47TH ARMY, LANZHOU MILITARY REGION, CHINA (TSRU)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
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• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
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• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 1, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

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Imagery analysis report
47th Army, Lanzhou
Military Region, China
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IAR-0242/80 25X1
MARCH 1981
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47TH ARMY, LANZHOU MILITARY REGION, CHINA
ABSTRACT
1. This report discusses the 47th Army in Lanzhou Military Region (MR), China. It de-
scribes the physical and functional changes to the facilities observed on imagery acquired from January
1979 through It also presents an analysis of the installations considered to be organic to
the 47th Army. The locations and functions of these units were derived primarily from satellite imagery.
Interim National Basic Reference Graphics (NBRGs) on the 47th Army, published in 1977 by CIA/OIA
were used as a point of reference for analyzing functional associations of the facilities.
2. Major renovation and reconstruction of facilities of the 47th Army has occurred since 1976.
Prior to 1977, nearly all the elements of this army were housed in underground facilities. Aboveground facilities
have since been constructed in all the installations subordinate to the 139th Infantry Division and in most of the
installations of the 141st Infantry Division, as well as in several of the army-level support units. No renovation
has yet been observed in the installations of the 140th Infantry Division. In addition to facility improvements,
equipment upgradings have been observed in several units in the army; these upgradings are discussed individu-
ally in the text of the report.
3. (U) This report contains two location maps, one organizational chart, 11 annotated photographs,
and one table.
INTRODUCTION
4. The 47th Army'* is one of three main force armies in Lanzhou Military Region, north
central China (Figure 1). The 10th Column, predecessor of the 47th Army, was formed in 1947 in the area
now known as Shenyang MR. In 1948, the 10th Column was redesignated as the 47th Army. From 1949
through early 1951, the Army was active in the Hubei, Sichuan, and Hunan areas. The 47th Army entered
North Korea in 1951 and remained in Korea until 1954. It then moved to the Hunan-Guangxi border area
in southern China. The period from 1967 to 1970 was marked by both inter- and intraregional movement
of this army. Between February and May 1970, the 47th Army left the Hunan area and moved to the Xian
area in Lanzhou MR, where it replaced the 21st Army. The 47th Army remains in the Xian area.'-
5. The 47th Army is housed in 23 installations within a 5,400-square-nautical mile (nm)
area along the Wei He Valley, northeast of the industrial center of Xian. This broad river valley extends
from west to east and is enclosed by rugged mountains to the north and south. Rail lines and major roads
converge in this area, providing good access to western areas of Lanzhou and to Beijing, Wuhan, and
Jinan MRs. A rail line under construction along the Luo He (river) will eventually provide access to the
northern parts of eastern Lanzhou MR. Two major airfields in the Wei He Valley, Xian/Yanliang Airfield
and Xian/Lintong Airfield augment mobilization potential.
6. Like most armies in China, the 47th Army consists of an army headquarters, army-level
support units, and three infantry divisions. The army headquarters and all but one of its support units are
housed at five installations in the Lintong area. The tank regiment subordinate to the army is housed in the
vicinity of Chengcheng, approximately 55 nm northeast of Lintong. The five installations of the 139th Infantry
Division extend along a rail line, following the southern edge of the valley from Weinan to Tongguan. The 140th
Infantry Division is housed in six installations along the rail line extending north from Yanliang to Tongchuan.
Similarly, the five installations which house the units of the 141st Infantry Division have good access to a rail
line. These facilities, on the northern side of the Wei He Valley, extend from 10 nm west of Pucheng eastward to
Heyang (Figure 2).
7. The imagery acquired during the reporting period was sufficient to identify changes at
the facilities but was not always adequate for accurately assessing the complete table of equipment (TOE)
assigned to the army or for determining patterns of troop activity.
47th Army Headquarters and Army-Level Support Units
8. The 47th Army Headquarters and its subordinate units consist of a headquarters facility,
an engineering/ponton battalion, an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) regiment, an artillery regiment, a proba-
ble motor transport unit, and a tank regiment (Chart 1 and Table 1).
9. Lintong Army Headquarters and Barracks AL-1 probably houses the army headquarters.
Sufficient facilities exist at this installation to accommodate a headquarters company, a reconnaissance
*For the purposes of this report, all army unit designators and subordinations were acquired from referenced docu-
ments I and/or 2.
