The PLA engineering corps are specialised in combat engineering and other technical support to the ground forces. The engineering corps include engineer, pontoon bridge, construction, camouflage, and water supply units (or sub-units). If necessary, the engineering corps can also be directly deployed in combat. Engineering units in the PLA are of two basic types: independent and organic.
Independent engineering units are controlled at the general headquarters or military region level. Independent engineering units that are controlled by the general headquarters include engineer brigades and regiments, pontoon bridge brigades, construction regiments, and camouflage regiments. Independent engineering units that are controlled at military region level include engineer regiments, pontoon bridge regiments, construction regiments, and camouflage battalions.
Engineering units that are organic to combined-arms units include: engineer regiments organic to group armies, engineer battalions organic to infantry and armoured divisions and brigades, engineer companies organic to armoured regiments, and engineer platoons organic to infantry regiments. An engineer unit normally consists of an engineer sub-unit, a pontoon bridge sub-unit, and a mechanical sub-unit.
In some infantry divisions and brigades, the engineering and chemical defence battalions are now merged into a single engineering-chemical battalion.
The main duties of the PLA engineering corps include:
Engineering reconnaissance – An important element of the reconnaissance mission in the combined armed forces, the purpose of engineering reconnaissance is to carry out surveying and obtain intelligence on the nature, type, and quantity of enemy defensive obstacles and fortifications; the number, equipments, and capabilities of enemy engineer units; the geographical features (terrains, geology, hydrology, and transportation) of the battlefield; and human sources and equipments in the local area.
Construction – Engineering units are specialised in the construction of field command posts and other facilities. They are normally responsible for building command posts at regiment headquarters or above level, constructing complex architectures in the field, digging tunnels on main assault routes, and constructing permanent fortifications.
Building defence – Engineering units are responsible for impeding the movement of enemy troops, in particular armoured, airborne, and amphibious assault troops, by planting landmines and other explosives; building fences, obstacles and fortifications; demolishing roads, bridges, and buildings; and generating terrain obstacles.
Clearing obstacles – Engineering units are responsible for clearing landmine fields and terrain obstacles, overcoming trenches and ditches, opening routes for armoured troops, and constructing roads, bridges and ferry ports.
Military camouflaging – To use camouflage to deceive enemy reconnaissance with optical, radar, and infrared methods.
Water supply – To find water sources and build water supply stations.
