Chinese special forces. Chinese Special vs. Russian Regular Chinese for Special Forces

Story

Professional and organizational formation dates back to the mid-80s of the 20th century. Starting point for strength development special purpose was the conclusion made in June 1985 by the Military Council of the CPC Central Committee headed by Deng Xiaoping that there is no possibility of large-scale armed conflicts using conventional armed forces in the foreseeable future.

The next powerful impetus for the reassessment and reform of military concepts came from the Gulf War.
The most probable was an intense, short-lived and high-tech conflict on the periphery of China.
The first most functionally completed unit was formed in 1988 in the Guangzhou Military Region.

Organizational structure

Each military region of China (there are seven in total) has its own special forces regiment subordinate to the command of the region (3 battalions, with a total number of about 1000 people), while each level has its own special forces unit: corps - battalion (total 18 battalions, each 300-400 people each), brigade - company (about 120 people), at the regiment level - platoon (30-40 people) Level of training, as well as equipment from regiment to brigade, from brigade to corps, and from corps to district rises significantly.
Special forces regiments by military districts (VO) are scheduled as follows:
1) Shenyang VO - "Dongbei Tiger" ("Dongbei" in Chinese, Northeast, Manchuria, which has become a common name for the three northeastern provinces of China);
2) Beijing VO - "The Magic Sword of the East";
3) Nanjing Military District - "Flying Dragon", formed in 1992;
4) Guangzhou Military District - "Sharp Sword of Southern China", formed in 1988;
5) Lanzhou VO - "Night Tiger";
6) Jinan VO - "Hawk";
7) Chengdu Military District - "Falcon", formed in 1992.
In addition, special forces include units of the amphibious assault "Shock Marine" and the airborne assault "Sharp Sword of the Blue Sky".
They do not belong to spetsnaz, but they are trained in a light spetsnaz program, which, nevertheless, is much harder program training of ordinary soldiers of the PLA 162nd (as part of the 54th army), 63rd (as part of the 21st army) and 149th (as part of the 13th army) high-readiness divisions. The next in terms of training level are 1st (Hangzhou, Nanjing VO), 38th (86 thousand people, Baoding, Beijing VO), 39th (75 thousand people, Yingkou, Shenyang VO) and 54th army (89 thousand people, Xinxiang, Jinan Military District) rapid reaction army (readiness time from 2-7 days). Moreover, the last groupings are the three most equipped and combat-ready armies of China.
In addition to the army special forces, there are also special forces of the Armed Police (hereinafter referred to as VM, one of constituent parts armed forces of China) and subordinate to the Ministry of Public Security (hereinafter referred to as MSS) units of the Special Forces of the Public Security Forces.
There are also special divisions, about which in open access there is only fragmentary information, and even that appeared only recently - the Panther anti-terror units (according to some sources, it may have been assigned to the Chengdu Military District, it may have been a predecessor or in some way part of the Falcon), the Snow Wolf (subordinate to the VM, at the moment, together with the Beijing Special Forces, the MOB is involved in preparing for the security of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, by the way, the total number of security forces at the Olympics will be more than 10 thousand people) and others ...
The “elite” of China’s special forces, a unit in which only the best of the best have been gathering from all over the country since 1982, is the Vostok anti-terrorist unit stationed near the Beijing Airport, the full name is the special police anti-terrorist unit No. 722 MOB of the Special Forces Training Institute VM. The Institute itself was founded in 1983. Over the 23 years of its existence, it has released more than a thousand people, most of whom became special forces instructors. The strictness of training can be indirectly evidenced by the fact that for all this time, almost half a century, 3 (three) graduates received “full honors”.

Story

Professional and organizational formation dates back to the mid-80s of the 20th century. The starting point for the development of special forces was the conclusion made in June 1985 by the Military Council of the CPC Central Committee, headed by Deng Xiaoping, that there was no possibility of large-scale armed conflicts using conventional armed forces in the foreseeable future. The next powerful impetus for the reassessment and reform of military concepts came from the Gulf War.
The most probable was an intense, short-lived and high-tech conflict on the periphery of China.
The first most functionally completed unit was formed in 1988 in the Guangzhou Military Region.