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battalion, an engineer battalion, a signal battalion, a chemical-warfare battalion, and a guard company.
The engineer battalion may be housed in area E, where facilities similar to those of known engineer
battalions have been constructed since 1976. The other units assigned to the army headquarters have not
been observed on imagery. The eastern portion of Lintong AL-1, as delineated in the interim NBRG,' does
not appear to be part of the headquarters installation and may be research related (Figure 3).
10. 0 Lintong Army Barracks AL-3 houses the army-level ponton battalion. The presence of
KMM bridging equipment and possible TPP/LPP pontons supports this assessment. No significant activ-
ity or change has occurred at this installation since 1976.
11. 0 Lintong Army Barracks AL-4 houses the army-level AAA regiment. Construction of
additional storage, housing, and administration facilities, which began in 1977 north of the area (delineated in
the interim NBRG),' appeared to be complete. The equipment for the entire AAA regiment was usually
observed in open storage areas until August 1979, when no AAA was seen. The installation provides sufficient
covered storage to house the unseen equipment (Figure 4).
12. Lintong Army Barracks AL-6 houses the 150th Artillery Regiment. Construction of two
new aboveground artiller battalion facilities was first evident in 1978, and these facilities appeared to be
complete by Figure 5).
13. Lintong Army Barracks AL-5, as delineated in the interim NBRG,' houses a gun
battalion and a multiple rocket launcher (MRL) battalion. However, no rocket launchers have been
observed at this installation since December 1975, and no artillery has been seen since October 1976.
Rocket launchers are usually seen with the artillery regiments to which they are subordinate. A motor
transport unit may be housed at this installation, since trucks are usually observed.
14. Chengcheng Army Barracks AL-2 houses a tank regiment. This installation appears to have
reached the final stage of construction since publication of the interim NBRG,' when only 12 barracks under
construction and a large vehicle parking area were discernible. As of the end of this reporting period, the
installation consisted of 32 barracks, 24 quarters and other personnel support facilities, vehicle/storage buildings
capable of accommodating at least 67 armored vehicles, and a tank subcaliber firing range with a moving target
track. Minor construction continued at this installation (Figure 6).
139th Infantry Division
15. ~ The 139th Infantry Division is housed in five installations along the southern edge of
the Wei He Valley. It consists of an infantry division headquarters unit, a probable AAA battalion, three
infantry regiments (two collocated), and an artillery regiment. (Continued p. 7)
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Shuangchengzi
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ti
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Shenyang
Baotou BEIJING
Chonggrng
ill ,n \.,v
FIGURE 1. 47TH ARMY, LANZHOU MILITARY REGION, CHINA
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battalion, an engineer battalion, a signal battalion, a chemical-warfare battalion, and a guard company.
The engineer battalion may be housed in area E, where facilities similar to those of known engineer
battalions have been constructed since 1976. The other units assigned to the army headquarters have not
been observed on imagery. The eastern portion of Lintong AL-1, as delineated in the interim NBRG,' does
not appear to be part of the headquarters installation and may be research related (Figure 3).
10. 0 Lintong Army Barracks AL-3 houses the army-level ponton battalion. The presence of
KMM bridging equipment and possible TPP/LPP pontons supports this assessment. No significant activ-
ity or change has occurred at this installation since 1976.
11. 0 Lintong Army Barracks AL-4 houses the army-level AAA regiment. Construction of
additional storage, housing, and administration facilities, which began in 1977 north of the area (delineated in
the interim NBRG),' appeared to be complete. The equipment for the entire AAA regiment was usually
observed in open storage areas until August 1979, when no AAA was seen. The installation provides sufficient
covered storage to house the unseen equipment (Figure 4).
12. Lintong Army Barracks AL-6 houses the 150th Artillery Regiment. Construction of two
new aboveground artiller battalion facilities was first evident in 1978, and these facilities appeared to be
complete by Figure 5).
13. Lintong Army Barracks AL-5, as delineated in the interim NBRG,' houses a gun
battalion and a multiple rocket launcher (MRL) battalion. However, no rocket launchers have been
observed at this installation since December 1975, and no artillery has been seen since October 1976.
Rocket launchers are usually seen with the artillery regiments to which they are subordinate. A motor
transport unit may be housed at this installation, since trucks are usually observed.
