commercial sector. Socialization
efforts during peacetime are forcing the
military to confront the issue of proper remuneration,
something the PLA has not had experience with as it
tries to implement contracts relying on very vague
regulations that have been issued since 2002.
Civil support will continue to develop domestically,
as the military and commercial enterprises figure
out how to support the military. These improvements
should over time broaden and deepen logistics support
domestically, which could strengthen China’s
defensive posture. At the same time, and perhaps
more importantly to China’s ability to project power
outside its borders, civil support to operations is also
developing as the Gulf of Aden mission illustrates.
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