People's Liberation Army Rocket Force

中国人民解放军火箭军

Service branch of the PLA responsible for land-based strategic and conventional missiles; directly under the Central Military Commission. Renamed from the Second Artillery Force (第二炮兵) on 31 Dec 2015. Not a space launch/TT&C organization.

gov defenseFounded 2015

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All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.

The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) showcased 11 missiles during the parade this year.

GeneralCapabilityValue 3.0Sep 3, 2025JingLei-1 Air-Launched Long-Range Missile, JuLang-3 SLBM, DF-61 Land-Based ICBM, and DF-31BJ New Land-Based ICBM: For the first time, these systems are displayed together, showcasing China’s land, sea, and air-based “triad” strategic nuclear forces.

The former Second Artillery Corps was elevated to a full co-equal service branch known as the PLA Rocket Force (PLARF).

GovernanceGeneralValue 3.0Aug 7, 2025China's Evolving Nuclear Command and Control for Launch-on-Warning

The PLARF maintains units on heightened readiness states while keeping other units in peacetime status with separated launchers, missiles, and warheads.

GeneralCapabilityValue 2.0Aug 7, 2025China's Evolving Nuclear Command and Control for Launch-on-Warning