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Amphibious Warfare Capabilities of the People's Liberation Army:
An Assessment on Recent Modernizations[1]

In additional to the dedicated amphibious units, many PLA units are also being trained in amphibious warfare. The PLA conducts their amphibious training exercises each year from May to September with increasing size and intensity. According to Dennis Blasko, in 2001 it is likely that four divisions and a brigade from two group armies in Guangzhou MR, and at least four divisions and a brigade from the three group armies in the Nanjing MR, were involved. Two divisions in the Jinan MR conducted training along the coast and an armored division in the Shenyang MR trained at an inland reservoir in 2001.

In 2002, five divisions and a brigade in the Nanjing MR and three divisions from the Guangzhou MR were identified in amphibious training. Also noted by Dennis Blasko, training in these years was guided by the new military training and evaluation program that provided common standards and evaluation criteria for the entire PLA. [11]

One of the major changes within the PLA during the last three years is the formation of the joint logistic department at each Military Region (MR); in theory, all service branches’ logistics needs will be handled by one chain of command and assets will be distributed accordingly. As noted, during the past exercises most of the amphibious transport was organic to the PLA’s Table of Equipment (TOE). In an effort to increase joint campaign effectiveness and share equipment, new compulsory training is now in place for all naval cadets with the goal of enable them to effectively take part in amphibious battles, according to People’s Daily [12]. For example, in May 2002, 900 naval cadets from the Dalian warship college of the PLAN were sent to the Dailian Field army college for a 30-day land warfare-training course. At the same time, Field Army Colleges also had begun sending their cadets for training in maritime military skills [13].

Recent exercises have increased in complexity. For example, the 144th motorized infantry division used engineers to clear potential landing zones prior to assault by combat units in a Sept 2002 sea crossing and landing exercise. Nanjing MR formations are being trained closely with attack helicopter units for command, recon and air support needs [14].