Organizational structure

Each military region of China (there are seven in total) has its own special forces regiment subordinate to the command of the region (3 battalions, with a total number of about 1000 people), while each level has its own special forces unit: corps - battalion (total 18 battalions, each 300-400 people each), brigade - company (about 120 people), at the regiment level - platoon (30-40 people) Level of training, as well as equipment from regiment to brigade, from brigade to corps, and from corps to district rises significantly.
Special forces regiments by military districts (VO) are scheduled as follows:
1) Shenyang MD - "Dongbei Tiger" ("Dongbei" in Chinese, Northeast, Manchuria, which has become a common name for the three northeastern provinces of China);
2) Beijing VO - "The Magic Sword of the East";
3) Nanjing Military District - "Flying Dragon", formed in 1992;
4) Guangzhou Military District - "Sharp Sword of Southern China", formed in 1988;
5) Lanzhou VO - "Night Tiger";
6) Jinan VO - "Hawk";
7) Chengdu Military District - "Falcon", formed in 1992.
In addition, special forces include units of the amphibious assault "Shock Marine" and the airborne assault "Sharp Sword of the Blue Sky".
They do not belong to special forces, but are trained under a lightweight special forces program, which, nevertheless, is much more complicated than the training program for ordinary soldiers of the PLA 162nd (as part of the 54th army), 63rd (as part of the 21st army) and 149- I (as part of the 13th Army) divisions of high readiness. The next in terms of training level are 1st (Hangzhou, Nanjing VO), 38th (86 thousand people, Baoding, Beijing VO), 39th (75 thousand people, Yingkou, Shenyang VO) and 54th army (89 thousand people, Xinxiang, Jinan Military District) rapid reaction army (readiness time from 2-7 days). Moreover, the last groupings are the three most equipped and combat-ready armies of China.
In addition to the army special forces, there are also the Special Forces of the Armed Police (hereinafter referred to as the WP, one of the components of the Chinese armed forces) and the Special Forces units of the Public Security Forces subordinate to the Ministry of Public Security (hereinafter referred to as the MSS).
There are also special units, about which there is only fragmentary information in the public domain, and even that appeared only recently - the Panther anti-terror units (according to some sources, it may have been assigned to the Chengdu Military District, it may have been a predecessor or in some way was part of the Falcon) ), “Snow Wolf” (subordinate to the CM, at the moment, together with the Beijing Special Forces, the MOB is involved in preparing to ensure the security of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, by the way, the total number of security forces at the Olympics will be more than 10 thousand people) and others ...
The “elite” of China’s special forces, the unit in which only the best of the best have been gathering from all over the country since 1982, is the Vostok anti-terrorist unit stationed near Beijing Airport, the full name is the special police anti-terrorist unit No. 722 MOB of the Institute for the Training of Special Forces Fighters VM. The Institute itself was founded in 1983. Over the 23 years of its existence, it has released more than a thousand people, most of whom became special forces instructors. The strictness of training can be indirectly evidenced by the fact that for all this time, almost half a century, 3 (three) graduates received “full honors”.
Emblems of special forces units (captions in the order of the images in the photographs)
"Dongbei Tiger", "Magic Sword of the East", "Night Tiger", "Hawk"

"Shock Marine" and "Special Forces VM"

Purpose

The Chinese special forces are one of the main components of the China Rapid Reaction Force, which must wage war in a limited regional conflict and use the latest military technologies, incl. point strikes outside the zone of vulnerability for the enemy.
The functions of the special forces include: intelligence, short-term and / or small-scale military operations and anti-terrorist activities, incl. and the destruction of separatist formations.
So in October 2002, special forces units took part in joint anti-terrorist exercises with Tajikistan.

Equipment of special forces units

Military transport helicopters MI-17, unmanned aircrafts, KBU-88 assault rifles, Model 95 sniper rifles plus covert views small arms. Silencers. Machine guns, grenade launchers. Flamethrowers. Guns, incl. ATGM HJ-37/PF-89. GPS / GLONASS positioning systems with a positioning accuracy of up to 1-3 m in China, including Taiwan, body armor, Kevlar helmets, tactical radios, night vision devices, laser rangefinders, special television imaging systems, for operations in low visibility and light conditions, etc. .

Preparation

The training of army and police special forces is carried out according to the methods developed General Staff PLA, taking into account the peculiarities of the use of each individual unit, with the removal of the complexity of training to the level of the psychological and physical limit of human survival.
Management Chinese special forces believes that the physical, psychological and professional training their fighters are unmatched in the world.

