The 1st Group Army (GA), headquartered in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, is one of the three group armies subordinated to the Nanjing Military Region (MR). One of the PLA’s seven “Class-A” group armies in the 1980s, the 1st GA is responsible for the defence of China’s east coast, and has been tasked with the amphibious assault against Taiwan.
The 1st GA was formed in 1985 on the basis of the PLA 1st Corps, which consisted of three infantry divisions (1st, 2nd, and 3rd). Upon its establishment, the group army received the 181st Infantry Division previously organic to the 60th Corps, the 10th Tank Division, the 9th Artillery Division and an AAA brigade.
In 1985, the group army formed the PLA’s first “Blue Army” (opposing force) unit.
In 1996, the 2nd and 181st Motorised Infantry Division were transferred to the People’s Armed Police (PAP).
In 1998, the 3rd Motorised Infantry Division was downsized to a brigade. The 1st Infantry Division was reorganised into an amphibious mechanised division specially equipped and trained for amphibious assault operations. The 3rd Motorised Infantry Division was downsized to a brigade.
At the same time, the 10th Tank Division was reorganised into the 10th Armoured Division, and the AAA brigade was reorganised into an air defence (SAM/AAA) brigade.
