Which statement about joint C2 in PLA doctrine is accurate?

• A. It operates independently in each service with no interoperability.
• B. It uses centralized command and control with shared ISR across Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force.
• C. It relies solely on ground-based commands.
• D. It excludes space-based assets from ISR.

Answer: (B)

Joint command and control in PLA doctrine centers on centralized authority and a unified command network that spans all services—Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force. This arrangement uses a shared ISR capability to feed a single operational picture, enabling synchronized planning, decision-making, and execution across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. The reforms that created a Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission and dedicated joint battle command centers are aimed at breaking service silos and ensuring cross-domain coordination. Because space-based assets are integrated into the joint ISR network to provide comprehensive situational awareness, they aren’t excluded. This combination—centralized C2 plus shared ISR across all services—best captures how PLA doctrine envisions joint operations.