Foreword to PLA Infantry Equipment and Gear
The People’s Liberation Army is always changing. Beginning with its guerilla roots, most of its initial equipment were either captures or haphazardly put together gear. During the Cold War, the PLA received a good deal of assistance and technical knowledge from the Soviet Union, This was before an inevitable split in the communist camp. With improved relations with the West, came an improved economic situation, resulting in the rapidly modernizing PLA we see today. This can be seen reflected in its infantry equipment.
PLA TYPE 07 CAMOUFLAGE
Woodland Pattern 林地迷彩
More commonly known as “Universal pattern”, this is the standard camouflage for the PLA Ground Force and is being distributed to most regular units.
Arid Pattern 荒漠迷彩
Although appears to be suitable for desert terrain, it is actually issued as winter camouflage in northeastern China.
Ocean Pattern 海洋迷彩
First issued exclusively to the PLA Marine Corps and now used by all naval forces since 2013.
Urban Pattern 城市迷彩
Also known as "Air Force Digital Camo", it is issued to the PLA Air Force.
Jungle Pattern 丛林迷彩
It is designated for use in dense bush terrain or jungle, and is mainly issued to the PLA Rocket Force.
Special Forces Pattern 特战迷彩
Commonly known as “Hunter pattern”, it is a special woodland variation exclusively used by Chinese Special Forces.
By the end of 2021, the People’s Liberation Army had officially began issuing the Type 21 Xingkong uniform to its soldiers. This means that the venerable Type 07 BDU that has served the PLA for more than ten years will become a thing of the past, and the starry sky camouflage will become the new face of the Army.
The two primary patterns are woodland and arid as seen above.
PLA Helmets
GK80 Helmet
The GK80 is a Chinese steel combat helmet first developed during the late 60s, in response for the need of indigenous equipment after the Sino-Soviet split. While the GK80 helmet is being replaced by the QGF03 series, it still remains in use with training, reserve, and local security units.
QGF03 Helmet
As China modernized and westernized, so did its military. According to the Chinese military development records of compound helmets, the QGF03 helmets took design elements from the American PASGTs and German M826s. This is a massive improvement over the steel GK80 which were used for decades during the climax of the Cold War.
QGF21 Helmet
The Type 21 PLA helmet is expected to be distributed along with other gear such as tactical gloves, combat vests, and military boots as part of the PLA's modernization efforts.
PLA Combat Gear
Type 06 Vest
Type 04B Armor
Type 06SF Body Armor
Type 21 Plate Carrier
Type 15 Body Armor
PLA Personal Kit
Type 07 Uniform
Type 07 Winter Parka
01B Rucksack
Type 06 Backpack
Type 07 boots
Type 10 Canteen
FMJ08 Gas Mask
Type 21 Boots
Type 07 Pistol Belt
Type 21 Backpack
PLA Infantry Reference Gallery
Citation:
-The Chinese People's Liberation Army since 1949
-HoiKie
-B.Gao
-ROI