Is PLA 15th Div para-drop in TIBET 1988 is a hoax ?

PLA`s 15th Airborne Corps

The PLA Air Force 15th Airborne Corps, comprises three airborne divisions (43rd, 44th, 45th airborne divisions). The PLA Air Force’s 15th Airborne Corps is China’s primary strategic airborne unit and it is part of the newly formed rapid reaction units (RRU) of the Chinese military which is primarily designated for airborne and special operation missions. Unlike most armed forces, the airborne division is part of the Air Force and its role is similar to that of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

These three divisions can deploy to any part of China within 48 hours:

* 43rd Airborne Division (15th Airborne Corps)
* 44th Airborne Division (15th Airborne Corps)
* 45th Airborne Division (15th Airborne Corps)

The PLAAF could lift all three division of 33,000 men with light tanks and self-propelled artillery. Reports claim that a 10,000 man airborne division was transported to Tibet in less than 48 hours in 1988.

15th Airborne Corps to acts as a principal force employed for independent campaign missions in future wars. It is now accepted that the airborne troops should be used for pre-emptive attack on the enemy's key military targets in the rear area in order to paralyze or disrupt its preparation for an offensive. This kind of large-scale mission cannot be conducted without having a total control in the air. Also, a single-lift capability of 50,000 men is required for this type of missions.


The Airborne Divisions have various special units, including weapons controllers, reconnaissance, infantry, artillery, communications, engineering, chemical defense, and transportation soldiers. Today, the Airborne Divisions have three regiments plus one light artillery regiment, which are further divided into battalions and companies.


In times of war, the 15th Airborne Corps can also utilize civilian aircraft such as Shaanxi Y-9, Shaanxi Y-8, Xian Y-7, C-130s, HU-1s, AS332s, Chinooks, and a very large number of Y-5 (700+) utility transports. During a number of exercises, the 15th Airborne Corps has demonstrated it can move a regiment plus of paratroopers with light armored vehicles to anywhere within China in less than 24 hours. These exercises also show that a large number of para-gliders are in use.


These PARA-troopers ( SF ) are very capable force in disrupting supplies and reinforcement to frontal isolated zones up in mountains and plans..

The type of operation is very similar to once Op-market garden in WW2..

Great thread Kunal, but you missed the most important aspect, i.e. air assets. PLAAF does not have enough transport aircrafts. I find the legend of transporting an entire division in less than 48 hours in 1988 a bit over the top.

Currently, PLAAF fields less than half the number of transports when compared to IAF.

I would say its as over top if its in some other links, It has been done so it is there..

There 20 IL-76 and 30 on order this also including other transports..

None of them were there in the 88.

Then Y8 can do the job..

If that's the case, would you like to explain the relatively smaller number of Y-8s operational. Going by their commie doctrine, they mass produce every working design but that's not the case here.

Production of Y-8 started in the early 80s.

In 88 they landed 11,000 troops and light armour in 48 hours by using a handful of Y-8s and other WW2 era aircrafts. Sorry mate but I am simply not buying it.

PS: Current transport fleet of PLAAF stands today (2011) at 3-5 Y 8, ~80 AN-26, ~10 IL-76 and a couple of others. Now you decide.

Is Y8 The Shaanxi Y-8 or Yunshuji-8 (Chinese: 运-8) aircraft which is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Soviet Antonov An-12.

If so, AN 12 is what one would say is ancient!

I believe It is capable of hauling 20 tons of cargo, approximately 96 soldiers, or about 82 paratroopers in the cargo compartment which is 13.5 metres long, 3 metres wide and 2.4 metres high.

Extracted from :

PLA 15th Airborne Corps Along LAC

Sir, vintage of design hardly matters if it is a good design. B-52 and C-130 are fine examples. It is the lack of numbers that intrigues me.

They could have had transported the division if the distance was like Mumbai and Pune or even less than that.

If that is, then its interesting..

Can you find some info on there older transports may be Russian heavies..




Without heavies this airlift is not possible over that altitude..

Few AN-2 and IL-14 and others. Tu-154 was most likely the heaviest transport aircraft in PLAAF during 80's IMO. Then again, only 4 are operational and being an airliner it can only transport troops.

There is no way to tell if it is a hoax or not if you dont even provide the source.

Reports claim that a 10,000 man airborne division was transported to Tibet in less than 48 hours in 1988.

For instance, which report/reports.

Most ridiculous claim I've heard all year. If 20 Il76's, 45 Y8's, 80 Y7, not to mention the over 300 Y5 light transports still in service

Correction: Current transport fleet of PLAAF stands today (2011) at 45 Y 8, ~80 AN-26, 20 IL-76 and 300 Y5's, not to mention the new Y9's now entering service.

I cant believe you thought there were only 3-5 Y8's. There are pics of more than ten in the Chinese Military Pics and Videos thread alone.. Using logic alone, how does the production of an aircraft start in the early 80's yet in 2011 they number "3-5"? *shaking head*

But that does not answer the question ..

What are the aircraft used to transport such huge amount of troops and equipment in 48 that far ?