PLAAF JL-10 10001's maiden flight

China, Russia to hold joint military drills

China, Russia to hold joint military drills(Source: Xinhua)   2013-07-02　　MOSCOW, July 1 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia will hold two joint military drills in the coming two months, military officials from both countries said here Monday.　　Fang Fenghui, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People' s Liberation Army (PLA), together with his Russian counterpart Valery Gerasimov, ratified

Photo of the day: PLAAF JL-10 10001

PLAAF JL-10 10001(first JL-10 serial version)  finished its maiden flight today.   http://www.cjdby.net/junbeidongtai/2013-07-01/military-4448.html

Update courtesy of "J-10"

Here comes the stick, where is the carrot?

China Boosts Security in Xinjiang After Bloodshed

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-boosts-security-xinjiang-bloodshed-19535318?singlePage=true#.Uc_J2230dqM





By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press


BEIJING June 30, 2013 (AP)






Chinese paramilitary troops began conducting round-the-clock patrols
Sunday in the northwestern region of Xinjiang following a series

A little PLAN update

It's been a while since I posted due to work and personal commitments. Things haven't really stopped moving in the world of Chinese military, but it also hasn't been the most hectic spring season.

The biggest news from the past while is probably CV-16 (formerly Varyag) going on its first training exercise of the year out in the oceans. Since the take-off and landing tests in November of last year, they've been busy making preparations and training crew members in the naval aviation training facility close to Tianjin. There is a really nice thread here talking about the facility. From what we can see, the take-off and landing exercises in this second trip are done by the same two J-15 prototype aircraft that did the first one. Since J-15 has reportedly begun serial production, I was hoping to see more J-15 aircraft out in the ocean this time.

Other than that, Type 056 continues to be launched and commissioned into PLAN at a very fast pace. There have been at least 12 of them launched with at least 5 being commissioned. They are mostly replacing Type 037 currently in service with PLAN.

The production of Type 054A seems to be winding down. At least 15 have being commissioned now, with 3 more in HD shipyard that are in various stage of completion.

We are also seeing the unified Maritime Police fleet taking shape. Many of the larger cutters from CMS and FLEC have now been repainted and numbered into the new agency's colours.

And finally, I think one of the better articles I have read recently is this one by James Bussert. It's something I have been saying for a long time. You can see the scope of PLAN modernization by works done on their three weapon trial ships. For PLAN followers, this is the best place to look for what PLAN has in store.

China commits combat troops to Mali

After weeks of speculations,  China has officially committed combat troops to Mali today.

You can read a good summary from today's FT.com


 http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e46f3e42-defe-11e2-881f-00144feab7de.html#axzz2XRWBsxTX

June 27, 2013 2:14 pm
China commits combat troops to Mali

By Kathrin Hille in Beijing

China
has publicly committed combat troops on a UN peacekeeping mission for
the

Photo of the day: PLA's Arty spotter UAVs

According the Chinese edition of the same report, those An-209 tactical UAVs are organic to artillery regiments for reconnaissance and target positioning purposes.  



Training for key operators of new-type UAV concludes

A 30-day training for the key operators of the new-type reconnaissance UAV concluded successfully recently. The reconnaissance UAVs have been used in the artillery troops in

Now you have it, ancient Chinese military secret is out.

Hemp, Inc. Reports on Its Hemp Crop in Northwest ChinaBy Hemp, Inc.Published: Tuesday, Jun. 25, 2013 - 12:41 amLAS VEGAS, June 25, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- After the planting of its hemp crop in the Gansu Province of Northwest China, Hemp, Inc. is pleased to report that the cultivation is progressing on schedule. "According to a USDA report, on average, China produces significantly higher yields

Photos of the day: Zhenbao Island

Once a bloody battlefield now a tourist destination – welcome to the Capitalist Republic

CCTV news capture of the day: The 15th Type54A FFG 550 “潍坊” "Weifang" commissioned on June 22nd, 2013

5 more production examples to go before the end of this prolific program of 20 boats.