Training of fighters is divided into two parts: basic and professional.
The basic includes: the whole complex of ordinary physical exercises for strength, agility and endurance plus hand-to-hand combat and self-defense without weapons, survival skills in field and extreme conditions, climbing training, crossing the water in full gear, all types of small arms, as well as setting up tents , digging shelters in the snow and earth, rendering medical care and rescue in the field, seizure of weapons, methods of ambushes and surprise attacks, actions in the mountains, in the forest, in the water, in the snow. Plus landing training. Ski training is carried out in the northeastern provinces of China at any weather conditions, incl. when the air temperature is below 40C. Orientation on the ground with or without a compass, map reading.
It's hard to believe, but there is also survival training (breathing and body movement) in the water with hands and feet tied! (how long it is necessary to be in the water and why is not indicated; as far as I understand, this should apply to the units "Night Tiger", "Sharp Sword of South China" and "Falcon", at least, given their area of ​​​​responsibility).

Survival training (on the example of the Sokol unit)

Group of 6 people. Equipment: army boots, knife, light machine gun and helmet. A fighter can take with him 1 kg of rice, 5 pieces of pressed biscuits, salt and matches. Before leaving, the group is thoroughly searched, literally shaking out their pockets - no extra unauthorized items, incl. and money and water should not be (although in some sources they write that they give out a flask of water, 2 pieces of cookies, but without rice) ..
March conditions: in 7 days, the group must pass through the virgin forest for more than 200 km (according to other sources - 300 km), and part of the route (about 3 days of travel) runs through mountainous terrain with an altitude of 2700 m. that most water sources are undrinkable or simply life-threatening, fighters must identify those reservoirs that are suitable for use by the traces of birds and animals, or use trees and plants to obtain water. An additional difficulty is created by the fact that, despite the heat, clothing must be tightly buttoned, because. the area is full poisonous snakes and insects. The mountain section of the route (about 3 days of travel) is so poor in terms of vegetation and animal life that the group would have to make do with ants, mice, and snakes. In addition, on the way, the group must complete about 20 learning tasks(assaults, captures of "tongues", bypassing outposts and ambushes of a mock enemy, etc.).
Such training can take place from 3 to 6 months a year.

Physical training:

This part of the preparation is affectionately called... "the descent into hell."
Rise at 4:30. General "hard" qigong. Dan Tian Qigong - 30 min. At 6:00 am climb the mountain or run long distances. When running, each fighter collects 10 bricks in a backpack. A distance of 5 km must be covered in no more than 25 minutes. The same cross - in the evening. What happens to the back in this case, or rather the skin on the back, is not difficult to guess. After running, the “iron palm” exercise begins. The fighter must inflict 300 blows with his palm on the bag, and in total for the initial training cycle - 15,000 blows, first with beans, and then with iron filings. Gradually, 2/3 of the length of the palm will be covered with stone-hard calluses, and the thickness of the palm will increase by almost 100%. Bleeding and wounds are healed by soaking the hands in a special healing solution. In exactly the same way and with the same standards, fists, elbows, knees and feet are worked out.
After breakfast, the practice of breaking wooden bars with the head begins. They start with soft and end with hard woods. When a callus 2 mm thick forms on the head, you can proceed to breaking bottles and bricks. Having undergone proper training, a fighter can strike a tree or a wall (it's hard to believe this, or an error in the sources, but the standard is 500 times a day). Headstand - 30 minutes a day..
Then lunch, a short rest and hell continues...

Several regulations...
Climbing the brick wall of the building to the 5th floor without improvised means in 30 seconds.
With full equipment, incl. with 4 grenades and a machine gun, with a total weight of 10 kg, swim 5 km in 1 hour 20 minutes.
With tied legs, with 4 hand grenades on a belt and other equipment, with a total weight of 4.5 kg, ride 10 km in a bag.
With full equipment in the rain on a broken mountain road (or rather, on clay) in 12 minutes to cover a distance of 3300 m (rating - "satisfactory"), 3400 m (rating - "good"), 3500 m (rating "excellent")
Rise on the crossbar and push-ups on parallel bars - each exercise 200 times a day.
Passing a 400-meter obstacle course with 14 targets in a group of 4 people - twice. The first is for warming up, the second is for time - no more than 1 minute 45 seconds.
Lying in front - 100 times, no more than 60 seconds.
Lifting a dumbbell weighing 35 kg - 60 times, no more than 60 seconds.
Throwing a grenade - 100 times at a distance of at least 50 m.
The defeat of a human target from a distance of 200 m from a car moving at a speed of 50 km.
Throw a grenade through a car window from a distance of 30 m.

