The 21st Group Army (GA), headquartered in Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, is one of the two group armies subordinated to the Lanzhou Military Region (MR). Stationed in the northwest China region in peacetime, the group army can be rapidly deployed to the west to defend the northwest border regions in Xinjang.
The 21st GA was formed in 1985 on the basis of the PLA 21st Corps, which consisted of three infantry divisions (61st, 62nd, and 63rd). Upon its establishment, the group army received the 55th Infantry Division previously organic to the 19th Corps, the 12th Tank Division, an artillery brigade, and an AAA brigade, but lost its 62nd Division.
In the early 1990s, the 61st Motorised Infantry Division became one of the PLA’s “Rapid Reaction Units” (RRU), ready to mobilise within 24~48 hours.
In 1996, the 63rd Motorised Infantry Division was transferred to the People’s Armed Police (PAP).
In 1998, the 55th Motorised Infantry Division was downsized to a brigade. The 12th Tank Division was reorganised into the 12th Armoured Division.
In 2003, the 55th Brigade was reassigned to the 47th GA.
When the 62nd Infantry Division was disbanded in 1985, its subordinated 184th Infantry Regiment was kept and reorganised into the “Special Operations Group” of the Lanzhou MR. After 2000, this unit was reassigned to the 21st GA.
