Armed forces of the countries of the world
Chinese Armed Forces. PLA Ground Forces
The reforms in China that began at the end of 1978 also affected the PLA. She experienced a significant reduction in personnel, primarily this affected the ground forces. Nevertheless, the PLA in general and its ground forces in particular, and now remain the largest in the world in terms of personnel. Due to the enormous surplus of recruiting resources, the PLA command has the ability to select for the service the best in terms of physical and intellectual indicators of recruits (mainly educated urban youths). The rest go through the initial military training and constitute a huge reserve (no less than 40 million people) in case of a major war. They are used in reserve troops.
Thanks to the successes of Chinese science and the enormous production capacity of the PRC's military-industrial complex, the PLA has undergone a radical qualitative upgrade of its weapons and equipment over the past decade and a half, with virtually no reduction in its number. In the production of military equipment of almost all classes, China today confidently ranks first in the world, and the pace of production is only growing.
Since 2016, the Chinese ground forces have been divided into five commands, which replaced the previous seven military districts. Since 2017, a reduction in the number of armies began and the transformation of tank, mechanized, motorized infantry and mountain infantry brigades into combined-arms (mixed) brigades of a uniform composition.
It should be noted that although China's information transparency has increased significantly in the past two to three decades, the composition of the PLA is largely classified. Only the names of the military districts and the numbers of their armies are known for sure. The numbers and numbers of parts and connections are fairly well known, however, the data below cannot be assumed to be completely accurate. The same applies to the number of weapons and equipment. The values that will be given at the end of the article are estimates and, almost certainly, underestimated.
Organizational structure
Directly subordinate to the command of the ground forces are two provincial military districts that were previously part of the Lanzhou Military District, and then the Western Command, as well as the Beijing garrison, which was previously part of the Beijing Military District, and then the Central Command.
Xinjiang Provincial VO with special status despite the difficult geographic conditions and remoteness from the most developed regions of the PRC, it has a very high potential. It includes the 8th Light Mechanized, 4th Motorized Infantry, 6th and 11th Mountain Motorized Infantry Divisions, 84th Artillery Brigade, 84th Air Defense Brigade, 84th Special Forces Brigade, 84th Army Aviation Brigade, 84th engineering brigade, 84th support brigade, 15 border brigades (361st - 375th).
Tibetan provincial VO with special status includes the 52nd and 53rd mountain infantry, 54th combined arms brigades, 85th anti-aircraft missile brigade, 85th artillery brigade, 85th army aviation brigade, 85th engineering brigade, 85th brigade special forces, 85th support brigade, eight border brigades (351st - 358th).
Beijing garrison includes the 1st and 3rd garrison divisions, an artillery division.
The rest of the troops are divided between five new commands.
Northern Command (the headquarters of the ground forces is located in the city of Jinan) is located in the northeast of the PRC and is oriented towards the Far East of the Russian Federation, Mongolia and the Korean Peninsula. Includes three armies from the former Shenyang and partly Jinnan military districts.
As part of 78th Army(headquarters - in Changchun) there are 8th, 48th, 68th, 115th, 202nd, 204th combined-arms brigades, 78th SSO, 78th artillery, 78th engineering, 78th support, 78th army aviation, 78th air defense brigade.
79th Army(Liaoyang) includes the 46th, 116th, 119th, 190th, 191st, 200th combined-arms brigades, 79th artillery brigade, 79th air defense brigade, 79th special forces brigade, 79- 1st Army Aviation Brigade, 79th Engineering Brigade, 79th Support Brigade.
80th Army(Weifang) includes the 47th, 69th, 118th, 138th, 199th, 203th combined arms brigades, 80th artillery and 80th air defense brigades, 80th special forces brigade, 80th Army Aviation Brigade, 80th Engineering Brigade, 80th Support Brigade.
District troops includes 11 border brigades (from 321st to 331st), four coastal defense brigades (from 332nd to 335th).
Central Command (the headquarters of the ground forces - in Shijiazhuang) is the strongest in the PLA. It is a reserve for other commands and includes three armies from the former Beijing and the main part of the Jinnan military districts.
81st Army(Zhangjiakou) includes the 7th, 70th, 162nd, 189th, 194th and 195th combined arms brigades, 81st artillery brigade, 81st special forces brigade, 81st air defense brigade, 81- 1st Army Aviation Brigade, 81st Engineering Brigade, 81st Support Brigade.
82nd Army(Baoding) is the most powerful land formation of the PLA, first of all, the latest models of weapons and equipment come here and new methods of warfare are being worked out. It includes the 6th, 80th, 151st, 188th, 196th, 205th combined-arms brigades, 82nd artillery brigade, 82nd air defense brigade, 82nd special forces brigade, 82- I Army Aviation Brigade, 82nd Engineering Brigade, 82nd Support Brigade.
83rd Army(Xinxiang), like the 82nd Army, is considered the most powerful and technically advanced, its formations and units are also automated and computerized as much as possible. It includes the 11th, 58th, 60th, 113th, 129th, 193rd combined arms brigades, 83rd special forces brigade, 83rd artillery brigade, 83rd air defense brigade, 161- I am air assault brigade, 83rd engineering brigade, 83rd support brigade.
Parts of the district subordination- 112th mechanized division.
In addition, on the territory of the Beijing Military District is the only airborne force in the PLA - 15th Airborne Corps... It includes the 127th, 128th, 130th, 131st, 133rd and 134th airborne brigades, as well as special forces, support and aviation brigades. Operationally, the 15th VDK is subordinate to the PLA Air Force.
Western Command(the headquarters of the ground forces is in Lanzhou) is oriented towards Central Asia, Mongolia, Russian Western Siberia and India. Includes two armies from the former Lanzhou and partly Chengdus military districts.
76th Army(Baoji) includes the 12th, 17th, 56th, 62nd, 149th, 182nd combined arms brigades, 76th artillery brigade, 76th air defense brigade, 76th special forces brigade , 76th engineering brigade, 76th support brigade, 76th army aviation brigade.
77th Army(Chongqing) has the 39th, 40th, 55th, 139th, 150th, 181th combined-arms brigades, 77th artillery, 77th air defense, 77th special forces, 77th 1st Engineering, 77th Support and 77th Army Aviation Brigade.
ARMED FORCES OF CHINA
CHINA'S MILITARY
ARMED FORCES OF CHINA
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY OF CHINA
The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA, Chinese pall .: Zhongguo Renmin Jiefang Jun) is the official name of the armed forces of the PRC, the largest in number in the world (2,250,000 people in active service). The army was founded on August 1, 1927 as a result of the Nanchang uprising as the communist "Red Army", under the leadership of Mao Zedong during civil war in China (1930s) organized major raids (the Great March of the Chinese Communists). The name "People's Liberation Army of China" began to be used in relation to the armed forces formed in the summer of 1946 from the CPC troops - the 8th Army, the New 4th Army and the North-Eastern Army; after the proclamation of the PRC in 1949, this name began to be used in relation to the country's armed forces.
The legislation provides for military service for men from 18 years of age; volunteers are accepted up to 49 years old. The age limit for a member of the army reserve is 50 years. In wartime, theoretically (excluding restrictions on material support), up to 60 million people can be mobilized.
The PLA is not directly subordinate to the party or the government, but to two special Central Military Commissions - the state and the party. Usually these commissions are identical in composition, and the term CVC is used in the singular. The post of chairman of the Central Exhibition Complex is key for the entire state. V last years it usually belongs to the President of the PRC, but in the 1980s, for example, the Central Exhibition Complex was headed by Deng Xiaoping, who was actually the leader of the country (formally, he never
He was neither the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, nor the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and he held the post of General Secretary of the Party's Central Committee earlier, even under Mao before the "Cultural Revolution").
In terms of territorial distribution, military establishment divided into seven military districts and three fleets, organized on a territorial basis: in Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Lanzhou and Jinan.
