Snow Leopard Commando Unit
Snow Leopard Commando Unit | |
---|---|
雪豹突击队 (Chinese) | |
Active | December 2002 (existence only revealed on 29 August 2006)[1] – present |
Country | China |
Agency | People's Armed Police |
Type | Police tactical unit |
Role |
|
Part of | Beijing General Corps[2] |
Abbreviation | SLCU |
Structure | |
Officers | 400 |
Notables | |
Significant operation(s) |
|
The Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU,
Officially, the SLCU is the 3rd Group, 13th Detachment, People's Armed Police Beijing General Corps.[2]
The former "Snow Wolf" name was inspired by the ability of the Arctic wolf to survive and thrive under harsh conditions.[4]
History
The SWCU was secretly established in December 2002 and trained in secret for five years.
The unit's name was changed in 2008 to the Snow Leopard Commando Unit.[4] According to Qu Liangfeng, a senior PAP officer in charge of the daily operations of SWCU, the name change was "inspired by the story of a brave and cunning snow leopard, which escaped an ambush by a hunter and his eight hunting dogs."[4]
In 2011, the SLCU deployed to Xinjiang to support counter-terror police operations[9] and provide security for the China-Eurasian Expo convention.[10]
In 2013 and 2014, the SLCU participated in the Annual Warrior Competition.[11][12]
Training and selection
SLCU applicants must have one to two years of PAP service and undergo interviews, physical and psychological tests.[1] In 2006, the average age of SLCU officers was 22 years, with most entering at 18; the SLCU was among the youngest in the Chinese counter-terrorism community.[13]
Candidates undergo physical training, driving lessons for various vehicles, and weapons training.[14][15] Physical training includes 200 push-ups, 200 sit-ups, 100 squats, lifting barbells 200 times and carrying a 35 kg load for a 10 km cross-country run.[1] Afterward, they are assigned to the Beijing General Corps' 13th Detachment, where the SLCU is based.[2][16]
Organisation
The SLCU consists of four squadrons assigned with very specific responsibilities:[16]
Squadron | Duty |
---|---|
9th and 10th Squadrons | Counter-Terrorism |
11th Squadron | Obstacle Removal, Bomb Disposal, Anti-WMD Terrorism |
12th Squadron | Snipers |
Weapons and equipment
The SLCU was shown in the demonstrations armed with the QBZ-95B-1 and QSZ-92,[17] but they will most likely also be armed with a wide variety of submachine guns and other firearms.[18] The SLCU is armed with the JS9, the CS/LM6, the QBS06, QBZ09, the PF-89 and the QLU-11.[17][19] The unit also uses the Norinco CQ-A.[20]
The unit has spent about
Each SLCU operator is estimated to be outfitted with CNY 300,000 (approximately US$48,000) worth of equipment, including their body armor and communications equipment.[21][22] The SLCU is the first unit in the PAP to be equipped with the W-15 helmet, an improved version of the QGF11, in 2015.[23]
Uniform
The SLCU is known to wear the Type 05 digital camouflage uniform issued by the PAP, although they are now using the Type 07 digital camouflage uniform.[24] In overseas operations, they have velcro patches with the Chinese flag and 'CHINA' on the patch, usually with the language of the region where they operate in.[24]
See also
- Special Police Unit
References
- ^ a b c d e 装备堪比欧美:中国雪狼突击队揭开神秘面纱 (in Chinese). Sina. 13 September 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d "People's Armed Police Beijing General Corps". Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "People's Armed Police Special Police Units". Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ a b c "Beijing's Answer to Bond". Beijing Review. 17 January 2008. Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ MacLeod, Calum (17 July 2008). "Missiles, 100K police on China's Olympic team". USA Today. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ 图文:雪狼突击队员手持95式自动步枪射击 (in Chinese). Sina.com. 13 September 2006. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Sino-Russian Anti-terror Exercise Kicks Off". Xinhua News Agency. 4 September 2007. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "'Snow Leopard' ready for combat". china.org.cn. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ "China sentences four to death for violence in Xinjiang | DW | 15.09.2011". Deutsche Welle.
- Independent.co.uk. 8 November 2011.
- ^ "雪豹突击队,前身为"雪狼突击队"". 12 June 2019. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020.
- ^ "解放军特种部队的帅气别名 ——国防部网站". www.mod.gov.cn. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ 直击北京奥运反恐训练:雪狼突击队秘密集训3年 (in Chinese). Sina.com. 10 August 2006. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Snow Leopards, Blue Swords ready to keep Games safe". China.org. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Snow Leopard Commando Ready for Combat". CRI English. 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ a b "People's Armed Police Special Police Units". Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ a b "精锐"反恐精英",雪豹突击队重装化,不仅有突击步枪更有火箭筒_手枪". Sohu. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020.
- ^ a b 奥运安保进入实战演练 反恐精英雪狼突击队(图) (in Chinese). Sohu.com. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
- ^ "Chinese CS/LS06 'Chang Feng' sub-machine gun - Armament Research Services (ARES)". 28 August 2019.
- ^ "Chinese Counter-Terrorism Unit using M4 Clone (Norinco CQ-A) -". 9 June 2013.
- ^ "Anti-terrorism force in action ahead of Olympics". China.org.cn. 18 June 2008. Archived from the original on 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ 奥运雪狼:北京奥运反恐训练直击 (in Chinese). Sina.com. 10 August 2006. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
- ^ "从Gk80到W15:军校学员浅谈我军军用头盔发展史 - 中国军视网".
- ^ a b Lai (2012), p. 58.
Bibliography
- Lai, Benjamin (2012). The Chinese People's Liberation Army since 1949: Ground Forces. ISBN 9781780960562.