The Communist Party of China (CPC) has implemented a major restructuring of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) by reorganizing Group Armies that combine infantry, armor and mechanized units with units from the three other armed services to form what's being called a "a big unit command."

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This big unit command -- essentially a combined arms fighting force -- will see units from the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF); the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) integrated into each PLAGF Group Army.

According to Chinese state-run media, the newly organized 76th Group Army is the first of this new type big unit commands. The change in designation is significant because in the past PLAGF Group Armies only included PLAGF units.

"But in the future, the air force, navy and rocket forces will also be included in the group armies and given a new designation," explained Song Zhongping, a military expert who served in the PLARF.

Song said the designation Group Army only refers to the PLAGF and isn't reflective of the changes that brought about the new Group Army, which should instead be referred to as a "big unit command" during war.

This new and integrated Group Army will fundamentally change the structure of the People's Liberation Army, the armed forces of the CPC, said Song.

The transition to a big unit command will mean an overhaul in the structure, duty and combat capabilities of existing Group Armies. The change in designation is just the first step, said Song.

Chinese media cited a visit by Gen. Wang Kai, vice chief-of-staff of the Western Theater Command and Gen. Cao Junzhang, the vice commander of the 76th Group Army to a Red Army museum as proof the 76th Group Army does indeed exist.

Both generals were from the 13th Group Army, which used to be part of the former Chengdu Military Region.

The reform isn't limited to the PLAGF, however. A PLAN officer cited by state-run media said the 1st Group Army's 1st Division will be commissioned into the PLAN Marine Corps. After this integration, the 1st Division will be in charge of offensives after Marine landing operations.

TagsCommunist Party of China, Group Armies, People's Liberation Army Ground Force, PLAGF, big unit command, 76th Group Army, Song Zhongping