STRATEGIC GROUND-BASED FORCES
The total potential is estimated at 400 nuclear weapons, of which 260 are formally on strategic delivery vehicles. Meanwhile, there are different opinions on this matter. For example, the fact that China as of 2010 possessed only 240 nuclear warheads, of which only 175 were on duty. Or, conversely, Beijing possesses more than 3,500 nuclear weapons, with 200 new-generation warheads being produced annually. For each of the launchers, there are up to five missiles, which supposedly indicates the intention both to hide the real size of the arsenal, which is usually measured by the number of carriers, and the readiness to deliver a nuclear strike in several waves.
It seems more realistic that the nuclear potential of the PRC does not exceed 300 ammunition on strategic carriers, including free-fall bombs with a capacity of 15-40 kt, as well as 3 mt, missile warheads with a charge from 3 to 5 mt and more modern 200-300 kilotons warheads... Another 150 ammunition can be placed on ballistic missiles ah medium and shorter range, and possibly cruise missiles.
According to the forecasts of American experts, by 2020 China may reach the potential of the so-called "doctrinal" or limited nuclear deterrence. Up to 200 ICBMs, both mine and on an automobile chassis, will be on alert. The basis will be the Dongfeng-31NA and Dongfeng-41 complexes with a range of 11 and 14 thousand km, respectively, and the latter can carry up to 10 warheads (both warheads and decoys).
According to London International Institute strategic research, the PLA Missile Forces at the end of 2015 were in service with only 458 ballistic missiles.
Of these, 66 are intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), namely: DF-4 (CSS-3) - 10 units; DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) - 20 units; DF-31 (CSS-9 Mod 1) - 12 units; DF-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) - 24 pcs. 134 medium-range missiles, namely: DF-16 (CSS-11) - 12 units; DF-21 / DF-21A (CSS-5 Mod 1/2) - 80 units; DF-21C (CSS-5 Mod 3) - 36 units; anti-ship ballistic missiles DF-21D (CSS-5 Mod 5) - 6 units. Short-range ballistic missiles 252 units, including: DF-11A / M-11A (CSS-7 Mod 2) - 108 units; DF-15M-9 (CSS-6) - 144 units. DH-10 land-based cruise missiles - 54 units.
According to the US intelligence community, the PLA Missile Forces has approximately 75-100 ICBMs, including the silo-based DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) and DF-5B (CSS-4 Mod 2); mobile ground missile systems DF-31 (CSS-9 Mod 1) and DS-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) with solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile and DF-4 intermediate-range ballistic missiles (CSS-3). This arsenal is complemented by the PGRK DF-21 (CSS-5 Mod 6) with a solid-propellant medium-range ballistic missile.
The strategic land-based forces deployed about 180 ballistic missiles of five types: DF-4, DF-5A, DF-21, DF-31 and DF-31A. It is generally accepted that they all carry one warhead.
DF-4 (CSS-3) - liquid-propellant two-stage medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) mobile and silo-based. This IRBM will be replaced by the DF-21 solid-propellant IRBM, its modification DF-21A and the DF-31 solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) - silo-based liquid ICBM - since 1981 began to replace the silo-based liquid ICBM
DF-5. The DF-5A ICBMs are designed to contain the United States and Russia. If the PRC, in response to the deployment of the US missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region, decides to increase the number of deployed warheads, then the DF-5A ICBM in the future will be able to carry up to three lightweight warheads.
DF-21 (CSS-5) and its modifications are mobile-based solid-propellant MRBMs. DF-21 is currently the main means of regional nuclear deterrence for the PRC. Since 2005, the United States has recorded a significant increase in the number of deployed MRBM DF-21. If in 2005, according to the estimates of the US Defense Department, about 20 such missiles were deployed, then in 2010 their number was approximately 80 units. IRBM DF-21 have several modifications (A, C), of which IRBM DF-21C can be used in both conventional and nuclear equipment.
The DF-31 (CSS-9) and the DF-31A modification (CSS-9 Mod 2) are three-stage solid-propellant mobile ICBMs. They are placed on a three-axle transport and launcher (TPU) inside a 15-meter container. Intelligence services The United States believes that the DF-31A's mission should be a strategic containment of the United States. In turn, ICBMs DF-31 in the future will have to take on a major role in the implementation of regional deterrence. It should be noted that the adoption of the DF-31 ICBMs in 2003 for service significantly reduced the lag of the PRC over Russia and the United States in the development of strategic missile weapons.
In 2014, China confirmed that it possesses a number of DF-26C medium-range missiles (range 3,500 km), the so-called "Guam killers", with nuclear warheads. Since 2007, from 40 to 55 CJ-10 cruise missiles with a range of 1,500 km have been deployed on ground-based launchers, their total arsenal is estimated at 500 units.
In December 2014, China tested the DF-41 ICBM, which carried several maneuvering warheads, which became a kind of confirmation of gaining access to the technology of MIRVs (MIRVs, or MIRVs). According to estimates by the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), the DF-41 can carry up to 10 warheads. This technology will also be used to build DF-31B missiles. Thus, after the development of this technology, several warheads, as well as false targets, can be placed on the missiles of the PRC's strategic nuclear forces, which will increase both the strike potential and the survival rate of the warhead when overcoming the missile defense system.
The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile can also serve as a kind of deterrent weapon, capable of hitting a mobile surface individual target at a distance of up to 1,500 km with a conventional maneuvering warhead. The missile has already been dubbed the "Carrier Killer" and is expected to be deployed by the end of 2015.
Short-range ballistic missiles
The second artillery of the PLA has at least five active brigades of short-range ballistic missiles (BRMD) DF-15. Additionally, there are two brigades armed with a DF-11 tactical missile (OTR) and subordinate to the ground forces - one stationed in the Nanjing military district, and the other in the Guangzhou military district. All BRMD and OTR units are deployed in areas in the immediate vicinity of the Taiwan Strait.
The DF-15 (CSS-6) entered service in 1995. In recent years, the production of its modified version, the DF-15A, has continued with increased firing accuracy and the ability of the head to perform a maneuver in the final section of the trajectory.
The DF-11 (CSS-7) entered service in 1998. In subsequent years, as a result of work on the modernization of the rocket, its maximum firing range was significantly increased. An improved version of this missile, dubbed DF-11A, was put into service in 2000.
Cruise missiles
CJ-10 (DH-10) - cruise missile (CR) designed to strike at ground targets. The ability of this CD to carry nuclear weapon remains unclear. In the United States, it is referred to as a dual-purpose Kyrgyz Republic. The US Department of Defense believes that the CJ-10 CD, which can be launched from both ground and air carriers, should increase the survivability, flexibility and effectiveness of the PRC's nuclear forces. Nevertheless, according to some reports, these CDs are currently deployed mainly on ground launchers in conventional equipment. At the same time, there is a strong disproportion in the number of missiles and their carriers. According to the US Department of Defense, the number of deployed carriers intended for the CJ-10 CD was about 50 units in 2010, and the number of CJ-10 CDs themselves increased by 50% in 2009-2010, from 150-350 units in 2009. up to 200-500 units in 2010.
GROUND TROOPS
Ground forces: 1,830,000 people, 7 military districts, 21 combined arms army (44 infantry, 10 tank and 5 artillery divisions), 12 tank, 13 infantry and 20 artillery brigades, 7 helicopter regiments, 3 airborne divisions (consolidated into airborne corps), 5 separate infantry divisions, a separate tank and 2 infantry brigades, a separate artillery division, 3 separate artillery brigades, 4 anti-aircraft artillery brigades, local troops: 12 infantry divisions, mountain infantry, 4 infantry battalions, 87 infantry engineering regiments, 50 communications regiments. Reserve: 1,000,000 people, 50 divisions (infantry, artillery, anti-aircraft missile), 100 separate regiments (infantry and artillery). Armament: about 10,000 tanks (of which 1,200 are light), 5,500 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 14,500 PA guns, PU ATGMs, 100 2S23 Nona-SVK guns, 2,300 MLRS calibers 122,130 and 273 mm, 15,000 anti-aircraft artillery mounts, PU SAM , more than 143 helicopters.
