Chinese army size and weapons. The Chinese army is the largest army in the world

The size of China's army can be the envy of any modern sovereign state. According to official estimates, more than 2 million people are involved in the armed forces of the Celestial Empire. The Chinese themselves call their troops the People's Liberation Army of China. There is not a single example in the world of more numerous armed forces. Experts say that in recent years the number of Chinese soldiers has decreased due to a new military-political doctrine. According to it, the main focus in the PRC army is now placed not on the quantity of manpower, but on the quality of weapons and equipment of the troops.

History of the formation of the Chinese armed forces

Despite the fact that the domestic militarization of the PRC was first carried out in 1927, its history dates back much earlier. Scientists believe that in fact the army of Ancient China was formed approximately 4 thousand years ago. And there is evidence of this.

We are talking about the so-called Terracotta Army of China. This name was adopted to describe the terracotta statues of warriors at the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang in Xi'an. Full-size sculptures were buried in the 3rd century BC. e. together with the body of the emperor of the Qin dynasty, whose policy achievement was the unification of the Chinese state and the connection of the links of the Great Wall.

Historiographers report that the future ruler began building his tomb while still a 13-year-old teenager. According to the idea of ​​Ying Zheng (that was the name of the emperor before ascending to the throne), the sculptures of warriors were supposed to remain next to him even after death. The construction of the mausoleum required the efforts of about 700 thousand workers. Construction lasted almost 40 years. Contrary to tradition, clay copies of warriors were buried with the ruler instead of living soldiers. China's Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 while drilling an artesian well near the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an.

If we talk about the modern legions of this country, then they are the direct heirs of the communist combat units that arose during intrastate battles in the 20-30s of the previous century. One fateful date stands out from the history of the Chinese People's Army. On August 1, 1927, an uprising took place in the city of Nanchang, which became the driving lever in the mechanism for the founding of what was then called the Red Army. The then armed forces were headed by the future leader of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong.

The PLA (People's Liberation Army of China) received its current name only after the end of World War II, and from the moment of its formation it was the Red Army that fought against the combat units of the Kuomintang and the Japanese invaders.

After the devastating surrender of Japan, the Soviet Union decided to transfer the weapons of the Kwantung Army to a neighboring friendly state. Voluntary formations equipped with USSR weapons took an active part in the war on the Korean Peninsula. Thanks to the efforts and help of Stalin, the Chinese were able to build new combat-ready troops. Not the least role in the formation of the armed forces of the Celestial Empire of that period was played by semi-partisan associations. In 1949, after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, the army acquired the status of a regular armed force.

Development of Chinese troops in the second half of the twentieth century

After the death of Joseph Stalin, relations between the once partner countries began to deteriorate, and in 1969, a serious border conflict broke out between the USSR and the PRC on Damansky Island, which almost caused the outbreak of a full-scale war.

Since the 50s, the Chinese army has been subjected to significant reductions several times. The most significant event that affected the number of active troops occurred in the 80s. At that time, the Chinese army was represented mainly by ground forces, that is, it was tailored for a possible military conflict with the Soviet Union.

After some time, relations between the countries stabilized. The Chinese, realizing that the threat of war from the northern side had passed, turned their attention to internal problems. Since 1990, the country's leadership has launched a large-scale program to improve the current model of the national army. China is still actively modernizing its navy, aviation, and missile forces.

From 1927 to the present day, tremendous work has been done to reform the PLA. The successful transformations led to a new division of the army according to territorial affiliation and the formation of new branches of the military. The country's leadership, led by Xi Jinping, see their goal as achieving the highest level of controllability and combat effectiveness of the Chinese army, optimizing the structure of combat units and creating troops that have an advantage in the era of information technology.

Indicators of the PRC armed forces

Like a number of other states, Chinese legislation has introduced compulsory military service. However, the number of people seeking to join the ranks of the regular troops is so large that in the entire history of the existence of the PRC army (since 1949), the authorities have not carried out a formal conscription. For every Chinese, regardless of gender, it is a matter of honor to repay debt to the Motherland through military service. In addition, military craft is the only way for most Chinese peasants to feed their families. Soldiers are accepted into volunteer units of the Chinese army until they reach the age of 49.

The armed forces of the People's Republic of China are a separate structural unit that is not subordinate to either the Communist Party or the government. Two specially formed committees are called upon to manage the army in China - the State and the Party.

It is difficult for a person far from military affairs to imagine the true power of the military “machine” of the Celestial Empire. For a substantive understanding, let’s look at the numbers:

• Both men and women over 19 years of age have the right to join the ranks of various types of troops.
• The size of the Chinese army, according to rough estimates of experts, is about 2.5 million people.
• From year to year, more than $215 billion is allocated from the state budget for the maintenance of the armed forces.

An interesting feature of the Chinese army’s weapons is their similarity to the Soviet ones. For the most part, Chinese weapons and equipment are a direct legacy of the USSR, copies of Soviet models. Over the past decades, in the course of modernization, the weapons of the Chinese army have increasingly been replenished with new types of ultra-modern weapons, which are not inferior in their parameters to their world analogues.

The beautiful half of the Chinese troops

Since the formation of the PLA, not only men have joined its ranks. Women in the Chinese army occupy predominantly positions with minimal threat to life. As a rule, this is the field of communication and healthcare.

The first graduation of female Marines from the South China Navy dates back to 1995. About 10 years ago, representatives of the fair sex began to be allowed to take fighter pilot exams. Some ladies have become captains in the Navy and manage warships and crew. Women, just like men, march in Chinese army parades. Military demonstrations take place in China once every ten years. According to experts, ladies type the step clearly and competently, in no way inferior to men.

On the composition of the military forces of the People's Republic of China

The strength of the current PLA has been significantly reduced compared to the Chinese army of the 1960s and 70s. But, despite this, against the background of the combat effectiveness of the armies of other states, the troops of the Celestial Empire still look impressive. The main difference between China's former armed forces is that the main resource for their formation was soldiers, that is, manpower. At the same time, the number of units of military equipment amounted to several dozen throughout the country. Today's Chinese army includes all units of modern troops:

• land;
• air force;
• Navy;
• strategic nuclear forces;
• special forces and other types of combat groups, in the absence of which it is impossible to imagine any army of a modern state.

In addition, new types of ballistic missiles and intercontinental weapons enter service with the Chinese army every year. Considering that each nuclear power keeps full information about the state of its weapons potential secret, it is likely that China also has an order of magnitude more nuclear warheads than are officially reported. According to publicly available information, there are about 200 isotopically charged carriers in the country.

Missile and ground forces

The strategic units of the PRC armed forces have access to 75 ground-based ballistic missile launchers and about 80 Hong-6 aircraft belonging to the strategic nuclear aviation forces as basic equipment. The command of the Chinese flotilla has at its disposal a nuclear submarine equipped with twelve launchers for launching Julan-1 missiles. Despite the fact that this type of weapon was developed more than 30 years ago, it is considered effective today.

As for the composition of the ground forces, in China this unit has the following resources:

• 2.5 million soldiers;
• about 90 divisions, of which a fifth are tank and rapid reaction divisions.

Chinese Air Force and Navy

The military aviation of the People's Republic of China openly declares the presence of about 4 thousand aircraft. Moreover, most of them represent an outdated “legacy” from the USSR, which was transferred by the Union. Many operational aircraft are models designed on the basis of Soviet flying machines. More than two-thirds of the PRC's aircraft fleet are fighters used to destroy military targets and air defense. Not long ago, Chinese aircraft were not intended to support ground forces. Over the past few years, the situation in this direction has changed radically.

More than a hundred warships and several hundred helicopters and aircraft belonging to the naval aviation department make up the Chinese naval forces. To regularly guard the border and coastal zones, the Chinese Navy uses thousands of equipped patrol ships.

Not many people know that China owns the aircraft carrier Liaoling (formerly Varyag). The PRC purchased it from the Ukrainian fleet for a fairly impressive amount - $25 million. The United States prevented the purchase of the aircraft carrier, so the Chinese company had to resort to a peculiar trick: a private company acquired the Varyag, which in the documents received the status of a floating amusement park. As soon as the aircraft carrier arrived in China, it was decided to complete and improve it. Not long ago, the PRC created two more aircraft carriers based on the Liaoling model.

Military-political partnership

Despite the fact that the Celestial Empire continues to actively develop weapons, this country still lags behind the superpowers in the field of high-precision weapons. A considerable share of the funds allocated to ensure the defense capability of the state goes to the development of a new type of weapon. The country's leadership chose this course because, in its opinion, the future belongs to precision weapons.

To get an objective assessment and compare the armies of China and the United States, there is no need to list all the super-powerful weapons of both powers at their disposal. Without further arguments, it is clear that the PRC has something to strive for in the field of military weapons. Despite all the scientific and technical achievements of designers, the Chinese defense industry still lags significantly behind the American one. It is only worth noting that the United States, as the main competitor of the Chinese in the international arena, does not particularly hide its dissatisfaction with their successes.

In order to gradually reduce the gap with the world leader, the PRC decided to actively develop cooperation with the Russian Federation in the military-technical sphere. China owes much of its rapid development of its army to its partner. Thanks to Russia, which not only supplies the latest weapons, but also takes part in the development of military equipment on an equal basis with Chinese specialists, the PRC was able to take a decisive step forward.

