The air-defence corps was previously known as anti-aircraft artillery (AAA), as a part of the artillery corps before 1987. With the introduction of the short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) in the PLA ground forces, it was separated from the artillery corps to become an independent service arm. The first SAM unit was formed in 1991. Currently the PLA ground forces currently have 18 air defence (AAA and SAM) brigades.
Air defence units include air defence (SAM/AAA) brigades organic to group armies, anti-aircraft artillery battalions organic to infantry and armoured divisions and brigades, and anti-aircraft artillery companies organic to infantry and armoured regiments.
The primary mission of the air defence corps is to engage enemy airborne targets and protect the ground forces in the battlefield. Air defence units are normally organic to a combined-arms unit (group army, division, brigade, and regiment) to provide air covers. Their responsibilities include:
Providing air covert for mobile troops during their manoeuvring, camping, assembling, and combat;
Providing air covert for fixed targets such as command & control headquarters,
transportation hubs, railway stations, bridges, ferry ports, depots, and airfields;