AIR FORCE
Air force 470,000 people. (incl. 220,000 - in air defense), 3 566 b. With.
Since 2016, the Air Force has been split into five Territorial Commands, replacing seven former military districts.
In general, the Air Force retains its traditional structure and consists of divisions, each of which has three (sometimes two) air regiments. A regiment is armed with planes or helicopters of the same type; a division may have regiments with different planes. Recently, several divisions have been disbanded, and the regiments that were part of them have been renamed into brigades (identical in composition to the previous regiment).
The northern command includes the formations of the former Shenyang and Jinnan military districts. These are eight divisions, four aviation brigades, two anti-aircraft missile and anti-aircraft artillery brigades, and a radio engineering regiment.
The central command includes the formations of the former Beijing and parts of the Lanzhou military districts.
The training and testing center is under the dual subordination of the Central Command and the Air Force Command and includes four brigades: 170, 171, 172 and 175th. The 34th division is also in double subordination, it includes the 100th, 101st and 102nd regiments, equipped with transport, passenger and special planes and helicopters. In addition, the Air Force of the Central Command has four divisions, a reconnaissance air regiment, the August 1 aerobatic group, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th air defense divisions, and the 9th radio technical brigade.
The western command includes the formations of the former Chengdu and most of the Lanzhou military districts. It includes five divisions, four aviation and one air defense brigades, three anti-aircraft missile regiments.
The Southern Command is formed on the basis of the former Guangzhou Military District. It consists of five divisions, three aviation brigades, a helicopter regiment in Hong Kong, a combat UAV brigade, two anti-aircraft missile brigades and an anti-aircraft missile regiment.
The Eastern Command is formed on the basis of the former Nanking Military District. It includes five divisions, four aviation divisions, one combat UAV, two anti-aircraft missile brigades.
Airborne Strategic Forces
As part of the strategic aviation there are slightly more than 80 bombers H-6 (Hun-6) (Chinese version of the Soviet Tu-16 bomber) of various modifications (E, F, H). The H-6 is capable of carrying up to three nuclear bombs. Some of the H-6 bombers have been modernized in recent years and acquired the ability to carry nuclear cruise missiles. In addition, some of them had their electronic equipment updated.
In 2011, a deeply modernized version of the aircraft appeared, equipped with Russian engines, more advanced avionics and capable of carrying six CJ-10A cruise missiles (a copy of the Russian Kh-55). The combat radius of the H-6K has been increased to 3,500 km, and the missiles can hit targets at a distance of up to 2,500 km. Probably, today the number of these aircraft in the PRC Air Force is about 20.
Airborne non-strategic forces
In terms of the size and composition of the PRC's non-strategic nuclear arsenal, information is even more limited. Non-strategic nuclear weapons the PLA is equipped with second artillery and ground forces, as well as front (tactical) aviation of the Air Force. The most famous fighter-bomber Qiang-5 (Qiang-5) and its modifications (D, E), capable of carrying one atomic bomb. To replace the obsolete Q-5, a new fighter-bomber, the Q-7, is being developed, but there is still no data on whether it will carry nuclear weapons.
The front-line bomber of the PLA Air Force is the JH-7A. There are up to 140 of these machines, their production continues. In addition to conventional aircraft weapons, they are capable of carrying B-4 nuclear bombs (there are at least 320 of them in arsenals).
The Q-5 attack aircraft was created in China on the basis of the J-6 fighter (a copy of the old Soviet MiG-19) in many modifications. Currently remains in service with up to 162 Q-5 of the latest modifications (J / K / L). They can also carry B-4 nuclear bombs. At least 58 Q-5 - in storage.
The backbone of the PLA Air Force's fighter aircraft are heavy fighters of the Su-27 / J-11 / Su-30 / J-16 family. In Russia, 36 Su-27SK, 40 Su-27UBK combat training and 76 Su-30MKK were purchased. In China itself, 105 J-11A (a copy of the Su-27SK) were produced under license, and then the unlicensed production of the J-11B and its combat training version J-11BS began. The unlicensed production of the J-16 (a copy of the Su-30) is also underway, which is still being supplied to the naval aviation. Now in service with the PLA Air Force 67 Su-30 and up to 266 Su-27 / J-11 (from 130 to 134 Su-27SK and J-11A, from 33 to 37 Su-27UBK, up to 82 J-11V, from 13 to 17 J-11BS), production of J-11B / BS continues.
The first Chinese AWACS aircraft were created on the basis of the Y-8 transport aircraft (the prototype of which is the Soviet An-12). These are four Y-8Ts, three KJ-500s and six KJ-200s (aka Y-8W). In addition, five KJ-2000s were purchased in Russia, created on the basis of the Russian A-50, but with a Chinese radar.
Electronic warfare aircraft are created on the basis of the same Y-8, there are from 20 to 24 in total. There are also seven RER Y-9JB / XZ / G aircraft.
Transport and passenger (VIP) aircraft - 12 Boeing-737, 3 A-319, 7 Tu-154 (up to 3 in storage), 20 Il-76, 5 Canadian CRJ-200ER and CRJ-700, 7 CRJ -702, at least 5 newest domestic Y-20, 57 Y-8C, 7 Y-9, up to 20 Y-11, 8 Y-12, 61 Y-7 (copy of An-24, 2-6 more in storage) , at least 36 Y-5 (copy of An-2, at least 4 more in storage). Tu-154, Y-5, Y-7, Y-8 are gradually decommissioned, IL-76 are purchased in Russia, Y-9 are produced, and will be launched in the near future. mass production China's first heavy transport aircraft Y-20.
A significant part of the PLA's helicopters is in service with the army and naval aviation. The Air Force has a small number of transport, passenger and rescue vehicles: 6-9 French AS332Ls, 3 European EC225LPs, up to 35 Russian Mi-8s (up to 6 in storage) and 12 Mi-17s, 17 Z-9Vs (a copy of the French SA365) , 12-24 Z-8 (copy of the French SA321).
According to the latest statistics, the Air Force of the People's Liberation Army of China includes 5 helicopter brigades and 5 helicopter regiments. The total number of helicopters in service is 569, including 212 Mi-17, 19 S-70 Blackhawk, 33 Z-8, 269 Z-9, 24 Z-10 and 12 Z-19.
The 1st Helicopter Regiment of the Army Aviation was founded in 1987, today it has 55 helicopters. The regiment consists of four groups:
1st and 2nd groups 22 Mi-17 and 8 Mi-17V-5
3rd and 4th group 25 Z-9WZ
The 2nd Helicopter Brigade of the Chinese Air Force was created in 1991 and is armed with 69 vehicles. The brigade includes 5 groups:
1st and 2nd groups 5 Mi-171, 15 Mi-17V-5 and three Mi-17V-7
3rd group 19 S-70C
4th group 15 Mi-171E
5th group 12 Z-9WZ
The 3rd Helicopter Brigade of the Chinese Army was established in 1991 and includes 72 helicopters. The 3rd brigade includes 6 groups:
1, 2, 3, 4 groups 3 Mi-171, 3 Mi-17-1V, 11 Mi-17V-5, 16 Mi-17V-7 and 15 Mi-171E
5th and 6th groups 24 Z-9WZ
The 4th PLA Army Aviation Regiment was created in 1991. Today it is armed with 36 helicopters. It consists of three groups:
1st group 4 transport aircraft Y-7 and 4 Y-8
2nd group 8 Mi-171, 4 Mi-171E and 4 Mi-17V-5
3rd group 12 Z-9WZ
The PLA's 5th Army Aviation Helicopter Brigade was established in 1997, with a total of 75 helicopters. The 5th brigade consists of six groups:
1st group 15 Mi-171
2nd group 12 Z-8B
3rd, 4th and 5th group 3 Z-9A 5 Z-9W, 6 Z-9WA and 22 Z-9WZ
6th group of 12 newest combat helicopters Z-10
The 6th brigade was created in 1997 and includes a total of 75 helicopters in 6 groups:
1st group 15 Mi-171
2nd group 12 Z-8B helicopter
3, 4, 5, 6th group 1 Z-9, 2 Z-9A, 6 Z-9W, 1 Z-9WA and 38 Z-9WZ
The 7th Helicopter Regiment of the People's Liberation Army was created in 2002, it includes 39 helicopters. Divided into three groups:
1st group 6 Mi-17V-5 and 9 Z-8A
2, 3rd groups 4 Z-9W and 20 Z-9WZ
The Eighth Helicopter Brigade was created in 1988. It is armed with 6 groups of 76 helicopters:
1st group 9 Mi-171 and 4 Mi-171E
Groups 2, 3 and 4 14 Z-9A, 8 Z-9W, 4 Z-9WA and 13 Z-9WZ
5th group of 12 combat helicopters Z-19
6th group of 12 combat helicopters Z-10
The 9th helicopter regiment of the PLA army aviation was created in 1988, it consists of three groups and 39 helicopters:
1st group 6 Mi-17V-5 and 4 Mi-171E
2 and 3 groups 6 Z-9A, 7 Z-9W and 12 Z-9WZ.
