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Amphibious Warfare Capabilities of the People's Liberation Army:
An Assessment on Recent Modernizations[1]

Recent PLA publications emphasized some key elements of military campaigns. Demonstrating strengthened leadership with closer coordination of command mechanisms, in the 1996 military exercises off the coast of Fijian all services were commanded by a single War Zone command. This War Zone command not only unified all aspects of the exercise but also the logistic support outside of the War Zone area as well. As expected, the first effort was not smooth; as the media reported later, some units were disconnected from supply chain and each service conducted their preplanned training not as a group, nor did they give mutual support as a coordinated whole. To address this shortcoming, most of the PLA HQs are connected both via satellite communications (SAT-COM), and fiber cables to form an integrated network. Mobile SAT-COM trucks have also been issued to regiment level command, and cheap commercial GPS devices are found at the smallest units. Each tactical unit is accompanied by a truck-mounted mobile command center to keep place with the troops. Given the traditional centralized control nature of the PLA, a speedy communication network is essential for any military operation, as units would need directions if there was any deviation from the plan. While new command and communication equipments are made available, as many PLA Daily articles have stated recently, lower level officers and, more importantly, NCOs are being empowered to make changes to the operational plan if the situation requires. This command empowerment is a must for an amphibious operation, as the nature of landing is chaotic and decentralized and the highest level of control is at the landing craft. Before higher-level commanders can assume control at the beach, small units must be able to carry on operations on their own initiative.

Picture of a typical PLA four-men fire team, the capture reads:
"Increase squad leader’s agility in tactical decision making skills."

It reminds to be seen how effectively the PLA units will take advantage of empowerment and new equipment.

Thus far, the PLA does not have any command ships at sea such as the Landing Ship Command Control (LCC) USS Blue Ridge [15]. They are currently using fleet replenishment ships (AOR/AK) for that role, a role which AOR/AKs are unquestionably unsuited for.