PLA expanding marine corps

13th March 2017 - 11:02 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Hong Kong

RSS

China is planning a huge increase in the size of its marine corp, improving the capability of its amphibious and rapid reaction forces.

Some media reports suggested that the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Marine Corps could grow up to five times in size, as China attempts to use the force to secure its maritime interests. The marine corps is estimated to currently possess 20,000 troops.

The South China Morning Post reported that two brigades have already transferred to the marines to augment two brigades already in existence (the 1st and 161st Marine Brigades).

One of the new units known to …

Want to read more?

To read this article, along with thousands of others like it, start your Premium News free trial.

Start Trial or log in here

More from Defence Notes

AUSA 2021 - US seeks new strategies to improve FMS

Defence authorities in the US advocate faster and more flexible FMS processes and enhanced collaboration between the services and agencies involved in the programme.
AUSA News and Views (podcast)

Welcome to Episode 41 of the third series of The Weekly Defence Podcast. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and more.
Kim Jong-un punctuated September with flurry of new missiles

North Korea continues to surprise protagonists with the rate at which it develops new missile types.
Serco secures Space Force surveillance systems contract

A new US Space Force contract for Serco has a five-month base period with five one-year options worth a total value of $33 million if fully exercised.
AUSA 2021: Project Convergence accelerates and expands

Project Convergence involves more than 5,000 military personnel in addition to over 70 different industry partners and 300 data collectors — and the DoD plans further expansion.
US Navy extends Sarcos Guardian testing

Following a successful first phase of the Guardian DX contract, the US Navy has extended the testing of the platform.