People's Liberation Army Ground Force: Difference between revisions

People's Liberation Army Ground Force
中国人民解放军陆军
People's Liberation Army Ground Force; 中国人民解放军陆军
	Ground Force Flag of the People's Republic of China
Active	1927 – present
Country	People's Republic of China
Branch	People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Type	Army
Size	Active; 1,700,000 ; Reserve; 800,000
Commanders
Current; commander	Gen. Chen Bingde

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The People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) (simplified Chinese: 中国人民解放军陆军; traditional Chinese: 中國人民解放軍陸軍; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Lùjūn) is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army. Its regular forces consist of 1.7 million personnel, with an additional 800,000 personnel in reserve, making it the largest active standing army in the world, and second largest in terms of army personnel.^[1] The PLAGF furthermore deploys 10,000 main battle tanks, 5,500 armoured personnel carriers, 2,200 infantry fighting vehicles and 25,000 artillery pieces as well as anti-aircraft units. Currently 40% of the ground force divisions and brigades are either armoured or mechanized to deal with potential threats. The PLA Ground Forces has and continues to undergo rapid major upgrades and re-structuring to deal with future land warfare, with front line troops, special forces, and marines given priority in receiving newer modern weapon systems

The PLA has improved its battlefield C4ISR capabilities, with the introduction of satellite communications, wireless networks, and digital radios, army commanders are now able to maintain constant communications with their front-line units while on the move. The bulk of the ground forces have been regularly asked to operate under severe electronic countermeasures conditions in exercises. Also a network-centric warfare capability connecting different combat, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance elements to form an integrated network is being developed.^[1]

History

The PLA ground forces consisted of conventionally armed main and regional units, which in 1987 made up over 70 percent of the PLA. It provided a good conventional defense, but had only limited offensive potential and was poorly equipped for nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare. Main forces included about 35 group armies, comprising 118 infantry divisions, 13 armored divisions, and 33 artillery and antiaircraft artillery divisions, plus 71 independent regiments and 21 independent battalions of mostly support troops. Regional forces consisted of 73 divisions of border defense and garrison troops plus 140 independent regiments.

Under the old system, a field army consisted of three partially motorized infantry divisions and two regiments of artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. Each field army division had over 12,000 personnel in three infantry regiments, one artillery regiment, one armored regiment, and one anti-aircraft artillery battalion. Organization was flexible, the higher echelons being free to tailor forces for combat around any number of infantry divisions. At least theoretically, each division had its own armor and artillery — actual equipment levels were not revealed and probably varied — and the assets at army level and within the independent units could be apportioned as needed.

The new, main-force group armies typically included 46,300 soldiers in up to four divisions, believed to include infantry, armor, artillery, air defense, airborne, and air support elements. Although the new group armies were supposed to reflect a move to combined-arms operations, because of a lack of mechanization they continued to consist of infantry supported by armor, artillery, and other units. The 13 armored divisions each had 3 regiments and 240 main battle tanks (MBT) but lacked adequate mechanized infantry support. There was little evidence of the use of armored personnel carriers during the Sino-Vietnamese border conflict in 1979, and tanks were used as mobile artillery and as support for dismounted infantry. Artillery forces emphasized towed guns, howitzers, and truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers. In the 1980s some self-propelled artillery entered service, but the PLA also produced rocket launchers as a cheaper but not totally effective alternative to self-propelled guns. There was a variety of construction equipment, mobile bridging, trucks, and prime movers. A new multiple rocket launcher for scattering antitank mines appeared in 1979, but mine-laying and mine-clearing equipment remained scarce.

Regional forces consisted of full-time PLA troops organized as independent divisions for garrison missions. Garrison divisions were static, artillery-heavy units deployed along the coastline and borders in areas of likely attack. Regional forces were armed less heavily than their main-force counterparts, and they were involved in training the militia. They were the PLA units commonly used to restore order during the Cultural Revolution.

In 1987 the PLA ground forces, which relied upon obsolescent but serviceable equipment, were most anxious to improve defenses against armored vehicles and aircraft. Most equipment was produced from Soviet designs of the 1950s, but weapons were being incrementally upgraded, some with Western technology. One example of upgraded, Soviet-design equipment was the Type 69 MBT, an improved version of the Type 59 MBT, itself based on the Soviet T-54 . The Type 69 had improved armor, a gun stabilizer, a fire control system including a laser rangefinder, infrared searchlights, and a 105 mm smooth-bore gun. In 1987 the existence of a new, Type 80 MBT was revealed in the Western press. The tank had a new chassis, a 105 mm gun, and a fire control system. Production of the Type 80 had not yet begun. The PLA was believed to have atomic demolition munitions, and there were unconfirmed reports that it also had tactical nuclear weapons. In any case, nuclear bombs and missiles in the Chinese inventory could be used in a theater role. The PLA had a scarcity of antitank guided missiles, tactical surface-to-air missiles, and electronics to improve communications, fire control, and sensors. China began production of the Soviet Sagger antitank missile in 1979 but lacked a more powerful, longer range, semiautomatic antitank guided missile. The PLA required a mobile surface-to-air missile and an infantry shoulder-fired missile for use against helicopters and certain other aircraft.

