Benjamin Lai

The Chinese People's Liberation Army since 1949 (eBook, ePUB)

Ground Forces
Illustrator: Hook, Adam

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the largest army in the world.

China is predicted to be on the brink of overtaking the USA as the world's largest economy, and China's military capabilities and global ambitions are the single greatest long-term pre-occupation of Western governments. The PLA has progressed steadily - if slowly - since its creation in 1949, from a mass army of unsophisticated infantry limited to 'human wave' tactics into a highly sophisticated force with wide capabilities.

More recent reforms (1989 to the 2010s) have been made possible by massive economic liberalization, and have seen not only the modernization of all the armed forces but the beginnings of global outreach, even including Chinese participation in UN peace-keeping missions to Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti.

Featuring rare photographs and specially commissioned color artwork, this study explores the developing structure, organization, equipment, appearance, and character of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from its creation until today.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury UK eBooks
• Seitenzahl: 64
• Erscheinungstermin: 20. November 2012
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781782003205
• Artikelnr.: 44626555

Autorenporträt

Benjamin Lai was born in Hong Kong, educated in the UK, and went on to serve as an officer in the British Territorial Army in the 1980s and 1990s. Fluent in both Chinese and English, he currently works as a development and business consultant in China.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction Chronology Component forces: the PLA regular and reserve forces
the People's Armed Police
and the People's Militia Organization: command levels
educational institutions
defence industries
military regions
local commands
tactical organization (from squad to army group)
airborne forces
border security
commissar system Personnel: conscription and training
NCOs
officer corps
reserves
militia People's Armed Police Force reduction Tactical doctrine Uniforms: Types 50
55
58
65
66
72
83
89
97
07 Key equipment: small arms
light weapons
armored fighting vehicles Plate commentaries Index