The PLA army is going through a phase of comprehensive modernization. This is intended to summarize the new developments and implications for future PLA armoured force.
(please see & for references)
Present:
The backbone of the PLA ground mechanized division is the tracked Type 86 armed with a 76mm smoothbore gun. The fast reaction force is mainly armed with the Type 92 APC equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun, along with the Type 92 IFV with 25mm and 30mm autocannons. Type 92 can be fielded alongside the 100mm assault gun. The mechanized infantry still rides in Type 63 APC.
The next 15 years:
The Type 86G equipped with a 30mm autocannon is steadily replacing the BMP-1 style Type 86, but the future will be along the Type 97 IFV generation style chassis, which includes a BMP-3 style 100mm+30mm gun, a dedicated 30mm gun, a 100mm/105 mm light tank, and associated support vehicles. The wheeled armoured forces will be based on the next generation 8x8 wheeled vehicle. This will include a 100mm assault gun, 30mm IFV, 122mm artillery, possibly 120mm mortar, and associated support vehicles (engineer, command, etc.). The airborne troops will see greater deployment of the ZLC 2000 armed with a 30mm gun, as well as a new armoured car like the QL550. The new 155mm Type 05 tracked artillery will also likely be fielded. Older generation vehicles like the 152mm tracked artillery, BMP-1 style Type 86, Type 63 APC will eventually be transferred to the amphibious forces and be gradually retired from service. This does not mean the amphibious force will be inferior to the land force, but rather there will be a greater mix of old and new generation vehicles. Eventually though, the Type 97 style chassis will predominate.
Commonalities:
The Type 99 and Type 96 MBTs will remain in service for many more years. The upgraded Type 59, Type 63A amphibious tank and the upgraded Type 62 will also be in service as fire support. Type 89 APC will remain the main transport of the mechanized infantry for many more years. 122mm tracked artillery and the 152mm tracked artillery will also continue to see active service. The type 89 122mm artillery rocket will be a vital component for many more years. Same thing goes for the Type 87 twin 25mm AAA, though newer generations of twin 35mm AAA will either replace or deploy alongside them.
Summary:
The transformation of the PLA armoured force in the past decade is remarkable. The future will ensure increased combat effectiveness, better mobility, and greater flexibility for its ground forces, bringing its power projection capabilities to new heights. Although much remains to be done in terms of digitization, the new deployment of new battlefield equipments is one step closer to that realization.
(please see & for references)
Present:
The backbone of the PLA ground mechanized division is the tracked Type 86 armed with a 76mm smoothbore gun. The fast reaction force is mainly armed with the Type 92 APC equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun, along with the Type 92 IFV with 25mm and 30mm autocannons. Type 92 can be fielded alongside the 100mm assault gun. The mechanized infantry still rides in Type 63 APC.
The next 15 years:
The Type 86G equipped with a 30mm autocannon is steadily replacing the BMP-1 style Type 86, but the future will be along the Type 97 IFV generation style chassis, which includes a BMP-3 style 100mm+30mm gun, a dedicated 30mm gun, a 100mm/105 mm light tank, and associated support vehicles. The wheeled armoured forces will be based on the next generation 8x8 wheeled vehicle. This will include a 100mm assault gun, 30mm IFV, 122mm artillery, possibly 120mm mortar, and associated support vehicles (engineer, command, etc.). The airborne troops will see greater deployment of the ZLC 2000 armed with a 30mm gun, as well as a new armoured car like the QL550. The new 155mm Type 05 tracked artillery will also likely be fielded. Older generation vehicles like the 152mm tracked artillery, BMP-1 style Type 86, Type 63 APC will eventually be transferred to the amphibious forces and be gradually retired from service. This does not mean the amphibious force will be inferior to the land force, but rather there will be a greater mix of old and new generation vehicles. Eventually though, the Type 97 style chassis will predominate.
Commonalities:
The Type 99 and Type 96 MBTs will remain in service for many more years. The upgraded Type 59, Type 63A amphibious tank and the upgraded Type 62 will also be in service as fire support. Type 89 APC will remain the main transport of the mechanized infantry for many more years. 122mm tracked artillery and the 152mm tracked artillery will also continue to see active service. The type 89 122mm artillery rocket will be a vital component for many more years. Same thing goes for the Type 87 twin 25mm AAA, though newer generations of twin 35mm AAA will either replace or deploy alongside them.
Summary:
The transformation of the PLA armoured force in the past decade is remarkable. The future will ensure increased combat effectiveness, better mobility, and greater flexibility for its ground forces, bringing its power projection capabilities to new heights. Although much remains to be done in terms of digitization, the new deployment of new battlefield equipments is one step closer to that realization.
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