Formations and units

There are 18 corps sized Group Armies, divided among seven military regions — Shenyang, Beijing, Lanzhou, Jinan, Nanjing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Within the military regions, divisions are being downsized into brigades.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) currently attributes the PLA Ground Force with nine active tank divisions consisting of a number of armored brigades. Dennis Blasko wrote in 2000^[2] that the traditional structure of PLA divisions consisted roughly of three regiments – tuan – of the main arm, each of three battalions plus support units, a fourth regiment of infantry (in an armored division) or armor (in an infantry division), an artillery regiment, an anti-aircraft regiment or battalion, and signals, engineer, reconnaissance, and chemical defense battalions or companies, plus combat service support units.

A typical PLA armored brigade has 4 tank battalions (124 main battle tanks) – each tank battalion has 3 tank companies (30 + 1 tank for the battalion commander), 1 mechanized infantry battalion (40 armored personnel carriers), 1 artillery battalion (18 self-propelled howitzers) – 3 batteries of 6 guns each and 1 anti-aircraft battalion

There are 8 active artillery divisions consisting of a number of artillery brigades. A typical PLA artillery brigade has 4 artillery battalions each with 18 guns in 3 batteries and 1 self-propelled anti-tank gun battalion (18 vehicles).

Brigades are a relatively new formation for the PLA. Introduced in the 1990s, the PLA plans to expand their number and rid itself of the massive, rigid formations of the Soviet model. As a step towards modernizing its army, this new system allows for smaller, cross-service arm battle groups of battalion size within a brigade to operate independently, increasing the PLA's ability to respond to a rapidly changing battle situation. The PLA has yet to fully take advantage of this new formation, but has been taking steps to successfully integrate it in its force structure.^[3]

Squad members and equipment

Mechanized infantry are soldiers carried by Infantry Fighting Vehicles. A mechanized infantry squad consists of nine men; six armed with QBZ-95 assault rifles, one machine gunner and crewman, and one RPG gunner. Non-mechanized infantry are soldiers moved by truck. A non-mechanized squad consists of 12 men; the original nine men plus one extra machine gun crew and RPG. Troops wear green-patterned camouflage uniforms, combat helmets, and flak jackets (rather than ballistic vests with ceramic plates). The dismounted squad has two walkie-talkie radios, while the vehicle has a longer range radio and intercom system.^[4]

Infantry equipment

Pistols

QSW-06 - Limited Use
QSZ-92 – Supplementing Type 54 as standard service sidearm
Type 59 - Adopted by People Liberation Army in 1959
Type 54 – TT1930/1933 Standard service pistol

Submachine Guns

QCW-05 – Serving only in Special Forces
Type 85 – Upgraded Type 79
Type 79 – Serving only in Special Forces and Airborne Forces

Rifles

QBZ-03 - Limited Use
QBZ-95 – Standard service Assault Rifle
Type 81 – Serving only in Reserve Forces
Type-56 rifle - Reserve and militia use.
Type-56 Carbine -Ceremonial and Militia use.

Nonlinear Line Of Sight Weapons

HD66 – 9mm ^[5]
CF06 – 9mm ^[5]

Machine guns

CF06 – 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun^[6]
QBB-95 – Standard service light support weapon variant of QBZ-95
QJY-88 – Replacing Type 67 general-purpose machine gun
Type 81 LMG – Light purpose machine gun variant of Type 81 Assault Rifle
Type 86 – upgraded Type 80
Type 80 – PKMS
Type 67 – Replacing Type 53 (SG43) and Type 57 (SGM) general-purpose machine guns

Heavy machine guns

W85 – 12.7 mm ^[7]
Type 77 – 12.7 mm ^[8]

Sniper rifles

AMR-2 – Anti-material sniper rifle
M06 – Anti-material sniper rifle
M99 – Anti-material sniper rifle
JS 12.7 – Anti-material sniper rifle
JS 05 – Anti-material sniper rifle
JS 7.62 – Serving only in Police Sniper Division
QBU-88 – Standard service designated marksmen rifle

Shoulder fired weapons

PF-98 – 120 mm Anti-tank rocket launcher
PF-97 – 80 mm fuel air explosive rocket launcher
PF-89 – 80 mm Lightweight Anti-tank rocket launcher, replacing the Type 69-1 RPG
FHJ-84 – 2x62mm Rocket launcher
Type 79
Type 78 – Recoilless Gun
Type 70 – 62 mm ^[9]
Type 69 RPG – 40 mm RPG launcher, derivative of RPG-7

