CHINESE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY

Morale: All Regular

Proficiency: WarPac1 (note: in 2006 it became apparent that the PLA was experimenting with Western-style battalion 'battlegroups' rather than Soviet-style attachment.  In 2008 the approval of new tactical doctrine for the PLA made this shift official.  Exercises suggest a tank-heavy combined arms battalion battlegroup might consist of three tank companies, an armoured infantry company, an SP howitzer battery, an NBC recon platoon, a recovery platoon, a communications platoon, and an ambulance platoon.  An infantry-heavy one might have three mech infantry companies, a tank company, an artillery battery, an engineer platoon, an AT/AA missile platoon, and support platoons) From 2008 - NATO2.

2000- PLA Motorised Infantry Brigade

Brigade Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in cmd APC; 1-infantry stand in truck
Engineer Company: 2-stands combat engineers with trucks
Recce Company: 2-stands recce infantry
Chemical Weapons Company: 2-stands flamethrower

Artillery Regiment:
1-Artillery Battalion: 4-stands towed 152mm
1-SP Battalion: 4-stands towed 122mm
1-Rocket Battery or Battalion: 1 or 3-stands 122mm MRL
1-AT Company: 3-stands HJ-8/Jeep or HJ-73/truck
1-AA Battalion: 3-stands 35mm/37mm or 57mm towed AA gun; 3-stands MANPADS

Tank Battalion: 1-HQ tank, 5xCompanies, each 2-MBT stands

4-Infantry Battalions, each:
1-HQ stand with truck
1-Heavy Weapons Company: 1-stand 100mm mortar; 1-stand 82mmRCL; 1-stand 35mmAGL with trucks
3-Infantry Companies, each: 2-stands infantry with trucks
(Can be airlifted in helicopters - Mi-8s - vice trucks)

Ω

2000- PLA Marine Corps (PLAMC) Brigade

Brigade Headquarters:
Headquarters Company: 1-HQ stand in cmd APC; 1-infantry stand in truck

Marine Armoured Regiment
1-Marine Tank Battalion
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ ZTD-05 or ZTS-63A
3-Tank Companies, each: 2-stands ZTD-05 or ZTS-63A
2-Marine Armoured Infantry Battalions, each:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in cmd APC
3 or 4-Companies, each: 2-ZBD-05 or ZBD-86B or ZSD-63C infantry combat teams
Support Company: 1-stand 100mm mortar in APC; 1-stand 120mmRCL in APC

3-Marine Infantry Battalions, each:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand
3 Companies, each: 2-infantry stands
Support Company: 1-82mm mortar stand; 1-82mmRCL stand; 1-MMG stand

1-Artillery Battalion: 4-stands PLZ-07B or PLZ-89 122mm SP howitzer and 1-stand PHZ-89 tracked 122mm MRL

1-AT & AA Battalion:
AT Company: 3-stands HJ-8 in BJ212 Jeep
AA Company: 3-stands Red Arrow MANPADS in BJ212 Jeep
EW Company

1-Engineer Battalion:
EOD Company: 2-stands combat engineers in amphibious trucks
Breaching Company: 1-stand ZBD-05 CEV
Chemical Company: 3-stands flamethrower combat engineers
Road Company: graders; dump trucks; bulldozers

1-Amphibious Recon Battalion:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand
3-Diver Companies, each: 2-stands recon infantry

2000+ PLA Highland Mechanised Infantry Division

Division Headquarters:
Headquarters Company: 1-HQ stand in ZSD-89 command APC; 2-infantry stands in truck; 1 flamethrower infantry stand

Up to 3-Mechanised Infantry Regiments, each with:
Regimental Headquarters Company: 1-HQ Stand in Type-92 6x6 command APC
Artillery Battalion: 4-stands D30-type towed Howitzer
1-Regimental AA Company: 2-stands MANPADS in 4x4 jeep or towed 25mmAAA
1-Regimental Engineer Company: 2-Engineer stands in engineer APC; 1-Type-59 AVLB, 1-towed minelayer, 1-GSL+line charge
1-Regimental Recon Company: 2-recon infantry stands in truck
Up to 3-Light Mechanised Infantry Battalions, each with:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in Type-92 6x6 command APC
Support Company: 1-stand 100mm mortars in Type-92; 1-stand 82mmRCL in Type-92
3-Mechanised Infantry Companies, each: 2-stands Type-92B 6x6 infantry combat teams

