PLA Ground Forces news, pics and videos

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Papppi

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That picture was taken in 2022, and it seems like it was likely taken during his instruction for the Chinese team prior to the 2022 International Military Competition.
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Yes, this is a new angle of the training from August last year, right before the start of the "International Army Games 2022" in Kazakhstan. The article itself (being published by some random third party magazine) is pretty much useless, the usual PLA related lifeless mumbling

If all PLA SOF units were equipped like this then it would be a bit of a step up for them (albeit still NOD-less), but so far the only most consistent appearance of this kit (vests, helmet and earpro) seems to be when they are training for a tactical/shooting competition. Of course given how rarely we get such imagery, it is not a representative sample, but whenever I see these kind of images it is always important to apply some generous cold water to be aware of how rare this kind of kit is and to question how often it is actually used.
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No really. The line between what is considered PLA-SOF is very blurry to start with, what might be referred to as "SOF" could very much end up being some random recon or "spearhead" unit. For example, casual reports, articles, interviews, and variety shows from state media pretty much calls anything Marine Corps, Airborne / Air-assault, or Recon related as special operator or “特种兵”, which can be very confusing for the average mf without context on the unit or background.

I've also recently found a dozen or so PLA veteran accounts on Toutiao with zero views (might share them later on), most of whom seemed to be a mix of Recon and Air-assault retired between late 2022 to early 2023. And based on the load of blurry pics and cringe short videos they've released, their gear seems to be relatively on par with those shown in the occasionally released "propaganda pics" (high cuts, high speed carriers, basic comm, digital monotones / dual BNVDs, 191 paired with holo sights etc). So while things aren't great tbf, they aren't as pessimistic as you usually describe them to be
 
Blitzo

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
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Papppi said:
Yes, this is a new angle of the training from August last year, right before the start of the "International Army Games 2022" in Kazakhstan. The article itself (being published by some random third party magazine) is pretty much useless, the usual PLA related lifeless mumbling


No really. The line between what is considered PLA-SOF is very blurry to start with, what might be referred to as "SOF" could very much end up being some random recon or "spearhead" unit. For example, casual reports, articles, interviews, and variety shows from state media pretty much calls anything Marine Corps, Airborne / Air-assault, or Recon related as special operator or “特种兵”, which can be very confusing for the average mf without context on the unit or background.

I've also recently found a dozen or so PLA veteran accounts on Toutiao with zero views (might share them later on), most of whom seemed to be a mix of Recon and Air-assault retired between late 2022 to early 2023. And based on the load of blurry pics and cringe short videos they've released, their gear seems to be relatively on par with those shown in the occasionally released "propaganda pics" (high cuts, high speed carriers, basic comm, digital monotones / dual BNVDs, 191 paired with holo sights etc). So while things aren't great tbf, they aren't as pessimistic as you usually describe them to be
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Frankly, the inconsistency just makes it worse, and I suspect there is minimal service level coordination or direction as to the procurement and training for much of the equipment that modern infantry would expect, even for more supposedly capable units such as SOF brigades, and that is probably as much of the institutional thinking as what the role of infantry (even SOF) at the service level is, more than anything.

A spattering of NODs, semi decent optics and comms and earpro here and there, in a military of the size of the PLA, is simply a reflection that they have yet to see such equipment as useful given their (arguably fair) higher priorities at the national level and even in the PLAGF level -- but for us, it means that even if we see hints of decent equipment it is nothing to be particularly excited about.

We will know PLA infantry have truly arrived, if it becomes an exception or a surprise to see a PLA soldier without any kit like plate carriers, modern helmets, NODs, comms, earpro, or decent optics, rather than with.
Or paraphrasing it in equivalent terms to how I once saw it described for the US Army -- when NODs are so plentiful that even personnel in a dental company get them as normal.
I've been observing the PLA for a while now, I see no signs that there is institutional, top down driven change for procurement of this equipment. Technology has allowed some equipment to be more accessible, meaning some units can purchase things for themselves, but large scale procurement of modern infantry equipment just isn't happening yet.
 
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gelgoog

Brigadier
Registered Member
This is particularly egregious when you consider that infantry equipment is much, much cheaper than buying aircraft or ships.
Still, given that China is a major exporter of these kinds of infantry equipment, I expect this to be rectified if any conflict does happen.

You can already partly see this after the conflict with the Indians when the Type 15 tank and modernized infantry individual equipment got sent to the Indian-Chinese border.
 
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gongolongo

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Blitzo said:
There's a wechat article that this is from and goes into more detial.
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That picture was taken in 2022, and it seems like it was likely taken during his instruction for the Chinese team prior to the 2022 International Military Competition.


If all PLA SOF units were equipped like this then it would be a bit of a step up for them (albeit still NOD-less), but so far the only most consistent appearance of this kit (vests, helmet and earpro) seems to be when they are training for a tactical/shooting competition. Of course given how rarely we get such imagery, it is not a representative sample, but whenever I see these kind of images it is always important to apply some generous cold water to be aware of how rare this kind of kit is and to question how often it is actually used.

And even on the soldiers being instructed, it seems at least two of them are wearing their vests too low, which is something we've also seen consistently before.
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Qtf why are their plates so low?
 
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Taiban

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EQ2101 6x6 EW (Electronic Warfare) Mobile Command Post CSK-141 armoured vehicle in a Tibet Militar Region Brigade, used for Electronic CounterMeasures (ECM) during a training operation


Purely my assessment- Take it or throw it.
If the propaganda photo tactical number is to be believed LS11-8306, then it is 52nd Light Mountain CAB (HIMOB) 8th Battalion- Combat Support Battalion with third company being the EW Company
20231027_151133.jpg
 
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