PLA in peril: Xi Jinping’s purge cripples China’s military, sparks fears of combat vulnerability

China’s ongoing military corruption purges have created serious deficiencies in the command structure of its armed forces and are likely to have affected the readiness of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to a leading defence research centre.

The purges, led by the Chinese president Xi Jinping, which have spanned the supreme central military commission, theatre commands, weapons procurement, development programmes, and defence academia, are expected to be incomplete, said London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) this week, according to Reuters.



“From an organisational perspective, until the vacancies are filled, the PLA is operating with serious deficiencies in its command structure,” the IISS said in its annual Military Balance survey.

The report comes after disciplinary investigations ensnared China’s two highest-ranking generals. Zhang Youxia, a long-time ally of Xi, was placed under investigation in January, while He Weidong was expelled in October last year.

The crackdown has reduced the seven-member supreme military command to just two active leaders: Xi himself and newly promoted vice chairman Zhang Shengmin.

The IISS highlighted that if personnel had been promoted through connections, or if faulty weapons and morale issues exist, “the purge is almost certain to have a near-term impact,” though it described the effects as “temporary” and noted that modernisation is expected to continue.

The report also cited China’s assertive military posture in the Indo-Pacific, particularly increased deployments around Taiwan in 2025, supporting territorial claims and statecraft.

China’s defence spending continues to outpace the rest of Asia, with its share of regional military expenditure rising to nearly 44% in 2025, up from an average of 37% between 2010 and 2020.

In a rare public reference to the purges, Xi said in a virtual address to the PLA earlier this month: “The past year has been unusual and extraordinary. The People's Army has deepened its political education, effectively addressed various risks and challenges, and undergone revolutionary forging in the fight against corruption,” according to Reuters.

The Chinese defence ministry did not immediately respond to the study.