PLA in peril: Xi Jinping’s purge cripples China’s military, sparks fears of combat vulnerability
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
China’s military is facing significant challenges due to President Xi Jinping’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which has exposed vulnerabilities in the command structure of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), these purges have created serious deficiencies in leadership and readiness, particularly as key positions remain vacant. The report highlights that the PLA’s seven-member supreme military command is now reduced to just two active leaders—Xi Jinping himself and Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin—after several high-ranking officials, including long-time ally Zhang Youxia, were implicated or expelled.
The purges have spanned multiple areas of the military, including theater commands, weapons procurement, and defense academia. The IISS warns that if promotions were influenced by connections or if faulty equipment and morale issues exist, these deficiencies could have a near-term impact on combat readiness. However, the report describes the effects as temporary, noting that China’s modernization efforts are expected to continue despite the disruptions.
China’s military posture remains assertive in the Indo-Pacific region, with increased deployments around Taiwan and ongoing efforts to support territorial claims. Defense spending continues to rise, accounting for nearly 44% of regional military expenditure by 2025. Despite these challenges, Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of deepening political education within the PLA and addressing corruption, calling it a “revolutionary forging” process.
This situation matters because it raises concerns about China’s ability to maintain its military capabilities in the near term. While modernization efforts are ongoing, the leadership vacuum created by the purges could leave gaps in command structures that might impact operational readiness. Additionally, the global implications of these developments are significant, as China’s military actions in the Indo-Pacific continue to shape regional stability and security dynamics.
The IISS report underscores the complexities of balancing anti-corruption efforts with
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/26/2026