The 10th PLA Army Aviation Helicopter Regiment was created in 2004 with three groups and 39 helicopters:
1st and 2nd groups 2 Z-9WA and 25 Z-9WZ
3rd group 12 Mi-171E
Aircraft and helicopter fleet: 120 N-6 (Tu-16). 120 Il-28.400 Q-5. 1800 J-6 (B, D and E) (MiG-19), 500 J-7 (MiG-21), 180 J-8.48 Su-27, HZ-5,150JZ-5,100JZ-6,18 "VAeTrident -1Ei-2E ", 10 Il-18, Il-76, 300 Y-5 (An-2), 25 Y-7 (An-24), 25 Y-8 (An-12), 15 Y-11, 2 Y-12. 6 AS-332, 4 Bell 214, 30 Mi-8, 100 Z-5 (Mi-4), 50 Z-9 (SA-365N).
The PLA anti-aircraft missile forces of the PRC are armed with 110-120 anti-aircraft missile systems (divisions) HQ-2, HQ-61, HQ-7, HQ-9, HQ-12, HQ-16, S-300PMU, S-300PMU-1 and 2, for a total of about 700 PU. According to this indicator, China is second only to our country (about 1500 PU). However, at least a third of this number of Chinese air defense systems falls on the outdated HQ-2 (analogue of the C-75 air defense system), which are being actively replaced.
The basis of the PLA Air Force's ground-based air defense is the Russian S-300 long-range air defense system, which was acquired by China in the amount of 25 divisions (8 launchers in each, 4 missiles per launcher) in three modifications. This is one regiment (2 divisions) S-300PMU (an analogue of the oldest modification of this air defense system - S-300PT), two regiments (4 divisions each) S-300PMU1 (S-300PS), four regiments (15 divisions: 3 regiments 4 divisions each) , 1 regiment - 3 divisions) S-300PMU2 (S-300PM). On the basis of the S-300, the Chinese HQ-9 air defense system was created (although it is not a complete copy of our system). Now in service there are at least 12 divisions (8 launchers for 4 missiles) of this air defense system, production continues.
NAVY
The navy is about 230,000 people. (including more than 40,000 Wed. st.). Operational fleets: Northern, Eastern, Southern. FLEET: squadrons: submarines (6), escort ships (7), MTK (3); training flotilla; 20 naval base;
Sea-based strategic forces
China's plans for the creation and deployment of a strategic submarine fleet remain closed.
The first Chinese nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) of Project 092 "Xia" entered service in 1987 and is equipped with 12 "Juilan-1" missiles (" A big wave") With a range of up to 2,500 km. Until recently, she was not on alert, constantly defending herself at the Jiangezhuang base near Qingdao.
The first Jin-class SSBN, launched and undergoing sea trials, is presumably assigned to the Yulin Naval Base on Hainan Island. Two more Jin-class SSBNs are currently being deployed at a shipyard in Hulodao urban district in Liaoning province.
The Xia-class SSBN has 12 launchers designed to carry JL-1 submarine ballistic missiles (SLBMs). It is assumed that the Xia-class SSBN is designed primarily for technology development. Jin-class SSBNs (approximately 135 m long) also have 12 launchers for JL-2 SLBMs.
In May 2008, the PLA Navy conducted in the Yellow Sea tests of a new ballistic missile submarine (SLBM) "Juilan-2" (naval version of the DF-31, range 7,400 km), designed to be placed on board the new SSBNs of project 094 "Jin" (12 missiles) and subsequent. According to some reports, a large underground submarine base with a capacity of up to 20 pennants has been built in the south of Hainan Island, completely closed for tracking from space. In May 2007, the picture shows Google earth at the Huludao base, two new SSBNs were visible. As of early 2010, the PRC may have had three Jin class boats.
Currently, the JL-2 SLBM is completing flight tests. If adopted, these SLBMs will be able to cover the entire territory of India, the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Guam and most of Russia (including Moscow), even if the SSBN is on patrol in the territorial waters of the PRC.
By 2020, the number of SSBNs in the PLA Navy, according to American data, can be increased to eight. Also, according to some information, a new generation of Project 096 SSBNs is being developed in China, the first of which may enter service in 2020.
ship composition: SSBN pr.092 "Xia", 5 submarines pr.091 "Han", 63 submarines (1 pr.039 "Sun", 4 pr.636 / 877EKM, 17 pr.035 "Min", 41 pr.033 "Romeo"). 2 OPL, 19 EM URO (1 Project 054 "Liuhai", 2 Project 052 "Luyhu". 16 Project 051 "Luida"), 37 FR URO (2 Project 057 "Jianwei-2", 4 Project 055 "Jianwei-1", 1 project 053 "Jianhu-2", 26 project 053 "Jianhu-1", 4 project 053 / NT "Jianhu-3/4"), 92 RCA (4 project 037/2 "Houjian", 20 pr.037 / 10 "Housin", 37 pr.021 "Huangfen", 1 "Hoda", 30 pr.024 "Hegu" / "Heku"), 17 TKA pr.025 / 026 "Huchuan" , more than 100 PSA (about 90 Project 037 "Hainan", about 20 Project 037/1 "Haiju", 4 "Haitsi"), more than 100 AKA Project 062 "Shanghai-2" and 11 Project 062/1 " Haichzhui ", 34 MTK (27 pr.010 T-43, 7" Vosao "). 1 ЗМ "Will". 17 TCK (6 Project 074 "Yutin", 8 Project 072 "Yukan". 3 "Shan"), 32 STsK (1 Project 073 "Yuiden", 1 "Yuidao", 31 Project 079 "Yulin"), 9 MDK pr. 074 "Yukhai", 4DVTR "Qinsha", 44 DKA (36 pr. 067 "Yunnan", 8 pr. 068/069 "Yushin"), 9 DKVP "Jinsha". 2 of the Criminal Code. 3 TRS (2 "Fuxin", 1 "Naiyun"), 10 PB PL (3 "Daiyan", 1 "Dazhi", 2 "Dazhou", 4 "Dalian"), 1 SS PL, 2 SS, 1 PM, 20 TR. 38 TH, 53 specialized sutsna (including 4 KIK, 7 RZK), 4 ICE, 49 BUK. AVIATION: 25 000 PEOPLE, 8 hell (27 an). Aircraft - about 685 (22 "Hong-6", about 60 "Hong-5". 40 "Qiang-5", 295 "Tsei'i-6", 66 "Tseyan-7", 54 "Jian-8". 7 " Shuikhun-5 ", 50 Y-5, 4 Y-7. 6 Y-8. 2 Yak-42. 6 An-26, 53 RT-b, 16 JJ-6. 4 JJ.7); helicopters - 43 (9 SA-321. 12 "Zhi-8", 12 "Zhi-9A". 10 Mi-8). MP: about 5,000 people, 1 brigade (battalions: 3 pb, 1 mb, 1 amphibious tanks, 1 artillery battalion), subunits special purpose... Armament: tanks T-59, T-63, armored personnel carriers, 122-mm guns PA, MLRS, ATGM, MANPADS BO: 28,000 people, 25 regions, 35 rocket artillery regiments (SCRC "Hayin-2, -4", 85 -, 100-, 130-mm weapons).