Today, many joint Russian-Chinese projects are operating, various agreements have been concluded at the intergovernmental and interstate levels in the following areas:

• joint military technological processes and development of new weapons;
• studying technologies used both to destroy military targets and to protect civilians;
• cooperation in the space field, which involves conducting numerous projects and developing programs;
• strengthening relations in the field of communications.

The rapid development of partnership relations between Russia and China is of significant importance for the armies of both countries. Increasing the pace of modernization processes of the armed forces of China is not welcomed by the United States, which fears the potential emergence of a direct competitor. At the same time, the number of concluded cooperation agreements between Russia and China has increased significantly over the past few years. The most significant achievements in the sphere of relations between these two countries are worth noting the acquisition of SU-27 fighters, as well as permission for their production in China, and the consent of the Russian side to carry out repair work on Chinese submarines on its territory.

Main priorities in the field of defense construction

Comparing the armies of China of the last century and our time has enormous differences. The change in the military-political doctrine of the PRC and the competent setting of priorities have brought real results in the development of the armed forces of the republic. Numerical reductions against the backdrop of rapidly progressing technical modernization, requiring the annual allocation of impressive budget sums, did not in any way affect the combat effectiveness of the Celestial Army. On the contrary, China's position in the international arena has strengthened significantly.

The country's leadership will not consider suspending army modernization as long as the United States acts in interstate relations from a position of strength. The PRC plans to reach a level of armed forces at which the republic will be able to protect its borders and strike back at the enemy. For the same purpose, huge funds are allocated from the budget for the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.

China's nuclear weapons policy fits into the concept of a “limited nuclear retaliatory strike.” Despite the fact that the military-political doctrine of the PRC implies the development of nuclear potential, its presence should be perceived by other states not as a threat, but as a deterrent that can be used in response against an enemy using nuclear weapons on the territory of the republic.

Mobile rapid reaction teams, whose task is to quickly move to areas of active conflict and neutralize it, are of strategic importance in the field of defense construction. According to the provisions of this concept, the Chinese army is developing mobile forces, annually equipping them with modern electronics, including systems:

• long-range detection and communication;
• remote control of weapons and troops;
• electronic warfare.

Chinese military funding

When comparing the armies of China and Russia, the difference between the amount of funds allocated annually for the maintenance of the armed forces is striking. If the Russian military budget over the past few years has averaged around $65 billion, then the growing Chinese spending on troop modernization has already exceeded $200 billion. In this context, the Chinese army is second only to the United States. At the same time, the Chinese allocate only 1.5-1.9% of the country’s GDP for defense. Interestingly, this figure was $50 billion just ten years ago. As GDP grows, funding for the Chinese military is expected to increase proportionately.

The development of trade relations with most world powers contributes to the normalization of diplomatic relations. As already noted, the warmest friendly relations, based on the terms of equal partnership, are maintained between China and Russia.

Does China want world domination?

The size and armament of the Chinese army allows us to consider this country one of the strongest potential adversaries. But since any successes and achievements give rise to envy, suspicion and slander, the republic did not escape this fate. The country's leadership expresses regret that individual states treat China as a potential aggressor. The reason for such suspicions is an incorrect understanding of Chinese foreign policy. Among the versions are the following:

• The PRC strives to become the most significant military force in the Asia-Pacific region, so the republic began to invest heavily in the army as soon as Russia and the United States reduced the number of warships in this area.
• The purchase of modern weapons from Russia provokes an arms race. Allegedly, this is considered one of the real reasons why the DPRK (North Korea) decided to acquire nuclear warheads.
• The modernization of Chinese troops is carried out only in order to strike a blow at the United States.

These accusations are refuted by military experts from the Middle Kingdom. China is not striving for world domination, and the rapid growth of economic indicators would be more correct to perceive as a common business practice that strives to expand and increase profits.

The process of modernizing the army itself, according to the PRC authorities, lies a heavy burden on the shoulders of the state economy. However, China does not have the right to refuse to improve its armed forces, since the country’s army is currently vulnerable to the stronger troops of other powers.

The United States assumes that the PRC will launch a military offensive from Taiwan, with which the Chinese have certain territorial disputes. But such thoughts have no logical basis in light of the steadily developing economic relations between China and Taiwan. The two countries are linked by large annual turnover. Therefore, why should China lose billions of dollars in profit?..

Such accusations can be heard mainly from the United States or its allies. Apparently, it is beneficial for America to portray China in a bad light, arguing that the PRC is just waiting for the moment to attack. What goal are the Americans actually pursuing by putting a spoke in the wheels of the Celestial Empire? Most likely, America is afraid of losing world leadership. It does not need a strong competitor, another superpower on the world stage.

The armed forces of the People's Republic of China are the largest in the world. The strength of the Chinese army as a general structure is 2,480,000 people. In terms of total combat capabilities, they are still in third place after the United States and Russia. It consists of: Air Force, Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Strategic Missile Forces and People's Militia. The units are equipped with both modern and very outdated equipment. Due to the increased level of secrecy, quantitative estimates of Chinese military equipment are often only approximate.

In 2010, a new military reform was launched to increase the size and quality of China's army. In 2019, there was a sharp jump in the combat effectiveness of the PRC Armed Forces. According to current Chinese military doctrine, measures are being taken to implement the so-called “access limitation principle.” It is designed to create restricted zones in China and nearby waters, where even the US Armed Forces will not be able to conduct combat operations. Comprehensive measures are being implemented to create no-fly zones and counter aircraft-carrying strike groups. Much attention is paid to the development of nuclear forces, as well as the expansion of the space group and ensuring security in cyberspace.

Air Force

The number of air force personnel in the Chinese army in 2019 is 330 thousand people. The Chinese Air Force has a mixed fleet of modern and obsolete aircraft, an extensive network of airfields, including extremely fortified underground ones, located in mountain ranges. They use both Russian and domestically produced machines, often resorting to illegal copying of Russian equipment. The Air Force also includes anti-aircraft missile forces.

Aviation is divided into the following main categories:

Strategic aviation

Strategic aviation is one of the components of the Chinese nuclear triad and is represented by 130 long-range Xian H-6 missile-carrying bombers, essentially modified copies of the obsolete Soviet Tu-16. Depending on the modification, the H-6 can carry from 2 to 6 cruise missiles with nuclear warheads. Presumably, the Air Force units have deployed from 120 to 150 nuclear warheads of the strategic and tactical class, which is approximately a quarter of the total nuclear potential of the PRC. Unlike American and Russian strategic aircraft, Chinese bombers have a much shorter range and payload capacity, and are essentially not intercontinental.

Tactical aviation

The composition includes: fighter-bombers - 24 Su-30MK2, 73 Su-30 MKK, 43 Su-27SK, 32 Su-27UBK, 205 J-11 (Su-27 clone), 323 J-10, 120 JH-7, 4 FC-1, 12 J-20 (5th generation), as well as obsolete fighter-bombers and attack aircraft - 192 J-8 (modification based on the MiG-21), 528 J7 (Mig-21 clone), 120 Q- 5 (attack aircraft based on the MiG-19), 32 multi-purpose Z-9 helicopters, 200 Z-10 and Z-19 attack helicopters, several dozen V-750 UAVs

The range of weapons is predominantly dominated by unguided weapons, although there is a fairly wide range of high-precision weapons, including guided bombs, anti-radar and anti-ship missiles, various air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles with active radar guidance. A great achievement of the Chinese defense industry is the launch of the fifth-generation J-20 multirole fighter into serial production.

AWACS aircraft

The composition includes: 4 KJ-200, 2 KJ-500, 4 KJ-2000, 1 KJ 3000.

Chinese AWACS are built on modern components and generally meet the standards required for machines of this class, although there are some doubts about the quality of the phased array manufacturing and software.

Military transport and auxiliary aviation

The composition includes: 2 Xian Y-20, 16 Il-76 MD\TD, 1 Il-78, 4 Y-9, 61 Y-8 (An-12), 2 Boeing 737, as well as several dozen more middle-class transport aircraft and about 300 light An-2s, about 40 transport helicopters of Russian, domestic and French production.

At the moment, the Chinese Air Force has a small number of heavy transport aircraft, so the ability to transport military equipment is very limited.

Anti-aircraft missile forces

There are about 120 divisions of air defense systems HQ-2, HQ-6, HQ-7, HQ-9, HQ-12, S-300 PMU in service. As an auxiliary force, the Chinese army has a large number of anti-aircraft artillery systems (more than 1100).

China's air defense system is an impressive force, with air defense systems predominantly located in the eastern coastal and central regions. Activities are underway to create a deeply layered air defense system and cover long-range complexes with the help of air defense missile systems and short-range air defense systems.

Naval forces

The Chinese Navy today has significant combat potential and is the fastest growing type of military force. The number of naval personnel in the Chinese army as of 2019 is 290 thousand people. At the moment, the fleet is being completed entirely with the help of domestic shipbuilding companies, although copies purchased in Russia are still in service. Ships and submarines under construction are equipped with modern high-precision weapons of various classes. The breakthrough of the Chinese industry in the field of electronics allows the introduction of modern BIUS into the fleet (only on destroyers pr 052D and 055), which in their functionality approaches the capabilities of the American Aegis system, as well as modern radar and anti-submarine equipment.