14. Chengcheng Army Barracks AL-2 houses a tank regiment. This installation appears to have
reached the final stage of construction since publication of the interim NBRG,' when only 12 barracks under
construction and a large vehicle parking area were discernible. As of the end of this reporting period, the
installation consisted of 32 barracks, 24 quarters and other personnel support facilities, vehicle/storage buildings
capable of accommodating at least 67 armored vehicles, and a tank subcaliber firing range with a moving target
track. Minor construction continued at this installation (Figure 6).
139th Infantry Division
15. ~ The 139th Infantry Division is housed in five installations along the southern edge of
the Wei He Valley. It consists of an infantry division headquarters unit, a probable AAA battalion, three
infantry regiments (two collocated), and an artillery regiment. (Continued p. 7)
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ULAAN SAATAR
\1 l)N(,()I I \
Shuangchengzi
J L F~uF) )
ti
J
Shenyang
Baotou BEIJING
Chonggrng
ill ,n \.,v
FIGURE 1. 47TH ARMY, LANZHOU MILITARY REGION, CHINA
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16. Weinan Army Barracks AL-2 is the most probable location of the 139th Infantry
Division Headquarters. The pattern of building replacement in the area annotated A3 in the interim
NBRG' resembles that of known engineer battalions. River-crossing equipment (probable TPP pontons)
has been observed repeatedly at the edge of a reservoir 1.5 nm south of the facility. These pontons may be
housed at this installation, although they have never been seen in the barracks area.
17. Huaxin Army Barracks East is a newly identified installation constructed in 1978. It
probably houses an AAA battalion (Figure 7).
18. Weinan Army Barracks AL-3 houses the 419th Artillery Regiment. Improvements made to
the regiment since 1977 include the construction of aboveground facilities to house the headquarters unit, the
truck-mounted rocket launcher battalion, and two probable howitzer battalions. The new battalion facilities are
physically closer to each other than previously and may reflect an attempt to improve control, coordination, and
logistical support of the units within this regiment. The observation of twenty 122mm howitzers suggests that
the equipment has been upgraded. This upgrading consisted of the replacement of the mortar battalion, previ-
ously associated with this regiment, by a howitzer battalion (Figure 8).
19. Huayin Army Barracks Southeast houses one confirmed infantry regiment and one
probable infantry regiment (415th/417th). Construction of a new aboveground regimental area was initia-
ted in 1978 and was essentially complete by late 1979. This regimental area includes distinct headquarters
and battalion areas (including a probable heavy-weapons battalion) and a small-arms firing range. An
additional infantry regiment may occupy the previously existing facilities. This probable regiment could
share the small-arms firing range in the newly constructed facility (Figure 9).
20. Tongguan Barracks Area AL-1 houses the 416th Infantry Regiment. Aboveground
facilities for this regiment have been constructed since 1977 (Figure 10).
140th Infantry Division
21. The 140th Infantry Division is housed in six installations north of Yanliang and consists
of an infantry division headquarters unit, an engineer battalion collocated with an AAA battalion, three
infantry regiments, and an artillery regiment. The installations for this division remain in primarily
underground facilities.
22. The only significant activity observed in this division occurred at Yaoxian Army Bar-
racks South AL-2, which houses the 420th Artillery Regiment. Truck-mounted rocket launchers were
identified with this regiment in May 1979, indicating an improvement in force capability.
23. I No significant activity has been observed in the other units of this division, although
141st Infantry Division
24. The 141st Infantry Division is housed in five installations along the northern side of the
Wei He Valley. It consists of an infantry division headquarters unit, three infantry regiments, and an
artillery regiment.
25. Pucheng Army Barracks North is a newly identified aboveground installation which has
been constructed since 1977 and houses the infantry division headquarters unit. Facilities at this installa-
tion are adequate to house at least three battalions. A probable AAA battalion, a possible engineer
battalion, and a possible motor transport battalion have been observed (Figure 11).
26. Pucheng Army Barracks AL-3 houses the 421st Artillery Regiment. Aboveground facili-
ties constructed since 1977 are sufficient to house units usually associated with an artillery regiment. A
regimental headquarters unit, a probable gun battalion, a possible multiple rocket launcher battalion, an
unidentified battalion (possibly mortar), and a support unit have been observed. One gun battalion has
apparently remained in underground facilities; however, construction of additional aboveground facilities
has continued. Other underground facilities previously considered part of this installation have apparently
been razed (Figure 12). Truck-mounted rocket launchers were identified for the first time at this installa-
tion in 1979 and indicate an improvement in force capability.
