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

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

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• Decentraliz<strong>at</strong>ion versus centraliz<strong>at</strong>ion—logistics<br />

reform innov<strong>at</strong>ion, testing <strong>and</strong> applic<strong>at</strong>ion—is<br />

happening <strong>at</strong> local levels throughout<br />

the country, cre<strong>at</strong>ing pockets of innov<strong>at</strong>ion<br />

th<strong>at</strong> do not appear to be quickly dissemin<strong>at</strong>ing<br />

throughout the armed forces. Central authority<br />

does not appear to have the power to m<strong>and</strong><strong>at</strong>e<br />

change quickly.<br />

FUTURE TRENDS IN CHINESE MILITARY<br />

LOGISTICS REFORM<br />

Based on the level of effort <strong>and</strong> trends of logistics<br />

moderniz<strong>at</strong>ion over the last 10 years, we should expect<br />

continued oper<strong>at</strong>ional logistics improvements to<br />

support military oper<strong>at</strong>ions outside China’s border.<br />

Improvements can be acceler<strong>at</strong>ed with comm<strong>and</strong><br />

decisions from above, increased sense of urgency to<br />

address perceived thre<strong>at</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> applic<strong>at</strong>ion of gre<strong>at</strong>er<br />

resources <strong>and</strong> heightened priority.<br />

Nonetheless, Joint Logistics (as understood in the<br />

West) will continue to m<strong>at</strong>ure, <strong>and</strong> best practices will<br />

radi<strong>at</strong>e throughout the force, although levels of logistics<br />

oper<strong>at</strong>ions may vary from one MR to the next.<br />

Logistics capacity to support oper<strong>at</strong>ional mobility<br />

within <strong>and</strong> near China’s l<strong>and</strong> border should improve<br />

first, while providing potential capacity to support<br />

increases in scope, distance, <strong>and</strong> dur<strong>at</strong>ion of overseas<br />

oper<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />

China’s civilian logistics system, which is concurrently<br />

modernizing <strong>and</strong> m<strong>at</strong>uring <strong>at</strong> a significant r<strong>at</strong>e,<br />

should help multiply the capacity of the military logistics<br />

system through direct support to mobiliz<strong>at</strong>ion<br />

<strong>and</strong> outsourcing (socializ<strong>at</strong>ion). Additionally, a more<br />

robust <strong>and</strong> sophistic<strong>at</strong>ed civilian logistics system<br />

594

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