Automatic grenade launchers

Type 91
QBL-06
Type 87

Hand grenades

Type 59
Type 42

Mortars

Type 67 – 82 mm
Type 87 – 82 mm

Objective individual combat weapon

ZH-05

Gatling type weapons

Hua Qing Minigun – 7.62 mm
CS/LM12 – 7.62 mm
CS/LM5 – 12.7 mm
14.5 mm – 14.5 mm

Anti-aircraft guns

QJC-88 – 12.7 mm^[10]
W77 – 12.7 mm ^[11]

Vehicles

Tanks

Main battle tanks

MBT-3000 - Developmental 3rd Generation MBT
Type 99 – 3rd Generation MBT
- Type 98 – Prototype, evolved into Type 99 (Limited Type 98G service)
Type 96 – 3rd Generation MBT, only MBT along with Type 99 in production
- Type 96G
- Type 90
Type 88
- Type 85
- Type 80 – Earlier variant of Type 88
Type 79 – Main battle tank
Type 69 – main battle tank (300 In Service)
Type 59D & Type 59D1 – Battle Tank, upgraded version of Type 59-IIA, Type 59-II, Type 59-I & Type 59 ^[12]
Type 59 – One of the first Chinese Battle Tanks in PLA service

Light/amphibious tanks

ZTD05 – amphibious assault tank
Type 63A – amphibious light tank (+300 In Service) ^[13]
Type 63 – amphibious light tank, similar to Russian PT-76 (500 In Service)

Infantry fighting vehicles

File:ZSD-89 APC.jpg

Type 89

Type 07 – IFV, APC, and self-propelled howitzer built ^[14]^[15]
ZBD2000 – amphibious infantry fighting vehicle
ZLC2000 – airborne infantry fighting vehicle
NGIFV – infantry fighting vehicle
ZBD-97 – infantry fighting vehicle
NVH-4 – infantry fighting vehicle
NVH-1 – infantry fighting vehicle
YW307 – infantry fighting vehicle^[16]
YW309 – infantry fighting vehicle
NFV-1 – infantry fighting vehicle
ZSL-93 ^[17]
Type 91 IFV – Powered by the 360 hp engine and has a longer chassis with 6 roadwheels either side. It is fitted with a 2-man turret. The turret can be armed with an automatic gun of calibre 23, 25 or 30 mm.
Type 90/92A/ZSL-92A – upgraded versions of Type 92 amphibious IFV
Type 92/ZSL-92 – amphibious IFV; 6X6 and 8X8 variants in service (1,000 In Service)
Type 90 – IFV
Type 89 – IFV
Type 86/WZ 501/WZ 501A/WZ 503/WZ 504 – copy of Russian BMP-1 (~1,000)

Armored personnel carriers

8M - Wheeled mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle jointly developed by Norinco and South African firm EWI2 for China,^[18] first revealed in mid-2012.^[19]
CS/VP4 - Wheeled mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle developed by Poly Technologies based on Caprivi Mk 1 MRAP of South African firm Mobile Land Systems (MLS).,^[20]^[21] first revealed in the 9th Zhuhai Airshow in November 2012.^[22]^[23] Poly Technologies imported eleven Caprivi Mk 1 vehicles from MLS with technologies in the beginning of November 2010,^[24]^[25]^[26] and CS/VP4 is the Chinese development of Caprivi.^[27]^[28]
CS/VP3 - Wheeled mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle developed by Poly Technologies^[29] as a lighter 4 x 4 version of heavier 8 x 8 CS/VP4 mentioned above.^[30]
WZ0001 – IFV, APC
ZTD05 – IFV, APC
ZTL05 – IFV, APC^[31]
ZBD04 – IFV, APC^[32]
ZBD05 – IFV, APC
BK1050 – IFV, APC
Type 07 – IFV, APC, and self-propelled howitzer built ^[14]^[15]
ZFB08 – IFV, APC, and self-propelled howitzer
NGIFV – Armored personnel carrier
BK1990 – Armored personnel carrier
Type 90 – Armored personnel carrier
ZSD90 – Armored personnel carrier^[33]
ZSL-93 – Armored Personnel Carrier
ZSL-92 – Armored Personnel Carrier
Type 89 – Armored Personnel Carrier (In Service-Main)
YW309 – Armored personnel carrier
NFV-1 – Armored personnel carrier
Type 85 – Armored Fighting Vehicle
Type 81 – Armored personnel carrier ^[34]
Type 77 – Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (In Service)
Type 63 – Armored Personnel Carrier (In Service)

