Military Engineering Vehicles (PLAGF and PLANMC)

Editor's note: User @Tanker_MG discussed with me the need for a dedicated thread for combat engineering vehicles and equipment and their associated ORBAT information. Since @Tanker_MG doesn't yet have the permission to create threads on his own, he asked me to create the thread on his behalf. I'm happy to oblige. Below is the thread starter @Tanker_MG composed. All credit goes to him.

This thread aims to be a central hub for discussion of PLA Ground Force (PLAGF) and PLAN Marine Corps (PLANMC) engineering formations, vehicles, equipment, tactics, and ORBAT. Please share operational insights, photos, doctrinal references, and forum history.

To start, here are three vehicles of the engineer units

GDG‑130 Armored Backhoe Loader


From the ODIN website ( )
• The GDG‑130 Armored Backhoe Loader is Chinese military-engineered version of Australian ADI HSEV, in service since ~2008
• Role: trench digging, obstacle emplacement/clearance, berm construction, site prep.
• Specs: ~13 t, top speed ~90 km/h, 0.2 m³ backhoe (dig up to ~4 m depth), loader bucket ~0.8 m³;
• Variants include armored cabin with bullet-resistant glass
• Manufacture: Guizhou Jonyang Kinetics
• Previous posts in the forum on this vehicle are found here:
PLA Ground Forces news, pics and videos
PLA Ground Forces news, pics and videos

GPZ111A Wheeled Assault Breacher Vehicle (WABV)


From REDDIT website
• The GPZ111A is based on the ZBL08 chassis, with three-man crew. First in service ~ 2019(?)
• Role: Conducting in-stride breaching of minefields and complex obstacles for the Wheeled Combined Arms Brigade (CAB) units.
• Specs: ~22 t, top speed ~100 km/h,
• Mobility (counter-mine) Capabilities: The GPZ111A has three primary capabilities:
• At the front is the wheel width mine plow
• At the top front is the mine detection device that resembles a large wire broom. Some articles declare that this electronic device purpose is to detonate the mines or render the electrical fusing inoperable.
• It has a dual GBP150型爆破带 mine-clearing linear charges (MICLIC) which use the GPZ127 rockets. The GPZ127 rockets are mounted at the rear top in an armored compartment and the GBP150 line charge is in it's own compartment dead center of the vehicle. During operations, a bracket is raised to ensure the MICLIC line does not entangle the Mine Detect boom. Next the GPB150 MICLIC line charge compartment doors open and then the GBP127 rocket compartment opens. This compartment is hinged at the rear, so when cover is raised the GPB127 rocket is at the right launch angle. The cover has rocket rails to hold the GBP127 rockets. The GBP150 MICLIC uses the GPB127 rocket to propel the line charge 100m forward. The MICLIC detonate mines, bombs or improvised explosive devices at a safe distance and create a passage in the minefield with a length of 100 m and a width of 4-5 m.
• At the back of the vehicle is a Clear Lane Marking System. This is a similar system that is found on the GSL133 and GSL130. It is installed at the rear of the vehicle in a cylindrical container, it drops weighted markers on the ground as the vehicle moves forward to mark the clear lane.


• Manufacture: NORINCO
• Previous posts in the forum on this vehicle are found here:

Chinese infantry fighting vehicles​

Hello everyone! I was wondering if you could help me out with a vehicle ID on a APC version of what I thought was the APC variant of the ZBD04A, but it only have 5 roadwheel, instead of the ABD-04A six roadwheel. I have seen else where it is identified as coming from the ZSD89 family, but the...
www.sinodefenceforum.com

Chinese infantry fighting vehicles​

Two nice images of Mengshi-IIIs driving on a forest track.
www.sinodefenceforum.com

Click to expand...

GQC003 Wheeled Armored Scissor‑Bridge Launchers



• The GQC003 is based on the ZBL08 chassis, with three-man crew. First in service ~ 2019(?)
• Role: Conducting gap crossing of obstacles, consisting of rivers, anti-tank ditches or dry stream beds in support of mobility of the PLA GF Medium CABs.
• Specs: ~22 t, top speed ~90 km/h,
• Mobility (gap crossing) capabilities: The GQC003 has one primary capability:
• A 16 meter vehicle launched bridge of unknown weight bearing capacity.
• Manufacture: NORINCO
• Previous posts in the forum on this vehicle are found here:
• Chinese infantry fighting vehicles

Engineer ORBAT Overview
• PLAGF Engineer Corps:
○ Under Group Armies (~six regional TCs across PLA after 2016 reforms) each has attached engineer brigade/regiment or battalion-level elements responsible for route clearance, fortification, bridging, field water and chemical defense support
○ Engineer support is integral to combined arms brigades (heavy, medium, light formations) and modular logistics support brigades
Below graphic is from KushigumoAkane's post



Engineer Battalion from a posted graphic for a Heavy CAB from X user .