The fleet is divided into the following categories:

Fleet of guided missile ships

It consists of: 4 Kunming-class destroyers, Project 052D, 6 Lanzhou-class destroyers, Project 052C, 2 Type 051C destroyers, 1 Type 051B destroyer, 2 Type 052 destroyers, 16 Luida-class destroyers, Project 051, 4 Sovremenny-class destroyers: Project 956E and Project 956EM, 2 Jiangkai-class frigates, Project 054/054A, 10 Jiangwei-2 type frigates, Project 053H3, 4 Jiangwei-class frigates, Project 053H2G, 29 frigates of the Jianghu-1 type, Project 053, 28 corvettes of Project 056/056A, 83 missile boats of Project 022, 31 missile boats of Project 037, 25 missile boats of Project 024.

The large number of missile boats in the Navy makes it possible to effectively solve the tasks of the coast guard and counteract larger enemy ships in coastal waters. The extensive fleet of corvettes is mainly concentrated on anti-submarine missions. About a third of the total number of destroyers are modern. 4 destroyers pr 052 D (8 more are planned to be built) are very innovative for the Chinese fleet and comparable to American Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (without missile defense capabilities). Construction has begun on a series of even more advanced Project 055 destroyers, with 16 planned.

Submarine fleet

The composition includes: 4 SSBNs pr. 094 "Jin" (carrier of JL-2 SLBMs, 12 missiles per boat, range 7200 km), 1 SSBN pr. 092 "Xia" (carrier of JL-1 SLBMs, 12 missiles, range 1800 km), 4 MPLATRK pr. 093 “Shan”, 1 nuclear submarine pr. 097 “Kin”, 4 nuclear submarines pr. 091 “Han” (obsolete),

15 diesel-electric submarines pr. 041 "Yuan", 10 diesel-electric submarines pr. 636, 2 diesel-electric submarines pr. 877EKM, 13 diesel-electric submarines pr. 039 "Song" (039/039A/039G), 13 diesel-electric submarines pr. 633 "Romeo" (obsolete)

The Chinese Navy has one of the most powerful diesel-electric submarine fleets in the world (largely thanks to modern Russian Pr 636 boats). Due to their low noise, they pose a serious threat to the naval formations of any enemy, therefore the development of diesel-electric submarines in China is given special attention as part of the “access denial” strategy. The nuclear submarine fleet is actively developing, both in the field of creating multi-purpose boats and SSBNs. A significant part of China's nuclear deterrent forces are located on underwater platforms, being one of the components of the nuclear triad. In terms of low noise levels of nuclear submarines, there is still a noticeable lag behind the advanced models of the Russian and American fleets.

Landing fleet

The composition includes: 4 UDC of the "Qinchenshan" type, project 071, 25 BDK of the "Yukan" type, project 072, 15 SDK of the "Yudao" type, project 073, 4 MDK "Bison", 32 MDK of the "Yulin" type, project 079 , 10 MDK "Yuhai" type, pr. 074

The Chinese armed forces are actively increasing the number of marines, and landing ships of new designs are being laid down. Helicopter carriers pr 071 are the largest ships in the Chinese fleet after the Liaoning aircraft carrier. In general, the Chinese amphibious fleet has significant potential and is capable of landing fairly large marine units.

Naval aviation

The Navy is armed with the only Chinese aircraft carrier "Liaoning" (converted Soviet "Varyag"), and has 24 Shenyang J-15 fighter aircraft, 4 Z-18J AWACS helicopters, 6 Z-18F anti-submarine helicopters, 2 Z search and rescue helicopters. -9C.

Airfield-based naval aviation includes: multi-role fighters - 24 Su-30MK2, 110 J-11/15/16 (clones of various versions of the Su-27), 24 J10; 230 obsolete fighters, bombers and attack aircraft J7, J8, Q5 (converted versions of MiG-19 and MiG-21), 36 N-6 long-range bombers, 19 Ka-28 helicopters, 27 Z-8 helicopters, 25 Z-9S helicopters, 9 Ka-31 helicopters.

Despite the fact that the PRC army maintains a large number of outdated equipment on its balance sheet, the naval aviation has 134 modern multi-role fighters capable of performing anti-ship warfare and air defense missions in large areas of coastal waters. The disadvantage of Chinese naval aviation is the lack of modern anti-submarine aircraft.

Ground forces

The strength of the Chinese ground army in 2019 is about 870 thousand people. For a long time they were subordinate to the leadership of the central military council, and its chairman was one of the most influential figures in the PRC, but in 2015, a separate military command of the Ground Forces was created for the first time. At the moment they represent the most powerful ground strike force in the region.

In service are: 3,400 Type-59/59-2/59D tanks (modifications of the Soviet T-54), 300 Type-79 tanks, 500 Type-88 tanks and modern ones: 2,200 Type-96/96A tanks, 40 Type-98A tanks , 750 type-99/99A tanks, 750 type-03/type 62/type 63A light tanks, 200 type-09 wheeled tanks: 1850 type-92/92A/92B infantry fighting vehicles, 1650 type-63 armored personnel carriers, 1500 type-89 armored personnel carriers , 400 ZBL-09 armored personnel carrier, 100 WZ-523 armored personnel carrier, 1820 self-propelled guns of various modifications, 6340 towed guns and mortars, 1810 MLRS (BM-21, WS-2/WS-2D, WS-3), 1570 anti-aircraft guns, about 3000 MANPADS, several thousand ATGMs HJ-8, HJ-73, AFT-20, Red Arrow.

The power of Chinese artillery and the large number of Chinese ground forces in 2019 deserve special attention. The weapons are equipped with unique WS-2 and WS-3 MLRS systems, which are significantly superior to their Western and Russian counterparts in terms of firing range and accuracy, and are very close in their capabilities to operational-tactical missile systems at a much lower cost. They provide hit accuracy with a CEP of 30 m at a distance of up to 200 km. It was on the basis of these complexes that the Belarusian MLRS Polonaise was created as part of military cooperation.

Strengths also include the introduction of 3rd generation ATGMs (fire-and-forget principle) with optical and infrared guidance systems into the ground forces. At the moment, such systems can be mass-produced only in 5 countries (USA, Israel, China, Japan, South Korea) since they require high-tech production of uncooled thermal imaging matrices.

Nuclear missile forces

In China, this type of force is officially called the 2nd Artillery Corps. The number of personnel is approximately 110 thousand people. The actual size of this secret unit within the Chinese army remains a mystery. All data regarding this type of troops are approximate.

The total potential of China's nuclear forces is estimated at approximately 400-600 nuclear units of strategic and tactical classes. Of these, approximately 250 strategic class charges are distributed among the components of the triad. An extensive network of underground tunnels has been created for mobile ground-based ICBM platforms, both near Beijing and in various (mostly mountainous) regions of China, which significantly increases the secrecy and stability of nuclear forces from a possible first strike from the enemy.

The composition includes: ICBMs - 20 DF-5A, 28 DF-31A, 16 DF-31, 10 DF-4. IRBM - 2 DF-3A, 36 DF-21C, 80 DF-21. BRMD - 96 DF-15, 108 DF-11A, as well as 54 long-range missiles DH-10.

New ICBMs based on DF-31 modifications are typically placed on mobile ground platforms. It is assumed that there will be 3-4 nuclear units on one rocket. In addition to the listed types of missiles, the newest ICBM DF-41 is beginning to enter service, which is probably the first in Chinese missile technology to use a multiple warhead into 10 individually targeted units. This means that China has achieved technological parity in rocket science with the US and Russia.

Truly unique is the DF-21D medium-range missile with a maneuvering warhead and a guidance system that allows it to attack large moving targets (aircraft carrier class). It was created as part of the “access denial” strategy, implementing an extremely effective asymmetric response to US superiority in the field of naval weapons and AUG in particular. In fact, it is a completely new class of anti-ship missiles with record low flight times and a firing range of 1,750 km. According to Pentagon analysts, the appearance of such missiles could completely prevent the US fleet from entering the Taiwan Strait in the event of a conflict between China and Taiwan, and is also the first threat to the global dominance of the US Navy since the end of the Cold War.

People's Militia

The People's Militia of the People's Republic of China is a paramilitary unit of the internal troops (analogous to the National Guard). They are engaged in maintaining order in China, fighting terrorism, protecting important facilities and performing border service. According to various estimates, the size of the Chinese “internal” army in 2019 ranges from 1 to 1.5 million people.

China's defense spending rose 12% to 808.2 billion yuan ($132 billion). The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) remains the largest in the world, with 1,500,000 personnel and more than 3,250,000 reservists. What is the PLA price today, see the AiF.ru infographic.

The Chinese military-industrial complex employs 24 enterprises in the nuclear industry, 12 companies in the rocket and space industry, nine aircraft factories, 14 factories for the production of armored vehicles, 20 enterprises for assembling artillery equipment, more than 200 factories for the production of ammunition and 23 large shipyards.