Communist propaganda of the day: Not your father's propaganda

Coming to a movie theater near you -- J-20, the movie

Why not? Since they don't bother to hide this "super secret project", might just as well squeeze some propaganda value out of it.

Photos of the day: VPN at Zhanjiang

Two Gepard class frigates of the VPN (Vietnamese People's Navy) HQ-011 and HQ-012 are spotted at PLAN's South Sea Fleet HQ at Zhanjiang.   They are to head out for a joint PLAN-VPN naval dog-and-pony show after a short stop.

Photo of the day: Ukraine T-10K-3 prototype at Shayang aircraft company

The one that started them all

Bourgeois Propaganda of day: Proper golf attire

The important thing to keep in mind when it comes to proper golf attire for operating an aircraft carrier,  Titleist pro VI is the only way to go.










 



















China continues jet exercises from aircraft carrier


http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90786/8291474.html

21:14, June 19, 2013
ABOARD LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER, June 19 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday successfully

Replenishment ship 889, Taihu commissioned today at Qingdao

中国海军网青岛 2013年6月18日电 记者钱晓虎、特约记者王庆厚报道：6月18日上午，我国自行研制设计的新型综合补给舰——太湖舰入列命名授旗仪式，在青岛某军港码头举行，标志着该舰正式加入人民海军战斗序列。北海舰队副司令员杨骏飞为该舰授军旗并颁发命名证书。

　　太湖舰，舷号889，舰长178.5米，宽24.8米，满载排水量20000多吨，2012年3月下水。该舰是我国新一代大型远洋综合补给舰，也是北
海舰队接收的第一艘该型补给舰。补给接收装置采用国际标准，具有自动化程度高、操作简便、适配性强、补给速度快、保障效率高等特点，可通过横向、纵向、垂
直和靠帮等多种方式对舰艇编队实施补给作业，具备两舷三向四站同时补给能力。

　　太湖舰交付北海舰队某作战支援舰支队后，主要担负战时加入海上机动编队对驱护舰实施航行或停泊补给，平时伴随驱护舰编队执行远航及出访任务。

　　仪式上，

Hainan Class 689 "Xinghua" decommissioned after 31 years of service today.

6月18日上午，服役31年的兴化艇在吴淞口某军港退役,正式退出海军战斗序列。兴化艇建造于1979年，1981年下水，1982年6月29日正式交付
海军部队。该艇艇长58.773米，宽7.2米，吃水2.2米，满载排水量395吨，最大设计航速30.5节，最大自持力7昼夜。艇上装备66式双联装
57炮2座，65式双联装25炮两座，5管火箭深弹发射器5座。该艇服役31年来，曾先后参加奥运安保、世博安保、战备巡逻等大小130余项重要演习演练
任务，总航程18万余海里，航时达近2万小时。

IceBreaker 722 decommissioned.

The PLAN decommissioned its Yanha class icebreaker 722 this month after 44 years of service.




This small PLAN icebreaker is no Soviet style mammoth capable cutting through the thick of frozen Arctic layers -- The PLAN used the Yanha class mainly to push away icy waters of the Bohai Sea.    With the previous transfer of 722's sister ship 723 to the China Coast Guard in Dec 20th, 2012, this

Photos of the day: twin seater. FC-1/JF-17 twin seater at the Paris Air Show.

It is only natural I suppose.........

Busy painting the "China Coast Guard" color scheme at Qingdao

Hai Jing 1117 ex Hai Jian 17
Hai Jing 1126 ex Hai Jian 26
Hai Jing 1127 ex Hai Jian 27
-- franco-russe





















Tuesday, June 11, 2013




Photos of the day: From Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) 206 to State Oceanic Administration 2506



After the merge of CMS, FLEC, CCG, and Customs into a single State Oceanic
Administration, it is time for their old cutters to get a

Tu-154 Careless ELINT.

