www.China-Defense.com

PLA’s Latest Experiment With Mobility and Fire Power:
A Look at the Special (Experimental) Light Mechanized Infantry Regiment,
13th Group Army, Chengdu Military Region

From CCTV reports and press releases, the organization of the experimental LMR can be deduced. While a full PLA regiment normally consists of three maneuver battalions, photos and other evidence suggest that in this experimental LMR only one maneuver Group has been formed for testing purposes. Of the units that have been formed, it is difficult to determine which would be organic to the battalions and which would only be present at the regimental level.

At the heart of the LMR are its Light Mechanized Infantry Companies (LMIC). The LMICs combine the flexibility of dismounted infantry with the mobility of motorized forces without having a significant logistic tail. Unique to the LMIC is the 8x8 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). The 8x8 ATV routinely carries six infantrymen: a squad leader, gunner, driver, and three others that form a dismounted fireteam. 8x8 ATVs have been seen armed with either a QJZ89 12.7mm heavy machinegun (HMG) or a W87 35mm automatic grenade launcher (AGL) and reportedly sometimes mount a mortar. All 8x8 ATVs appear to have a provision for mounting the QBB95 5.8mm squad automatic weapon on a pintle at the front-left of the ATV. Each 8x8 ATV is also equipped with a winch, tactical radio, satellite positioning system, and tactical data terminal. The 8x8 ATV is capable of negotiating very rough terrain and with a quick modification is amphibious. It appears the 8x8 ATV in use by the LMIC is very similar in layout and dimensions to the Argo Centaur, a commercial 8x8 ATV manufactured by Ontario Drive & Gear Limited of Canada. In order to gain an appreciation of the capabilities of this uncommon vehicle, below are the operational specifications for the Centaur 8x8 ATV:

Rounding out the 8-man infantry squad are two soldiers who ride a 4x4 ATV. Like the 8x8 ATV, the 4x4 ATV also has a provision for mounting a QBB95 squad automatic weapon on a front-left pintle. The 4x4 ATV forms a second vehicle element within the squad for bounding overwatch and fire and maneuver battle drills. Reportedly the 4x4 ATVs are also used for diversionary tactics, logistics resupply, and medical evacuation. Other support weapons seen within the LMIC are the FJH84 twin-barreled incendiary rocket launcher and 82mm Type 75 recoilless rifles.

Augmenting the already formidable firepower of the LMIC is the Fire Support Company (FSC). The mainstay of the FSC is the “Brave Warrior” Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV) that has been in service with PLA airborne and special operations forces for some time. However, a new model of FAV, the “Iron Eagle”, is also deployed in several potent new armament configurations not seen in PLA service before. For direct fire support, one FAV mounts a minigun-type machinegun of undetermined caliber. For indirect fire support several FAVs are armed with the devastating W99, an 82mm Automortar in the pattern of the Russian 2B9 Vasilyek. Several air defense versions with a secondary direct fire role are armed with the Type 87 twin 25mm cannon and dual HN-5 surface-to-air missiles. At least one FAV has been seen armed with a HJ-8 antitank guided missile launcher (ATGM) and others with heavy machineguns and automatic grenade launchers. Unlike the 8x8 ATVs of the LMIC, the FAVs cannot be internally loaded in an Mi-17 transport helicopter, but with all FAVs featuring prominent sling points they are likely slingload compatible. Also within the FSC is one Sino-Mab Group Industries model XZ-AT-400 4x4 ATV that carries a sniper team with a JS 12.7mm sniper/anti-materiel rifle.

Another novel formation within the LMR is the Artillery Battery. The LMR Artillery Battery replicates the tube, rocket, and anti-tank batteries of a typical PLA artillery battalion in a microcosm. Tube artillery is represented by a platoon of PP87 82mm mortars carried in BJ2020SJ jeeps. A platoon of unique 8-tube launchers mounted on 6x6 ATVs delivers 107mm rockets. The new PTL02 105mm 6x6 wheeled assault gun provides antitank firepower to the LMR.

The Recon Platoon performs reconnaissance duties for the LMR. This small but capable organization consists of a three Beijing Jeeps and two 4x4 ATVs. One Beijing Jeep carries a small command and control element, two HN-5 man portable surface to air missiles (MANPADS), and tows a small cargo trailer. Two dune-buggy Beijing Jeeps each mount a heavy machinegun and two HJ-73 ATGMs. Two 4x4 ATVs carry another recon element and the capable PF89 120mm Recoilless Rifle. CCTV video has shown the Recon Platoon being slingloaded by S70C Blackhawk helicopters of the Chengdu 2nd LH Regiment. 2nd Regiment Blackhawks are known to have a habitual operational relationship with PLA special operations units and are almost certainly some of the most competent pilots to support the LMR air assault mission.

In contrast to the wheeled vehicles of the rest of the LMR, the Heavy Mechanized Infantry Company (HMIC) weighs in with tracked fighting vehicles. The HMIC consists of three platoons: one of Type 96 Main Battle Tanks (MBT), another of Type 86 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV), and a third of the new ZBD97 IFV. Each of these vehicles requires a host of specialist mechanics, unique spare parts, and different types of ammunition. Instead of representing the final organizational design of a full LMR, the presence of the HMIC within the experimental LMR may only be for examining the potential for synergistic interaction between heavy tracked vehicles and the lighter components of the LMR. Should the LMR design ever be adopted for widespread PLA use these tracked vehicles, particularly the tanks, may be omitted from the organization.

Finally, the LMR has both a UAV and electronic warfare detachment. These valuable assets provide the LMR Groups with timely surveillance and electronic intelligence. While both detachments have convention electronics vans for their heavier equipment, the UAV detachment also has at least one 8x8 ATV specially modified to carry UAVs.

The mix of heavy and light units that make up the experimental LMR raises many questions regarding the training and supportability of such a dissimilar force. It is unclear if the LMIC, HMIC, and FSC are each placeholders for a full maneuver battalion within a complete LMR, or if each maneuver battalion would have the mix of units seen in the experimental LMR. It may even be that each of the various types of units within the LMR represents a competing organizational design.

Engine	Turbo Diesel, in-line 3 cylinder, 4 cycle, liquid cooled, 31 HP
Load Capacity	1500 lbs / 680 kg on land - 700 lbs / 320 kg in water
Fuel Capacity	12.6 U.S. gal. / 48 liters providing approx. 10 hours of operation
Speed	28 mph / 45 km/h on land - 2.5 mph / 4 km/h on water
Vehicle Weight	2100 lbs/950 kg empty, 3600 lbs/1633 kg max