Snow Leopard Commando Unit
{{Short description|Chinese elite police tactical unit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name = Snow Leopard Commando Unit
| native_name = {{native name|zh|雪豹突击队}}
| native_namea =
| native_namer =
| image = File:SLCU Patch A.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Insignia of the SLCU
| dates = December 2002 (existence only revealed on 29 August 2006) – present
| country = {{Flag|China}}
| agency = People's Armed Police
| type = Police tactical unit
| role = {{plainlist}}
{{endplainlist}}
| ops_juris = South China
| command_structure = 2nd Mobile Corps
| headquarters_label =
| headquarters = Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
| coordinates =
| motto =
| motto_translated =
| common_name =
| abbreviation = SLCU
| sworn_type_label = Officers
| sworn = 400
| unsworn_type_label =
| unsworn =
| subunit_type_label =
| subunits =
| station_type_label =
| stations =
| current_commander =
| notable_commanders =
| programs =
| significant_operations = {{Plainlist}}
- 2008 Summer Olympics security
- Counter-terrorist operations in Xinjiang province
- Diplomatic security in Afghanistan
- Diplomatic security in Iraq
{{Endplainlist}}
| anniversaries =
| awards =
| vehicles =
| boats =
| aircraft =
| animals =
| website =
}}
The Snow Leopard Commando Unit (SLCU, Simplified Chinese: 雪豹突击队), formerly known as the Snow Wolf Commando Unit (SWCU, Simplified Chinese: 雪狼突击队), is a People's Armed Police (PAP) tactical unit in the People's Republic of China.
Namesake
The former "Snow Wolf" name was inspired by the ability of the Arctic wolf to survive and thrive under harsh conditions.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121071007/http://www.bjreview.com.cn/print/txt/2008-01/13/content_95925.htm|archive-date=2019-11-21|url=http://www.bjreview.com.cn/print/txt/2008-01/13/content_95925.htm|title=Beijing's Answer to Bond|access-date=2010-03-11|publisher=Beijing Review|date=2008-01-17}}
According to Qu Liangfeng, a senior PAP officer in charge of the daily operations of SLCU, 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."
Officially, the SLCU is the 1st Special Operations Detachment, 2nd Mobile Corps.{{Cite web |date=2018-02-13 |title=武警第二机动总队特战第一支队食堂副食品配送服务采购入围项目公开招标公告 |url=http://www.bidchance.com/calggnew/2018/02/13/25812615.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223050628/http://www.bidchance.com/calggnew/2018/02/13/25812615.html |archive-date=2018-02-23 |access-date=2018-02-22 |publisher=中国招标网}}{{cite book |last=Wuthnow |first=Joel |url=https://inss.ndu.edu/Portals/82/China%20SP%2014%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf |title=China's Other Army: The People's Armed Police in an Era of Reform |date=16 April 2019 |page=14 |publisher=Institute for National Strategic Studies |location=Washington |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704193636/https://inss.ndu.edu/Portals/82/China%20SP%2014%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2020 |url-status=live}}
History
The SWCU was secretly established in December 2002 and trained in secret for five years.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917135507/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-07-17-china-security_N.htm|archive-date=2016-09-17|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-07-17-china-security_N.htm|title=Missiles, 100K police on China's Olympic team|date=2008-07-17|access-date=2010-03-11|publisher=USA Today | first=Calum | last=MacLeod}}
The SWCU and the Beijing SWAT unit were unveiled in a demonstration at the Beijing Police Academy on 27 April 2006{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917105328/http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-09-13/1600397839.html|archive-date=2018-09-17|url=http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-09-13/1600397839.html|script-title=zh:图文：雪狼突击队员手持95式自动步枪射击|language=Chinese|date=2006-09-13|access-date=2010-03-11|publisher=Sina.com}} as part of a public relations effort to illustrate the capabilities of the PAP to deal with terrorism, the protection of delegates, and to enforce law and order in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.{{cite web|url=http://jczs.news.sina.com.cn/p/2006-09-13/1559397837.html|script-title=zh:装备堪比欧美：中国雪狼突击队揭开神秘面纱|access-date=2010-03-11|language=Chinese|publisher=Sina|date=2006-09-13}}
The SWCU had participated in an anti-terrorist exercises with Russia on 4 September 2007 known as "Cooperation-2007."{{cite web |url=http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_37/node_82/2007/09/05/118895682926560.shtml |title=Sino-Russian Anti-terror Exercise Kicks Off |access-date=2010-03-11 |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=2007-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917105329/http://www.lifeofguangzhou.com/node_10/node_37/node_82/2007/09/05/118895682926560.shtml |archive-date=2018-09-17}}
On 13 November 2007, SWCU operators were involved in anti-terrorist exercise before foreign military VIPs.{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/China/231765.htm |title='Snow Leopard' ready for combat |publisher=china.org.cn |date= |accessdate=2022-08-20}}
The unit's name was changed in 2008 to the Snow Leopard Commando Unit.