China's ground forces include the following types of troops: infantry, armored forces, artillery, military air defense, airborne, engineering, chemical, reconnaissance, communications and automobile troops, border troops.

The PLA ground forces are armed with:

tanks - 9150 units;

armored combat vehicles (AFV) - 6600 units;

self-propelled howitzers - 1200 units;

mortars - about 10,000 units;

multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) - 4000 units;

launchers (PU) of tactical missiles - about 1500 units;

towed artillery - 6246 units;

anti-aircraft guns - 1531 units;

anti-tank weapons of various modifications - approximately 8,000 units.

This is a fairly serious arsenal of ground forces, which allows you to reliably protect the borders of the state from the invasion of a possible enemy in the event that it begins.

China's naval forces consist of surface and submarine forces, naval aviation, marines and coastal defense forces.

In service with the PRC Navy:

29 destroyers;

49 frigates;

86 landing ships;

69 submarines;

39 minesweepers;

368 coast guard ships.

China's naval aviation includes:

about 120 H-5 bombers;

about 45 J-7 fighters;

about 60 J-8 fighters;

about 100 indigenously developed JH-7 fighter-bombers;

24 Su-30 fighters.

The Chinese air force includes: bomber, attack, fighter, reconnaissance, military transport aviation, anti-aircraft missile forces, anti-aircraft artillery, radio engineering troops, airborne troops.

Today, China has more than 2,800 aircraft in service, of which 1,900 are combat aircraft.

The basis of the military power of the PRC Air Force is:

Xian-10 fighters;

Xian-8 fighters;

Su-27 fighters;

Su-30MKK fighters;

Su-30MK2 fighters.

The Chinese Air Force is also armed with SC-19 ballistic missiles, which are equipped with a kinetic interceptor that allows them to destroy satellites.

In 2013, China developed the fifth generation fighter jet J-20. It will enter service with the army by 2020. The aircraft is equipped with a modern radar station, and its internal compartments can accommodate air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-ship missiles. The J-20 is capable of intercepting attack aircraft and fighter-bombers.

In 2015, China plans to begin mass production of the first Chinese carrier-based fighter.

China Strategic Missile Force

The strategic missile forces of the PRC are of great importance in the event of the outbreak of the Third World War; they are tasked with protecting the state and delivering a long-range strike against a potential enemy.

The strategic missile forces are armed with:

66 intercontinental ballistic missiles;

118 medium-range ballistic missiles;

204 short-range ballistic missiles;

54 long-range ground-launched cruise missiles;

about 150 strategic missile systems (PGRK).

China's strategic missile forces consist of 60 ground-mobile solid fuel systems DF-21 (an analogue of the Soviet RSD-10 Pioneer system) and 30 ICBMs DF-31/31A (an analogue of the Russian RS-12 Topol system). It is expected that by 2015 the total number of Chinese mobile missile systems will reach 130–140 units.

China's nuclear weapons arsenal is about 250.

Chinese People's Liberation Army PLA 中国人民解放军, the official name of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, the largest in the world by number of 2,250,000 people on active duty. The army was founded on August 1, 1927, as a result of the Nanchang Uprising as the communist "Red Army", under the leadership of Mao Zedong, it organized major raids during the Chinese Civil War in the 1930s. The Long March of the Chinese communists.

The name "People's Liberation Army of China" began to be used to refer to the armed forces formed in the summer of 1946 from CCP troops - the 8th Army, the New 4th Army and the Northeast Army; after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, this name began to be used in relation to the country's armed forces.

The legislation provides for military service for men from 18 years of age; Volunteers are accepted up to 49 years of age. The age limit for an Army Reserve member is 50 years. In wartime, theoretically, without taking into account restrictions on material support, up to 600 million people can be mobilized

The PLA is subordinate not directly to the party or government, but to two special Central Military Commissions - the state and the party. Usually these commissions are identical in composition, and the term CVC is used in the singular. The post of chairman of the Central Exhibition Committee is key for the entire state. In recent years, it usually belongs to the Chairman of the PRC, but in the 1980s, for example, the Central Military Commission was headed by Deng Xiaoping, who was actually the leader of the country formally, while he was never either the Chairman of the PRC or the Premier of the State Council of the PRC, and the post of Secretary General of the Party Central Committee was held earlier, even under Mao before the Cultural Revolution.

From the point of view of territorial location, there is a division of the state into military districts.

Since the 1950s. and until the mid-1970s. The basis of China's military doctrine was the concept of "people's war." The technological re-equipment of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA), the emergence of modern models of tanks, aircraft, and nuclear weapons required the creation of a complex structure for command and control of troops and planning operations, which the outdated doctrine could no longer provide. The country's military and political leadership developed and adopted the doctrine of "people's war in modern conditions." In it, with the usual share of Maoist ideology for communist China, the strategic and tactical plans of action of the PLA in conditions of conventional and nuclear war were determined. The doctrine provided for the concept of active defense developed by Mao Zedong - the creation, in the event of an attack, by the Chinese army of a strategic defense while simultaneously delivering tactical strikes.

The doctrine provided for the creation of a border, deeply echeloned defense line covering the Northern and North-Eastern industrial provinces. The role of the “people's war” (essentially guerrilla actions) was reduced; the conduct of positional border battles required the creation of a new military structure and the modernization of weapons, which continue to this day.

Today the PLA of China is the largest army in the world. According to annual open publications and reference books, with a population of about 1300 million people, the Armed Forces number about 2.3 million people, the number of trained reserves is up to 3 million people. Paramilitary forces (People's Armed Police) - 1.5 million people. Recruitment is by call. Service life - 24 months. The military budget is 480.686 billion yuan (about $68.5 billion).

China's ground forces are an independent and largest branch of the armed forces. They include the following types of troops: infantry (infantry itself, motorized, mechanized and mountain), armored forces, artillery, military air defense, airborne, engineering, chemical, reconnaissance, communications and automobile troops, border troops.

Based on the nature of the tasks being performed, ground forces are divided into field and local. The first are operationally subordinate to the PLA General Staff (also known as the headquarters of the ground forces) and the commanders of large military districts:

1. Shenyang Military Region;

2. Beijing Military District;

3. Lanzhou Military Region;

4. Jinan Military Region;

5. Nanjing Military District;

6. Guangzhou Military Region;

7. Chengdu Military Region.

They are designed to conduct defensive and offensive combat operations not only in any region of China, but, if necessary, beyond its borders. Local troops are subordinate to the commanders of provincial military districts (27) and military subdistricts (over 300), financed from local budgets and used mainly to solve defensive tasks within their military-administrative units.

The ground forces have 24 combined arms armies, 84 infantry (motorized infantry, mechanized) and ten tank divisions, 11 field and anti-aircraft artillery divisions, four airborne, 14 tank, 21 artillery and 28 anti-aircraft artillery brigades. The ground forces also include infantry divisions, brigades and regiments of local troops, providing formations, units and subunits (engineering, chemical defense, communications, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, motor transport and others). The listed formations, formations and units are troops of constant readiness. Their staffing levels, depending on their purpose and location, range from 40 to 100%. In addition, there are reserve divisions, mainly infantry. Their deployment is carried out at the expense of those liable for military service in the reserve and military-trained reserve, the training of which is carried out in the people's militia.

The ground forces are armed with about 8,000 medium tanks "54", "55", "59", "69", 800 light reconnaissance "62" and 1,200 amphibious "63", up to 3,000 tracked and wheeled armored personnel carriers, 14,500 towed field artillery guns 76, 122, 130 and 152 mm calibers, 122 mm and 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, 57, 76, 85 and 100 mm anti-tank guns, 60, 82, 100 and 120 mm caliber mortars, including 82 mm and 120 mm mm self-propelled mortars, 3800 RZSO launchers of calibers 107, 122, 130, 140 and 273 mm, anti-tank missile systems, remote mine launchers, recoilless rifles, hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm anti-aircraft machine guns, 7.62 mm machine guns, carbines and machine guns, a small number of army aviation helicopters and missile launchers, other military and special equipment

A combined arms army consists, as a rule, of three infantry (motorized infantry) and one tank division (brigade), artillery and anti-aircraft artillery brigades, an anti-tank artillery regiment, units and support units (reconnaissance, communications, engineering, chemical defense, electronic warfare, motor transport , pipeline, repair, medical and others).

The infantry (motorized infantry) division (about 14 thousand people) includes three infantry (motorized infantry) and one artillery regiment, anti-tank and anti-aircraft artillery divisions, combat and logistics support units. Motorized infantry divisions (about 17 thousand people) also include a tank regiment.

The tank division (about 12 thousand people) has three tank, mechanized and artillery regiments, an anti-aircraft artillery division and support units. It is armed with 323 battle tanks. Brigades (mountain infantry, tank, airborne, artillery, anti-aircraft artillery) consist of battalions (divisions), as well as combat and logistics support units. In terms of their combat power, they occupy an intermediate position between divisions and regiments of similar types of troops. Regiments (infantry, motorized infantry), as a rule, are included in infantry (motorized infantry) divisions. The regiment includes three infantry (motorized infantry) battalions, an artillery division, batteries (ATGM, recoilless rifles, mortar and anti-aircraft artillery), and support units. The tank regiment has three tank and one mechanized battalion, an artillery division, and support units. A regiment can be part of a tank or motorized infantry division, or it can also be separate.