PRODUCTION AND STORAGE FACILITIES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The issues of China's nuclear weapons production and storage are no less closed than the quantitative and qualitative indicators of China's nuclear weapons.
Recently, there has been a lot of speculation that China has created a large underground central storage facility for storing nuclear weapons. According to some sources, this storage facility is located northwest of the Mianyang urban district in Sichuan province. According to others, it may be located in the Qinling Mountain Range in Taipei County in Shaanxi Province. At the same time, it is argued that on any day, most of the PRC's nuclear arsenal can be moved to a central storage facility. In addition, each of the five main PRC missile bases may also have regional storage facilities.
As for fissile weapons materials, according to data military intelligence The United States, the PRC, has most likely already produced enough weapons-grade fissile material to meet its needs for the near future. It is also possible that new nuclear warheads for the DF-31, DF-31A and JL-2 ballistic missiles have already been produced. However, this circumstance should not cause a significant increase in the total number of warheads, since it is assumed that obsolete nuclear warheads will be decommissioned within the next few years.
In count nuclear warheads(250) China is second only to Russia (8000), the USA (7300) and France (300). And ahead of the UK (225), Pakistan (120), India (110) and North Korea (8). There is also Israel, which either has or does not have 80 nuclear charges - the nuclear program of this country is shrouded in darkness and obscurity.
The Chinese Army, or as the Chinese themselves call it, the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), is the largest army in the world. The size of the Chinese army as of 2018 is estimated by many military experts in different ways, since in recent years the Chinese army has been shrinking, relying not on the quantity, but on the quality of weapons and military equipment... If we take the average, it turns out that the Chinese army has from 2 to 2.3 million people who are in active service.
The Chinese Army was founded on August 1, 1927 after the Nanchang Uprising. In those years it was called the "Red Army". In the 30s of the 20th century, the Chinese army under the leadership of the Chinese leader Mao Zedong was already a serious organization, being a significant force in the country. In 1949, when the Chinese People's Republic, the army of China has become the regular army of this state.
Although Chinese military law provides for a mandatory conscription There are so many people in China who want to get into the regular army that during all the years of the existence of the regular army, the call has never been carried out. Military service in China it is very honorable, in addition, it was the only opportunity for the peasants to get out of poverty. Volunteers in the Chinese army are accepted up to 49 years old.
The Chinese army in numbers
The PLA is not directly subordinate to the party (as many European countries) or the government. There are 2 special commissions to manage the army in China:
- State Commission;
- Party commission.
Most often, these commissions are completely identical in their composition, therefore the commission that manages the Chinese army is mentioned in the singular.
To represent the full power of the Chinese army, you need to turn to the numbers:
- The minimum age, after reaching which you can get into the army, in China is 19 years;
- The number of military personnel is about 2.2 million;
- More than $ 215 billion is allocated to the Chinese army annually.
Although China's weapons are for the most part a legacy of the USSR or copies of Soviet models, the modernization of the Chinese army in recent years has been very rapid. New models of weapons appear that are not inferior to world counterparts. If the modernization continues at a similar pace, then in 10 years the weapons of the Chinese army will not be inferior to the weapons of the European armies, and in 15 years they may be as powerful as the American army.
The history of the emergence of the Chinese army
The history of the Chinese army began on August 1, 1927. It was in this year that the famous revolutionary Zhou Enlai provoked other Chinese revolutionaries to revolt with arms against the "northern" government, which was the legitimate Chinese government in those years.
With 20,000 armed fighters in hand, the Chinese Communist Party launched a long struggle of the Chinese people against external and internal enemies. July 11, 1933 is considered the date of birth of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army. This date is still considered one of the most revered in China, it is celebrated by all the people of China.
Army of China today
The modern People's Liberation Army of China has significantly decreased, although its composition still looks very impressive against the background of other armies in the world. If earlier the main resource of the Chinese army were soldiers, and military equipment could be counted on the fingers, but now the Chinese army includes all the components of modern armies:
- Ground troops;
- Air Force;
- Naval forces;
- Strategic Nuclear Forces;
- Special forces and many other types of troops, without which it is difficult to imagine a modern army.
Every year, new models of intercontinental missiles and modern nuclear weapons appear in the arsenal of the Chinese army.
The nuclear forces of the Chinese army consist of land, sea and air components, which, according to official information, have about 200 nuclear carriers. Since each country keeps information about the state of its nuclear forces secret, one can be sure that China has many more nuclear carriers than it officially declares.
The Chinese Army's Strategic Missile Forces have 75 ground-based ballistic missile launchers as the backbone. The strategic aviation of China's nuclear forces includes 80 Hung-6 aircraft. A nuclear submarine is used as a naval component, which is armed with 12 launchers... Each of these installations can launch Juilan-1 missiles. Although missiles of this type were first deployed in 1986, they are still considered effective weapons.
The Chinese ground forces have the following resources:
- 2.2 million military personnel;
- 89 divisions, of which 11 are tank divisions and 3 are rapid reaction divisions;
- 24 armies, which include these divisions.
The air force of the Chinese army includes about 4 thousand aircraft, most of which are outdated models received from the USSR as military assistance or designed on their basis. Since 75% of the Chinese fleet are fighters designed to solve combat missions for air defense... Chinese aircraft are practically not designed to support ground forces, although the situation has begun to improve in recent years.
The Chinese naval forces are armed with about 100 large warships, and about 600 combat helicopters and aircraft, which are classified as naval aviation. The Chinese Navy has 1,000 patrol ships to guard coastal waters.
While many are convinced that China does not have its own aircraft carriers, the Chinese Navy currently has one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which was purchased from Ukraine for $ 25 million. The purchase of this unfinished aircraft carrier was quite interesting. Since the United States was against China's purchase of an aircraft carrier, Chinese firm acquired it as a floating amusement park. Upon arrival in China, the ship was completed and turned into a combat aircraft carrier, which, in principle, it was originally. By 2020, China is threatening to build 4 more aircraft carriers based on the Liaoning (formerly called Varyag).
Modernization of the Chinese army
Although new types of weapons are developed in China every year, in the field of precision weapons, China still lags far behind other developed countries. The Chinese leadership believes that it is precisely with precision weapons that the future lies, so China is investing billions in the development of this type of weapon.
Today, most of the joint projects of China and Russia are working, for which various agreements have been concluded, affecting the following nuances:
- Military technology and the development of new weapons that can be shared;
- Research area of high technologies that can be used for both peaceful and military purposes;
- Space cooperation, including various joint programs;
- Cooperation in the field of communications.
In addition, China has received a number of benefits, which include:
- Implementation of joint Sino-Russian projects, especially military ones;
- Opportunity to train and retrain your employees in Russia;
- Joint modernization of outdated weapons and their replacement with newer models.
Such cooperation undoubtedly increases the speed of modernization of the Chinese army, although it is very disliked by the United States, which fears the possibility of strengthening the Chinese army. Recent years have been marked by an ever-increasing number of contracts between China and Russia related to the acquisition by China of various types of military equipment. The most significant are:
- License for the production of SU-27 fighters in China;
- A contract for the repair of Chinese submarines at Russian repair docks.
If we analyze the development of China's defense complex over the past 10 years, it becomes clear that China over the years has not only made great strides forward in terms of the country's economic development, but also in terms of modernizing the army.
