The concept of Fifth Generation Warfare is continually evolving. Thus, a universally accepted definition of the term is not evident in contemporary literature. However suffice to say some elements of the same are use of information for supporting kinetic operations as well as non kinetic action through impact on information and perception, cyber attack and exploitation of emerging technologies.
Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Xi Jinping is pitching the next stage of transformation of the People’s Liberation Army [PLA] to the Fifth Generation.
This is evident from the organizational changes that have been announced on April 19th this year.
The inaugural conference of the PLA Information Support Force was held in Beijing on April 19 presided over by Xi.
At the inaugural President Xi stressed that the ISF must focus on its core task of using information assets to support combat operations, maintain information flow, integrate information resources, protect the information security, and integrate deeply into the military's joint operation system.
Innovation, strengthen coordination and integration were the other facets outlined while presenting the flag to the force.
Giving details of the same, Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian introduced more details about the PLA's "establishing a new system of services and arms" at a press briefing on April 19
There are four services, namely the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Rocket Force, and four arms, including the Aerospace Force, the Cyberspace Force, the Information Support Force and the Joint Logistics Support Force.
"As circumstances and tasks evolve, we will continue to refine the modern military force structure with Chinese characteristics," he said.
Adding more information of the new force he said, “The Information Support Force is a brand-new strategic arm of the Chinese PLA and a key underpinning of coordinated development and application of the network information system. It plays an important role and bears great responsibility in promoting high-quality development and the ability to fight and win in modern warfare," said the spokesperson.
"This is of profound and far-reaching significance to the modernization of national defence and the armed forces and to the military's fulfilment of its missions and tasks in the new era," the spokesperson said.
On the newly declassified Space Force, Wu said "China's space policies are clear and plain. We are always committed to the peaceful utilization of space and stand ready to work with all countries with the same commitment to strengthen exchanges, deepen cooperation and contribute to lasting peace and common security in space," he said.
On the Cyber force Wu said, "Developing the Cyberspace Force and tools for cybersecurity and defence is important for reinforcing national cyberspace defence, promptly detecting and countering network intrusions and maintaining our cybersovereignty and information security," he said.
Establishment of the new forces means that Strategic Support Force (SSF) which subsumed the functions of the three newly created force has now been organizationally defunct.
Conclusion
Having launched the first stage of military reforms after he took over as the chairman of the CMC in 2013 XI IS now looking at providing momentum to exploitation of the information spectrum which also includes space and cyber.
Coordination and integration of these mediums will provide the PLA what is known as the capabilities for conduct of 5th generation warfare.
This implies not only exploiting of the cyber, space and information medium for military operations but also to use these for strategic purposes of targeting societies and adversaries achieving what Chinese military philosopher Sun Tzu said, “winning without fighting”.
How this transformation progresses will no doubt ben observed by militaries across the World including India, which continues to be hobbled by the elephantine space of military transformation and is struggling with Theaterisation, which the PLA achieved by 2015.