27. OPucheng Army Barracks AL-I is an underground installation which houses the 421st Infantry
Regiment. This facility no longer houses the infantry division headquarters and AAA battalion.
28. Chengcheng Army Barracks AL-1 is an underground installation and houses the 422nd
Infantry Regiment. No significant change in activity has been observed at this installation.
29. Heyang Army Barracks is a newly identified, aboveground installation which has been
constructed since 1977 and houses the 423rd Infantry Regiment. The installation includes distinct head-
quarters and battalion areas, as well as a small-arms firing range (Figure 13).
(Continued p. 14)
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Table 1. (Cont'd)
47th ARMY
[nit
139th Infantry Division
Headquarters
139th INFANTRY DIVISION
140th INFANTRY DIVISION
141st INFANTRY DIVISION
\AA battalion
4 16th lnfantr Regiment
Installation Coordinates
\Veinan Army Barracks AL-2 34-29.12N
109.31-OSE
Huaxian Army Barracks East 34.31-30N
109-SO-SOE
Nbinan Army Barracks AL-3 34-22-40N
109 -40-40 E
Huavin Army Barracks Southeast 34.32-40N
(Chua-vueh-then Motor Pool) I10-05.10E
Tongguan Barracks Area AL-1 34.35.30N
11016.30E
liuayin Arm} Barracks Southeast 34-32-40N
(Chua-vueh-chen Motor Pool) 110-05-IOE
III
140th Infantry Division
Headquarters Donchuan Army Barracks AL-2 35-05-SON
109-0 l -40E
Engineering battalion Tongchuan Army Barracks AL-3 34-59-25N
109-00-43 E
ARMY REGIMENT HQ HEADQUARTERS TANK ENGINEER
AAA battalion Tongchuan Army Barracks AL-3 34.59.25N
ROCKET LAUNCHER
ANTIAI RCRAFT
109-00-43 E
DIVISION 1 BATTALION ? INFANTRY ARTILLERY
ERY
ARTILL
_vPIC T-0990
420th Artillery Regiment Yaoxian Army Barracks 34-49-SON
South 51-2 108-59-SSE
CHART 1, 47TH ARMY UNITS CONFIRMED FROM IMAGERY ANALYSIS 418th Infantry Regiment Yanliang Army Barracks AL-I 34-41.31N
109-I I-33E
419th Infantry Regiment Tongchuan Army Barracks AL-I 35-05-24N
109-04-22E
Table 1,
47th Army Units in Lanzhou MR, China 420th Infantry Regiment Yaoxian Army Barracks 34-56-0 IN
North AL-I 108.57-OlE
(Derived From All-Source Information)
Phis table in its entirely is classified TOP SECRET RLFF
Unit
Installation
Coordinates
Army Level
Headquarters
Lintong Army Headquarters
34-2I.55N
and Barracks AL-1
109-12-58E
Engineering battalion
Lintong Army Barracks AL-3
34.22-40N
109.16-IOE
Unid AAA regiment
Lintong Army Barracks AL-4
34.24.30N
109.15-SOE
150th Artillery Regiment
Lintong Army Barracks AL-6
34-24- ION
109-24.14E
MRL battalion
Lintong Army Barracks AL-5
34.24-56N
109-19.31 E
Unid tank regiment
Chengcheng Army Barracks AL-2
35-I 1.59N
109-S6-SOE
BE Number
Remarks
The eastern portion of the installation
as delineated in
Figure 1, does not appear to be part of
the hq & may be research related
A KMM bn & occasional TPP pontons
observed at this installation
Construction of additional facilities,
begun in 77, has been completed;
AAA, usually in open storage areas,
not evident in Aug 79; may be in
covered storage
Construction of 2 aboveground
areas began in 78 & appeared
to be complete in early 80
No MRLs seen since 15; no arty seen
since 16; installation may house a
motor transport unit
Installation appears to be
in final stage of construction,
which began in 76
Top Secret
141st Infantry Division
Headquarters
Pucheng Army Barracks North
34-57-SON
109-57 -SO E
42 1 st Artillery Regiment
Pucheng Army Barracks AL-3
34-53.59N
109-24-04E
42 1 st Infantry Regiment
Pucheng Army Barracks AL-I
34-55-53N
109.30-47E
422nd Infantry Regiment
Chengcheng Army Barracks AL-I
35-12-19N
109.54.14E
423rd Infantry Regiment
Heyang Army Barracks
35-13-2ON
110-08-10 E
BE Number Remarks
A prob TPP ponton bn observed
in the 'icinitc of bks & could be
associated aoh diy
Nely identified; constructed in 78
kboveground facilities for 2 prob
howitzer bns. I MRL bn, & hq since
77; 1 mortar bn previously associated
with regt may have been replaced by
howitzers
Probably houses 2 inf regts; construction
of I aboveground regtl installation began
