PLA Organization & Structure discussion

The Observer said:

Actually I'm not clear on Chinese Motorized Infantry and Mountain Infantry. I only have vague imagination that Motorized Infantry ride on soft skinned trucks. For Mountain Infantry I have absolutely no idea.

Also, is there a separate Armored/Assault gun batallion at group army lvl that can be broken down into companies and attached to LCAB? That sounds like a solution to insufficient firepower of LCAB. AFAIK it's also being tried by US army for IBCT with it's new MPF.

Click to expand...

I. There's nothing wrong with your imagination. Both motorized and mountain infantry are transported by unarmored trucks, and unloaded as footsoldiers prior to or when encountering combat, whereas Armored Infantries or LHMIs can fight alongside their IFV or Mengshi. The differene between the former two is that mountain infantry is expected to maneuver across mountainous terrains, therefore some of their weapons and equipments is required to be highly mobile by the means of 1) being mounted on high-mobility vehicles such as Shanmao ATV or 3rd-Gen Mengshi; 2) having the ability to be disassembled and carried by men. As for motorized infantry, they can cope with anything that can be loaded on or towed by trucks.

II. No, and I agree that LCABs may be insufficient of direct fire.

The Observer said:

Then what about the tracked/wheeled division of ≤120mm/122mm/155mm platforms on each Batallion/Brigade/Group Army?

I'll try a list and maybe you can correct it if there's any mistake.

≤120mm:

PLZ-10 on HCABn
PLL-05 on MCABn
PCP-001 on LCABn

122mm:

PLZ-07 on HCABde
PLL-09 on MCABde
PCL-161 on LCABde Motorized, PCL-171 on LCABde HIMOB

155mm:

PLZ-05 and PCL-181 on Group Army.

Click to expand...

You are mostly correct, except that:
1) Mountain LCABs do not operate PCP001;
2) As of now all PCL161s and PCL171s are operated only by LHMI units. Motorized and mountain LCAB operates either PL96 (towed) or PCL09 (truck mounted).

Also, starting last year, some mountain, LHMI and air assault units are trying out an 120mm mortar. For details see:

KushigumoAkane said:

You are mostly correct, except that:
1) Mountain LCABs do not operate PCP001;
2) As of now all PCL161s and PCL171s are operated only by LHMI units. Motorized and mountain LCAB operates either PL96 (towed) or PCL09 (truck mounted).

Also, starting last year, some mountain, LHMI and air assault units are trying out an 120mm mortar. For details see:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1410025566909059073

Click to expand...

uh... what are LHMI units? Is it LCABde HIMOB? and why did PLA bother to develop PCL-161 and PCL-171 if they're going to equip the same unit...

and I'm also curious about the arrangement for MLRS and ATGM systems. I'll try to make a list as well

MLRS
122mm:

PHZ-89/PHZ-11 on HCABde
PHL-81/PHL-11 on MCABde
new Mengshi/MV3 Based 20 round MLRS on LCABde HIMOB (?)

300/370mm:

PHL-03 and PHL-16 on Group Army


ATGM Carrier

AFT-10 on HCABde
AFT-09/new MV3-based carrier on MCABde
new "HJ-16" Mengshi (?) on LCABde

dxq4412 said:

I guess no one cares about PLA Organizational & Structure . It's been 13 years and only 47 replies.

Click to expand...

Nah, it's because ORBAT of PLAGF below Group Army level is considered classified (meh), so no one wants to talk about it publicly in China.

The Observer said:

uh... what are LHMI units? Is it LCABde HIMOB? and why did PLA bother to develop PCL-161 and PCL-171 if they're going to equip the same unit...

and I'm also curious about the arrangement for MLRS and ATGM systems. I'll try to make a list as well

MLRS
122mm:

PHZ-89/PHZ-11 on HCABde
PHL-81/PHL-11 on MCABde
new Mengshi/MV3 Based 20 round MLRS on LCABde HIMOB (?)

300/370mm:

PHL-03 and PHL-16 on Group Army


ATGM Carrier

AFT-10 on HCABde
AFT-09/new MV3-based carrier on MCABde
new "HJ-16" Mengshi (?) on LCABde

Click to expand...

HIMOB, LHMI, Mengshi brigade, whatever you want to call it. I prefer to call it LHMI because it's the direct translation of the original term.
As of now, PCL161 is only seen in WTC and NTC, whereas PCL171 is only seen in ETC and STC.
For MRLS and ATGM, PHL11 is universal among MCAB and LCAB, with PHL81 being its downgrade substitute. LHMI LCAB in WTC and NTC may operate MV3 based AFT10, those in ETC and STC is said to operate 3rd-Gen Mengshi based AFT10.

KushigumoAkane said:

HIMOB, LHMI, Mengshi brigade, whatever you want to call it. I prefer to call it LHMI because it's the direct translation of the original term.
As of now, PCL161 is only seen in WTC and NTC, whereas PCL171 is only seen in ETC and STC.
For MRLS and ATGM, PHL11 is universal among MCAB and LCAB, with PHL81 being its downgrade substitute. LHMI LCAB in WTC and NTC may operate MV3 based AFT10, those in ETC and STC is said to operate 3rd-Gen Mengshi based AFT10.

Click to expand...

ok... I have several questions:

1. What is the original term of LHMI? Light High Mobility Infantry?

2. So MV3 based 122mm and HJ-10 is on West & North TC, while Mengshi based 122mm and HJ-10 is on East & South TC... still, but why??? Why not just use 1 platform for all... wouldn't it be nice to unify logistics esp. with FAW MV3 rumored to be the universal new 2.5/5 ton truck?

3. if PHL-11 is universal on MCABde and LCABde, what about the MV3 and Mengshi-based single pod 122mm?

The Observer said:

ok... I have several questions:

1. What is the original term of LHMI? Light High Mobility Infantry?

2. So MV3 based 122mm and HJ-10 is on West & North TC, while Mengshi based 122mm and HJ-10 is on East & South TC... still, but why??? Why not just use 1 platform for all... wouldn't it be nice to unify logistics esp. with FAW MV3 rumored to be the universal new 2.5/5 ton truck?

3. if PHL-11 is universal on MCABde and LCABde, what about the MV3 and Mengshi-based single pod 122mm?

Click to expand...

1. Yes, "轻型高机动步兵".
2. IDK, probably due to some geographic differences.
3. My bad, I should have said "...universal among MCAB and LCAB other than LHMI"

Possible orbat 161st Air Assault CAB. Source @pir3
-Transport Helo Bn/运输直升机1营: 24x Z-8L/4 coy x6
-Transport Helo Bn/运输直升机2营: 24x Z-20/4 coy x6
-Armed Helo Bn/武装直升机营: 30x Z-10 + 2x Z-19/4 coy x6
-Battlefield Support Helo Bn/战场勤务直升机营: 16x Z-19/2 coy x8 + 6x Z-8G/Z-20/1 coy + 12 UAVs/1 coy

Taiban said:

Possible orbat 161st Air Assault CAB. Source @pir3
-Transport Helo Bn/运输直升机1营: 24x Z-8L/4 coy x6
-Transport Helo Bn/运输直升机2营: 24x Z-20/4 coy x6
-Armed Helo Bn/武装直升机营: 30x Z-10 + 2x Z-19/4 coy x6
-Battlefield Support Helo Bn/战场勤务直升机营: 16x Z-19/2 coy x8 + 6x Z-8G/Z-20/1 coy + 12 UAVs/1 coy

Click to expand...

Presumably that is 5 x coy of 6 for Armed Helo Bn?

anyone has made a new structure how the Xinjiang or Tibet military regions are their? what all regiments or units come under them?