Modern Priorities in China's Defense Construction
Since in recent years China has completely changed its military doctrine, which is now not related to the country's preparation for a global war, the priorities in the development of the Chinese army have also changed. Since China currently believes that World War now it is hardly possible, there are massive redundancies in the army. At the same time, the Chinese army is rapidly modernizing, and the amount of funds allocated for the army annually is so great that there is no need to talk about the loss of the power of the Chinese army.
At the same time, the aggressive policy of the United States is forcing China to modernize its army at an accelerated pace, since conversations in the world political arena are still conducted from a position of strength. That is why the new military doctrine of China speaks of the transformation of the Chinese army into a powerful structure equipped with last word technology. An army of this type must be able not only to effectively defend its borders, but also to respond with powerful strikes against the enemy, which can be located in any part of the world. That is why now in China huge funds are being invested in the development and modernization of intercontinental cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Such a position is not connected with the aggressiveness of China, simply because in the last century, a huge, but technically backward country was in semi-colonial dependence on Western countries, which for decades robbed the Chinese people. That is why China is cooperating with Russia, which has been actively helping it since the days of the USSR.
The entire nuclear policy of China can fit into the concept of "limited nuclear retaliation", and the key word here is "retaliatory". This policy, although it assumes the presence of a powerful nuclear potential, but it should only serve as a deterrent for those countries that intend to use nuclear weapons against China. This is not at all like the nuclear arms race that took place between the USSR and the United States, so the Chinese nuclear program does not require huge material costs.
In the past decade, China has abandoned its aimless military build-up. After conducting many analyzes of the world military conflicts that have occurred over the past 10-20 years, Chinese military experts have come to the conclusion that modern troops must support the concept of rapid response. At the same time, these groups can be quite compact, but their weapons must meet all modern high-tech parameters. It is science that should move modern development army. A modern soldier is not cannon fodder, but a versatile specialist who can handle the latest military equipment.
Mobile rapid response teams must, within a few hours, find themselves in a point of local conflict, which they must quickly neutralize. In accordance with this concept, the Chinese armed forces are developing precisely mobile forces, trying to equip them with various electronics that are capable of performing the following tasks:
- Long-range warning systems;
- Early warning systems;
- Communication systems;
- Remote control systems for weapons and troops;
- The newest means of electronic warfare.
Since China has made tremendous strides in electronics development in recent years, the military is also developing very dynamically.
Financing of the Chinese Army
Although spending on the PRC army is in second place in world statistics, behind only the United States, as a percentage of the $ 200 billion annually allocated for defense, it is only 1.5-1.9% of the country's GDP. 10 years ago this percentage was equal to 55 billion, and 20 years ago - only 10 billion. As China's GDP grows every year, more funding for the Chinese army can be expected in the future.
Representatives of many countries that are rather wary of China (especially the United States) believe that the official statistics provided by the Chinese authorities do not correspond to the real state of affairs. For example, the Japanese, who have disliked China since the Second World War, argue that the real costs of the Chinese army are 3 times higher than the figures in official statistics.
Although the economic situation at the beginning of the 21st century contributed to a reduction in funding around the world, the events of the last 2 decades have shown that China has been able to increase its GDP by more than 20 times. Accordingly, in geometric progression funding for the army increased, since no one cut the percentage.
Due to the fact that modern China conducts trade with almost all countries of the world, diplomatic relations of this country with everyone gradually normalized. Modern China has especially friendly relations with Russia. These relations are formed on the basis of an equal partnership. It is worth noting that friendly Russian-Chinese relations are of great concern to the United States of America, which wants to be a leader on the world stage. The United States cannot but care about China's integration into world economy so they would like to have leverage over China from a position of strength. America is well aware that if Russia and China unite against them, then they are unlikely to win, even on the economic battlefield.
If you look at the internal politics of China, you will notice that China is very attentive to the internal problems of the country. The standard of living in China is growing at a rapid pace, many Chinese now live as only a select few could afford 20 years ago.
Should the world wait for the "Chinese threat"?
Since any successes of any country give rise to envy and suspicion, China also did not escape this fate. As a result of the fact that China has begun to develop rapidly in the past 20 years, it has come to be perceived by some politicians. different countries as a possible aggressor. The tabloids around the world have picked up these rumors, and now many ordinary people expect aggressive actions from China against their countries. This hysteria has reached the point that even in Russia, which for many years has been China's partner in various fields, many consider the Chinese to be their enemies.
The Chinese authorities deeply regret that many countries around the world regard China as a possible aggressor. The reason for these accusations lies in a misunderstanding of the Chinese foreign policy... Supporters of the "Chinese threat" theory accuse China of the following:
- After the navies of the United States and Russia reduced the number of warships in the Asia-Pacific region, China rushed to take the vacant space to become the most significant military force in this region;
- China dreams of the idea of world domination, therefore, throws all its forces into absorbing world markets and building up its military power;
- Since China buys a huge amount from Russia modern weapons, this is causing a real arms race in this region. It got to the point that some military experts directly accuse China of North Korea acquiring its own nuclear weapons;
- The modernization of the Chinese army is carried out for only one purpose - to strike at any country, perhaps even the United States.
Chinese military experts indignantly deny these allegations. Regarding the leadership of the Chinese fleet in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese experts cite a number of dry figures that indicate that although Russia and the United States have reduced their forces in this region, the fleet of any of these countries is significantly superior to the Chinese in its capacity.
With regard to the Chinese idea of world domination, the leap forward in the Chinese economy should not be seen as an attempt to establish world domination. The fact that China is buying up enterprises around the world is a common practice of world business that strives for development.
With regard to the global modernization of the Chinese army, the Chinese authorities say that this process is a heavy burden on the shoulders of the Chinese economy. The Chinese say that they would gladly abandon this process, but the composition of the People's Liberation Army of China is seriously inferior to the armies of other countries. That is why modernization is a necessary process.
There is some truth in the assurances of Chinese experts and authorities. Indeed, in modern China there are many reforms that are aimed at the economic development of the state. If China has to focus on external problems, it will inevitably lead to problems within the country. China is unlikely to want to create unnecessary problems for itself when its government is focused on economic reforms.
The United States constantly claims that China will launch military aggression against Taiwan, which it has long wanted to invade. If we look at relations between China and Taiwan from an economic point of view, we can see that these two states are connected by serious economic relations. The annual turnover between the two states is very significant, so it makes no sense for China to lose huge profits by attacking Taiwan.
Due to the fact that most of all China is blamed by the United States, drawing from it a real beast that is just waiting for the moment to attack, one thing can be understood: America does not need another superpower on the world stage. Although for the United States "the train has already left", and the Chinese army is confidently moving towards leadership positions in the world ranking.
Of all Russia's immediate neighbors, China, of course, has the greatest combat power. The PLA is today the most dynamically developing army in the world. The mobilization resources of the PLA (300-400 million people) exceed the population of any country other than India.
The dream of the military commissar
The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA is the official name of the Chinese Armed Forces) is formally recruited by conscription. The draft age is 18 years. The duration of the conscript service is two years. Due to the significant overabundance of human resources, recruitment is selective, which allows for the recruitment of the best - both in terms of physical and intellectual data. There is also a contract service for three to 30 years. At the moment, the PLA is fully recruited - in fact, there is a kind of "call for a contract" in China.
The PLA is led by the Central Military Council (CMC). The post of chairman of the Central Military Commission is de facto considered the most important in the PRC. Only after taking this post does a person become a full-fledged leader of the country. Accordingly, it is the Central Military Commission that is in reality the main governing body of the PRC. At the same time, apart from the chairman himself, there is not a single civilian in the Central Military Commission, the council consists of representatives of the highest generals, whose role in the leadership of the PRC and the CPC is exceptionally great. The Central Military Commission determines the main directions of the construction and development of the PLA, forms the defense budget, is responsible for the mobilization and introduction of martial law.