Recently, the process of creating mechanized armies and divisions has begun in China. Their main difference from combined arms armies and motorized infantry divisions is that these formations are armed with armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft artillery systems, which ensures high fire and strike power, mobility, and more reliable protection of personnel from weapons of mass destruction.

In their organization, infantry divisions, brigades and regiments of local troops are generally similar to field troops. Their main task is to cover the main highways leading from the border (coastal) areas deep into the country. They are deployed at a relatively short distance from the state land border and on the sea coast. The main method of combat operations is positional defense.

The highest operational formation of ground forces in wartime is the front. Depending on the tasks being performed, it may include from three to seven combined arms armies, individual divisions, brigades and regiments of military branches.

The PLA ground forces are capable of conducting combat operations both independently and jointly with other types of armed forces in the context of the use of conventional, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

The basic principles on which the organization and conduct of combat operations are based, Chinese military experts include:

– good knowledge of your troops and enemy troops;

– inflicting heavy losses on him while maximizing the preservation of his forces and means;

– conducting combat operations in all directions and to great depths, relying on the local population and material resources;

– flexible maneuvering, quick response to changes in the situation, conducting continuous combat operations;

– careful planning of the operation (battle) and comprehensive preparation for it;

– secretly completing the concentration of troops within the specified time frame, creating an advantageous operational formation (order of battle);

– skillful organization of management, interaction, all types of support and party political work;

- surprise, the desire to take the enemy by surprise and destroy him in close and night battles;

– effective use of intervals in battles for resting personnel and replenishing combat losses, analyzing the progress of combat operations;

– the desire to avoid the general strategic superiority of the enemy, to achieve multiple superiority over him at the operational and tactical levels.

The main types of combat operations of ground forces are offensive and defensive.

The goal of an offensive by ground forces is to defeat the enemy and capture strategically or operationally important areas (objects). During the offensive, the following operations are carried out: maneuver warfare (combat operations are carried out on a wide front, at great depth and at a high pace), positional warfare (an attack on an enemy occupying a well-prepared defense in engineering terms), to capture large cities, to destroy large airborne assaults, amphibious landings and airborne assaults, as well as pursuit of a retreating enemy. When preparing an offensive, a three to fivefold superiority over the enemy in forces and means must be ensured.

Defense involves: repelling an enemy offensive (landing from the sea), inflicting heavy losses on him in manpower and equipment, holding important areas (objects), creating conditions for bringing reserves into battle, ensuring maneuver and restoring the combat effectiveness of the main forces. Defensive operations are divided into the following types: with mobile or positional combat operations, anti-landing operations, and the defense of large cities. To counteract encirclement, to leave the battle and retreat. The defending troops must be able to repel the attack of an enemy who has two to three times superiority in forces and means.

Special operations of regular ground forces include: guerrilla operations, which involve delivering dispersed attacks on the enemy; offensive actions and repelling enemy attacks.

The main types of operational (combat) support for the PLA ground forces include: reconnaissance, communications, protection against nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, operational camouflage, engineering, hydrometeorological, transport and surveying, as well as commandant service in the combat area. Logistics support includes: material, technical, medical, financial, transport transportation, replenishment of troops, engineering support for rear services, their security and defense, clearing the combat area of ​​the remaining enemy, collecting and maintaining prisoners of war, and burying the dead. To solve support problems, formations, formations, units and subunits have an appropriate set of forces and support means. In the ground forces, as in the PLA as a whole, there are four levels of combat readiness - fourth, third, second and first

According to the fourth degree of combat readiness, headquarters, formations and units are located at permanent deployment points and are engaged in planned combat training. Some of the formations are kept in reduced numbers.

If the international or domestic political situation becomes more complicated, a third level of combat readiness is introduced. Security of the state border and duty shifts at headquarters are being strengthened. The “General Staff Military District” echelon deploys command and control bodies and wartime assets. Covering troops are prepared to leave their places of permanent deployment. Operational groups appointed from among them go to field control posts.

At the second level of combat readiness, permanent readiness troops are supplemented with personnel and equipment, and reserve formations and units are mobilized. Cover troops move into operational areas. Troops are being transferred to the border and deployed promptly.

The first degree of combat readiness provides for the completion of the transfer of troops from the depths of the country, their deployment in border areas, and the strengthening of all types of reconnaissance, including those involving border violations. Units, formations and units are completing preparations for the start of hostilities.

The recruitment of the ground forces is carried out on the basis of the “Law of the People's Republic of China on Military Service”, adopted at the II session of the sixth convocation of the National People's Congress in May 1984. According to this law, compulsory military service is combined with voluntary recruitment into the army.

Males who turn 18 in the year of conscription are subject to conscription for active service. If a deferment is granted, those liable for military service are subject to conscription until the age of 22. In extreme circumstances, the State Council of the People's Republic of China and the Central Military Council may decide to call up male citizens under the age of 45 for active military service. Females from 18 to 22 years of age may also be conscripted or enroll in military service at their own request.

The service life of privates and sergeants is three years. Upon expiration and with the consent of the serviceman, service can be extended for a year or two. High-quality specialists can be accepted for long-term service for a period of eight to 12 years.

The officers of the ground forces are recruited mainly from graduates of military educational institutions. His service is regulated by the “Regulations on the Service of PLA Officers,” which came into force on January 1, 1989. In accordance with it, the officer corps is divided into command, political, rear services and special technical. The maximum age for holding office has been established: for platoon level officers - 30 years, company level - 35, battalion - 40, regimental - 45, division - 50, army - 55, district - 65 years. For certain categories of officers, their terms of service may be extended, but not by more than five years.

After leaving the army, privates and sergeants are enlisted in the enlisted reserve, and officers - in the officer reserve. Age standards for service in the reserves: for rank and file - 35 years, for junior officers - 45, and for senior officers - 55.

In the ground forces, military personnel have the following military ranks: private, corporal, junior sergeant (deputy squad commander), sergeant, senior sergeant (department commander), specialist sergeant (special technical positions in the “squad-platoon” link), chief sergeant (administrative or special technical positions in the platoon-company link), junior lieutenant (platoon commander), lieutenant, senior lieutenant (company commander), major (deputy regiment commander), lieutenant colonel (deputy division commander), colonel (deputy army commander), senior colonel (commander of the army), major general, lieutenant general (commander of the troops of a large military district), colonel general (member of the Central Military Council, chief of the general staff, head of the main political department, head of the main logistics department), colonel general 1 rank (Chairman of the Central Military Council).

The main forms of combat training of personnel are scheduled classes in classrooms, in the field and on equipment, training, combat shooting, and tactical exercises. In addition, for officers in the system of command and operational training, theoretical and practical classes are organized in classrooms and at training grounds, staff training, war games, staff, command post and operational exercises, and maneuvers.

The strengths of the PLA ground forces, according to foreign experts, are the following:

– the presence of a large number of combat-ready divisions and brigades, including those equipped with personnel and equipment according to wartime standards, as well as modern means of armed warfare;

– a fairly well-developed mobilization base, allowing for the rapid expansion of the combat and numerical strength of the ground forces;

– high level of individual training of military personnel and tactical training of units. Ability to fight in conditions of the use of both conventional and nuclear weapons;

– the unpretentiousness and high discipline of the Chinese soldier, the ability to survive in extreme conditions;

– the presence of a large military-trained reserve capable of not only ensuring the mobilization of the required number of divisions and regiments of various types of troops, but also promptly replenishing combat losses of any scale;

– the practice of using local material resources and the population in the interests of the armed forces, which frees troops from performing various kinds of secondary tasks (road repairs, cargo delivery, security of military facilities, etc.);

– modern views on issues of tactics, operational art and strategy, the presence of a developed network of military educational institutions that train personnel for the ground forces, as well as conduct extensive scientific work.

