Military purge leaves China’s PLA with ‘serious deficiencies’: How Xi’s anti-corruption drive is hitting readiness

Chinese President Xi Jinping stands in a car to review troops during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo/File Photo

China’s anti-corruption drive in its military has created leadership gaps and could impact the PLA’s readiness, says the IISS. Despite the purge, China’s defence spending and military activities in the Indo-Pacific continue to rise, with effects seen as temporary.

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China’s sweeping anti-corruption drive within its armed forces is creating serious gaps in military leadership and could undermine the readiness of the rapidly modernising People’s Liberation Army, according to a new assessment by a leading global defence think tank.

In its annual Military Balance report, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said ongoing corruption investigations have left the PLA with “serious deficiencies” at senior command levels.

Senior command hit by corruption crackdown

The report said the purge has spread across key pillars of China’s military establishment, including the powerful Central Military Commission, regional theatre commands, weapons procurement bodies and defence-linked academic institutions. It added that the process may still be ongoing.

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

China’s defence ministry has not yet responded to the findings.

Top generals under investigation

The assessment follows the disciplining of two of China’s most senior military officers in what analysts describe as the most high-profile military purge in decades.

Veteran general Zhang Youxia, a long-time ally of Xi Jinping, was placed under investigation in January. Another top commander, He Weidong, was expelled in October last year.

As a result, the seven-member Central Military Commission has effectively been reduced to just two active members. These are Xi Jinping, who chairs the body, and newly promoted vice chairman Zhang Shengmin.

Near-term impact likely, says report

The IISS warned that the purge could have immediate operational consequences.

If personnel had been promoted due to connections, faulty weapons introduced through contract problems and morale weakened across the ranks, “the purge is almost certain to have a near-term impact,” the report said.

However, it added that the effects are expected to be temporary. “Modernisation is likely to continue apace,” the report noted.

Military pressure in Indo-Pacific continues

Despite leadership disruptions, the IISS said China continues to expand its military footprint across the Indo-Pacific.

The report highlighted stepped-up Chinese military deployments around Taiwan in 2025, describing them as part of Beijing’s efforts to reinforce territorial claims and strengthen diplomatic leverage.

Xi acknowledges unusual year for PLA

President Xi Jinping made a rare public reference to the anti-corruption campaign in a recent virtual address to China’s armed forces.

“The past year has been unusual and extraordinary,” Xi said.

“The People’s Army has deepened its political education, effectively addressed various risks and challenges, and undergone revolutionary forging in the fight against corruption,” he added.

Defence spending continues to surge

According to the IISS, China’s defence spending continues to rise faster than that of other Asian countries, even as global military budgets surge.

China accounted for nearly 44 percent of total regional defence expenditure in 2025, up from an average of 37 percent between 2010 and 2020, underscoring Beijing’s growing military weight despite internal turbulence within its armed forces.