1-Armour Regiment:
Regimental Headquarters Company: 1-HQ Stand in MBT
Artillery Battalion: 4-stands Type-89 122mm SP Howitzer
1-Regimental AA Company: 1-stand Type-95 SPAA
1-Regimental Engineer Company: 2-Engineer stands in engineer APC; 1-Type-59 AVLB, 1-towed minelayer, 1-GSL+line charge
1-Regimental Recon Company: 2-recon ZBD-86A/G or ZZC-02
3-Tank Battalions, each with:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ tank stand
3-Tank Companies, each with: 2-MBT stands
1-Armoured Infantry Battalion with:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in ZBD-86A/G command variants
Support Company: 2-stands 82mm Vaselik-type mortars portee in 4x4 jeep; 1-stand 35mmAGL in Type-89 APC
3-Armour Infantry Companies, each: 2-stands ZBD-86A/G infantry combat teams

1-Artillery Regiment:
3-SP Artillery Battalions each with:  4-stands Type-83 152mm or PLZ-05 155mm SP Howitzer
1-Rocket Artillery Battalion: 4-stands Type-89 122mm SP MRL or WS-2 400mm MRL
1-AT Battalion: Up to 6-stands ZFB-05/HJ-9 ATGM vehicles or Jeep/HJ-8; 3-stands PTL-02 100mm SP gun

1-AA Artillery Regiment:
1-SAM Battalion: 3-stands HQ-7 SAM
1-AA Battalion: 4-stands 35mm twin towed AA gun
1-AA Battalion: 4-stands towed 57mm AA gun

1-Engineer Battalion:
2-stands TMM truck-mtd bridgelayer or GZQ230/Type-79 pontoon bridge
1-stand towed minelayer or truck mounted auto-minelayer
1-stand rocket mine clearing vehicle (can be mounted in assault boats)
2-stands engineers in amphibious trucks

1-Recce Battalion:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in jeep
3-recce companies, each: 3- recce infantry stands

2000+ PLA Amphibious Mechanised Infantry Division

Division Headquarters:
Headquarters Company: 1-HQ Stand in amphibious command APC; 2 infantry stands in truck

2-Amphibious Mechanised Infantry Regiments, each with:
Regimental Headquarters Company: 1-HQ Stand in amphibious command APC
Artillery Battalion: 4-stands Type-89 122mm SP Howitzer or Type-07B 122mm amphibious howitzer
1-Regimental AA Company: 2-stands MANPADS in Type-63C or 1-stand PGZ-04A SP 25mm AA vehicle
1-Regimental Engineer Company: 2-Engineer stands in amphibious engineer APC; 1-Type-59 AVLB, 1-towed minelayer, 1-GSL+line charge
1-Regimental Recon Company: 2-recon infantry stands
Up to 3-Amphibious Mechanised Infantry Battalions, each with:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in Type-63C or ZBD-05 variant amphibious command APC
Support Company: 1-stand 100mm mortars in amphibious APC; 1-stand 82mmRCL in amphibious APC
3-Amphibious Armour Infantry Companies, each: 2-stands Type-63C or ZBD-05 infantry combat teams