Military experts include the following weaknesses:

– the absence of nuclear weapons in the ground forces’ arsenal, the insufficient supply of troops with armored personnel carriers and self-propelled artillery. There are practically no fire support helicopters, medium- and long-range air defense systems, or infantry fighting vehicles. Communications, radio and electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare and logistics equipment is provided mainly by outdated models. Formations and units of the same type of troops often have different organizational structures and weapons, which negatively affects their combat use;

– lack of experience of senior and senior officers in organizing and conducting operations on an army and front-line scale;

– weak motorization and mechanization of troops, which predetermines low mobility of infantry formations and units, making them vulnerable not only to weapons of mass destruction, but also to conventional weapons;

CHINA ARMED FORCES

CHINA'S MILITARY

08.03.2019


China plans to increase defense spending by another 7.5% in 2019. Thus, military spending will amount to 1.19 trillion. yuan ($177.61 billion). Xinhua agency reports this.
Despite the general increase in defense spending, the agency notes that for several years there has been a noticeable trend towards a slight slowdown in the growth of military spending to the country's GDP: from 1.22% to 1.20%. On the other hand, in the last four years, China's defense spending has only increased and from 2016 to 2018 amounted to 896.9 billion yuan, 1.044 trillion, respectively. yuan and 1.107 trillion. RMB
The increase in military spending is associated with reforms aimed at increasing the combat readiness of the Chinese Armed Forces, increasing the emphasis on military-civil integration and accelerating the introduction of innovations in the field of defense technologies.
The funds will be used, inter alia, for the implementation of a number of important military-technical projects, including: magnetized plasma artillery systems, ground-based laser systems, short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. The beginning of construction of the third aircraft carrier and testing of the Type-055 class guided missile destroyer was also noted.
According to analysts of the publication, despite the increase in military spending, the budget for 2019 can be considered as another evidence of a slowdown in the growth of defense spending in China after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009.
Military Review

The USA NOTED THE INCREASED MILITARY ACTIVITY OF THE PRC IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

CHINA ARMED FORCES

PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY OF CHINA

The People's Liberation Army of China (PLA, Chinese pal.: Zhongguo Renmin Jiefang Jun) is the official name of the armed forces of the People's Republic of China, the largest in number in the world (2,250,000 people in active service). The army was founded on August 1, 1927 as a result of the Nanchang Uprising as the communist "Red Army", under the leadership of Mao Zedong, it organized large raids during the Chinese Civil War (1930s) (the Long March of the Chinese Communists). The name "People's Liberation Army of China" began to be used to refer to the armed forces formed in the summer of 1946 from CCP troops - the 8th Army, the New 4th Army and the Northeast Army; after the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, this name began to be used in relation to the country's armed forces.
The legislation provides for military service for men from 18 years of age; Volunteers are accepted up to 49 years of age. The age limit for an Army Reserve member is 50 years. In wartime, theoretically (without taking into account restrictions on material support) up to 60 million people can be mobilized.
The PLA is subordinate not directly to the party or government, but to two special Central Military Commissions - the state and the party. Usually these commissions are identical in composition, and the term CVC is used in the singular. The post of chairman of the Central Exhibition Committee is key for the entire state. In recent years, it usually belongs to the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, but in the 1980s, for example, the Central Military Commission was headed by Deng Xiaoping, who was actually the leader of the country (formally, he never
He was neither the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, nor the Prime Minister of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, but he held the post of General Secretary of the Party's Central Committee earlier, even under Mao before the “cultural revolution”).
In terms of territorial deployment, the armed forces are divided into seven military regions and three fleets, organized on a territorial basis: in Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Lanzhou and Jinan.

GROUND-BASED STRATEGIC FORCES

The total potential is estimated at 400 nuclear weapons, of which 260 are formally located on strategic carriers. Meanwhile, there are different opinions on this matter. For example, the fact that China, as of 2010, possessed only 240 nuclear warheads, of which only 175 were on duty. Or, on the contrary, Beijing has more than 3,500 nuclear weapons, with 200 new generation warheads produced per year. For each of the launchers there are up to five missiles, which allegedly indicates an intention to both hide the real size of the arsenal, which is usually measured by the number of carriers, and a readiness to launch a nuclear strike in several waves.
It seems more realistic that the PRC's nuclear potential does not exceed 300 munitions on strategic carriers, including free-fall bombs with a yield of 15-40 kt, as well as 3 mt, missile warheads with a charge of 3 to 5 mt and more modern 200-300 kiloton warheads . Another 150 munitions could be carried on medium- and shorter-range ballistic missiles, and possibly cruise missiles.
According to American experts, by 2020 China may achieve the potential of so-called “doctrinal” or limited nuclear deterrence. Up to 200 ICBMs, both silo-based and on a vehicle chassis, will be on combat duty. The basis will be the Dongfeng-31NA and Dongfeng-41 complexes with a range of 11 and 14 thousand km, respectively, and the latter can carry up to 10 warheads (both warheads and decoys).

According to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PLA Rocket Force had only 458 ballistic missiles in service at the end of 2015.
Of these, 66 are intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), namely: DF-4 (CSS-3) - 10 units; DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) - 20 units; DF-31 (CSS-9 Mod 1) - 12 units; DF-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) - 24 units. Medium-range missiles 134 units, namely: DF-16 (CSS-11) - 12 units; DF-21/DF-21A (CSS-5 Mod 1/2) - 80 units; DF-21C (CSS-5 Mod 3) - 36 units; anti-ship ballistic missiles DF-21D (CSS-5 Mod 5) - 6 units. Short-range ballistic missiles 252 units, including: DF-11A/M-11A (CSS-7 Mod 2) - 108 units; DF-15M-9 (CSS-6) - 144 units. Ground-based cruise missiles DH-10-54 units.
According to the US intelligence community, the PLA Rocket Force has approximately 75-100 ICBMs, including silo-based DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) and DF-5B (CSS-4 Mod 2); mobile ground-based missile systems DF-31 (CSS-9 Mod 1) and DS-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) with solid-fuel intercontinental-range ballistic missiles and DF-4 (CSS-3) intermediate-range ballistic missiles. This arsenal is complemented by the DF-21 (CSS-5 Mod 6) PGRK with a medium-range solid-fuel ballistic missile.
About 180 ballistic missiles of five types are deployed as part of the ground-based strategic forces: DF-4, DF-5A, DF-21, DF-31 and DF-31A. It is generally accepted that they all carry one warhead.
DF-4 (CSS-3) is a liquid-propelled two-stage medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) mobile and silo-based. This MRBM will be replaced by the solid-fuel MRBM DF-21, its modification DF-21A and the solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) DF-31.
DF-5A (CSS-4 Mod 2) - silo-based liquid-propellant ICBM - since 1981, began to replace the silo-based liquid-propellant ICBM
DF-5. The DF-5A ICBMs are designed to deter the United States and Russia. If China, in response to the US deployment of a missile defense system in the Asia-Pacific region, decides to increase the number of deployed warheads, the DF-5A ICBM will eventually be able to carry up to three lightweight warheads.
DF-21 (CSS-5) and its modifications are mobile-based solid-fuel MRBMs. The DF-21 is currently China's main means of regional nuclear deterrence. Since 2005, the United States has recorded a significant increase in the number of deployed DF-21 MRBMs. If in 2005, according to estimates by the US Defense Department, about 20 such missiles were deployed, then in 2010 their number was approximately 80 units. The DF-21 IRBM has several modifications (A, C), of which the DF-21C IRBM can be used in both conventional and nuclear configurations.
DF-31 (CSS-9) and modification DF-31A (CSS-9 Mod 2) are solid-fuel three-stage mobile-based ICBMs. They are placed on a three-axle transport and launch unit (TPU) inside a 15-meter container. US intelligence agencies believe the DF-31A's mission should be strategic deterrence against the US. In turn, DF-31 ICBMs in the future will have to take on the main role in regional deterrence. It should be noted that the adoption of the DF-31 ICBM in 2003 significantly reduced the gap between China and Russia and the United States in the development of strategic missile weapons.
In 2014, China confirmed the presence of a number of DF-26C medium-range missiles (range 3,500 km), the so-called “Guam killers,” with nuclear warheads. Since 2007, ground-based launchers have also deployed from 40 to 55 CJ-10 cruise missiles with a range of 1,500 km, their total arsenal is estimated at 500 units.
In December 2014, China tested the DF-41 ICBM, which carried several maneuvering warheads, which became a kind of confirmation of gaining access to the technology of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). According to estimates from the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), the DF-41 can carry up to 10 warheads. DF-31B missiles will also be built using this technology. Thus, after testing this technology, Chinese strategic nuclear forces missiles can carry several warheads, as well as decoys, which will increase both the strike potential and the survivability of warheads when penetrating the missile defense system.
The DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, capable of hitting a mobile surface individual target at a distance of up to 1,500 km with a conventional maneuvering warhead, can also serve as a kind of deterrent weapon. The missile has already been dubbed the “aircraft carrier killer”; its deployment is expected before the end of 2015.

Short range ballistic missiles
The PLA Second Artillery has at least five active DF-15 shorter-range ballistic missile (SLBM) brigades. Additionally, there are two brigades armed with the DF-11 operational-tactical missile (OTR) and subordinate to the ground forces - one is located in the Nanjing Military District, and the other in the Guangzhou Military District. All BRMD and OTR units are deployed in areas in close proximity to the Taiwan Strait.
The DF-15 (CSS-6) entered service in 1995. In recent years, production of its modified version, the DF-15A, has continued with increased shooting accuracy and the ability of the head to maneuver at the final part of the trajectory.
The DF-11 (CSS-7) entered service in 1998. In subsequent years, as a result of work to modernize the missile, its maximum firing range was significantly increased. An improved version of this missile, called DF-11A, was put into service in 2000.

Cruise missiles
CJ-10 (DH-10) is a cruise missile (CR) designed to strike ground targets. The ability of this missile to carry nuclear weapons remains unclear. In the United States, it is classified as a dual-use CD. The US Department of Defense believes that the CJ-10 missile launchers, which can be launched from both ground and air carriers, should increase the survivability, flexibility and efficiency of China's nuclear forces. However, according to some reports, these missile launchers are currently deployed mainly on ground-based launchers with conventional equipment. At the same time, there is a strong disproportion in the number of missiles and their carriers. According to the US Department of Defense, the number of deployed carriers intended for the CJ-10 missile system in 2010 was about 50 units, and the number of CJ-10 missile systems itself increased in 2009-2010 by 50% - from 150-350 units in 2009 up to 200-500 units in 2010.

