After its formation the division was soon moved to Jiuquan and Jiayuguan City in Gansu province.

As of December 1969, the division was composed of: In the early 1970s, the division maintained as a reduced tank division, which consisted of 3 under-equipped tank regiments, under the command of the 19th Army Corps.

Since May 1975 the division was put under the direct command of the Lanzhou Military Region.

In December, 46th Tank Regiment exchanged its designation and positions with Tank Regiment, 19th Army Corps.

By then the division was composed of: In late 2011 the division was split into two: the division itself became 12th Armored Brigade (Chinese: 装甲第12旅), while half of its battalions formed the 62nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.