ATGM carriers

SW1^[35]
ZBD2000
WZ551
Type 89
WZ504
WZ550 ^[36]
Type 63

Rocket artillery

'BP-12A
AR3 – 300 mm
AR1A – 300 mm ^[37]
AR2 – 300 mm ^[37]
SY-400 – strategic MLRS, first unveiled at the 2008 Zhuhai Airshow ^[38]
WS-3^[35]
WS-2
WS-1 and WS-1B – an 8 and 4 tube 320 mm multiple launch rocket system by Sichuan Aerospace Industry Corporation (SCAIC, also known as Base 062)
A-100 MRL – 10 tube 300 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher System
WM-80 – 273 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems
Type 90 – 30 x 130 mm
Type 90 AFV
WM-40 – 273 mm
Type 85/YW 306 a 23 mm rocket artillery guns (copy of Russian ZU-23-2) on a YW 531H chassis and Type 82 artillery (on a Yanan SX250 6X6 truck) – 30 tube 130 mm multiple rocket launcher replacing the 19 tube 130 mm multiple rocket launcher of the Type 70 (on a YW 531C) and Type 63 (on a 4X4 truck)
Type 90 (on a Tiema SC2030 6X6 flatbed truck) and Type 89 (tracks) – 40 tube 122 mm multiple launch rocket system replacing the Type 81
WS-2 – 302/400 mm
Type 90- 122 mm
Type 89 – 40X122 mm
Type 81 – 107 mm
Type 65 – rocket system ^[39]
Type 63 – 130 mm
Type 63 – 107 mm
PHL96 – 300 mm
PHZ-89 – 122 mm
PHL-03 – 12X122 mm
PHZ-89 – 122 mm
Type 85 – 130 mm ^[40]
Type 70 – 122 mm
Type 83 – 4X273 mm
Type 90 – 40X122 mm
Type 81 – 40X122 mm
Type 82 – 30X130 mm
Type 82 – 130X130 mm
Type 762 – 284 mm
Type 74 – 284 mm
Type 70 – 19X130 mm

Gun artillery

PLZ-04 – 54 calibre
PLZ-52 – 155 mm
PLZ-05 – 105 mm
PLZ-05 – 155 mm
PLZ-45 – 155 mm self-propelled howitzer might replace the obsolete Type 83 which is a 152 mm self-propelled howitzer
ZBL-09 Snow Leopard – 122mm variant
ZBL-09 Snow Leopard – 105mm variant
PLZ-09 – IFV, APC 155 mm
ZBL-09 Snow Leopard – twin 120 mm mortar variant^[14]
ZBL-09 Snow Leopard – 122 mm mortar
Norinco SH1 – 155 mm
PLL05 – 120 mm
SH3 – 122 mm
SH2 – 122 mm
SP-3 – 122mm SP howitzer
Type 83 – 152 mm ^[41]
Type 96 – SP howitzer^[42]
SH-5 – 105 mm self-propelled howitzer
Type 92 – 122 mm self-propelled
Type 92 – 105 mm self-propelled
Type 92 – 120 mm self-propelled
Type 90 – 122 mm self-propelled
Type 91 – 120 mm self-propelled
Type 85 howitzer – 122 mm self-propelled
YW 323 D30 (based on the YW 531H)
Type 89/ PLZ-89 (based on the Type 77 APC) – amphibious 122 mm self-propelled howitzers replacing the Type 85 (YW 531C chassis) and Type 70 (YW 531B chassis)
SM4 – 81 mm automatic mortar carrier
Type 85 mortar – self-propelled 120 mm
Type 85 mortar – self-propelled 82 mm
W90 – 203 mm self-propelled howitzer
Type 83 – 120 mm self-propelled
WZ551 mortar – 120 mm
Type 90 mortar carrier – 120 mm
Type 90 mortar carrier – 82 mm
Type 85 – 122 mm self-propelled
Type 70 – 122 mm
YW 382 (120 mm) and YW 383 (82 mm) – amphibious mortar carriers based on the YW 531H replacing the YW 381 and YW 304 respectively which were based on the YW 531C
YW 381 – 120 mm
YW 304 – 82 mm
Type 70 – self-propelled 122 mm
WA021 – 155 mm ^[43]
PLL01 – 155 mm
AH4 - 155 mm
AH2 - 155 mm
AH1 - 155 mm
WAC 21 – 155 mm
GM-45 – 155 mm
Type 86 – 152 mm
Type 83 – 152 mm
Type 66 – 152 mm
Type 54 – 152 mm
Type 59 and Type 59-1 – copy of the soviet M46 130 mm towed field gun
Type 86 – 122 mm anti-tank gun ^[44]
Type 96 – 122 mm
Type 85 – 122 mm towed howitzer derived from the soviet D-30 (M1963) and replaced the Type 54 howitzer
Type 86 – 122 mm
Type 83 – 122 mm
Type 60 – 122 mm
Type 54 – 122 mm towed
Type 59 – 100 mm
Type 56 – 85 mm
Type 54 – 76 mm anti-tank
Type 55 – 57 mm anti-tank
Type 55 – 160 mm self-propelled mortar