In 2013 and 2014, the SLCU participated in the Annual Warrior Competition.{{cite web|url=https://k.sina.cn/article_6692093258_18ee13d4a00100k29v.html?from=mil|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200530101241/https://k.sina.cn/article_6692093258_18ee13d4a00100k29v.html?from=mil|archive-date = 30 May 2020|title = 雪豹突击队，前身为"雪狼突击队"|date = 12 June 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.gov.cn/pic/2014-12/16/content_4558566_11.htm |title=解放军特种部队的帅气别名 ——国防部网站 |website=www.mod.gov.cn |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530105540/http://www.mod.gov.cn/pic/2014-12/16/content_4558566_11.htm |archive-date=30 May 2020 |url-status=dead}}
In 2018, the SLCU was moved from the {{Ill|People's Armed Police Beijing Corps|lt=Beijing Corps|zh|中国人民武装警察部队北京市总队}} to the 2nd Mobile Corps.{{cite book |last=Wuthnow |first=Joel |url=https://inss.ndu.edu/Portals/82/China%20SP%2014%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf |title=China's Other Army: The People's Armed Police in an Era of Reform |date=16 April 2019 |publisher=Institute for National Strategic Studies |location=Washington |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704193636/https://inss.ndu.edu/Portals/82/China%20SP%2014%20Final%20for%20Web.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2020 |url-status=live}}{{rp|36}}
Duties
SLCU' tasks include counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, riot control, serving high-risk arrest and search warrants, anti-hijacking, anti-WMD terrorism, bomb disposal, counterinsurgency, crowd control, law enforcement tactics against crime, VBSS, and VIP protection.
Training and selection
SLCU applicants must have one to two years of PAP service and undergo interviews, physical and psychological tests.
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.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718140547/http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-08-10/100110685092.shtml |url=http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2006-08-10/100110685092.shtml |script-title=zh:直击北京奥运反恐训练：雪狼突击队秘密集训3年 |language=Chinese |publisher=Sina.com |archive-date=2019-07-18 |access-date=2010-03-11 |date=2006-08-10}}
Candidates undergo physical training, driving lessons for various vehicles, and weapons training.{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/national/2008-07/09/content_15977501.htm|title=Snow Leopards, Blue Swords ready to keep Games safe|publisher=China.org|access-date=2010-03-11}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028065149/http://english.cri.cn/4026/2008/06/20/167@370972.htm|url=http://english.cri.cn/4026/2008/06/20/167@370972.htm|title=Snow Leopard Commando Ready for Combat|date=2008-06-20|access-date=2010-03-11|archive-date=2017-10-28|url-status=dead|publisher=CRI English}}
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.
Organization
The SLCU consists of four companies assigned with very specific responsibilities:{{cite web |title=People's Armed Police Special Police Units |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/organisation/armedpolice/special-police.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914144553/http://www.sinodefence.com/organisation/armedpolice/special-police.asp |archive-date=14 September 2008 |access-date=2010-03-11}}
| class="wikitable" | |
| Squadron
!Duty | |
|---|---|
| 9th and 10th Companies | Counter-Terrorism |
| 11th Companies | Obstacle Removal, Bomb Disposal, Anti-WMD Terrorism |
| 12th Companies | Snipers |
Equipment
The unit has spent about CNY 2 million (approximately US$ 258,000) in domestically manufactured armored personnel carriers for riot control and has also imported CNY 4 million worth of American-manufactured vehicles and equipment.{{cite web |date=2008-01-06 |script-title=zh:奥运安保进入实战演练 反恐精英雪狼突击队(图) |url=http://2008.sohu.com/20080106/n254486971.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110175844/http://2008.sohu.com/20080106/n254486971.shtml |archive-date=2008-01-10 |access-date=2008-01-10 |publisher=Sohu.com |language=Chinese}}
