Divine Troops for the Future Unification: PLA Paratrooper Equipment Achieves World First
On September 3rd, during the 80th anniversary parade of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, the PLA paratrooper formation made a stunning debut, publicly revealing three new types of air-dropped armored combat equipment for the first time: the new paratrooper fighting vehicle, the paratrooper armored transport vehicle, and the 120mm airborne self-propelled mortar. These three pieces of equipment form a new generation of armored combat system for the PLA paratroopers. Their firepower and self-defense capabilities not only far exceed the old domestic system, but also fully surpass the latest equipment of the Russian paratroopers, making it the strongest paratrooper armored system in the world.
The new paratrooper fighting vehicle is equipped with an unmanned turret, carrying a new 30mm chain gun. The fire control system uses dual command independent optical-electronic sighting for the commander and the gunner, and has the ability to accurately shoot while moving. On both sides of the turret are two types of missiles: four small diameter multi-purpose demolition ammunition on the right side, used for anti-bunker and anti-infantry; two large diameter anti-tank missiles on the left side, capable of destroying enemy main battle tanks. This "versatile" firepower configuration allows the paratrooper fighting vehicle to deal with infantry fighting vehicles, strong fortifications, and main battle tanks, greatly compensating for the traditional firepower shortcomings of the paratroopers.
In terms of protection, the new paratrooper fighting vehicle is equipped with an advanced active protection system. Each side of the turret has a dual-launch interceptor missile launcher, combined with millimeter-wave phased array radar and top vertical detection radar, especially targeting top-attack anti-tank munitions. The vehicle body also integrates radar, laser, and optical detection warning sensors, almost able to warn and intercept all existing anti-tank missiles, with protective capabilities that can be described as "luxurious".
The new paratrooper armored transport vehicle shares the same chassis and active protection system with the paratrooper fighting vehicle. Radar is installed at the four corners of the vehicle body. In terms of weapons, it is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station, integrating a beltless feeding machine gun, a 35mm automatic grenade launcher, and two anti-tank missiles, with firepower sufficient to counter enemy main battle tanks, providing strong support for the paratroopers.
The new 120mm airborne self-propelled mortar also uses a general-purpose chassis, equipped with a manned turret, and has the capability of high-angle shooting, which can provide indirect fire support for paratroopers in urban warfare. The turret is equipped with an electro-optical sight, supporting direct shooting. In addition to high-explosive shells and demolition shells, it may also carry armor-piercing shells and guided shells, combining anti-armored and precision strike capabilities.
In comparison, the latest equipment of the Russian paratroopers pales in comparison. The Russian BMD-4M paratrooper fighting vehicle is equipped with a 100mm low-pressure smoothbore cannon and a 30mm machine gun, but lacks powerful anti-tank missiles, and the main gun ammunition is prone to detonation, receiving poor evaluations. The BTR-MDM armored transport vehicle only has a remotely controlled machine gun, with weak firepower. In terms of mortars, the Russian latest 2S42 120mm self-propelled mortar has not been mass-produced and is still using the old 2S9 Nona gun, with outdated fire control systems and limited striking effectiveness. More importantly, the Russian equipment generally lacks active protection systems, with much weaker protection than the PLA's.
Looking globally, Russia is the only country that has achieved mechanization and heavy firepower for its paratroopers, while the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade still mainly use light armored vehicles, lacking heavy firepower equipment such as paratrooper fighting vehicles. The PLA's new paratrooper armored system has comprehensively led in firepower, protection, and informatization levels, firmly occupying the top position in the world.
During the process of completing the great cause of national unification, the PLA paratroopers will play a strategic shock role of "falling from the sky." These new equipment endow the paratroopers with the ability to deploy quickly and conduct vertical strikes, enabling them to seize key airports, ports, or command centers first in the event of a conflict across the Taiwan Strait, cutting off the enemy's supply lines and creating strategic chaos. The versatile firepower and active protection system of the new paratrooper fighting vehicle can quickly suppress the enemy's armored forces after landing; the armored transport vehicle ensures the mobility and survivability of the troops; the self-propelled mortar provides urban warfare fire support, helping in city operations. Overall, this world-class paratrooper system will significantly enhance the PLA's three-dimensional combat effectiveness, shorten the unification process, and ensure the realization of national unification with minimal cost.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7547969199684010511/
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