Under Cover: Beijing Military City – the largest Wartime Command Complex on Earth

China is building the Beijing Military City, a concealed, partly subterranean facility spread over roughly 1,500 acres that will go on to be the largest wartime command complex on planet Earth. The new partially underground complex is located about 20–30 km southwest of Beijing and is expected to be operational by 2027—the 100th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It also coincides with Xi Jinping’s vision to transform the PLA into a “world-class force” by the end of this centenary.

Early satellite imagery points to deep excavation pits, interlaced tunnels and hardened bunkers—an underground lattice meant to shield China’s political and military leadership from AI-enabled attacks, strategic bombardment and even nuclear strike. Its main purpose is to protect China’s top political and military leadership and ensure that they are safe during war and peace.

The new complex is widely seen as a successor to the ageing Western Hills (Xishan) underground command compound northwest of Zhongnanhai, long associated with the Central Military Commission’s Joint Operations Command Centre. In effect, Beijing Military City is intended to be China’s primary command and control (C2) hub—in both the physical and virtual sense—where leaders build a common operating picture, weigh options, set rules of engagement, and transmit resilient, secure orders across land, sea, air, cyber and space. 

What is a C2 hub?

A C2 hub is a command and control centre—physical or virtual—where commanders understand the situation and direct forces. It is a nerve centre where information is processed to make cutting edge decisions and decisions lead to synchronized action.

What it does, in plain terms:

• Fuses data from sensors, Intel, and field reports into a common operational picture.
• Runs decision-making: courses of action, risk/benefit, and rules of engagement.
• Generates & transmits orders to units via secure, redundant communications.
• Coordinates across domains (land, sea, air, cyber, space) and with civilian agencies.
• Ensures continuity during crises (backup power, EMP shielding, alternate sites).

The Beijing Military Complex will have the latest gadgets to assist human commanders analyse battlefield data in real-time, and take informed decisions in the shortest possible response time with the help of AI-enabled command, control, communication and intelligence systems.

In due course, the Beijing Military City will surpass Pentagon – the most experienced battle-tested command structure and iconic military command centre in the world at present, in terms of scale, modernization, and integration. It will be self-sufficient and have living quarters, medical facilities, logistics hubs, and even recreational amenities—so that people could operate independently for extended periods.

Some of the similar wartime/operational command centres include the U.S. National Military Command Centre (Pentagon), the UK’s PINDAR bunker, and Russian National Defence Management Centre.

Military command centres and the role they play

Military command centres are places where crucial decisions are taken and implemented in split seconds. They are rooms and bunkers where radar feeds and satellite imagery present a clear picture before the Prime Minister/ President and generals to tide over a cyberattack or bombardment.  These centres enable seamless communication, real-time decision making, and situational awareness for senior leadership and the forces on ground.

In the USA there are a number of military command centres which coordinate, direct, and monitor military operations both nationally and globally. These agencies act as strategic nerve centres for national defence, crisis management, and emergency communication. 

The National Military Command Centre (NMCC) – in the Pentagon acts as the central military command and communications facility and is responsible for monitoring global events, issuing Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) to missile launch crews, submarines, reconnaissance aircraft, and battlefield commanders worldwide. Its primary mission is to ensure effective monitoring of worldwide defence events, and coordination of military operations, especially in situations demanding emergency response or nuclear readiness. It maintains the U.S.–Russia hotline (the “red telephone”).  It is the round-the-clock “ops floor” for the National Command Authority and reports to the President and Secretary of Defence. 

The NMCC’s operations are managed by five teams each led by a Deputy Director —usually a senior officer from one of the military branches who work in shifts. It is the operational heart of the Defence Department and its main role is to ensure robust command and control for national security at all times.

United States Central Command (CENTCOM): Headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, CENTCOM is responsible for strategic planning, resource allocation, intelligence collection, crisis response, and joint operations across over 20 countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia.

United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM): Based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, USSTRATCOM leads strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, communications, and global strike missions. It maintains battlespace awareness by integrating intelligence from land, air, and space, providing rapid situational response during threats or conflicts.

Raven Rock Mountain Complex, also known as “Site R”: often referred to as the “underground Pentagon” is a highly secure underground military installation located near Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, on the border with Maryland. The Raven Rock Mountain Complex is a cornerstone of U.S. strategic defence, securing national leadership and command capabilities under any catastrophic event. Its mission is to ensure U.S. military command and government operations can continue during national emergencies, including nuclear attacks. Equipped with over 30 advanced communications systems, Site R is designed to maintain secure nationwide and international contact even during severe crises.

