Mainland China deploys more amphibious weapons along coast in Taiwan mission

Satellite images published in military magazine show Type 05 amphibious vehicles deployed to PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command

Armoured fighting vehicles belonging to ground force are capable of speedy landing operations

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A satellite image shows China’s PLA has deployed many amphibious armoured vehicles to its newly established amphibious combined arms brigades in the Eastern Theatre Command across from Taiwan. Photo: Kanwa Defence Review

Published: 8:11pm, 5 Aug 2020Updated: 11:08pm, 5 Aug 2020

The People’s Liberation Army has deployed more amphibious weapon systems in mainland China’s coastal cities across the strait from Taiwan in a sign that the armed forces are keen to play a key role in the long-standing mission to “reunify Taiwan”, according to an analyst.

Recent satellite images published in the latest edition of the influential military magazine Kanwa Asian Defence show more Type 05 amphibious armoured vehicles have been deployed to the Eastern Theatre Command, which claims jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait.

The ZTD-05 is a Type 05 amphibious armoured fighting vehicle developed for the PLA Marine Corps and is designed for speedy landing operations.

China’s ZBD-05 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle is designed for fast landings. Photo: TASS via Getty Images

The amphibious brigades evolved from the first amphibious mechanised infantry division of the 71st Army Group, which split into three amphibious combined-arms brigades amid President Xi Jinping’s military overhaul of 2017, according to a military source close to the PLA.

However, rather than a blue colour, the green camouflage of the Type 05 amphibious armoured vehicles indicate they belong to the ground forces.

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