People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces | |
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中国人民解放军特种部队 | |
Active | 1988 – present |
Country | People's Republic of China |
Allegiance | Chinese Communist Party |
Branch | Ground Force Navy Air Force Rocket Force |
Type | Special forces |
Part of | People's Liberation Army |
March | 《特种部队之歌》 ("Anthem of the Special Forces") |
Engagements | |
Insignia | |
Sleeve badge |
People's Liberation Army |
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Executive departments |
Staff |
Services |
Arms |
Domestic troops |
Special operations force |
Military districts |
History of the Chinese military |
Military ranks of China |
In the People's Republic of China, the special operations forces of the People's Liberation Army (PLA SOF) are units that conduct direct action and reconnaissance, including in enemy rear areas, to prepare the advance of friendly forces; they also perform counter-terrorism operations, although that mission is formally assigned to People's Armed Police. PLA SOF does not control, but may support, psychological warfare operations. [1]
Each theater command controls their own SOF units. The units rely on external support to conduct missions. [2] Most ground SOF are organized like conventional light infantry units. [3] In 2022, many units were recently converted from conventional forces and likely had capabilities closer to shock troops than special forces. [4]
In 2022, the PLA SOF consisted of 15 Ground Force (PLAGF) brigades, one Marine Corps (PLANMC) brigade, one Airborne Corps (PLAAFAC) brigade, and the Rocket Force (PLARF) Reconnaissance Regiment. [5]
The first army SOF units were created in the 1990s. [6]
By 2022, PLA SOF had been expanded by converting conventional forces. [7]
Navy special forces deployed with the first Chinese anti-piracy naval patrol off Somalia on 26 December 2008. [8]
The PLA SOF is divided into 2000-3000 personnel brigades or 1000-2000 personnel regiments. [2] Brigades are internally organized like conventional PLAGF brigades with the "brigade-battalion-company-team" hierarchy, [2] [9] which delegate less authority to team commanders. Conventional "centralized", rather than "task oriented", command style is used. [7]
China does not have a national-level command for SOF (like the USA's SOCOM). Theater Commands control their own SOF units. [2] Each group army contains a SOF brigade. [5] Units have discrete missions depending on their location and branch. [2]
Each of the SOF brigades has a semi-formal cognomen as well as a number (which is usually identical to the group army they are subordinated to). The special Xinjiang and Tibet military districts also have their own brigades. The Navy, the Air Force, and the Rocket Force all deploy their own units.
SOF receive priority for quality personnel [2] and new equipment. [3]
All SOC units are airborne and air assault capable. [3]
SOF has limited organic dedicated infrastructure of support. [2] It relies on theater logistics [3] and external resources to carry out missions. The PLAAFAC provides all SOF units with tactical insertion, extraction, and resupply. [2] SOF operations in the enemy rear are restricted by the limited ability of conventional forces to support them. SOF and conventional brigades suffer similar problems with command and control, including communications inside SOF brigades and between SOF and conventional units. [3]
According to Chen and Wuthnow in 2022, the command structure and mission of most PLA SOF brigades resembled the United States Army Rangers rather than Delta Force. [31]
Inter-service SOF training is rare, the most common being PLAGF SOF with PLAAF aircraft. [32]
The People's Liberation Army Ground Force is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army and also it's largest and oldest branch. The PLAGF can trace its lineage from 1927 as the Chinese Red Army; however, it was not officially established until 1948.
The 75th Group Army, Unit 31663, formerly the 41st Group Army, is a military formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Forces (PLAGF). The 75th Group Army is one of thirteen total group armies of the PLAGF, the largest echelon of ground forces in the People's Republic of China, and one of two assigned to the nation's Southern Theater Command.
The 82nd Group Army, Unit 31677, formerly the 38th Group Army, is a military formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Forces (PLAGF). The 82nd Group Army is one of thirteen total group armies of the PLAGF, the largest echelon of ground forces in the People's Republic of China, and one of three assigned to the nation's Central Theater Command.
The 235th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, formerly the 79th Division, is a military formation of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It's now a maneuvering brigade of the PLA 71st Group Army.
The 80th Medium Combined Arms Brigade, formerly the 80th Division, is a military formation of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It's now a maneuver part of the PLA 82nd Group Army.
The 113th Mechanized Infantry Division, now the 113th Medium Combined Arms Brigade, is a military formation of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China.
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The 127th Combined Arms Brigade is the primary maneuver element of the 82nd Group Army in the Central Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and is its sole infantry division as of present.
The 71st Group Army, Unit 31655, formerly the 12th Group Army, is a formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Forces (PLAGF). The 71st Group Army, is one of thirteen total group armies of the PLAGF, the largest echelon of ground forces in the People's Republic of China. Assigned to the nation's Eastern Theater Command, the primary mission of the 71st Group Army is likely preparation for conflict in or about the Taiwan Strait. The unit is headquartered in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province.
The Tibet Military District is a military district of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force. It was first established in 1952, possibly from elements previously part of the 18th Corps. In December 1968 it became part of the Chengdu Military Region.
The Eastern Theater Command is one of the five theater commands of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), founded 1 February 2016. It replaced the Nanjing Military Region. The command is headquartered in Nanjing.
The 1st Amphibious Combined Arms Brigade, formerly the 1st Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division, is a military formation of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force of the People's Republic of China.
The 190th Heavy Combined Arms Brigade is a military formation of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China. It is famous for being the first mechanized PLA division.
43rd Airborne Division is one of three mobile assets of 15th Airborne Corps of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of People's Republic of China, and a Rapid Reaction, Level One unit of PLAAF.
The 145th Division was created in November 1948 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948, basing on the 34th Division, 12th Column of the PLA Northeastern Field Army. Its history can be traced to Eastern Harbin Security Command, formed in September 1945.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force Airborne Corps is an airborne corps under direct command of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It was reorganized and renamed from the 15th Airborne Corps in May 2017 and now comprises six airborne brigades and a special operations brigade. The PLAAF Airborne Corps is China's primary strategic airborne unit and part of the newly formed rapid reaction units (RRUs) of the Chinese military which is primarily designated for airborne and special operation missions. Its role is similar to that of the U.S. Army's XVIII Airborne Corps, the British Army's Parachute Regiment and the Russian Airborne Forces.
The 195th Heavy Combined Arms Brigade is a maneuver formation of People's Liberation Army Ground Force which serves as an opposing force unit in exercises.
The 92nd Division was created in February 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948,. basing on the 38th Division, 13th Column of the Huadong Field Army. Its history can be traced to the New 6th Division, Jiaodong Military District, formed in March 1947.
The 82nd Division was created in February 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948,. basing on the 28th Division, 10th Column of the Huadong Field Army. Its history can be traced to the 7th Division, Shandong Military Region, formed in August 1946.
The 179th Division was created in February 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948, basing on the 23rd Brigade, 8th Column of the Huabei Military Region Field Force. Its history could be traced to the 23rd Brigade of Taiyue Military District, activated in December 1945.
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