Professional training:

Sabotage and demolition training, training in working with explosives (understanding the types and characteristics of explosives, methods of installation and disposal, assessment of the optimal installation site). Telegraphy, signals. Penetration into a given place in camouflage equipment, as well as through water - using inflatable boats or logs, empty barrels as masking agents. Diving skills.
Depending on the role of one or another unit, the emphasis is on actions in urban conditions, sabotage and subversive work, foreign languages, computers and communications, operations in the (sub)aquatic environment.

Participation in combat operations and competitions:

Since 1998, Chinese special forces have received invitations to the international competitions of special forces units held in Estonia - “ERNA”. Participating in competitions for the first time, Chinese special forces received 8 first places in 20 types of programs, one second and 4 third. Taking 3rd place overall.
Later, the Chinese team received the "Best Foreign Team" prize - the Karev Prize (according to Chinese sources, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the transcription of the name of this Estonian "hero").

According to indirect information, fighters of the Sokol unit in the amount of 32 people were sent to help the special services of the government of Afghanistan to free the Chinese workers taken hostage. fight against terrorist groups. The Islamabad Times newspaper claimed (according to the Internet) that Chinese special forces freed the hostages at night without firing a shot and detained the 21 terrorists holding them, which was given the highest praise by US intelligence officials in Afghanistan.

The topic of special units of the world, the specifics of their training and the possibilities of using them, constantly excites readers. After the sudden appearance of such units in the Crimea, the appearance of reports about the work of the MTR in Syria and Iraq became a brand for the layman. For some reason, it is believed that the appearance of "polite people", "little green men", "seals", "leopards", " sea ​​lions"and other" living creatures "guaranteed victory with a 100% result.

The reader's interest is understandable. Everything that is covered with a halo of mystery naturally attracts attention. And the operations, reports of which periodically appear in the press, look really impressive. Moreover, due to the incompetence of correspondents, or for other reasons (to be honest, advertising is necessary even in such a case. Remember the Soviet "In the zone of special attention" and "Return move") such messages "overgrow" with details that inspire horror and respect for the townsfolk, and cause frank laughter from specialists.

This is an excerpt from a letter I received recently. By the way, thanks to everyone who writes. Thank you not only for your questions and wishes, but also for the interesting memories and materials that you generously share with me.

The answer to the question about the reason for the lack of materials for some countries in the absence of reliable information. Alas. By the way, this also applies to Chinese MTRs. Information is "hidden" not only behind the regime of secrecy, but also behind the vagueness of the concepts themselves. Let me explain. Many remember the words of Goebbels about what a lie must be in order to be believed in it. But few understand that the truth can be done in exactly the same way. A fact around which a "cordon" of fiction is created always begins to give rise to doubts. Therefore, please do not take my article as the ultimate truth. This is just an attempt to systematize what is known from open and "ajar" sources.

For some reason, it is believed that special forces units in the PLA appeared thanks to Deng Xiaoping. It was he, then the head of the CPC, who in June 1985 declared that "the Communist Party does not see the future global war Therefore, the PRC should prepare for fleeting border conflicts. "And this statement became fundamental for the creation in 1988 of the first MTR unit in the Guangzhou Military District.

However, if you look into the history of the PRC, then, it seems to me, there are doubts about this thesis. The fact is that even during the war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party (1927-1950), the Chinese widely used airborne units trained at US military bases. True, they acted against the CCP. And they were quite successful. So much so that Mao decided to create similar units in the PLA.

Therefore, again, in my opinion, the 50s of the last century should be considered the beginning of the creation of China's MTR. And the first combat operations of the new units were carried out already during the war of the Northern and South Korea. Yes, and when repelling the attacks of Taiwanese nationalists, it was not without the participation of these particular units.

Immediately after the end of the Korean War, in the late 50s and early 60s, three airborne divisions were formed in the PLA. There is nothing interesting and new for the Russian reader in these compounds. Simply because they were formed with the help of the USSR. But the fact that in parallel with the creation of the Airborne Forces in the PLA, special intelligence units were created, is more interesting.

The fact is that during the formation of such units, completely opposite tasks were initially laid down. They carried out reconnaissance and counteraction to enemy reconnaissance. They acted as DRGs and, at the same time, were used to counter enemy DRGs. And such "versatility" somewhat reduced efficiency. However, it was these units, the best of them, that became the basis of the future MTRs of the PLA. And it is from these units that the groups currently available for conducting special operations are formed.