GROUND TROOPS
Ground forces: 1,830,000 people, 7 military districts, 21 combined arms army (44 infantry, 10 tank and 5 artillery divisions), 12 tank, 13 infantry and 20 artillery brigades, 7 helicopter regiments, 3 airborne divisions (combined into airborne corps), 5 separate infantry divisions, separate tank and 2 infantry brigades, separate artillery division, 3 separate artillery brigades, 4 anti-aircraft artillery brigades, local troops: 12 infantry divisions, mountain infantry, 4 infantry brigades, 87 infantry battalions, 50 engineering regiments, 50 communications regiments. Reserve: 1,000,000 people, 50 divisions (infantry, artillery, anti-aircraft missile), 100 separate regiments (infantry and artillery). Armament: about 10,000 tanks (of which 1200 lungs), 5500 BTR and BMP, 14,500 PA PA, PU NOTs, 100 2C23 guns 2C23 “Nona-SVK”, 2300 RIZ Caliber 122,130 and 273 mm, 15,000 anti-aircraft artillery installations, PU ZUR , more than 143 helicopters.

AIR FORCE
Air Force 470,000 people. (including 220,000 in air defense), 3,566 b. With.

Since 2016, the Air Force has been divided into five territorial commands, replacing the seven former military districts.
In general, the Air Force maintains a traditional structure and consists of divisions, each of which has three (sometimes two) air regiments. A regiment is armed with aircraft or helicopters of the same type; a division may have regiments with different aircraft. Recently, several divisions have been disbanded, and the regiments that were part of them were renamed into brigades (identical in composition to the previous regiment).
The Northern Command includes formations of the former Shenyang and Jingnan military districts. These are eight divisions, four aviation brigades, two anti-aircraft missile brigades and an anti-aircraft artillery brigade, and a radio technical regiment.
The central command includes formations of the former Beijing and part of the Lanzhou military districts.
The training and testing center is under the dual command of Central Command and the Air Force Command and includes four brigades: the 170th, 171st, 172nd and 175th. The 34th Division is also dual commanded, comprising the 100th, 101st and 102nd Regiments, equipped with transport, passenger and special purpose aircraft and helicopters. In addition, the Air Force of the Central Command has four divisions, a reconnaissance air regiment, the August 1st aerobatic team, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th air defense divisions, and the 9th radio engineering brigade.
The Western Command includes formations of the former Chengdu and most of the Lanzhou military districts. It consists of five divisions, four aviation and one air defense brigades, and three anti-aircraft missile regiments.
The Southern Command was formed on the basis of the former Guangzhou Military Region. It consists of five divisions, three aviation brigades, a helicopter regiment in Hong Kong, a combat UAV brigade, two anti-aircraft missile brigades and an anti-aircraft missile regiment.
The Eastern Command was formed on the basis of the former Nanjing Military District. It consists of five divisions, four aviation, one combat UAV, two anti-aircraft missile brigades.

Airborne Strategic Forces

Strategic aviation includes just over 80 H-6 (Hun-6) bombers (the Chinese version of the Soviet Tu-16 bomber) of various modifications (E, F, H). The H-6 is capable of carrying up to three nuclear bombs. Some H-6 bombers have been modernized in recent years and have acquired the ability to carry nuclear cruise missiles. In addition, some of them had updated electronic equipment.
In 2011, a deeply modernized version of the aircraft appeared, equipped with Russian engines, more advanced avionics and capable of carrying six CJ-10A cruise missiles (a copy of the Russian X-55). The H-6K's combat radius has been increased to 3,500 km, and the missiles can hit targets at a distance of up to 2,500 km. Probably, today the number of these aircraft in the Chinese Air Force is about 20.

Non-strategic air-launched forces

Information on the size and composition of China's non-strategic nuclear arsenal is even more limited. The PLA's second artillery and ground forces, as well as the front-line (tactical) aviation of the Air Force, are equipped with non-strategic nuclear weapons. The most famous fighter-bomber is the Qiang-5 (Qiang-5) and its modifications (D, E), capable of carrying one atomic bomb. To replace the obsolete Q-5, a new fighter-bomber Q-7 is being developed, but there is no data yet on whether it will carry nuclear weapons.
The frontline bomber of the PLA Air Force is the JH-7A. There are up to 140 of these machines, their production continues. In addition to conventional aircraft weapons, they are capable of carrying B-4 nuclear bombs (there are at least 320 of them in their arsenals).
The Q-5 attack aircraft was created in China on the basis of the J-6 fighter (a copy of the old Soviet MiG-19) in many modifications. Currently, up to 162 Q-5 of the latest modifications (J/K/L) remain in service. They can also carry B-4 nuclear bombs. At least 58 Q-5 are in storage.
The basis of the fighter aviation of the PLA Air Force is the heavy fighters of the Su-27/J-11/Su-30/J-16 family. Russia acquired 36 Su-27SK, 40 combat trainer Su-27UBK and 76 Su-30MKK. In China itself, 105 J-11A (a copy of the Su-27SK) were produced under license, and then unlicensed production of the J-11B and its combat training version J-11BS began. License-free production of the J-16 (a copy of the Su-30), which is still being supplied to naval aviation, is also underway. Now the PLA Air Force is armed with 67 Su-30 and up to 266 Su-27/J-11 (from 130 to 134 Su-27SK and J-11A, from 33 to 37 Su-27UBK, up to 82 J-11B, from 13 to 17 J-11BS), J-11B/BS production continues.
The first Chinese AWACS aircraft were created on the basis of the transport Y-8 (the prototype of which is the Soviet An-12). These are four Y-8T, three KJ-500 and six KJ-200 (aka Y-8W). In addition, five KJ-2000s, created on the basis of the Russian A-50, but with a Chinese radar, were purchased in Russia.
Electronic warfare aircraft are based on the same Y-8, there are from 20 to 24 of them in total. There are also seven Y-9JB/XZ/G electronic warfare aircraft.
Transport and passenger (VIP) aircraft - 12 Boeing-737, 3 A-319, 7 Tu-154 (up to 3 more in storage), 20 Il-76, 5 each Canadian CRJ-200ER and CRJ-700, 7 CRJ -702, at least 5 newest domestic Y-20, 57 Y-8C, 7 Y-9, up to 20 Y-11, 8 Y-12, 61 Y-7 (copy of An-24, another 2–6 in storage) , at least 36 Y-5 (copy of An-2, at least 4 more in storage). The Tu-154, Y-5, Y-7, Y-8 are gradually being written off, the Il-76 is being purchased from Russia, the Y-9 is being produced, and in the near future mass production of the first Chinese heavy transport aircraft, the Y-20, will begin.
A significant part of the PLA Armed Forces helicopters are in service with army and naval aviation. The Air Force has a small number of transport, passenger and rescue vehicles: 6–9 French AS332L, 3 European EC225LP, up to 35 Russian Mi-8 (up to 6 more in storage) and 12 Mi-17, 17 Z-9B (copy of French SA365) , 12–24 Z-8 (copy of French SA321).
According to the latest statistics, the People's Liberation Army Air Force of China includes 5 helicopter brigades and 5 helicopter regiments. The total number of helicopters in service is 569, including 212 Mi-17, 19 S-70 Blackhawk, 33 Z-8, 269 Z-9, 24 Z-10 and 12 Z-19.

The 1st Army Aviation Helicopter Regiment was founded in 1987 and today has 55 helicopters. The regiment consists of four groups:
1st and 2nd groups 22 Mi-17 and 8 Mi-17V-5
3rd and 4th groups 25 Z-9WZ

The 2nd Helicopter Brigade of the Chinese Air Force was created in 1991 and is armed with 69 vehicles. The brigade includes 5 groups:
1st and 2nd groups 5 Mi-171, 15 Mi-17V-5 and three Mi-17V-7
3rd Group 19 S-70C
4th group 15 Mi-171E
5th group 12 Z-9WZ

The Chinese Army's 3rd Helicopter Brigade was established in 1991 and includes 72 helicopters. The 3rd brigade includes 6 groups:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th groups 3 Mi-171, 3 Mi-17-1V, 11 Mi-17V-5, 16 Mi-17V-7 and 15 Mi-171E
5th and 6th groups 24 Z-9WZ

The 4th PLA Army Aviation Regiment was created in 1991. Today it is armed with 36 helicopters. It consists of three groups:
1st group 4 Y-7 and 4 Y-8 transport aircraft
2nd group 8 Mi-171, 4 Mi-171E and 4 Mi-17V-5
3rd group 12 Z-9WZ

The 5th Helicopter Brigade of the PLA Army Aviation was established in 1997, with a total of 75 helicopters. The 5th Brigade consists of six groups:
1st group 15 Mi-171
2nd group 12 Z-8B
3rd, 4th and 5th group 3 Z-9A 5 Z-9W, 6 Z-9WA and 22 Z-9WZ
6th group of 12 newest combat helicopters Z-10

The 6th Brigade was created in 1997, includes a total of 75 helicopters in 6 groups:
1st group 15 Mi-171
2nd group of 12 Z-8B helicopters
3, 4, 5, 6th groups 1 Z-9, 2 Z-9A, 6 Z-9W, 1 Z-9WA and 38 Z-9WZ

The 7th Helicopter Regiment of the People's Liberation Army was established in 2002 and includes 39 helicopters. Divided into three groups:
1st group 6 Mi-17V-5 and 9 Z-8A
2, 3rd groups 4 Z-9W and 20 Z-9WZ

The eighth helicopter brigade was created in 1988. Its 6 groups are armed with 76 helicopters:
1st group 9 Mi-171 and 4 Mi-171E
2nd, 3rd and 4th groups 14 Z-9A, 8 Z-9W, 4 Z-9WA and 13 Z-9WZ
5th Group of 12 Z-19 combat helicopters
6th Group of 12 Z-10 combat helicopters

The 9th Helicopter Regiment of the PLA Army Aviation was created in 1988, consisting of three groups and 39 helicopters:
1st group 6 Mi-17V-5 and 4 Mi-171E
2nd and 3rd groups 6 Z-9A, 7 Z-9W and 12 Z-9WZ.

