People's Liberation Army Marine Corps

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 The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (Pinyin: ZhōngguǒRénmǐ n
Jiě fàngjūn Hǎijūnlūzhā ndùi) is the amphibious warfare branch of the People's Liberation Army Navy. It
is the marine corps of the People's Republic of China. It currently consists of two 6000-man brigades.
History
Though the Marine Corps was originally established in the 1950s during the Chinese Civil War
by Communist troops to conduct amphibious operations against islands held by the Nationalists. The
organization was disbanded in October 1957 when the People's Liberation Army Navy abandoned any
plans to attack Taiwan. Following the disbanding of the Marine Corps, the PLAN did maintain a naval
infantry force, which consisted of several infantry and amphibious tank regiments.

In 1979 the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China reestablished the
Marine Corps and organized it under the PLAN. On May 5, 1980, the 1st Marine Brigade was activated
on Hainan.[citation needed].
Organization
The Marine Corps is subordinate to PLAN Headquarters, the People's Liberation Army General
Staff Department, and the chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The two 6000-man brigades are both based in the South China Sea. It is believed in time of war,
up to 28,000 Marines can be mobilized. These two brigades possess combined arms units, including
armor, artillery, missile, air defense, and logistics.[citation needed].

PLAN marines can perform a variety of missions. They are considered elite troops, and are part
of the rapid mobilization forces of the Chinese military. All marines are believed to receive the best
training, which includes parachuting and amphibious warfare exercises. The marines perform two
principle missions: serving as the fighting spearhead of any amphibious operation, to establish a
beachhead of launch direct assaults against enemy targets inland via amphibious landing, and acting as a
garrison or assault group in island chains, in particular potentially disputed territories in regional
waters.[citation needed ].
Equipment

Soldier of PLAN Marine Corps with Type 95 Assault Rifle in ERNA Assault 2005

Personnel Equipment

 Type 95 Assault Rifle

 Type 95 Family Squad Automatic Weapon
 HJ-8 Anti-tank missile
 HJ-73 Anti-tank missile

Armour

 Type 62 Light Tank

 Type 63 Light Amphibious Tank
 Type 63A Light Amphibious Tank
 Type 63 APC
 Type 77 Amphibious APC
 Type 85/89 APC
 Type 86 Infantry Fighting Vehicle
 WZ551 Wheeled APC

Artillery

 Type 89 Self Propelled 122mm gun system

The modern -ay Chinese marine possesses the Type 95 bullpup assault rifle as standard infantry
armament. The marine wears a blue/littoral camouflage uniform as standard dress. The effectiveness of
this camouflage is unknown, and is thought to be ineffective once the marines penetrate deeper into
urban and forested terrain. The marines also make use of GPS and night vision systems to enhance their
fighting capabilities.
 The PLA Marines are equipped with amphibious light tanks and armoured personnel carriers.
The Type 63A is the newest light tank in Chinese service. It is based on the hull of the older Type 63
(which in turn is based on the Soviet PT76 amphibious light tank). The Type 63A features a number of
improvements, in particular the new welded turret which features much greater armour protection and
the 105mm main gun (capable of firing standard NATO projectiles as well as the gun launched anti-tank
missile). The marines are believed to have continued operating the Type 63 and the non-amphibious
Type 62 light tanks as secondary units. The Type 77 amphibious APC was the standard armoured
transport for the marines for many decades. However, new designs have been adapted from the army to
complement these aging transports. These include specially modified versions of the Type 89 and Type
63 APCs, with enhanced swimming capabilities. The Type 86 (or WZ501) IFV is also in service with
the marines. Based on the Soviet BMP-1, it is armed with a single 73mm main gun and mounts an HJ73
ATGM (with max range of 3000 meters).

For air defense, the marines employ a mix of automatic and manually operated anti-aircraft
artillery systems, as well as short range surface-to-air missiles. The marines have been seen operating
the new Type 95 self-propelled air defense platform on an amphibious hull similar to the Type 77 APC.
This platform is armed with four 25mm cannon with a short ranged SAM combination to achieve
effective killing capabilities against low flying targets at short ranges. The Type 89 self-propelled
122mm gun is the first SP artillery system in service with the marines since 1999. This adds additional
accurate firepower to the PLAMC.
Future
Equipment

In terms of equipment, the marines are receiving more modern armoured fighting vehicles. The
latest example has been apparently a new light tank. This tank features the same turret as the Type 63A,
but is on a lighter chassis that may perform better on water than the original Type 63A hull. Only photos
have appeared of this vehicle so far with no firm details. A second new vehicle is a new armoured
recovery vehicle, which features a brand new hull. The exact status of both vehicles is still generally
unknown.

Deployment Capabilities

The marines in the next few years are expected to have greater deployment capability with the
introduction of several new ships in the navy. The primary new ship in question is the Type 071 Landing
Ship Dock, which could operate both high speed hovercraft to transport troops and vehicles, as well as
helicopters. It has also been reported lately that China may sign an agreement in the near future to
finalize the purchase of the Russian 'Zubr'-type air cushion assault transport, which could transport
sizeable numbers of troops and equipment at speeds exceeding 50 knots.

With the PLAN's accelerating efforts to expand its capabilities beyond territorial waters, it would
be likely for the PLAMC to play a greater role in terms of being an offshore expeditionary force similar
to the U.S and Royal Marines.