According to the results military reform 2016, the Central Military Commission includes the Joint Headquarters (includes the headquarters of all four types of the Armed Forces, in its functions is similar to the American KNSH), five departments (political work, weapons development, training of troops, supply, national mobilization), three commissions (political and legal, on discipline inspection, science and technology), six departments (strategic planning, general affairs, reforms and organizational structure, audit, administration, international cooperation).
Under the command of the Central Military Commission are five commands in the theater of operations - North (headquarters - in Shenyang), Central (Beijing), West (Chengdu), South (Guangzhou), East (Nanjing). Commands are the highest operational-strategic formations of the PLA, under their control are all formations, units and ships of the ground forces, the Air Force and the Navy. In addition, under the command of the Central Military Commission there are strategic support forces (responsible for preparing network-centric warfare, conducting cyber operations, war in space, electronic warfare) and missile troops (analogous to the Russian Strategic Missile Forces).
The data on the last troops are completely classified. The Chinese side does not provide any official information on the number of missiles and warheads.
The Mystery of the Dungeons
It is known from various sources that the rocket forces include six armies (rocket bases), each with several brigades. Each is armed with one type of missile and includes three to six missile battalions. The battalion consists of three rocket companies, which in turn can include three rocket platoons. Depending on the type of missile, one launcher can be in service with either a company or a platoon. Accordingly, the brigade is armed with from 9 to 54 launchers, the number of missiles in it may exceed the number of launchers, that is, there are stored missiles in the area of launch positions.
There is an extensive system of tunnels near Beijing, built in the interests of the missile forces. The dungeon can contain any number of launchers (primarily mobile), missiles and warheads, there is no even approximate information on this. Further, only six armies (bases), about which there is at least some information, will be considered.
51st Army includes five (or six) brigades. 806th brigade is equipped with DF-31 or DF-21 missiles, 810th - DF-21, 816th - DF-15 or DF-21А, 822th - DF-21С / D, 828th - DF- 21C.
52nd Army includes up to 13 brigades. 807th is equipped with DF-21 missiles, 811th - DF-21С, 815th - DF-15В / С, 817th - DF-15 and / or DF-11А, 818th - DF-11А, 819 -th - DF-15 or DF-11А, 820th - DF-15 and / or DF-11А, 827th - DF-21С and / or DF-16, 829th - DF-11А. Perhaps the army has up to four more missile brigades with DF-11 and DF-15 missiles.
53rd Army includes up to seven brigades. 802 is equipped with DF-21 missiles, 808 - DF-21, 821 - DH-10, 825 - DH-10 and / or DF-16, 826 - DF-21C, 830 - DF-11 (this brigade may belong to the ground forces). There may be another brigade with DF-31A missiles.
54th Army includes up to five brigades. The 801st is equipped with DF-5A / B missiles, the 804th is equipped with DF-5A missiles, and the 813th is equipped with DF-31A missiles. Two more allegedly existing brigades are armed with DF-4 and DF-31A missiles.
55th Army includes four brigades. The 803 is equipped with DF-5A missiles. 805th - DF-4, rearmament to DF-31А, 814th - DF-5А, 824th - DH-10.
56th Army includes at least three teams. 809th is equipped with DF-21 or DF-31A missiles, 812th - DF-31А, 823rd - DF-21. There may be several more brigades with different types of missiles.
The most probable number of launchers, based on the number of brigades, their possible composition and various data - up to 50 DF-5, up to 18 DF-4, up to 96 DF-31 (including up to 84 DF-31A), up to 156 DF-21 (including up to 60 C, up to 12 V), up to 120 DF-15, up to 360 DF-11A, up to 24 DF-16, not less than 72 DH-10.
It is impossible to establish the number of nuclear warheads, since a significant part of the DF-11, DF-15, DF-21, DH-10 missiles are used in conventional equipment. On the other hand, a large number of nuclear warheads are kept in warehouses in peacetime. In any case, their number in the deployed state alone significantly exceeds 300 units.
With an eye on America
To class ICBM there are three types of missiles: DF-5 (range - 7.5-15 thousand km, there are at least 50 missiles), DF-31 / 31A (7-12 thousand km, at least 60 missiles), DF-4 ( 5.5-7 thousand km, at least 60 missiles). The flight range of ICBMs varies depending on the combat load. The outdated DF-5 and the DF-31 coming to replace it are full-fledged ICBMs and are designed to engage targets in the United States. At the same time, the DF-31A became the first Chinese ICBM with a MIRV (carries 3 warheads). However, the DF-5V ICBMs also have MIRVs (from 8 to 10), but there are no more than 12 such ICBMs.
DF-4 is actually an MRBM designed to destroy targets in the European part of the Russian Federation (therefore it has the unofficial name "Moscow missile") and theoretically in Europe. The DF-41 ICBM is being tested, capable of carrying up to 10 warheads and having a flight range of up to 14 thousand kilometers. Perhaps up to 12 of these ICBMs have already been built.
To the MRBM class include DF-3A (about 3 thousand km) and DF-21 (2-3 thousand km, about 300 units). MRBMs are designed to engage targets in the Russian Federation, India, Japan. The DF-3A is decommissioned (apparently, it is no longer in service) and replaced by the DF-21, which has several modifications, including, possibly, the world's first ballistic anti-ship missile DF-21D, designed to destroy large surface ships, primarily aircraft carriers ... The arrival of the DF-26 IRBM with a flight range of 3.5-4 thousand kilometers begins, now there are at least 12 such IRBMs.
To class OTP include DF-11 (300–800 km, more than 100 missiles), DF-15 (600 km, at least 500 units), DF-16 (800–1000 km, at least 12). The DF-15 and DF-11 missiles are designed to engage targets in Taiwan (the 52nd RA is the "anti-Taiwan" missile in the place of deployment and purpose), a smaller part is directed to the Vladivostok-Ussuriysk region and the Korean Peninsula. Much more similar missiles are part of the ground forces. In total, there are over 1,500 of them.
To the class of cruise missiles include DH-10 with a range of up to four thousand kilometers. The CD, created as a result of the synthesis of the Russian X-55 and American Tomahawks, is a new class of weapons in the missile forces. A significant number of similar missiles are used by the ground forces. Each mobile launcher has three missiles. The total number is at least 450 units.
ICBMs DF-5 and DF-4, IRBM DF-3 - silo-based, all other missiles described - mobile.
As mentioned above, there is no official data on the PLA's missile forces. Therefore, even the power of the six missile armies can be much greater. Taking into account the aforementioned system of tunnels, the potential increases significantly, with the most modern DF-21, DF-31 and DH-10. And I must say that such tunnels provide strategic nuclear forces with a much higher combat stability than in the United States and Russia.
/Alexander Khramchikhin, Deputy Director of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis, vpk-news.ru/
Which no longer hides its global ambitions. Today, the PRC has the second economy in the world, which continues to grow rapidly, more than a third of world GDP growth is provided by China. Currently, the question is no longer asked: "Will China become a superpower?", It would be more correct to ask when exactly this will happen.
However, for the realization of global ambitions, it is not enough to have a powerful economy, the power of the state - as in all times - is determined by the ability of the armed forces to defend national interests and command respect from neighbors.
It should be noted that assessments of Chinese military power vary greatly. From panicky materials about the "yellow" threat capable of conquering the whole world to an openly dismissive attitude towards the development of the Chinese military-industrial complex. However, most experts note the significant progress made by the Chinese military leadership in recent years. So what is modern army China? Should you be afraid of her?
The country's armed forces bear the official name of the PLA - People's Liberation Army of China, they were founded on August 1, 1927 during the Civil War, but received the name a little later, after the end of World War II. Today, the PLA is considered one of the strongest armies on the planet, experts put it in second or third place in the list of the armed forces of different countries of the world.
