China's Military Purges Intensify, Threatening Its Combat Readiness: Defence Think Tank
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China's Military Purges Deepen, Threatening Combat Readiness: Think Tank
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News18•26-02-2026, 11:01
China's Military Purges Deepen, Threatening Combat Readiness: Think Tank
•Ongoing corruption purges in China's military are creating significant gaps in its command structure, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
•The crackdown has left the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with "serious deficiencies" at senior levels, impacting readiness.
•Two highest-ranked generals, Zhang Youxia and He Weidong, are under investigation, effectively reducing the seven-member Central Military Commission (CMC) to two active members.
•The purges are likely to have a near-term impact on the PLA due to issues like promotions based on connections, faulty weapons, and hampered morale.
•Despite temporary effects, the report suggests modernization will continue, and China's defense spending is rising, reaching nearly 44% of total regional expenditure in 2025.