The Chinese are masters at flowery expressions. And the attitude of the Chinese towards their aircraft is amazing. Many readers saw Chinese units at the recent military games in Russia. This attitude was also expressed in the names (known today) of the SOF detachments. "Falcon", "Hawk", "Flying Dragon", "Dongbei Tiger", "Night Tiger", "Magic Sword of the East", "Sharp Sword of Southern China".

The "discovery" of the MTR of the PLA took place during the competition of special forces units in Estonia (ERNA). Unknown Chinese special forces then, in 1998, out of 20 types of competitions won 8. In addition, one second place and 4 third. Agree, the result is more than good.

What are the features of the training of Chinese fighters? Why are the Chinese today considered the most difficult to counter? Let's try to deal with this issue.

I remember in the comments after the article about the "Green Berets" among the readers there were many people who were quite prepared to serve there. Well, try to "serve" in the Chinese special forces unit. Not in the elite, but (for the purity of the experiment) the usual unit of the MTR. Here are the standard standards that any PLA MTR soldier must comply with:

1. Climbing the wall of a brick building to the fifth floor without using improvised means (I carry everything with me, arms and legs) - 30 seconds.

2. Forcing a water barrier 5 km long with full equipment and weapons (automatic and 4 grenades) - 80 minutes.

3. Ride 10 km in a sack, with tied legs and a duffel bag weighing 4.5 kg.

4. In full combat gear, in the rain, on a broken mountain road in 12 minutes to overcome the distance: excellent - 3.5 km and more, good - 3.4 km, satisfactory - 3.3 km.

5. Rise on the crossbar and push-ups on the uneven bars at least 200 times.

6. Passage of an obstacle course (400 meters) by a group of 4 people hitting 14 targets - 105 seconds.

7. Push-ups lying in 1 minute - 100 times.

8. Lifting a dumbbell weighing 35 kg per minute - 60 times.

9. Shooting: hit from a moving car at a speed of 50 km / h at a growth target at a distance of 200 meters.

10. Throw a grenade through a car window from a distance of 30 meters.

I understand that most readers now thought that the standards are clearly impossible to meet. However, it is precisely such standards that are established in the Chinese manuals for the MTR. And, most importantly, the standards are feasible. But for this you need to be Chinese and serve somewhere near the Beijing airport.

The thing is that the very training of the special forces takes place at the limit of human capabilities. The differences that exist between the fighters are due to the location of the unit and the tasks for which the fighter is being trained. There are no analogues of Chinese training in the world yet. At least that's what the Chinese commanders say.

To get in elite units SSO is quite difficult. Unlike most detachments of similar activities from other countries, in the PLA there is no opportunity to join a detachment on own will. The selection is carried out from military personnel of ordinary units. Moreover, often the candidates do not even know that they "hit the pencil" of a special forces officer. There are practically no refusals to serve in the MTR. This is the dream of soldiers and officers of the PLA.

The training of fighters is based on the method of raising the physical and psychological capabilities of the human body to the maximum. Ancient Chinese variants of martial arts, Tibetan monk training methods, Chinese wushu gymnastics, various qigong variations are used. Some sources speak of yoga and similar techniques that are not at all Chinese.

Particular attention is paid to the development of not only strength, but also dexterity. Moreover, it is clearly focused on the performance of specific tasks. Self defense without weapons. Different variants Chinese and Japanese martial arts. Learn to swim at the level of a serious swimmer. There is evidence that, for example, "night tigers" or "falcons" are trained in underwater combat without the use of scuba gear due to special breathing techniques. Other units train professional climbers and skiers.

The Chinese special forces also have a distinctive feature that makes them sufficiently "noticeable" for counterintelligence. The fact is that according to the same training methodology, each fighter must master a special exercise called "Iron Palm".

Those of the readers who were engaged in martial arts are well aware of the opportunity to "fill their hand." When, for a long time, a fighter literally stuffs the edge of the palm or knuckles to the state of the appearance of coarsened tissue or "corns". This allows not only to reduce the pain from hitting a hard surface, but also to increase the impact force itself due to the appearance of a "brass knuckles".

At one time, when karate was banned in the USSR, the police perfectly calculated karatekas precisely by stuffed knuckles and "ribs" of the palms. It was difficult to hide it.

