The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army has invested additional efforts in reform, innovation and development, and advanced the overall transformation of the service, says a white paper on national defense on Thursday.

The PLA Army has emphasized the development of new types of combat forces, optimized its organization and structure, strengthened military training, accelerated the digitized upgrading and retrofitting of main battle weaponry, deployed new types of weapon platforms, and boosted its capabilities in long-distance maneuvers and integrated assaults, says the white paper.

The PLA Army has made great progress in strengthening its arms, says the white paper, issued by the Information Office of the State Council.

The armored component has strengthened the development of digitized units, accelerated the mechanization of motorized units, and improved its combat system, which combines heavy, light, amphibious and airborne assault forces, it says.

The artillery component has been working on new types of weapons, equipment, and ammunition with higher levels of informationization, forming an operational and tactical in-depth strike system, and developing the capacity to carry out precision operations with integrated reconnaissance, control, strike and assessment capabilities, the white paper says.

The air defense component has stepped up the development of new types of radar, command information systems, and medium- and high-altitude ground-to-air missiles. It has formed a new interception system consisting of anti-aircraft artillery and missiles, and possesses enhanced capabilities of medium- and low-altitude air and missile defense operations.

The PLA Army aviation wing has worked to move from being a support force to being a main-battle assault force, further optimized its combat force structure, and conducted modularized grouping according to different tasks. It has upgraded armed helicopters, transport and service helicopters, and improved its capabilities in air strike, force projection, and support, says the white paper.

The engineering component has accelerated its transformation into a new model of integrated and multi-functional support force which is rapid in response and can be used both in peacetime and in war. It has also strengthened its special capabilities in emergency rescue and disaster relief. In this way, capabilities in integral combat support and military operations other than Military operations other than war (MOOTW) missions have been further enhanced.

The chemical defense component has worked to develop an integrated force for nuclear, biological and chemical defense which operates both in peacetime and in war, combines civilian and military efforts, and integrates systems from various arms and services, the white paper says.

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