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.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605184725/http://www.china.org.cn/china/national/2008-06/19/content_15856625.htm|url=http://www.china.org.cn/china/national/2008-06/19/content_15856625.htm|title=Anti-terrorism force in action ahead of Olympics|publisher=China.org.cn|access-date=2018-06-05|date=2008-06-18|archive-date=2018-06-05}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830083328/http://finance.sina.com.cn/xiaofei/xfqqsh/20060810/09182808929.shtml|url=http://finance.sina.com.cn/xiaofei/xfqqsh/20060810/09182808929.shtml|script-title=zh:奥运雪狼：北京奥运反恐训练直击|language=Chinese|access-date=2011-08-30|date=2006-08-10|publisher=Sina.com|archive-date=2011-08-30}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.js7tv.cn/news/201703_84075.html|title=从Gk80到W15：军校学员浅谈我军军用头盔发展史 - 中国军视网|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219164843/www.js7tv.cn/news/201703_84075.html|archivedate=2017-12-19|accessdate=2024-07-07|language=Chinese}}{{cite web | url=https://www.sohu.com/a/257620861_100029801 | title=从老式80钢盔到15特战盔，中国自主防弹钢盔发展简史_头盔 | website=Sohu }}
=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.{{sfnp|Lai|2012|p=58}}
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.{{sfnp|Lai|2012|p=58}}
= Vehicles =
= Weapons =
The currently known SLCU-used weapons are as follows:{{cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/334009965_805242 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530101821/https://www.sohu.com/a/334009965_805242 |archive-date=30 May 2020 |website=Sohu}}{{cite web |date=28 August 2019 |title=Chinese CS/LS06 'Chang Feng' sub-machine gun - Armament Research Services (ARES) |url=https://armamentresearch.com/chinese-csls06-chang-feng-sub-machine-gun/}}{{cite web |date=9 June 2013 |title=Chinese Counter-Terrorism Unit using M4 Clone (Norinco CQ-A) - |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/06/09/chinese-counter-terrorism-unit-m4-clone-norinco-cq-a/}}{{Cite web |title=奥运安保进入实战演练 反恐精英雪狼突击队(图)-搜狐2008奥运 |url=http://2008.sohu.com/20080106/n254486971.shtml |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=2008.sohu.com}}
| class="wikitable" width="100%" border="0"
! width="25%" |Name ! width="25%" |Country of origin ! width="25%" |Type |
| QSZ-92
| rowspan="15" |{{Flag|China}} |
| QBS-09 |
| JS 9 mm
| rowspan="3" |Personal defense weapon |
| CS/LS6 |
| QCW-05 |
| QBZ-95B-1
| rowspan="3" |Assault rifle |
| Norinco CQ |
| QBS-06 |
| QBU-88
| rowspan="2" |Sniper rifle |
| CS/LR4 |
| QJY-88
| rowspan="2" |Machine gun |
| CS/LM6 |
| PF-89
| rowspan="2" |Rocket launcher |
| QLU-11 |
| QBB-95 |
Notable operations
The SLCU, along with Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau's SWAT unit (under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS)), was tasked with many of the security responsibilities of the 2008 Summer Olympics.{{cite web |title=People's Armed Police Special Police Units |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/organisation/armedpolice/pap-special-police.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119132828/http://www.sinodefence.com/organisation/armedpolice/pap-special-police.asp |archive-date=2007-11-19 |access-date=2010-03-11}}
SWCU operators have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq to protect Chinese diplomatic personnel.{{cite web |title=People's Armed Police Beijing General Corps |url=http://www.sinodefence.com/organisation/armedpolice/beijing-gc.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410195836/http://www.sinodefence.com/organisation/armedpolice/beijing-gc.asp |archive-date=10 April 2008 |access-date=2010-03-11 |df=dmy-all}}
In 2011, the SLCU was deployed to Xinjiang to support counter-terror police operations{{cite web |title=China sentences four to death for violence in Xinjiang | DW | 15.09.2011 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/china-sentences-four-to-death-for-violence-in-xinjiang/a-6618204 |website=Deutsche Welle}} and provide security for the China-Eurasian Expo convention.{{cite news |date=8 November 2011 |title=Chinese commandos in campaign against Xinjiang's Islamist 'rebels' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/chinese-commandos-in-campaign-against-xinjiangs-islamist-rebels-2339635.html |website=Independent.co.uk}}
References
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book|title=The Chinese People's Liberation Army since 1949: Ground Forces|first=Benjamin |last=Lai|date=2012|isbn=9781780960562|publisher=Osprey Publishing}}
{{commons category|Snow Leopard Commando Unit}}
{{Clear}}
{{People's Liberation Army}}{{Chinese Special Operations Forces}}
Category:Units and formations of the People's Armed Police