Anti-tank guns

Norinco Assaulter – 105mm
ZBL-09 Snow Leopard – 105mm
VN1
ZFB08
Type 07 – 105 mm
BK1990 – 120 mm
BK1990 – 105 mm
BK1990 – 100 mm
PTL-02 – 100 mm
Type 89 – 120 mm
Type 86 – 100 mm
Type 86 – 122 mm ^[44]
Type 83 – 120 mm^[45]
Type 75 – 105 mm
Type 73 – 100 mm
Type 55- 57 mm
Type 54- 76 mm
Type 54- 85 mm ^[46]

Anti-aircraft munitions

Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns

ZBL-09 - 35 mm
PGZ-07 – 4 X 35mm^[47]
PGZ04 – 4 X 25mm^[48]^[49]
WZ9003 – 35mm
BK1060 – 35mm
CSSA-1 – 35mm^[50]
CS/SA1 – 2 X 35mm
Type 80 – 2 X 57 mm, self-propelled anti-aircraft equivalent to the ZSU-57-2 but using the Type 69 tank chassis.
Type 85 (WZ554) – 2 X 23 mm
Type 88 (PGZ-88) – 2 X 37 mm
Type 90-2 – 4 x 25mm
Type 95 SPAAA (PGZ-95) – 4 X 25 mm and 4 X fire-and-forget QW-2 missiles.

Autocannons

SW1^[35]
LD-2000 – 7 X 30 mm
Type 90 – 2 X 35 mm, copy of Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon.^[51]
SG ADS – 23mm towed
Type 85 – 2 X 23 mm, copy of the Soviet ZU-23-2.^[52]
Type 87 – 2 X 25 mm, improved version of the Type 85.^[53]
Type 87 – 2 X 37mm
Type 80 – 2 X 25mm
Type 88 – 37mm
Type 63 – 37mm
Type 90 – 35mm
Type 99 – 35mm^[54]
Type 87 – 25 mm^[55]
Type 85 – 25 mm
Type 72 – 85 mm, reported to be the Chinese copy of Soviet M1939 (52-K)
Type 59 – 57 mm, copy of the Soviet 57 mm AZP S-60.^[56]
Type 65/74 – 2 X 37 mm, twin barrel copy of the Soviet 37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939.^[57]
Type 59 – 100 mm, copy of the Soviet KS-19 gun.^[58]
Type 80 – 23 mm
Type 87 – 25 mm

Surface-to-air missiles

KT-2/KT-2A/KT-3 – anti-satellite missile/anti-ballistic missile ^[59]
KT-1 / KT-409 – anti-satellite missile/anti-ballistic missile ^[59]
SC-19 – anti-satellite missile/anti-ballistic missile
FJ-1, FJ-2, FJ-3 – ABM
HQ-19 – highly advanced SAM system developed by China and Russia ^[60]
HQ-17 ^[61]
HQ-16 ^[61]
HQ-10 – licensed built S-300PMU-1 (SA-20A GARGOYLE) anti-aircraft missiles
HQ-9 – land and naval based anti-aircraft missile based on S-300, not taken to service due to licensing S-300PMU as HQ-10
KS-1 / KS-2 – First Chinese SAM to adopt phased array radar. Probably not taken to service due to procurement of S-300PMU as HQ-10
YITIAN
Type 90-2
FM-90
HQ-12
HQ-4 ^[62]
HQ-3 ^[62]
HQ-2J (Hongqi-2) – anti-aircraft missiles based on the Type 77 transporter, the missiles are upgraded versions of the HQ-1 which is a copy of the SA-2 Guideline
SA-15 – 35 in service^[63]
HQ-7 – based on French Crotale missile
LS-II ADS
PL-12 SAM
HQ-15 – licensed built S-300PMU-2 Favorite (SA-20B GARGOYLE)
HQ-61B – short ranged SAM, land based version of HQ-61
HQ-64 – short to medium ranged SAM, technology based on Selenia Aspide missile.^[64]
DK-9
HJ-10 – anti-helicopter missile
PL-9 – first designed as an air-to-air missile
LY-60 / FD-60 / PL10 – based on the Italian Selenia Aspide air-to-air missile.
TY-90 – first designed as an air-to-air missile – SG-II ADS towed system, LS ADS and YT ADS mobile systems.
TD-2000
QW-1 Vanguard MANPADS and mobile platforms
FB-6A – 4 x 4 vehicle mounted mobile FN-6 SAM system

MANPADS

Anza (missile)
HN-5: only in second line reserve militia units
QW-1 series
- QW-1
- QW-2
- QW-3
- QW-4
- QW-11
- QW-18
FN-6
FN-16

