Exercises

Iron Armor Roars! A Tank Unit of a Brigade Under Army 82nd Group Army Conducts Combat Shooting Assessment

铁甲怒吼！陆军第82集团军某旅坦克分队开展战斗射击考核

PLA Daily (解放军报) 26 July 2026

Summary

A tank unit from a brigade of the 82nd Group Army recently completed a combat shooting assessment structured around randomized targets, non-fixed crew assignments, and continuous sequencing of command, driving, and live-fire subjects at both individual vehicle and platoon levels. The assessment design—randomized target placement, no fixed plan, non-fixed crew personnel—documents a deliberate effort to stress test on-the-spot decision-making rather than rehearsed performance, a recurring tension in PLA combined-arms training reform. The post-exercise after-action review and the explicit commitment to 专攻精练 (focused and intensive training) to address identified deficiencies fits the standard readiness-assessment cycle; this article's value is as a baseline record of how the 82nd Group Army's armor units are structuring evaluation criteria, not as evidence of a capability shift.

Translation

Recently, a brigade under Army 82nd Group Army organized a tank unit to conduct a combat-realistic combat shooting assessment, examining the force's coordinated operations and precision strike capabilities in complex environments.

Tank unit completes formation. Photo by Guo Ermao

Upon receiving the order, the tank unit rapidly completed its combat grouping and maneuvered toward the target area. During the advance, enemy situation reports and various special circumstances arose in succession; officers and soldiers responded calmly and coordinated closely, successfully breaking through the blockade.

Tanks maneuver toward the operational area. Photo by Guo Ermao

Tanks deploy into combat formation. Photo by Guo Ermao

Upon arriving at the firing area, the individual vehicle shooting subject assessment commenced immediately.

"Gunner attention—moving enemy target detected directly ahead. Destroy it!"

The assessment team randomly set up multiple types of targets at varying distances, with no fixed plan and fully randomized control throughout. At the commander's order, each individual vehicle maneuvered over obstacles while independently searching for targets, rapidly selecting ammunition type based on target characteristics, and continuously completing ranging, aiming, and firing. In an instant, flames erupted and shells screamed out, striking targets with precision.

Tanks maneuver over obstacles. Photo by Guo Ermao

Vehicle commander issues firing commands. Photo by Guo Ermao

Moment of tank firing. Photo by Guo Ermao

Upon conclusion of the individual vehicle shooting assessment, the platoon shooting subject immediately commenced. The tank platoon rapidly occupied positions and deployed in an orderly manner according to tactical formation. Each crew coordinated closely, advancing in echelon and massing fire, successfully destroying targets—fully examining the unit's coordinated operations capability.

Moment of tank firing. Photo by Guo Ermao

Shell strikes target. Photo by Guo Ermao

This assessment adopted a training organization model with non-fixed crew personnel and non-fixed targets, implementing command and communications, tank driving, live-fire shooting, and multiple other subjects in continuous sequence, with emphasis on examining the unit's rapid response and on-the-spot decision-making capabilities in complex terrain.

Following the conclusion of the assessment, officers and soldiers immediately conducted an after-action review, and formulated a targeted remedial training plan to address identified deficiencies. Going forward, the brigade will conduct focused and intensive training (专攻精练) to forge officers' and soldiers' combat skills and raise the force's training level.

Original Chinese

近日，陆军第82集团军某旅组织坦克分队开展实战化战斗射击考核，检验部队在复杂环境下协同作战与精确打击能力。坦克分队完成编队。郭二毛摄接到命令后，坦克分队快速完成战斗编组，向目标地域机动。行进途中，“敌”情通报和各类特情接连不断，官兵沉着应对、密切协同，成功突破封锁。坦克向作战地域机动。郭二毛摄坦克展开战斗队形。郭二毛摄抵达射击地域后，单车射击课目考核随即展开。 “炮手注意，正前方发现‘敌’运动目标，歼灭！” 考核组在不同距离随机设置多种靶标，不设固定预案，全程随机导调。随着指挥员一声令下，各单车边机动越障，边自主搜索目标，根据目标形态快速选定弹种，连贯完成测距、瞄准、击发。刹那间，烈焰喷涌，炮弹呼啸而出，精准命中目标。坦克机动越障。郭二毛摄车长下达射击口令。郭二毛摄坦克射击瞬间。郭二毛摄单车射击考核结束后，随即展开排射击课目。坦克排迅速占领阵地，按照战术队形有序展开。各车组密切配合、梯次推进、集火打击，成功歼灭目标，充分检验了分队协同作战能力。坦克射击瞬间。郭二毛摄炮弹击中靶标。郭二毛摄此次考核采取不固定车组人员，不固定目标的组训模式，将指挥通信、坦克驾驶、实弹射击等多个课目连贯实施，重点检验分队在复杂地形下，快速反应和临机决策能力。考核结束后，官兵立即展开复盘研讨，针对暴露出的问题，制定专项补差训练计划。下一步，该旅将展开专攻精练，锤炼官兵实战技能，提高部队训练水平。