As part of its sweeping military restructuring, China has established three new military academies aimed at training personnel for its newly formed service arms, the Information Support Force (ISF) and the Joint Logistics Support Force (JLSF). This move marks another significant step in the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) efforts to modernise and professionalise its forces amid a broader defence overhaul.
The new institutions — the PLA Ground Force Service Academy in Hefei (Anhui province), the PLA Information Support Force Engineering University in Wuhan (Hubei province), and the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force Engineering University in Chongqing — are set to begin enrolling high school graduates. These academies merge and upgrade existing PLA institutions, such as the Armoured Force Academy and the Artillery and Air Defence Academy, to form streamlined and specialised training hubs.
According to a report, the academies are designed to align military education with the evolving structure and requirements of the PLA, ensuring a focused pipeline of talent for technical and operational roles. The ISF will handle military communications, networks, and cyber systems, while the JLSF will manage nationwide logistics integration. Both were established after the disbandment of the Strategic Support Force in April 2024.
The restructuring is part of President Xi Jinping’s long-term vision to build a “world-class” military by 2049. A more immediate target set by Beijing is to modernise the PLA’s core capabilities by 2027. To support this ambition, China increased its 2025 defence budget by 7.2 percent to approximately $245 billion.
In addition to the educational overhaul, China is also constructing a massive military command centre near Beijing, which is reportedly one of the largest of its kind globally. This infrastructure and organisational transformation underlines China’s commitment to enhancing its strategic and operational readiness amid growing global and regional tensions.
The latest developments come against the backdrop of continued concern from international observers about China’s expanding military footprint and assertive posture, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