Non-combat vehicles

Type 84 – Bridge laying tank using the Type 69 tank chassis
Type 653 (Type 69 tank chassis) and Type 59 (Type 59 tank chassis) – armored recovery vehicles
YW 703 (based on the YW 534), Type 85 (based on the YW 531H APC) – amphibious recovery vehicles
Type 85 (based on the YW 531H), WZ 701 (based on the YW 531C), WZ 506 (based on the WZ 501) and a version based on the Type 77 – amphibious command vehicles
Type 77-2 (based on the Type 77) – amphibious artillery ammunition carrier
WZ 751 (based on the YW 531H), YW 750 (based on the YW 531C), WZ 505 (based on the WZ 501) and a version based on the Type 77 – amphibious armored ambulances
Bv206 Swedish tracked all-terrain multipurpose vehicle
Type 77 and Type 60/WZ 420/Wz 421 tracked tractors
Type 82 truck consists of the HY473 (tractor truck) and HY962 (semi-trailer) – Heavy Equipment Transporter up to 75 tons
TA580/TAS5380 (20 ton 8x8), TAS5450 (25 ton 8x8), TAS5500 (28 ton 10x10), TAS5570 (30 ton 10x10) and TAS5690 (42 ton 12x12) series special heavy duty trucks
WS2300(6x6), WS2400(8x8) and WS2500(10x8) 20 ton series special heavy duty trucks
XC2200 (copy of the German Mercedes-Benz 2060) 7.5 ton 6x6 heavy duty trucks
SX2190 (copy of the Austrian Steyr-91) 7 ton 6x6 trucks replacing the JN252, CQ261 and SX250 heavy duty trucks
SX250/SX2150 series 5 ton 6x6 heavy duty trucks
EQ2102 series 3.5 ton trucks replacing the CA30 (copy of the 2.5 ton soviet ZIL 157)
CA141/CA1091 series trucks replacing the CA10 (copy of the 3.5 ton soviet ZIL 150)
EQ240/EQ2081 and EQ245/EQ2100 series 2.5 ton trucks
EQ2050A series Humvee copied from the US M998
NJ2045/2046 series 1.5 ton lightweight vehicle
BJ212/BJ2020 series 0.5 ton lightweight 4 x4 vehicle made by Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive

Combat support vehicles

WZ7007 – armored command vehicle
Type 07 – armored command vehicle
ZBD2000 – armored command vehicle
Type 99 – armored command vehicle
Type 90 – armored command vehicle
Type 90 – armored command post
Type 85 – armored command vehicle
Type 85 – armored command post
Type 89 – armored command vehicle
WZ506 – armored command post
WZ505 – armored command vehicle
Type 81 – armored command vehicle
WZ701 – armored command vehicle
ZZC-02 – RECCE radar carrier
Type 90 – armored re-supply
ZHB-94 – armored re-supply
WZ4006 – armored repair vehicle
WZ4006 – ARV
Type 07 – ARV
ZJX-93 – ARV
Type 90 – ARV
Type 85 – ARV
Type 84 – ARV
Type 73 – ARV
Type 90 – MEDEVAC
Type 85 – MEDEVAC
WZ752 – MEDEVAC
WZ751 – MEDEVAC
WZ750 – MEDEVAC
WZ731 – armored reconnaissance vehicle
WZ721 – armored communications relay vehicle
Type 85 – maintenance engineering vehicle
Type 89 – armored refuelling vehicle
Type 89 – mine-laying vehicle
Type 89 – obstacle-removing vehicle

Missiles and projectile weapons

Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs)

HJ-13
HJ-10
HJ-9
HJ-8
J-202
J-201
265-I
HJ-73
Type 98 anti-tank rocket
PF-98
PF-97
PF-89
FHJ-84
Type 79
Type 78
Type 70 ^[9]
Type 69
Type 65
Type 52
Type 36

People's Liberation Army Ground Force Aircraft

The PLAGF also has its Army Air Corps, mandated to provide air support for the ground forces.

Type	Origin	Class	Role	Introduced	In service	Notes
Xian Y-7	China	Propeller	Transport		2	^[65]
Shaanxi Y-8	China	Propeller	Transport		2	^[65]
Shaanxi Y-9	China	Propeller	Transport		2	^[65]
Changhe Z-8/Changhe Z-8	China	Rotorcraft	Transport		135	^[65]
Harbin Z-9	China	Rotorcraft	Utility	1994	120 (est)	^[65]
CAIC WZ-10	China	Rotorcraft	Attack	2012	200	^[65]
Changhe Z-11	China	Rotorcraft	Attack/patrol	1998	53	^[65]
Harbin Z-19	China	Rotorcraft	Attack/patrol	2012	120+	^[65]
Harbin Z-20	China	Rotorcraft	Utility	2019	150 (est)	^[65]
Mil Mi-17	USSR	Rotorcraft	Transport		88	^[65]
Mil Mi-8/Mil Mi-171	USSR	Rotorcraft	Transport		140	^[65]
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri	France	Rotorcraft	Training		15	^[65]
Sikorsky S-70	USA	Rotorcraft	Executive transport	1983	19	^[65]
CH-4B	China	UAV	CISR		5+	^[65]
BZK-005	China	UAV	Heavy ISR			^[65]
BZK-009	China	UAV	Heavy ISR			^[65]
BZK-006	China	UAV	Medium ISR			^[65]
BZK-007	China	UAV	Medium ISR			^[65]
BZK-008	China	UAV	Medium ISR			^[65]