"Iron palm" is the daily strikes with the palms of the bean bag. 300 strokes daily. In addition, they also stuff their fists, elbows, feet, knees, head ... Simply put, every day any commando "hollows" a bag of beans thousands of times, various parts body.

Naturally, the skin becomes coarser and the "stuffed" parts of the body increase in size. This becomes a signal to move on to the next stage of training. Beans are exchanged for metal shavings. And now this "projectile" becomes a constant companion of a fighter. And enlarged palms calling card an employee of the special forces of the MTR of the PLA.

In addition, MTR fighters are required to undergo the most severe training for survival in any terrain. Moreover, none of the commanders and chiefs particularly thinks about the safety and life of the test person.

For example, a survival exercise for naval special forces soldiers looks like this. The group is dropped from a helicopter at a distance of 5 or more kilometers into the sea near an almost "bare" island. Every soldier has a stock drinking water, knife, ration for a day.

Then live as you wish. You can drown before you reach the island. You can starve (a supply of water allows you not to die of thirst, and death from hunger occurs much later). And you can live in "your pleasure", eating what lives in the sea or on the island. The only inconvenience is the lack of fire. But not at the resort. The Chinese also remember the "hardships of military service."

Survival "on earth" is not at all easier. Here's an example from The Falcon. A group of 6 special forces is sent to a mountainous wooded area. Equipment is standard. Knife, light machine gun and helmet. It is allowed to take 1 kg of rice, 5 pieces of pressed biscuits, salt and matches. Everything else is taken away. March conditions: in 7 days, the group must cover 200 (sometimes 300) km through mountainous wooded areas. Part of the route passes at an altitude of over 2700 meters above sea level. Most of the water sources are not suitable for consumption. The area is "teeming" poisonous insects and other "bastards". Therefore, clothes should always be fastened with all buttons and zippers.

The task of the fighters is not only to pass the route. But also to determine the reservoirs suitable for use (most often this is done in the footsteps of birds and animals), to eat all sorts of "delicacies" like mice and insects in the mountains (other "goodies" do not live there). And "for a snack" to complete more than 20 combat missions, such as taking a prisoner, removing sentries, destroying an object, bypassing an outpost, etc.

Such training in the life of PLA MTR fighters takes 3-6 months a year ...

An important issue for understanding the combat potential of the MTR of the PLA is the equipment of such units. Armament and equipment. Alas, in modern warfare, even the most good fighter without special equipment and good weapons is weak. I think we should start with the most known species weapons.

Pistols. The main pistol of the MTR of the PLA is the 5.8-mm QSZ 92 pistol created by Chinese designers with a device for silent-flameless firing and an optical sight. The pistol was chambered for the new DAP 5.8x2.1mm low-impulse cartridge. The cartridge has more penetrating and destructive power than other ammunition. It also has a more flat flight path.

The gun has a weight of 0.76 kg. Made using composite materials. It has inserts on the pistol grip that allow you to adjust the size of the handle. Which makes the recoil momentum much less than from a standard NATO pistol. The store is designed for 20 rounds. The double-sided lever of the safety lever serves to safely release the trigger from the cocking. There are grooves on the frame for attaching a tactical flashlight or a laser designator. It is possible to shoot from both hands, either from the right or from the left hand. The trigger guard is rounded (a feature of a slightly different shooting technique from the "short-barrel" characteristic of China). Pistol length 190 mm, barrel length 115 mm.

But, as in other units of this profile, fighters can use other pistols of the armies of the world. Depending on the tasks and skills of ownership. By the way, the Soviet TT is still popular.

In addition to pistols, the MTR is armed with Type 05 submachine guns. The Chinese use PP for the same cartridge as for the pistol - 5.8 mm. Magazine capacity 50 rounds. Bullet speed 480-500 m/s. Automatic shutter. Composite materials are used. Shooting is carried out in three modes - single, bursts of 3 shots and bursts of arbitrary length. It is possible to install a collimator or optical sight, a tactical flashlight.

Automata. Here the question is rather complicated. The fact is that today the MTRs of the PLA are already in service with three domestic developments. And they are all quite interesting. It's hard to talk about preference.

Let's start with the most common - the army QBZ-95, which was put into service in 1995. Caliber 5.8 mm. A domestic cartridge 5.8x42 weighing 4.1 g with a steel core is used. starting speed bullets 930 m/s. Magazine capacity 30 rounds. Machine weight 3.35 kg. Machine length 760 mm. Barrel length 490 mm. Bullpup layout. There is a Chinese-made grenade launcher (40 mm) and a bayonet-knife. Sighting range 500 meters.