Site R is carved into Raven Rock Mountain, with reinforced blast doors, thick concrete walls, and is self-sufficient with its own power plants, water reservoirs, and air filtration systems. The complex can accommodate as many as 3,000 people for extended operations, providing all essential life services—power, water, medical, and even amenities like dining, a fitness centre, and recreational facilities. Entry is strictly restricted to authorized personnel, and operational details within the complex remain highly classified for security reasons.

Likewise, NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defence Command – is located at Peterson Space Force Base near Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. An alternative command bunker is located inside Cheyenne Mountain, also near Colorado Springs; it is designed for use during crisis situations and nuclear attacks. NORAD mainly keeps track of aircraft, missiles, or space objects that could threaten North America using an integrated network of sensors, satellites, and radars. It is responsible for ensuring sanctity of the airspace over Canada and the United States, employ fighter jets, airborne and ground-based radars to respond to threats and intercept unauthorized aircraft.

NORAD controls three regions:

• Alaskan NORAD Region (ANR): Headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, responsible for Alaskan airspace surveillance and defence.
• Canadian NORAD Region (CANR): Headquartered at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Manitoba, responsible for Canadian airspace. 
• Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR): Headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, overseeing air sovereignty for the continental U.S.

In addition to these there are regional and service-specific command centres like US Army North (USARNORTH), US Army Pacific, US Army Space and Missile Defence Command, and US Army Special Operations Command.

India’s military command and control network is anchored by the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) network across Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir. These centres are fortified against missile and cyber threats and are equipped with advanced battlefield visualization tools, secure communications, and AI-ready architecture. The IACCS network serves as the backbone of India’s air defence, integrating real-time data from ground-based radars, airborne warning systems (AWACS), drones, satellites, and fighter aircraft.

Complementing IACCS is the Army’s Akashteer system, managing low-level airspace and ground-based defences. It is being integrated with IACCS to create a seamless, multi-layered defence shield. India is also planning joint theatre commands to unify operations across services, with future command centres to support maritime, air defence, and integrated land operations. 

India’s command and control network was put to a real-world test during Operation Sindoor, which began as a calibrated military response to terrorist activity in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, but escalated when Pakistan launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Indian military and civilian infrastructure. IACCS played a pivotal role in India’s defence, by enabling rapid interception, jamming, and precision counterstrikes’ of incoming threats. The operation showcased India’s shift toward intelligent, tech-driven warfare and a resilient, adaptive command structure.

The system coordinated responses across multiple services, allowing India to intercept UAVs, jam missile guidance systems, and launch precision strikes using AI-powered loitering munitions. Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s growing capability in next-generation warfare, showcasing a command and control network that is not only resilient and responsive but increasingly intelligent and adaptive.

Russia’s military command structure is anchored by a network of centralized and regional command centres, with the National Defence Management Centre (NDMC) in Moscow serving as the supreme command and control hub. Established in December 2014, the NDMC—also known as the National Defence Control Centre—is located at Frunzenskaya Embankment and operates under the General Staff of the Armed Forces. It is equipped with a powerful supercomputer capable of 16 petaflops and 236 petabytes of storage, running on Astra Linux, Russia’s military-grade operating system. The NDMC oversees strategic operations, including those in Syria and Ukraine, and is undergoing modernization with artificial intelligence integration.

Supporting the NDMC are several digital command and control systems. The YESU-TZ (Unified Command and Control System for Troops and Weapons) provides operational-level coordination across Russia’s five Military Districts—Western, Central, Southern, Eastern, and Northern. These districts consolidate forces into Combined Arms Armies (CAAs), integrating motorized rifle, tank, airborne, and naval infantry units. At the tactical level, systems like Akatsiya-M manage logistics and battlefield organization for divisions and brigades, while Andromeda-D offers near real-time battlefield visualization for airborne forces. This layered structure allows Russia to translate political directives into coordinated military actions across its vast territory, integrating strategic oversight with tactical execution.

France’s military command and control centre is housed in a secure underground facility in Paris, beneath the Ministry of Armed Forces complex and serves as the operational nerve hub for the Chief of the Defence Staff (CEMA) and senior commanders from the Army, Navy, Air and Space Force, and Special Forces. The facility is designed to be a discreet yet highly fortified concrete bunker concealed beneath a double-skinned façade of screen-printed and ceramic glass. It supports real-time coordination of military operations, strategic planning, and crisis response.

