The 7th Tank Division (Chinese: 坦克第7师) was formed on September 10, 1968 from 2nd Independent Tank Regiment, 233rd Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 28th Army Division, 312th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 107th Army Division and 398th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment from 193rd Army Division.

In March 1983, Armored Infantry Regiment and Artillery Regiment were activated.By then the division was composed of: In 1970s and 1980s the division re-equipped with Type 69-1 medium tanks and became the only unit equipped with it.

In 2003 it became Armored Brigade, 27th Group Army (Chinese: 第27集团军装甲旅) after 63rd's disbandment.

In late 2011 it received a new designation as 7th Armored Brigade (Chinese: 装甲第7旅).

In 2017 it was reorganized as the 7th Combined Arms Brigade (Chinese: 合成第7旅) and transferred to the 81st Group Army.