The next modification of this machine for some reason turned into a carbine. To be honest, I don't understand it. So, QBZ 95-1. Carbine with optical sight and 35 mm grenade launcher. The machine gun is much more popular in special forces than the first army version. The differences are quite noticeable. From ejection of the sleeve (45 degrees forward) to a quick-release optical sight. In addition, this machine has a shortened version.

But the third machine is rather a tribute to traditions and the "old" school. The fact is that the layout of the bullpup does not suit enough many. What looks beautiful in the movies is often not very adapted to specific tasks. Therefore, the MTR is also armed with an automatic machine with a classic layout - QBZ-03. Weight a little more - 3.5 kg. The length is also 950 mm. However, with the butt folded - 750 mm. Magazine capacity 30 rounds. By the way, the stores of all machines are unified.

Among Chinese machine guns, QJY 88 deserves our attention. Development of Chinese gunsmiths. In my opinion, the weapon is a failure. Caliber 5.8 mm. Under the domestic cartridge 5.8x42 mm. Weight with tripod 16 kg (body - 11.8 kg). Length 1151 mm. Barrel length 600 mm. Tape 200 rounds. A machine gun that does not meet the needs of the MTR at all.

More common light machine gun QBB-95 is nothing more than the Chinese counterpart of our RPK, only for 5.8 mm caliber. Less reliable than our machine gun. Yes, and significantly inferior to the Soviet counterpart in terms of firepower.

Probably, we should write about one more type of weapon that is mandatory in special forces. About sniper rifles.

The standard rifle of the MTR PLA is the QBU-88, which began to enter service with the army in 1997. Caliber 5.8 mm. A special version of the 5.8x42 mm rifle cartridge with a steel core bullet is used. Weight - 4.1 kg. Length 920 mm. Barrel length 640 mm. Sighting range - 800 meters. Optics domestic 4X. Magazine 10 rounds. It is possible to install almost all types of sights.

Large-caliber sniper rifle M99. Produced in two versions. Chambered for 12.7x108mm (M99-1) and chambered for 12.7x99mm (M99-2). Designed for counter-sniper combat, as well as for destroying lightly armored targets, machine-gun nests, positions of grenade launchers, etc. The number of units of such weapons today is quite small. Therefore, it is still difficult to assess the combat quality of new weapons.

The QBU-10 large-caliber rifle is more common. Chambered for 12.7x108 mm. Sighting range up to 1000 meters. However, the rifle is clearly "Chinese". Doesn't live up to sniper standards. Length 1380 mm. Barrel length 780 mm. Weight 13.3 kg.

It is clear that it is difficult to list all types of weapons that are used in the MTR of the PLA. Yes, and it doesn't really matter. It is clear that completely different "barrels" or other weapons can be used for certain tasks. Moreover, it is also clear that any unit has its own "chips".

China's Special Operations Specialists are not just military units. As in other countries where special attention is paid to this issue, there are quite serious police units in China. Such as " snow leopard"By the way, in 2014, it was this unit that was recognized as the best in the world at competitions in Jordan. And those whom I spoke about above then took second place. This is from 36 participating teams.

And in conclusion, I want to cool the ardor of the especially furious "fighters". The MTR of the PLA, the only ones in the world, have all-female units in their composition! Not support services or individual military personnel. Namely, completely female. 4 years ago, the PLA command decided to create such detachments.

Today, these units include women under 30 years of age. Training is almost no different from the "male". The level of education is worthy of the most elite units. Approximately 80% with higher education! In terms of combat potential, women's units are valued, no matter how offensive it is to men, higher. The fact is that women compensate for the lack of physical strength by scrupulous fulfillment of all training and combat tasks. And, therefore, they are generally better prepared than similar male units. And, again a paradox, women in combat are more fanatical fighters! This is an assessment by Chinese psychologists after analyzing the actions of women's units from various countries during times of war and conflict.

From various sources Other names of the Chinese SOF detachments periodically appear. But information about these units is so fragmentary and, often not without reason, fantastic that it would be foolish to draw any conclusions about their training or purpose. These are "Panther", "Snow Wolf" and "Vostok".

Judging by the tasks attributed to them by sources, these are counter-terrorist units designed to combat terrorism and separatism inside and outside the country. So, they are still not army units, but security officers. This is either the Ministry of State Security or the Ministry of Public Security of the PRC.