• PLANMC Engineer units are assumed to be similar to the PLAGF as there is very little data.

To Keep this thread going (Moderators and Members if you have seen these images on the forum before, please PM so I can properly cite to the person who posted them);

GSL132 Chinese Amphibious Armored Breacher Vehicle (AABV)

(In the classic PLANMC camo)

The GSL132 is a amphibius assault breacher vehicle (AABV) built on the ZBD-05 Amphibious IFV developed by the Norinco for the People’s Liberations Army Navy Marine Corps and the People’s Liberations Army ground force. The GSL132 Amphibious Assault Breacher Vehicle (AABV) is a specialized engineering vehicle developed to enhance their amphibious assault capabilities. Designed to clear mines and other obstacles during amphibious operations, the GSL132 ensures the safe passage of troops and vehicles from sea to shore. The GSL-132 operates in tandem pairs with the GCZ111 for mobility operations.

Below is the data from the TRADOC ODIN website, which I was the author of this entry:
System:
Date of Introduction: November 2019 (Janes), Chinese source says 2018JAN25 (Original Article Sina Military dated: 20180125_我军新战车有三大绝技 配专用破障弹可劈开坚固工事_雷场_战车_工事_新浪军事_新浪网)
Country of Origin: China, People's Republic of
Type: Amphibious Armored Breacher Vehicle (AABV)
Manufacture: Norinco (Same as ZBD05)
Family: ZBD05, Type 05
Crew: 3
Chassis: The GSL-132 is based on the ZBD-05 chassis, but its engine has been relocated from the front to the rear. At the front of the vehicle is the three-man crew compartment, on top of which sits an 8-tube 107mm obstacle-clearance rocket launcher for breaching walls and similar barriers. At the rear, above the engine compartment, is the MICLIC containers box containing the dual GBP-127 mine-clearing linear charges (MICLIC) for minefield clearance. The cover to the box raises like the GSL130 and GSL133.

Maximum Effective Range: Similar to ZBD-05, 500 Km.

Note: The GSL-132 operates in tandem with the GCZ-111 for mobility operations.

The GCZ111 is in the lower left hand while the GSL 132 is in the upper right leading.

Minefield Clearing Equipment

Mine Plow: Mounted at the front. During operations, this plow or blade is lowered and digs into the ground and removes mines from the path. The GSL132 travels at a speed at an average speed of 3 to 5 km per hour, the mine plow clears mines up to 20 cm underground.


Mine clearing line charge (MICLIC) : It has a dual GBP-127 mine-clearing linear charges (MICLIC) mounted at the rear over the engine compartment. The GBP-127 MICLIC uses a rocket to propel the line charge 100m forward. The MICLIC detonate mines, bombs or improvised explosive devices at a safe distance and create a passage in the minefield with a length of 100 m and a width of 4-5 m.


Anti-Barrier Obstacle Rockets: At the front of the vehicle is the three-man crew compartment, on top of which sits an 8-tube 107mm obstacle-clearance rocket launcher for breaching walls and similar barriers.

Clear Lane Marking System: Uses a similar systems as the GSL133 and GSL130. Installed at the rear in cylindrical container, it drops weighted markers on the ground as the vehicle moves forward. (image to come but the limit is five?)

NOTE: From website '' and the title of the article is 'Mine-clearing rockets: An inventory of China's vehicle-mounted rocket mine-clearing systems (Part 2) 20190212. Author Wang Xiaoxi
The model of the blasting minesweeper is GBP127 rocket blaster, with 2 sets in total, the minesweeping depth is 100m and the minesweeping width is 4 to 5m. The GBP127 rocket blaster consist of a rocket engine, explosive belt, trigger, denotating fuse and packaging box. The rocket engine weighs 40kg and the type of propellent is double cobalt-1. The explosive belt is in the shape of a round tube. Its outer packaging is made of nylon thread. It contains passivated RDX explosives and detonating cord. It is 120m long and weighs 670kg. The fuse is a pull-delay fuse with an inertial safety device, and the delay time is 14 to 20 seconds.

