The Chinese Rocket Force (PLARF)

China's armed forces established the Rocket Force as part of the reform and restructuring of its military. Details on the new Rocket Force unit: It replaces the Second Artillery Corps, which previously managed China's nuclear and long-range conventional arsenals.

The Chinese Rocket Force (PLARF) was officially established on December 31, 2015 (effective January 1, 2016). Its formation was announced directly by President Xi Jinping as part of a massive reform effort to modernize the Chinese military. Although its status as a full military service branch was only formalized in 2015, the unit has a long operational history:

July 1, 1966 (Origins): The unit was first formed as the Second Artillery Corps under the instruction of Premier Zhou Enlai to manage China's secret nuclear weapons.

December 31, 2015 (Transformation): Its status was upgraded from a specialized corps/branch under the General Staff to an independent military service on par with the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The PLARF is a vital element of Beijing's military modernization. It controls the world's largest arsenal of land-based missiles, comprising both nuclear-armed and conventional systems.

The following are details regarding its weaponry and strategic objectives:

Weaponry Strength & Capabilities: The PLARF operates various advanced missiles featuring global range and high accuracy:

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs): It possesses missiles such as the DF-41 and DF-5C, capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads with ranges exceeding 12,000 to 20,000 kilometers—sufficient to reach the continental United States and Europe. Hypersonic Missiles: Operates the DF-17, a hypersonic missile specifically designed to penetrate modern Western air defense systems.

Conventional & Medium-Range Missiles: Possesses thousands of highly accurate short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), and ground-based cruise missiles. These include the DF-21D and DF-26, dubbed "Carrier Killers" due to their ability to target moving aircraft carriers at sea.

Nuclear Warheads: Estimated to possess around 600 operational nuclear warheads, with a goal of rapidly increasing this number to over 1,000 to strengthen its strategic defense.

Strategic Objectives: Broadly speaking, the PLARF pursues a dual mission: war deterrence and tactical offensive operations (warfighting):

Nuclear Deterrence & Counter-strike: Ensures China's capability to launch a credible nuclear counter-strike in the event of a first strike against the country. China maintains a "No First Use" doctrine. Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) Strategy: Blocks or restricts the movement of foreign militaries (particularly the United States and its allies) in the Western Pacific region. 

These missiles are deployed to secure sensitive areas such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Long-Range Precision Strikes: Neutralizes high-value enemy targets—such as military bases, radar systems, command centers, and logistics—early in a conflict to pave the way for Chinese army, navy, and air force operations.