References

^ ^a ^b "World's Largest Army, Largest Army in the World". World's Largest Army, Largest Army in the World. Retrieved 2008-11-07. Cite error: The named reference "Largest Armies" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ Chapter 8, PLA Ground Forces, by Dennis J Blasko, in The People's Liberation Army as Organisation, RAND, CF182
^ Analysis: PLA's New Modular Force Structure – SinoDefence.com
^ Chinese squad – Strategypage.com, September 1, 2012
^ ^a ^b Name (required) (2008-08-23). "China's newest nonlinear of sight weapon system". China Defense Mashup. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "中国研制成功新型CF06式7.62毫米通用机枪(图)_新浪军事_新浪网". Mil.news.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "Modern Firearms - W-85 HMG". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "Modern Firearms - Type 77 HMG". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ ^a ^b Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century - Denis J. Blasko - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ Air Power Australia. "PLA Mechanised Infantry Division Air Defence Systems / PLA Point Defence Systems". Ausairpower.net. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "Современное стрелковое оружие мира - Пулеметы". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ John Pike. "People's Liberation Army". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "Type 63 Amphibious Tank". SinoDefence.com. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ ^a ^b ^c ARG. "Type 07 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ ^a ^b "Next-Generation 8X8 Wheeled Armoured Vehicles". SinoDefence.com. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ ARG. "YW 307 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ "WZ523 Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier". SinoDefence.com. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ 8M
^ 8M MRAP
^ CS/VP4 mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle
^ CS/VP4 mine resistant ambush protected vehicle
^ Chinese CS/VP4
^ China reveals CS/VP4
^ China importing Caprivi
^ Caprivi export to China
^ Caprivi for China
^ CS/VP4 vehicle
^ Caprivi for China
^ CS/VP3 vehicle
^ CS/VP3
^ "MSH Chinese". Collinsj.tripod.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ [1]^{[dead link]}
^ "ZSD90 (Type 90) Armoured Personnel Carrier". SinoDefence.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
^ [2]^{[dead link]}
^ ^a ^b ^c http://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.152/pub_detail.asp
^ http://www.sinodefence.com/army/armour/wz550.asp
^ ^a ^b http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_a106.html
^ http://www.sinodefence.com/weapons/report/zhuhai_airshow_2008b.asp
^ http://www.sinodefence.com/army/weapon.asp
^ http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-63-130.htm
^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/china/chinese_army_china._military_equipment_armoured_armored_vehicles_land_forces.html
^ http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/11/swimming-122mm-howitzer.html
^ http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-155-mm-self-propelled-gun-6-x-6-China.html
^ ^a ^b http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/type86towed_122mm.asp
^ http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-83.htm
^ http://books.google.com/books?id=xXR7k0V4Kd8C&pg=PA464&lpg=PA464&dq=chinese+anti-tank+gun&source=bl&ots=0eYCiBEhsJ&sig=_hlkocR3kDg9p2NZHnfHEROk2sQ&hl=en&ei=zX_fScaQAZiQswPPnMm0CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3
^ http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2011/10/photo-of-day-first-official-photo-of.html
^ http://mil.eastday.com/m/ybzbqjd/u1a4679775.html
^ http://news.xinmin.cn/rollnews/2009/09/29/2657371.html
^ http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-PLA-Div-ADS.html#mozTocId557763
^ "Type 90 Twin-35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ "Type 85 Twin-23mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence -". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ "Type 87 Twin-25mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence -". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ http://military.china.com/zh_cn/important/11052771/20090621/15530567.html
^ http://www.sinodefence.com/special/airdefence/fortress-china3.asp
^ "Type 59 Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ "Type 65/74 Twin-37mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ "Type 59 100mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery -sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ ^a ^b http://www.sinodefence.com/space/missile/asat.asp
^ http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws9067.html
^ ^a ^b http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws9031.html
^ ^a ^b http://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/hq2-part2.asp
^ "Almaz/Antei Concern of Air Defence Tor (NATO SA-15 'Gauntlet') low to medium-altitude self-propelled surface-to-air missile system". Jane's Information Group. 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
^ "HQ-64 (LY-60) surface to air missile – Sinodefence.com -". Sinodefense.com. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 13, 2024). The Military Balance 2024 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 255–256. ISBN 978-1032780047.