1-Amphibious Armour Regiment:
Regimental Headquarters Company: 1-HQ Stand in amphibious command APC
Artillery Battalion: 4-stands Type-89 or Type-07B 122mm howitzer
1-Regimental AA Company: 1-stand Type-95 SPAA
1-Regimental Engineer Company: 2-Engineer stands in amphibious engineer APC; 1-Type-59 AVLB, 1-towed minelayer, 1-GSL+line charge
1-Regimental Recon Company: 2-recon ZBD-86B or ZBD-04
2 or 3-Amphibious Tank Battalions, each with:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ tank stand
3-Amphibious Tank Companies, each with: 2-ZTS-63A/A1 or ZTD-05 amphibious tank stands
1-Amphibious Armour Infantry Battalion with:
Battalion Headquarters: 1-HQ stand in ZBD-86B or ZBD-05 command variants
Support Company: 1-stand 100mm mortars in APC; 1-stand 35mmAGL in APC
3-Amphibious Armour Infantry Companies, each: 2-stands ZBD-86B or ZBD-05 infantry combat teams

1-Artillery Regiment:
1-152mm or 155mm Artillery Battalion: 4-stands Type-83 152mm or Type-05 155mm SP Howitzer
1-122mm Rocket Battalion: 4-stands Type-89 tracked SP122mm MRL
1-AT Battalion: 2-stands PTZ-89 SP 120mm ATG and 3-stands HJ-9 SPATGM

1-AA Artillery Regiment:
1-SAM Battalion: 2-stands HQ-7/HQ-17 SAM
1-AA Battalion: 4-stands 35mm towed AA gun or Type-07 35mm SPAA
1-AA Battalion: 4-stands towed 57mm AA gun

1-Engineer Battalion:
2-stands TMM truck-mtd bridgelayer or GZQ230/Type-79 pontoon bridge
1-stand towed minelayer or truck mounted auto-minelayer
1-stand rocket mine clearing vehicle (can be mounted in assault boats)
2-stands engineers in amphibious trucks

• There were about ten armoured divisions (almost all downsized into brigades starting 2011) and three mechanised infantry divisions (plus three more converting) in the PLA order of battle.

• These "heavy" formations were historically concentrated in the north of China where they used to face the Soviet threat.

• Some elements are based on "best guesses", i.e. Recon and engineering assets.

• In some formations AA may be all towed and regimental artillery may not yet be completely self-propelled

• The rules for Soviet-style organisations apply.

• Each mineplow can be used to equip one MBT platoon.

• Some formations may have an AT Battalion with 4 towed Type 73/85 100mm ATG and 2 SP-ATGW.

• IFV can be WZ502G; ZBD-97/04 (BMP-3 turret); Type-86 (BMP-1); Type-86Mod (30mm turret); WZ-307; Type-89; Type-85; Type-63; Type-92/92A wheeled 6x6; or ZBL-09 wheeled 8x8.

• MBT can be Type-59; Type-79; Type-88B; Type-96; Type-98; Type-99. In some divisions intended for amphibious ops (such as the 1st Amph Mech Inf Div of 1GA and the 124th Amph Mech Inf Div of 42GA), the MBT may in fact be the ZTS-63A amphibious tank (see above org for amphib div), and the IFV would be the Type-63 APC modified for amphibious operations.

• Light Tanks such as Type-62; Type-63; ZTS-63A can be used in place of MBTs in southern China.

• APC may be Type-63 or Type-85 or Type-92 wheeled 6x6

• SP ATGW may be WZ550/HJ9, ZDF-89 or Jeep/HJ-8.

• SPAAG may be Type-88 or Type-95 or Type-07 or mod.Type-63 APC with 25mmAAA.

• MANPADS may be HN-5 or FN-6 or QW-1/2/3/4

1990s+ PLA Armoured Brigade
Brigade Headquarters:
Headquarters Company:	HQ: 1-HQ Stand in APC
1-Engineer Company:	2-Engineers in APC
	1-Type 59 AVLB
	1-towed minelayer
	1-GSL + line charge
1-Recon Company:	2-recon IFV or ZZC-02
1-Artillery Battalion:	4-stands 122mm SPH
1-AA Battalion:	4-stands SPAAG
	2-stands 57mm towed AAA
3-stands 37mm towed AAA

