The Equipment Development Department of the Central Military Commission[1] (Chinese: 中央军委装备发展部) is a major unit of deputy theater grade under the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. It was founded on January 11, 2016, under Xi Jinping's military reforms.[2]
The department mission is to coordinate, oversee, and foster the development and acquisition of military technology.[3] Gen. Zhang Youxia served as the first director. The current director is Xu Xueqiang. It also registers the patents related to military technology. The Manned Flight Office is also hosted there, meaning that the Department plays a critical role in the Chinese space program.[4]