The 10th Helicopter Regiment of the PLA Army Aviation was created in 2004, consisting of three groups and 39 helicopters:
1st and 2nd groups 2 Z-9WA and 25 Z-9WZ
3rd group 12 Mi-171E

Aircraft and helicopter fleet: 120 N-6 (Tu-16). 120 Il-28.400 Q-5. 1800 J-6 (B, D and E) (MiG-19), 500 J-7 (MiG-21), 180 J-8.48 Su-27, HZ-5,150JZ-5,100JZ-6.18 "BAeTrident" -1Ei-2E", 10 Il-18, Il-76, 300 Y-5 (An-2), 25 Y-7 (An-24), 25 Y-8 (An-12), 15 Y-11, 2 Y-12. 6 AS-332, 4 Bell 214, 30 Mi-8, 100 Z-5 (Mi-4), 50 Z-9 (SA-365N).

The anti-aircraft missile forces of the People's Liberation Army of China are armed with 110-120 anti-aircraft missile systems (divisions) HQ-2, HQ-61, HQ-7, HQ-9, HQ-12, HQ-16, S-300PMU, S-300PMU-1 and 2, for a total of about 700 PU. According to this indicator, China is second only to our country (about 1,500 PU). However, at least a third of this number of Chinese air defense systems are obsolete HQ-2 (analogue of the S-75 air defense system), the replacement of which is being actively carried out.
The basis of the ground-based air defense of the PLA Air Force is the Russian S-300 long-range air defense system, which was acquired by China in the amount of 25 divisions (8 launchers each, 4 missiles per launcher) in three modifications. This is one regiment (2 divisions) S-300PMU (analogue of the oldest modification of this air defense system - S-300PT), two regiments (4 divisions each) S-300PMU1 (S-300PS), four regiments (15 divisions: 3 regiments 4 divisions each , 1 regiment - 3 divisions) S-300PMU2 (S-300PM). The Chinese HQ-9 air defense system was created on the basis of the S-300 (although it is not a complete copy of our system). Now there are at least 12 divisions (8 launchers of 4 missiles each) of this air defense system in service, production continues.

NAVY
Navy of about 230,000 people. (including more than 40,000 average). Operational fleets: Northern, Eastern, Southern. FLEET: squadrons: submarines (6), escort ships (7), MTK (3); training flotilla; 20 naval base;

Sea-based strategic forces

The PRC's plans for the creation and deployment of a strategic submarine fleet remain closed.
China's first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), Project 092 Xia, entered service in 1987 and is equipped with 12 Julan-1 (Big Wave) missiles with a range of up to 2,500 km. Until recently, she was not on combat duty, constantly defending herself in the Jianggezhuang base near Qingdao.
The first Jin-class SSBN to be launched and undergoing sea trials is believed to be assigned to the Yulin Naval Base on Hainan Island. Two more Jin-class SSBNs are currently being equipped at a shipyard in Hulodao City in Liaoning Province.

The Xia-class SSBN has 12 launchers designed to carry JL-1 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). It is assumed that the Xia class SSBN is intended primarily for testing technologies. The Jin-class SSBNs (approximately 135 m long) also have 12 JL-2 SLBM launchers.
In May 2008, the PLA Navy tested in the Yellow Sea the new Julan-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) (marine version of the DF-31, range 7,400 km), intended for placement on board the new Project 094 Jin SSBNs. (12 missiles) and subsequent ones. According to some reports, a large underground submarine base with a capacity of up to 20 pennants has been built in the south of Hainan Island, completely closed to tracking from space. In May 2007, a Google Earth image showed two new SSBNs at the Huludao base. According to data at the beginning of 2010, the PRC may have had three Jin class boats.
The JL-2 SLBM is currently completing flight tests. If adopted, these SLBMs will be able to cover the entire territory of India, the Hawaiian Islands, the island of Guam and most of Russia (including Moscow), even if the SSBN is on patrol in the territorial waters of the People's Republic of China.
By 2020, the number of SSBNs in the PLA Navy, according to American data, can be increased to eight. Also, according to some information, a new generation SSBN of Project 096 is being developed in China, the first of which may enter service in 2020.

ship composition: SSBN pr.092 "Xia", 5 submarines pr.091 "Han", 63 submarines (1 pr.039 "Sun", 4 pr.636/877EKM, 17 pr.035 "Min", 41 pr.033 "Romeo"). 2 OPL, 19 EM URO (1 project 054 "Lyuhai", 2 project 052 "Lyuhu". 16 project 051 "Lyuida"), 37 FR URO (2 project 057 "Jiangwei-2", 4 project 055 “Jiangwei-1”, 1 project 053 “Jianghu-2”, 26 project 053 “Jianghu-1”, 4 project 053/NT “Jianghu-3/4”, 92 RKA (4 project 037/2 "Houjian" , more than 100 PKA (about 90 Project 037 “Hainan”, about 20 Project 037/1 “Haiju”, 4 “Haiqi”), more than 100 AKA Project 062 “Shanghai-2” and 11 Project 062/1 “ Haizhui", 34 MTK (27 pr.010 T-43, 7 "Wosao"). 1 ZM “Will”. 17 TCC (6 project 074 "Yuting", 8 project 072 "Yukan". 3 "Shan"), 32 SCC (1 project 073 "Yuden", 1 "Yudao", 31 project 079 "Yuling"), 9 MDK pr.074 "Yuhai", 4DVTR "Qunsha", 44 DKA (36 pr.067 "Yunnan", 8 pr.068/069 "Yushin"), 9 DKVP "Jinsha". 2 CC. 3 TRS (2 Fuxin, 1 Naiyun), 10 PB submarines (3 Dayan, 1 Dazhi, 2 Dazhou, 4 Dalian), 1 SS submarine, 2 SS, 1 PM, 20 TR. 38 TN, 53 specialized equipment (including 4 KIK, 7 RZK), 4 LED, 49 BUK. AVIATION: 25,000 PEOPLE, 8 hell (27 an). Aircraft - about 685 (22 "Hun-6", about 60 "Hun-5", 40 "Qiang-5", 295 "Tseyan-6", 66 "Tseyan-7", 54 "Tsien-8". 7 " Shuihun-5", 50 Y-5, 4 Y-8. 2 Yak-42. 6 An-26, 53 RT-b, 16 JJ-6); helicopters - 43 (9 SA-321. 12 Zhi-8, 12 Zhi-9A. 10 Mi-8). MP: about 5,000 people, 1 brigade (battalions: 3 infantry battalions, 1 mb, 1 amphibious tanks, 1 artillery division), special forces units. Armament: T-59, T-63 tanks, armored personnel carriers, 122-mm PA guns, MLRS, ATGMs, MANPADS BO: 28,000 people, 25 districts, 35 rocket artillery regiments (PKRK "Hayin-2, -4", 85 -, 100-, 130 mm gun).

PRODUCTION AND STORAGE FACILITIES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The issues of the production of nuclear weapons by the PRC and their storage are no less closed than the quantitative and qualitative indicators of China's nuclear weapons.
Recently, there has been quite a lot of speculation about the fact that the PRC has created a large underground central storage facility intended for storing nuclear weapons. According to some sources, this storage facility is located northwest of the Mianyang city district in Sichuan province. According to others, it may be located in the Qinling mountain range in Taibai County in Shaanxi Province. It is argued that at any day most of the PRC's nuclear arsenal could be moved to a central storage facility. In addition, each of China's five main missile bases may also have regional storage facilities.
Regarding weapons-grade fissile material, US military intelligence indicates that China has likely already produced enough weapons-grade fissile material to meet its needs for the near future. It is also possible that new nuclear warheads for the DF-31, DF-31A and JL-2 ballistic missiles have already been produced. However, this circumstance should not cause a significant increase in the total number of warheads, since it is expected that obsolete nuclear warheads will be decommissioned over the next few years.
In terms of the number of nuclear warheads (250), China is second only to Russia (8,000), the United States (7,300) and France (300). And it is ahead of the UK (225), Pakistan (120), India (110) and North Korea (8). There is also Israel, which either has or does not have 80 nuclear warheads - the nuclear program of this country is shrouded in darkness and uncertainty.