Only around 300 of the latter are in service. This main force is completed by a few guards, elite units equipped with the Type 99. But the bulk of the army's armoured divisions is made of the Type 96 main battle tank, of which are estimated 2,000 in service. While there are an estimated 8,000 tanks in reserve today kept in case of war, they are of the now obsolete 1st and 2nd generation Chinese MTBs: Type 59s of the late type (total circa 10,500, but less than 1,000 Type III), with Type G conversion kits and possibly spare turrets, Type 69 and Type 79 models (about 3,000), the Type 80/88 (circa 3,500), the Type 85 (circa 600) and Type 90s (circa ) in second line units. The Type 99 is reserved only for elite battalions. The bulk of the armored divisions is equipped with Type 96 and 90 tanks, whereas the Type 80/ 85/88 and older types are now in the active reserve. An integrated battlefield information network with (LAN/WAN) communications, satellite communications, and UAV-based surveillance/recce is set up, as well as mobile command and control centers. The latest operational doctrine integrates information technology, electronic and intelligence as well as long-range precision strikes. 40% of PLA divisions and brigades are now mechanized or armored, thanks to a reduction of size to bolster economic growth, which favored the army core of motorized elements.

Two amphibious mechanized divisions are based in Nanjing and Guangzhou districts.

The PLAGF reserve had a 510,000 personnel divided between infantry and anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) divisions. The fall of USSR somewhat relieved the Chinese PLA of the traditional threat of a war on its northern borders, but with the new world order emerging in the 2000s, the Grounds forces were consistently improved and geared towards quality for costly MBTs, while quantity shifted towards cheaper wheeled vehicles while the emphasis was put on export, with success.īy fact, the PLA deploys today the world's largest ground force, with 1.6 million personnel (60% of the PLA's total manpower), divided among seven military regions. Type 84 AVLB The Chinese Tanks in the cold war Type 59 TankĬhinese softskin Vehicles: Trucks, Tractors and Cars Facing new challenges

No modern vehicals on world of tanks