Up to 4-Tank Battalions, each with:
Battalion Headquarters:		HQ: 1-MBT
3-Tank Companies, each with:		2-MBT
Up to 2-Mechanised Infantry Battalions, each:
Battalion Headquarters:		HQ: 1-HQ Stand in IFV
3-Mechanised Infantry Companies, each with:		2-IFV Infantry Combat Teams
1-Mortar Company:		1-100/120mm mortar in Type-89 APC; 1-stand 82/120mmRCL in APC
PLA 1990s+ Artillery Brigade
Brigade Headquarters:		HQ: 1-HQ Stand in truck
1-AT Battalion:		4-Type-89 120mm SPG or
		4 to 6-HJ-9 ATGM vehicles
1 or 2-MRL Battalion, each with:		4-122mm or 130mm MRL
3 or 4-Artillery Battalions, each with:		4-130mm guns or 152mm towed howitzers or Type-83 152mm SPH or PZL-05 155mm
1990s+ PLA Mech Inf Brigade
Brigade Headquarters		HQ: 1-HQ stand in truck
1-Engineer Company:		2-Engineers in APC
		1-Type 59 AVLB
		1-towed minelayer
		1-GSL + line charge
1-Recon Company:		2-recon IFV or ZZC-02
1-SP Artillery Battalion:		4-stands 122mm SP howitzers
1-SP Artillery Battalion:		4-stands 152mm or 155mm SP howitzers
1-Rocket Company:		1-stand 122mm MRL
AA Battalion:		4-stands towed 25/37mm AA gun or SPAAG
		3-stands QW-1/2 SAM
AT Battalion:		2-stands PTL-02 100mm AT and 2-stands ZDF-89 ATGM vehicle or 1-stand 100mm towed ATG and 3-stands HJ-8E ATGM/Jeep
2-Armoured Battalions, each:		HQ: 1-HQ MBT
3/4-Tank Companies, each:		2-stands MBT
4-Mech Inf Bns, each:		HQ: 1-HQ stand in APC
Support Company:		1-stand 100mm mortar in APC
		1-stand 82/120mmRCL in APC
3-Mech Inf Company, each:		2-APC combat teams

• The Armoured Brigade emerged in the late 1980s in many of the newly organised Group Armies, it has more firepower than the old independent tank regiment.
• From 2011, many armoured divisions split into an armoured brigade and a mechanised infantry brigade.
• The Group Army Artillery Brigade provides support to divisions of a Group Army. For instance, that supporting the key 38th Group Army has one battalion of 152mm towed gun-howitzers, two battalions of 130mm towed guns, one battalion of 122mm MRL, and one battalion of Type-89 SPATG.  That supporting the 26th Group Army is similar, but has two towed 152mm battalions, and six battalions in all.
• The motorised infantry division uses the truck as its main form of transport. On the battlefield it will conduct infantry warfare. Motorised Infantry divisions are being downsized to only two infantry regiments, with the armoured regiment gaining an armoured infantry battalion in IFVs (ZBD-86 or ZBD-04). Others are being turned into Motorised Infantry Brigades. Others are turning into Light Mechanised Divisions with Type-92 wheeled APCs in the motorised infantry regiments.
• Some Motorised Divisions (mainly in China's north) have a divisional artillery regiment with 1-battalion of 4 towed 152mm howitzer stands; 1-battalion with 4-towed 122mm howitzer stands, 1-rocket battalion with 4-122mm MRLs, and an AT battalion with 4-100mm towed ATG or 105mm jeep-mounted recoilless rifles and 2-ATGW stands, or 4-stands PTL-02 wheeled SP 100mm ATG and 2-stands ATGW.
• Some Motorised Infantry Regiments (mainly in China's south) have a regimental artillery battalion of 1-105mm jeep-mounted recoilless rifle; 1-100mm towed ATG; 1-100mm mortar stand; and 1-107mm towed MRL.

• These units are useful for Sino-Soviet clashes and Sino-Vietnamese wars.
• Not altered until 1985 Deng restructure of PLA.
• Late 70s may see changes in artillery such as 100mm ATG, more 122mm howitzers.
• Proficiency: WarPac2