People's Liberation Army Kicks Off 2025 Training with Focus on Combat Readiness

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is starting its annual training regimen for 2025, with a strong emphasis on bolstering the combat readiness of its units. On the first working day of the year, soldiers from the 76th Group Army of the PLA Ground Force engaged in live-fire and tactical maneuver drills on a plateau located in northwestern China. Similarly, another brigade from the 73rd Group Army conducted tactical training for its infantry and armored vehicle units.

In addition to ground forces, the South Sea Fleet made progress as a flotilla of advanced guided-missile destroyers and frigates embarked on a combat exercise involving the CNS Yan'an, a Type 055-class destroyer. Meanwhile, a helicopter group from the South Sea Fleet arranged training maneuvers for its pilots at an island airport in the South China Sea.

The PLA Air Force is also involved; a fighter jet brigade organized an air combat contest aimed at sharpening the aerial skills of its aviators. On the ground, an air-defense missile brigade took part in drills focused on detecting, tracking, and engaging "hostile aircraft." Furthermore, several units from the PLA Rocket Force carried out missile launch exercise across various locations.

According to the PLA Daily, the military's official publication, 2025 marks the final year of the PLA's 14th Five-Year Plan and is considered a pivotal time for achieving objectives set by the Communist Party of China. The Party has outlined a series of milestones for the PLA to fulfill by August 2027, which signifies the centennial celebration of the military's founding. The editorial encourages the armed forces to intensify their commitment, boost troop morale, concentrate on their missions, and ensure all targets are successfully met within the required timeframe.