Military Balance 2006, International Institute for Strategic Studies
Sinodefence.com – Chinese military information website
Global Defence Forum

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[3]

[Largest_Armies-1] "World's Largest Army, Largest Army in the World". World's Largest Army, Largest Army in the World. Retrieved 2008-11-07. Cite error: The named reference "Largest Armies" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[2] Chapter 8, PLA Ground Forces, by Dennis J Blasko, in The People's Liberation Army as Organisation, RAND, CF182

[3] Analysis: PLA's New Modular Force Structure – SinoDefence.com

[4] Chinese squad – Strategypage.com, September 1, 2012

[china-defense-mashup.com-5] Name (required) (2008-08-23). "China's newest nonlinear of sight weapon system". China Defense Mashup. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[6] "中国研制成功新型CF06式7.62毫米通用机枪(图)_新浪军事_新浪网". Mil.news.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[7] "Modern Firearms - W-85 HMG". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[8] "Modern Firearms - Type 77 HMG". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[google1-9] Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century - Denis J. Blasko - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[ReferenceA-10] Air Power Australia. "PLA Mechanised Infantry Division Air Defence Systems / PLA Point Defence Systems". Ausairpower.net. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[World.guns.ru-11] "Современное стрелковое оружие мира - Пулеметы". World.guns.ru. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[12] John Pike. "People's Liberation Army". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[13] "Type 63 Amphibious Tank". SinoDefence.com. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[military-today1-14] ARG. "Type 07 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[sinodefence1-15] "Next-Generation 8X8 Wheeled Armoured Vehicles". SinoDefence.com. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[16] ARG. "YW 307 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[17] "WZ523 Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier". SinoDefence.com. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[18] 8M

[19] 8M MRAP

[20] CS/VP4 mine resistant, ambush protected vehicle

[21] CS/VP4 mine resistant ambush protected vehicle

[22] Chinese CS/VP4

[23] China reveals CS/VP4

[24] China importing Caprivi

[25] Caprivi export to China

[26] Caprivi for China

[27] CS/VP4 vehicle

[28] Caprivi for China

[29] CS/VP3 vehicle

[30] CS/VP3

[collinsj.tripod.com-31] "MSH Chinese". Collinsj.tripod.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[afv-news.com-32] [1]^{[dead link]}

[33] "ZSD90 (Type 90) Armoured Personnel Carrier". SinoDefence.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.

[34] [2]^{[dead link]}

[strategycenter.net-35] ttp://www.strategycenter.net/research/pubID.152/pub_detail.asp

[36] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/army/armour/wz550.asp

[janes1-37] ttp://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaa/jaa_a106.html

[38] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/weapons/report/zhuhai_airshow_2008b.asp

[39] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/army/weapon.asp

[40] ttp://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-63-130.htm

[41] ttp://www.armyrecognition.com/china/chinese_army_china._military_equipment_armoured_armored_vehicles_land_forces.html

[42] ttp://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/11/swimming-122mm-howitzer.html

[43] ttp://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/NORINCO-155-mm-self-propelled-gun-6-x-6-China.html

[sinodefence2-44] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/type86towed_122mm.asp

[45] ttp://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-83.htm

[46] ttp://books.google.com/books?id=xXR7k0V4Kd8C&pg=PA464&lpg=PA464&dq=chinese+anti-tank+gun&source=bl&ots=0eYCiBEhsJ&sig=_hlkocR3kDg9p2NZHnfHEROk2sQ&hl=en&ei=zX_fScaQAZiQswPPnMm0CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3

[47] ttp://china-defense.blogspot.com/2011/10/photo-of-day-first-official-photo-of.html

[48] ttp://mil.eastday.com/m/ybzbqjd/u1a4679775.html

[49] ttp://news.xinmin.cn/rollnews/2009/09/29/2657371.html

[50] ttp://www.ausairpower.net/APA-PLA-Div-ADS.html#mozTocId557763

[Type_90_Twin-35mm-51] "Type 90 Twin-35mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[Type_85_Twin-23mm-52] "Type 85 Twin-23mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence -". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[Type_87_Twin-25mm-53] "Type 87 Twin-25mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence -". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[54] ttp://military.china.com/zh_cn/important/11052771/20090621/15530567.html

[55] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/special/airdefence/fortress-china3.asp

[Type_59_Towed_Anti-Aircraft-56] "Type 59 Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[Type_65/74_Twin-37mm-57] "Type 65/74 Twin-37mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery – sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[Type_59_100mm-58] "Type 59 100mm Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery -sinodefence –". Sinodefence. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[sinodefence3-59] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/space/missile/asat.asp

[60] ttp://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws9067.html

[janes2-61] ttp://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jsws/jsws9031.html

[sinodefence4-62] ttp://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/hq2-part2.asp

[Janes-63] "Almaz/Antei Concern of Air Defence Tor (NATO SA-15 'Gauntlet') low to medium-altitude self-propelled surface-to-air missile system". Jane's Information Group. 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2008-08-10.

[64] "HQ-64 (LY-60) surface to air missile – Sinodefence.com -". Sinodefense.com. Retrieved 2008-11-07.

[IISS20232-65] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 13, 2024). The Military Balance 2024 (1st ed.). Routledge. pp. 255–256. ISBN 978-1032780047.

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