The clear lane marking system, that appears to be a universal item on the GSL130, GSL132, GLS131 and GPZ111A.

Clear Lane Marking System on the back of the GSL132.

On the back of the GSL130


This Clear Lane Marking System (CLAMS) that is named in translated articles as "path marking device" or "channel marking device", so be aware that I use google translate to I may have the name incorrect. One article on the GSL130 states that:
"40 "tumbler" structure markers stored in the launch tube (control circuits are installed inside the markers). As long as there is a need, the markers will be dropped to the ground at intervals of 7-8 meters during the minesweeping process. Flashes to indicate the location of the safe passage."

40 markers drop at every 8 meters would be only marking a clear lanes for 320 meters. Given the GBP150型爆破带 mine-clearing linear charge create a passage in the minefield with a length of 100 m and a width of 4-5 m, that is more than enough for the distance of the PLA GBP150 MICLIC. Since the GSL130, GSL131, GSL132 and GPZ111A carried two GBP150 MICLICs this gives enough markers to mark for both cleared lanes.

Here is the same system on the GPZ111A at the rear of the vehicle (note the cylinder shape);


I don't have a good picture of the GSL131 but this is what I have (taken from a CCTV 7 video sorry about the quality). The yellow circle outlines the CLAMS on the back;

What the heck is a GSL131 you say? Well is is a Mine clearing systems based on the GJT 211 (Type 82) armored bulldozer, that is updated.
GJT211


And the GSL131


They appear to be built with the same cabin and use similar blades to clear obstacles. But the GSL131 is built to clear mines while the GJT211 was built as an armored bulldozer. Yes the GJT211 can have the GBP150 MICLIC put in the back:

But putting the GBP150 MICLIC in the GJT211 appears to be ad hoc, and the GSL131 is purpose built to to conduct minefield clearing with two GBP150 MICLICs and the clear lanes system.

Unfortunately I cannot find an image of the GSL131 launching the GBP150 MICLIC.

Crew insides the cabin from CCTV7 from SINA article on the Engineer Brigade in the 77th Group:


Any errors in translation are my fault.

Observations on GSL132 Employment and Potential Organization within PLAGF and PLANMC Engineer Companies

Recent training imagery and video evidence provide insight into the employment patterns and likely organizational structure for the GSL132 Amphibious Assault Breacher Vehicle (AABV) within the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) Amphibious Combined Arms Brigade Engineer Company and possibly the PLAN Marine Corps (PLANMC) Engineer Company.

In multiple training sequences, the GSL132 is observed operating in a deliberate pairing with the GCZ111A Armored Engineer Vehicle (AEV). Notably, the GSL132 consistently leads, with the GCZ111A following in trail.




At the 19:12 mark of a lengthy PLA beach landing exercise video on YouTube (), this lead-trail configuration is again visible.



In another video the same is shown again with one GSL132 & GCZ111A pair advancing to a breach point secured by a ZBD05 and a ZTD05. In the upper left-hand of the screen, a second breacher pair is seen moving to an adjacent breach point, reinforcing this organizational trend.

Additional insight comes from the Strategy & Analysis Centre YouTube channel’s PLA Amphibious Combined Arms Battalion video. At the 4:08 mark, the video shows a notional ORBAT (order of battle) for the Engineer Company’s counter-obstacle detachment.


This ORBAT appears to mirror the Russian Engineer Battalion’s Mine Clearing Platoon structure, which typically includes two squads of the same make-up.



These squads can make two crossing gaps in an obstacle belt in this method:

1. UR-77—employed to launch an explosive line charge for initial breach,
2. IMR-3M—to proof and clear the lane,
3. IMR-3M—to continue reducing remaining obstacles and widen the breach for combined arms elements to exploit.

Analogously, PLA forces appear to use:

1. GSL132 to deliver explosive breaching munitions,
2. GSL132 to plow through and simultaneously mark the cleared lane,
3. Combined Arms Battalion elements to maneuver through the initial gap,
4. GCZ111A to further reduce and expand the breach corridor.

While static displays sometimes show three GSL132s grouped together, field exercises and video documentation suggest a more functionally paired structure of GSL132 and GCZ111A vehicles as the operational norm. This pairing likely reflects doctrinal intent and engineering force design within PLA amphibious formations.

Again if I am posting links of images incorrectly please contact me so i can make corrections.

New trailer TA4500 6*6

Successor of TA4360

The newly designed fully enclosed armored cab complies with the current PLA requirements for non-frontline vehicles