in 'S & essentially complete by late 79;
previously existing facilities sufficient to
house a 2nd inf regt, previously existing
facilities reported as Chua-vueh-chen
Motor Pool
Construction of aboveground facilities
for regt began in 11 & appears complete
Probably houses 2 inf regts; construction
of I aboveground regd installation began
in 18 & essentially complete by late 79,
previously existing facilities sufficient to
house a 2nd inf regt:, previously existing
facilities reported as Chua-vueh-chen
Motor Pool
No significant changes observed
No significant changes observed
No significant changes observed
Truck-mounted MRLs 1st identified
at installation in 779
No significant changes observed
No significant changes obserxed
NSA reports this unit in Yanan area
(at 36-36N 109-28E) since Jan 19;
no confirmation available from
photography
Newby identified aboveground
installation; construction
began in 77 & is complete;
sufficient facilities present
to provide housing & storage
for support units usually
subordinate to an inf div hq
Construction of aboveground
facilities for hq unit & 3 bns
began in 71 & is now essentially
complete; I bn continues to occupy
underground facilities; facilities in
other underground areas have been razed
The inf div hq & AAA bn
are no longer housed at this
installation
No significant activity observed
Construction of this newly
identified aboveground installation
began in 77 & is essentially complete
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IMAGERY ANALYST'S SUMMARY AND COMMENTS
30. Equipment has been upgraded, and major renovation/reconstruction of facilities of the
47th Army has occurred since 1976. In mid-1976, the addition of a tank regiment and the initial construc-
tion of facilities to house this unit represented the first identification of equipment upgrading and im-
provements to facilities in this army. Additional equipment upgrading has been observed in the division-
level artillery regiments. Truck-mounted rocket launchers have been identified in the 140th and 141st
Divisions. Previously, only the 139th Division had been observed with this equipment. Now, each division-
level artillery regiment apparently is equipped with truck-mounted rocket launchers, although the launchers
have not been observed with the army-level artillery regiment. Other upgrading consisted of the replacement of a
mortar battalion by howitzers in the 139th Division.
31. Since 1976, every known installation of the 139th Infantry Division has been partially
or completely renovated. The 141st Infantry Division has experienced similar reconstruction, but two of
the infantry regiments have remained essentially unchanged. In several instances, NPIC's assessment of
unit locations has been revised based on the construction of new facilities In the
140th Infantry Division, no reconstruction has been observed to date. Based on the extensive renovation
of facilities in other areas of this army, similar construction in the 140th Division may be expected in the
near future .
(S) All applicable satellite imagery acquired through vas used in the preparation of this report.
MAPS OR CHARTS
DMA. US Air Target Chart; Series 200; Sheets 0384-10, 0385-1, and 0385-6; scale 1:200,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
DMA. Topographic Center, Series 1301, Sheet NI 49, 3rd ed, Jan 78, scale 1:1,000,000 (UNCLASSIFIED)
1. CIA/OIA.L___
(TOP SECRET
OIA/LFD 234/77, Unit Analysis of 47th Army, Lan-chou Military Region, 13 Jul 77
2. NSA. 3/00/34905-74 (CCM), Chinese Peo le s Liberation Army: Ground Forces, Part 111, Chapter 7, Change
12, Lanchou Military Region (TOP SECRET
CPLA Unit Assessments, 28 Feb 80 (TOP SECRET
DIA. DDB-1100-209-79, Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE), People's Republic of China Army (PRCA)
(U), Sep 79 (SECRET)
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report
Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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