Be that as it may, today the PLA MTRs have a stable authority among the employees of the relevant structures of most countries. Professionals always quickly understand who is in front of them. And respect those who are truly worthy of respect.

The creation and equipping of special forces units in China is taken very seriously. This is due to many reasons, not least separatist sentiment in Tibet, but also the problem of Taiwan. Special forces are available in all power departments. In the police, for example, there are even combat women's units designed to deal with drug couriers. As part of some units involved in the protection of the state border, there are famous companies of "Tigers". There are five such companies on the border with Russia. But still, the most trained and combat-ready are the special forces of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA). Currently in ground forces 11 such units (according to the number of districts) with sonorous names like "Black Panthers". They have been around for 10-12 years. The number of personnel in the detachments, which are currently 100 percent complete, is about 150 soldiers and officers. Most of the military personnel are re-enlisted. Organizationally, the detachment consists of a control unit and four combat groups, each of which can be divided into 5-10 subgroups capable of acting independently.

The training of Chinese special forces is very high. The following combat episode can serve as confirmation of this. One day, 32 members of the Falcon Unit were sent to help the Afghan government free Chinese workers who had been taken hostage. No official information there is still no information about this operation by the Chinese special forces, however, the Islamabad Times newspaper later wrote that the Chinese special forces, without firing a single shot, released all the Chinese workers in the middle of the night, and also captured the terrorists holding them. This event was given the highest rating by US intelligence agencies.

It is believed that the training of Chinese special forces has no analogues in the world. It is carried out in accordance with special methods developed by the General Staff of the PLA, taking into account each specific unit. In addition, each workout is designed in such a way as to bring their complexity to the level that corresponds to the maximum psychological and physical limit of human survival.

The Chinese leadership itself believes that the physical, psychological and professional training of the fighters of the country's special forces has no equal in the world. In general, the training of a Chinese special forces fighter can be divided into two components - basic and professional.

Demonstration of the physical capabilities of special forces soldiers

Basic training includes: the whole complex of conventional exercise on strength, agility and endurance plus hand-to-hand combat and self-defense without weapons, survival skills in the field and extreme conditions, mountaineering training, crossing the water in full gear, all types of small arms, as well as setting up tents, digging shelters in the snow and in the ground, medical assistance and rescue in the field, seizure of weapons, methods of ambushes and surprise attacks, actions in the mountains, in the forest, in the water, in the snow. But that's not all. It is necessary to mention landing and ski training. The latter is always held in the northeastern provinces of China under absolutely any weather conditions, including at temperatures around minus 40 degrees. And finally, orienteering with and without a compass, reading a map.

But most interesting stage is survival training, setting the rhythm of breathing and body movements in the water with hands and feet tied! Unfortunately, there is no data on how long it is necessary to stay in the water in this state and for what purposes. Such training, most likely, is carried out by fighters of the Chinese special forces units Night Tiger, Sharp Sword of Southern China and Falcon, based on their area of ​​responsibility. Quite interesting is the training of Chinese fighters' survival skills. Here is an example of a typical exercise. There is a group of 6 people. Their equipment is army boots, a knife, a lightweight machine gun and a helmet.

Each fighter can also take with them 1 kilogram of rice, 5 pieces of pressed biscuits, salt and matches. Before the group leaves for training, they are thoroughly searched to ensure that they cannot bring in any unauthorized items. Pay special attention to money and water. True, sometimes it is mentioned that people are still allowed to take a flask of water. After that, the group moves forward for a forced march. For 7 days, the fighters must overcome more than 200 kilometers (although some sources mention 300 kilometers), and about three days of travel falls on a mountainous area with a height of 2700 meters above sea level. Usually on such a route, most of the water sources are either not suitable for drinking, or even pose a threat to life.

Fighters must follow the tracks of birds and animals to determine those reservoirs that are suitable for drinking water. The additional complexity of the forced march is created by the fact that, despite extreme heat, clothes should be buttoned quite tightly, as the area is full of poisonous snakes and insects. Also, the mountainous section of the route, as a rule, is quite poor in vegetation and animals, as a result of which the group sometimes has to eat ants, mice and snakes. In addition to physical deprivation, the group during the throw must complete about 20 training tasks. of varying complexity. These include assaults, captures of "tongues", bypassing imaginary enemy ambushes, and many others.