People's Liberation Army Ground Force

People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Unit name	People's Liberation Army Ground Force
Native name	中国人民解放军陆军
Country	China
Branch	People's Liberation Army
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Garrison	Beijing
Commander1	Li Qiaoming
Notable commanders	Peng Dehuai, Zhu De, Lin Biao
Anniversaries	1 August

People's Liberation Army Ground Force is the land warfare service branch of the People's Liberation Army, responsible for land warfare operations, territorial defense, and support to national strategic objectives. Originating from the Chinese Communist Party-led revolutionary forces that fought in the Chinese Civil War, the force has evolved through campaigns such as the Huaihai Campaign, the Northeast China Campaign, and the Pingjin Campaign, and later engaged in the Korean War against United Nations Command forces. It has been shaped by leaders and theorists including Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Deng Xiaoping, and interacts with institutions such as the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense (PRC), and provincial military districts.

History

The Ground Force traces roots to the Nanchang Uprising and the formation of the Red Army under commanders like Peng Dehuai and Zhu De, fighting in the Long March and the Second Sino-Japanese War alongside Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army formations. After victories in the Chinese Civil War including the Liaoshen Campaign and Huaihai Campaign, the force established control over mainland China and reorganized during the early decades of the People's Republic of China under leaders such as Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi. During the Korean War, units operated under the Chinese People's Volunteer Army command structure against United States Armed Forces and Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union influenced force posture and equipment, while the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War prompted further reforms. Post-1978 economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping led to downsizing and professionalization initiatives paralleling reforms in the People's Liberation Army Navy and People's Liberation Army Air Force. Contemporary reorganizations under leaders like Xi Jinping and directives from the Central Military Commission have restructured commands and updated doctrine.

Organization and Structure

The Ground Force is organized into theater commands aligned with the Theater Command system, including the Western Theater Command, Eastern Theater Command, Northern Theater Command, Southern Theater Command, and Central Theater Command. Subordinate formations include combined-arms group armies derived from former group armies such as the 1st Group Army and 65th Group Army model lineages, plus specialized brigades for special operations, armor, artillery, air defense, engineering, and logistics. Command relationships involve the Central Military Commission and joint coordination with the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and People's Liberation Army Navy. Historical provincial militaries evolved into military districts such as the Beijing Military Region and Shenyang Military Region before the current theater restructuring. Training institutions include academies like the PLA National Defense University and branch schools named for figures such as Zhu De Military Academy.

Equipment and Weapons

Equipment inventories encompass main battle tanks like the Type 99 tank and Type 96 tank, infantry fighting vehicles including the ZBD-04 IFV and ZBL-09, armored personnel carriers such as the Type 07 APC, and self-propelled artillery like the PLZ-05. Air defense systems include the HQ-9 and mobile anti-aircraft guns, while multiple rocket launcher units employ systems such as the PHL-03 and A-100 MLRS. Small arms include the QBZ-95 and QBZ-03 rifle families, and support weapons like the QBU-88 sniper rifle. Engineering and support vehicles range from bridge layers to recovery vehicles based on the Type 89 IFV chassis. Unmanned systems and electronic warfare suites are integrated alongside surveillance platforms such as the Z-8 helicopter and ground-based radars sourced from manufacturers like Norinco and research institutions including the Academy of Military Sciences (China).

Training and Doctrine

Doctrine has transitioned from people's war concepts to combined-arms, mechanized and network-centric approaches influenced by studies of the Gulf War, Kosovo War, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Training emphasizes combined-arms exercises at facilities like the Zhurihe Combined Tactic Training Base and international training exchanges with units from countries including Russia, Pakistan, and Belarus. Officer education occurs at the PLA National Defense University, branch academies, and through staff colleges modeled partially on institutions such as the Frunze Military Academy historically studied by Chinese officers. Joint operations doctrines coordinate with the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force and People's Liberation Army Air Force for anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies referencing scenarios around the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and Indo-Pacific contingencies.

Personnel and Recruitment

Personnel policies shifted from large conscript pools to a more professional force with career officers, non-commissioned officer development, and volunteer enlistment incentives. Recruitment draws from provinces such as Guangdong, Sichuan, Shandong, and Henan, with selection standards influenced by the Ministry of Education (PRC) and national fitness initiatives. High-profile personnel include decorated veterans from the Korean War and commanders promoted through ranks like those who served in the People's Armed Police. Promotion systems align with regulations issued by the Central Military Commission and personnel doctrine codified in military statutes.

Operational Deployments and Exercises

Deployments have included border engagements in the Sino-Indian border dispute, the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War, and peacekeeping missions under United Nations mandates in places like South Sudan and Lebanon. Large-scale exercises include the annual Joint Sword and multinational drills such as Peace Mission series with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation partners and bilateral exercises with Russia and Pakistan. Amphibious and joint rehearsals simulate scenarios near Taiwan Strait islands and the Spratly Islands, while rapid-reaction brigades participate in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations responding to events like the Sichuan earthquake.

Modernization and Reforms

Recent reforms initiated by the Central Military Commission under Xi Jinping emphasize jointness, force reduction, brigade-centric structures, and high-technology integration including artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, and precision strike systems. Organizational reforms dissolved some legacy military regions and established theater commands, while procurement priorities shifted to platforms such as the Type 99A tank, the Z-20 helicopter, and modern communication networks developed with companies sanctioned by state-owned conglomerates and research arms like the China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco). Reforms also address logistics modernization, professional NCO corps development, and legal frameworks aligning with the Law of the People's Republic of China on National Defense Mobilization.

Category:People's Liberation Army Category:Military units and formations of China