In accordance with the country's Constitution, the PRC army is not subordinate to the government or the leadership of the Communist Party, but to a special body - the Central Military Council. The post of chairman of the Central Military Commission is considered one of the key in the Chinese hierarchy of power, currently (since 2013) it is held by Secretary General CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping. The first chairman of the Central Military Commission was Deng Xiaoping, one of the architects of the Chinese economic miracle.
As of 2013, the number of the PLA was 2 million 250 thousand people (according to other sources - 2.6 million). According to most experts, the number of Chinese army in 2017 is 2.2-2.3 million people. In 2015, the next reduction of the armed forces of the PRC by 300 thousand people was announced. After the implementation of these plans, about 2 million people will remain in the Chinese army.
Last year, significant reforms began in the Chinese army, which (among other things) should significantly reduce the personnel of the Chinese armed forces.
The Chinese army is conscript, men are recruited into the military at 18 and remain in the reserve until 50.
China continues to increase its defense spending at an impressive pace: if at the beginning of the 2000s the country spent $ 17 billion on the army and the military-industrial complex, then in 2013 this figure reached $ 188 billion (2% of GDP). In terms of military spending, the PRC confidently ranks second, significantly overtaking Russia ($ 87.8 billion in 2013), but more than three times behind the United States ($ 640 billion).
The impressive success of the Chinese defense industry should be noted. You can forget the times when the prefix "Chinese" was synonymous with something cheap, substandard and counterfeit. Today, the PRC produces almost the entire range of weapons and ammunition. If earlier China mainly copied Soviet and Russian weapons, today the Chinese defense industry is trying to imitate more technological products from the USA, Europe and Israel.
China is still lagging behind Russia in some areas: aircraft and rocket engines, submarines, cruise missiles, but this lag is rapidly decreasing. Moreover, the PRC is gradually turning into a powerful player in the world arms market, confidently occupying the niche of inexpensive and high-quality weapons.
PLA history
The history of the Chinese armed forces is more than four thousand years old. However, the modern army of the PRC is the heir to the pro-communist armed detachments that appeared during the civil war that took place in the country in the 1920s and 1930s. On August 1, 1927, an uprising began in the city of Nanchang, during which the so-called Red Army was founded under the leadership of the future leader of China, Mao Zedong.The Red Army of China fought against the armed forces of the Kuomintang, then fought against the Japanese invaders. It received the name PLA only after the end of World War II.
After the defeat of the Japanese, the USSR handed over to the Chinese comrades all the weapons of the Kwantung Army. Chinese volunteers armed with Soviet weapons took an active part in the Korean War. Soviet Union actively helped China build new army, very quickly, on the basis of semi-partisan formations, numerous and rather combat-ready armed forces were created.
After Stalin's death, relations between the PRC and the USSR began to deteriorate rapidly; in 1969, a border conflict occurred between the two countries on Damansky Island, which almost escalated into a full-scale war.
Since the 1950s, the PLA has experienced several significant reductions, the most significant of which took place in the early 1980s. Up to this point, the Chinese army was mainly land, it was sharpened for a possible conflict with the USSR. After the likelihood of war in the north became less, the Chinese leadership began to pay more attention to the south: Taiwan, the disputed territories in the South China Sea.
In the 90s of the last century, the leadership of the PRC began a program to modernize the national armed forces, which led to such tremendous growth in the future. More attention was paid to the development of the navy, missile forces and the air force.
At the beginning of last year, the start of a new PLA reform was officially announced. The transformation is already under way. The division of the armed forces on a territorial basis was changed, and new types of troops were formed. The goal of the large-scale transformations that have begun is to achieve a new level of PLA control by 2020, optimize the structure of the army and create an armed force capable of winning in the era of information technology.
PLA structure
The system of power in modern China provides for complete control over the national armed forces by the ruling Communist Party of the country. Each level of the PLA organization has its own party control structures. Although, it should be noted that in comparison with the middle of the last century, the influence of the party leadership and ideology on the armed forces has become less.The main governing body of the PLA is the Central Military Council, it consists of a chairman, his deputy and council members who are regular military personnel. There is also a Ministry of Defense in China, but its functions are minimized: to the organization of international military cooperation and peacekeeping missions.
The reform, which began in January 2016, primarily affected the PLA's governance system. Instead of four headquarters - the General Staff, the Main Logistics Directorate, the Main Political Directorate and the Armaments Directorate - fifteen compact departments were created, each of which deals with a separate area and is subordinate to the Central Military Council.
The 2016 reform also affected the structure of the Chinese armed forces. A new branch of the military, the Strategic Support Troops, appeared as part of the PLA, and the country's military districts were reformatted. Until last year, the territory of China was divided into seven military districts, on February 1, 2016, they were replaced by five zones of military command:
* Northern area of the military command. Its headquarters are located in Shenyang City. The command includes four army groups. Its main task is to counter the military threat from North Korea, Mongolia, northern Japan and Russia.
* Western Military Command Zone (headquarters in Chengdu). Controls most of the country's territory, but is landlocked. The tasks of the command include ensuring the security of Tibet, Xinjiang and other areas. The most important for China is the Indian direction, for which the Western Command is also responsible. It includes three army groups and about ten separate divisions.
* Southern Military Command Zone (headquarters in Guangzhou). It controls territories near the Vietnamese, Lao and Myanmar borders, and includes three army groups.
* Eastern zone of the military command (the headquarters is located in Nanjing). One of the most important directions for China, given the long-standing problem with Taiwan. The Chinese do not exclude the possibility of solving it by military means. The command includes three army groups.
* Central Military Command Zone (headquarters in Beijing). This command protects the capital of the country - Beijing, it includes five army groups at once, so the Central Command can be called a strategic resource of the armed forces of the PRC.
China has the largest land army in the world. Experts estimate their number at 1.6 million. It should be noted that the current reform of the PLA provides for a significant reduction in the Ground Forces. Currently, the Chinese army continues to move from a divisional to a more flexible brigade structure.
The reserves of the Ground Forces are estimated at about 500 thousand people. At least 40% of the Chinese army is mechanized and armored.
Currently, the PLA is in service with more than eight thousand tanks, among which there are both obsolete ( different modifications tank Type 59, Type 79 and Type 88), and new ones: Type 96 (various modifications), Type-98A, Type-99, Type-99A. Also, the PLA Ground Forces have 1490 infantry fighting vehicles and 3298 armored personnel carriers. More than 6 thousand towed guns, 1,710 self-propelled howitzers, almost 1,800 MLRS and more than 1,500 anti-aircraft guns are in operation.
One of the main problems of the Chinese army (including the Ground Forces) is a large number of obsolete equipment and weapons that were developed on the basis of Soviet models at the end of the last century. However, this issue is gradually being resolved, and the troops are saturated modern views weapons.
The main problem of the Chinese Air Force is the operation a large number obsolete machines (analogues of the Soviet MiG-21, MiG-19, Tu-16 and Il-28).
Serious modernization of the PRC Air Force began at the end of the last century. China bought several dozen of the latest Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft from Russia. Then the licensed production of these machines began in the PRC, and then unlicensed.
Since about the middle of the last decade, China has been developing its own fifth generation fighters: the J-31 and J-20. The J-20 fighter was shown to the general public last fall. The plans of the Chinese leadership are not only to equip their own air force with these machines, but also to actively supply them for export.
In 2013, the PLA Chief of Staff said that the main threats to modern China come from the sea, so the development of the Navy is a priority.
Rocket troops
Before the reform, the Chinese Missile Forces strategic purpose were called the 2nd artillery corps, only in 2016 they received a separate status. Their number is about 100 thousand people.The number of nuclear warheads that China currently possesses raises many questions. Experts estimate their number from 100 to 650 pieces, but there is another opinion that in several decades, the PRC was able to produce several thousand nuclear warheads.
The Americans believe that by 2020 China can put on alert up to 200 ICBMs (both mine and mobile), equipped with warheads of a new generation. Special mention should be made of the latest Chinese missile systems Dongfeng-31NA (11,000 km) and Dongfeng-41 (14,000 km).
