National Defence Mobilisation Offices

June 30, 2023

China has adopted new approaches in mobilizing its troops, seeking to enhance its readiness in the event of contingencies or escalations. These developments have led to the establishment of National Defence Mobilisation Offices (NDMOs), which serve crucial functions at the local level.

National Defence Mobilisation Offices (NDMOs)

NDMOs have been established across various cities and regions in China. These offices play a significant role in economic mobilization, civil air defense mobilization, traffic readiness, equipment mobilization, technology mobilization, planning, and implementation of mobilization processes. They act as key coordinators in managing and executing mobilization efforts within their respective jurisdictions.

The New Reserve Personnel Law

China’s Reserve Personnel Law, implemented from March 1, 2023, aims to improve the attractiveness of reserve duty and address various aspects of reserve personnel management. This law covers areas such as military ranks, training, promotion, mobilization, personnel benefits, and retirement.

Interconnection between NDMOs and Reserve Personnel Law

Both NDMOs and the Reserve Personnel Law are interconnected and serve the purpose of enhancing China’s military and civilian mobilization capabilities during potential border escalations or conflicts. NDMOs are responsible for recruiting and managing militia and reserve forces at the local level, while the Reserve Personnel Law focuses on expanding the reservist force and making it more effective.

Expanding the Reservist Force

The objective of expanding the reservist force is to increase the availability of active duty personnel during contingencies and to ensure efficient management of supply lines. By recruiting and training more region-specific and contingency-specific militia and reserve personnel, China aims to enhance its capabilities in localized defense scenarios.

Implications and Questions

These reforms raise important questions regarding China’s armed forces and ongoing military reforms. Firstly, the capabilities of the NDMOs come under scrutiny, considering their lack of experience and resources for recruitment. Additionally, the expansion of the reserve personnel cadre seems to contradict the ongoing effort to streamline and technologically advance the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Moreover, the credibility of the newly formed PLA Joint Logistics Support Force comes into question, as the mobilization mandates of the reservist force involve logistics and supply line management. Finally, there is curiosity surrounding the distribution of spending on the armed forces and how the expansion of the reservist force will be funded.

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