France is now building a dedicated Command and Control Centre for Military Space Operations near the Toulouse Space Centre. This facility will oversee satellite control, space surveillance, and multi-domain operations, reinforcing France’s strategic posture in the space domain.

Israel’s Kirya Defence Campus in Tel Aviv is the central nerve centre of the country’s military and political operations. Located in the heart of Tel Aviv, the Kirya (Hebrew meaning “The Campus”) is an urban military base that houses the headquarters of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the Ministry of Defence, and other key security institutions.

Beneath this complex lies the highly secure underground command post colloquially known as “the Pit.” This subterranean facility serves as the IDF’s main wartime command centre and is designed to withstand missile attacks and other threats. The Pit is equipped with advanced communications and surveillance systems, allowing real-time coordination of military responses and strategic decision-making. It symbolizes Israel’s emphasis on rapid, centralized control in times of crisis, and plays a pivotal role in national defence planning and execution. 

It is where Israel’s top military and political leaders convene during emergencies, major operations, or strategic drills. For example, the security cabinet met in “the Pit” during the April 2024 Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel, and again in August 2024 for emergency preparedness exercises. In 2025, Israeli and international media spotlighted the “Fortress of Zion,” a newly constructed, deeply buried command post beneath the IDF headquarters at Rabin Base in Tel Aviv. This advanced bunker was designed to support high-tempo, technology-driven air campaigns and wartime operations. Some of the key features of the underground Fortress of Zion situated directly beneath the IDF’s main campus in Tel Aviv, include enhanced protection against missile attacks and cyber threats as well as cutting-edge communications, surveillance, and operational systems to coordinate complex air and ground operations. This facility reflects Israel’s strategic emphasis on survivability and operational continuity in high-intensity conflict scenarios.

NATO’s military C2 is cantered at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, near Mons, Belgium. SHAPE serves as the operational heart of NATO’s military structure and is home to the Allied Command Operations (ACO), which oversees all NATO missions worldwide. It is headed by a U.S. four-star general who reports directly to NATO’s Military Committee and the North Atlantic Council. SHAPE directs planning, force deployment, and crisis response across 31 allies, integrating land, air, sea, cyber, and space. It’s reinforced by JFC Brunssum and JFC Naples, AIRCOM (Ramstein), MARCOM (Northwood), and LANDCOM (Izmir), all linked via the NATO Command Structure and Federated Mission Networking for secure, interoperable, real-time coordination—enabling rapid adaptation from conventional to cyber and hybrid threats. SHAPE and its supporting commands form the backbone of NATO’s collective defence, enabling coordinated multinational operations and strategic deterrence across Europe and beyond.

The UK’s military C2 centres on the Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) at Northwood, Hertfordshire—the strategic hub for overseas operations across the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF, led by the Chief of Joint Operations under the CDS/MoD. Northwood also hosts UK Strategic Command, Royal Navy Command (Maritime Operations Centre), and NATO’s MARCOM, forming a secure, digitally integrated node that coordinates multi-domain missions from counter-terror and humanitarian aid to nuclear C2 with allies. Air Command (RAF High Wycombe), Army HQ (Andover), and Navy Command (Portsmouth) round out a resilient, interoperable national network.

Germany’s military C2 is anchored by the Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) in Berlin/Bonn, with the operational nerve centre at the Bundeswehr Operations Command (Einsatzführungskommando) in Schwielowsee near Potsdam. Reporting to the Chief of Defence, it plans and directs all overseas missions and synchronizes with NATO/EU, delivering secure, digitally integrated, real-time oversight across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Supporting nodes include the Air Operations Centre (Kalkar/Uedem), Naval Operations Command (Glücksburg), and Army Command (Strausberg), all linked via FüInfoSysSK for interoperable, secure communications; Germany is also investing in AI and cyber to harden C2 against hybrid threats.

The Operations Command operates under the Chief of Defence and is responsible for planning, directing, and controlling all Bundeswehr missions abroad. It is a highly secure and digitally integrated facility, enabling real-time mission oversight, strategic planning, and crisis response across Germany’s Army (Heer), Navy (Marine), and Air Force (Luftwaffe).

Conclusion

Military command and control centres are the strategic hubs that enable fast, coordinated operations across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, and space. The common thread is clear. Modern command centres are not mere rooms lined with screens; they are living, adaptive systems built to ingest torrents of data, distil clarity quickly and translate political direction into synchronised effects across domains.