Before the introduction of the Y-8 based "high new"  specialized surveillance birds in the early 2000s, the PLAAF operated a small fleet of 4 locally modified  Tu-154 for electronic intelligence activities across the Taiwan strait.   Now with a more capable "high new" military airframe in full swing, the PLAAF brass might feel more comfortable in decommissioning those ad hoc Russian airliners.

Photos of the day: China’s first maritime CBRN emergency rescue team debuts

(Source: China Military Online)   2013-06-14China’s first maritime CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear) emergency rescue team under a submarine base of the North China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAN) recently conducted the drill on such subjects as real-time monitoring, delineation of contaminated areas, sample collection and analysis, and

Could th is be the Chinese Zubr?

According to the deal reached 2009,  China has the blueprint to construct its own Zubr LCAC.  Judging from the following photos, they might have mastered the know-how and starting building their own rather then waiting for the 2nd Ukrainian-built Zubr to arrive for further study.  

What is the rush?




 The first Ukrainian-built Zubr is now harboring at Guangzhou











Wednesday, April 24

China changes military recruitment period

China changes military recruitment periodXinhua | 2013-6-15 10:15:07By Agencies      http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/788935.shtml#.UbzfDpwa4jcThe military recruitment period in China has been moved and will now begin in August in a bid to attract more talented people, military sources said on Friday.An online recruitment service run by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is ready for

Photos of the day: From Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) 206 to State Oceanic Administration 2506

After the merge of CMS, FLEC, CCG, and Customs into a single State Oceanic
Administration, it is time for their old cutters to get a new paint job.

























Saturday, March 09, 2013


The "real" Chinese Coast Guard is finally here.










Well, this has finally happened, the newly reorganized State Oceanic
Administration will take command four of the five maritime law

Photos of the day: J-20 at night.

Photos of the day: The sixth commissioned Jiangdao class corvette, Qinzhou

Photo of the day: Replenishment ship 889, Taihu.

Looks like it is near completion.


Tuesday, January 15, 2013


Guangzhou HuangPu's Milk Cow




Here is the latest photo from Guangzhou on the second Type 903 AOR under construction there. 










Monday, January 14, 2013




New type 903 AOR Replenishment oiler completed it's first sea trial



With impressive building speed of launch to first sea trial in just 9
months, the

Photo of the day: Zubr LCAC arrived at Guanghou.

Start seeing more IL-76s.

It seems that the PLAAF is not placing all its eggs in one basket --  they are ordering more IL-76s from Rosoboronexport while waiting to commission the new Y-20.

new Il-76 (Zhukovsky, 21/05/2013)

Special thanks to dererd2 and  BB_Bismarck for the photo and the news update.





China Orders Il-76s as It Awaits Il-476sAIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » NOVEMBER 30, 2012by  VLADIMIR KARNOZOVChina
is

FFG 513 decommissioned today after 35 years of service.

淮安舰光荣退役 以周恩来总理家乡命名的导弹护卫舰
2013-05-23 08:21:33
来源：中国江苏网
http://jsnews.jschina.com.cn/system/2013/05/23/017364374.shtml



　　

中国江苏网5月23日讯　20日下午，中央军委以开国总理周恩来家乡命名的在东海舰队服役36年的淮安舰退役仪式在上海某港举行。市委常委、军分区政委、市双拥工作领导小组副组长刘伟率淮安市党政军代表团奔赴上海，参加淮安舰退役仪式，看望慰问淮安舰的全体新老官兵，并受到了淮安舰政委徐明及全体官兵的热情迎接。

　　

淮安舰是我国自行设计制造的导弹护卫舰。作为第一批整建制海军战舰，见证了中国海军光辉的壮大历程。1977年加入海军战斗序列以来，曾先后完成了数次重大战备演习，执行数十起海上抢险、救灾救人应急任务，多次被上级机关评为军事训练等先进单位，

Picture of the day: MIC Sudan shows off its latest future soldier system

A totally unrelated Norinco PR poster, circa 2002

The Chinese X-47 is real.

and it is currently conducting taxiing test.
















Sunday, September 16, 2012



SkyBow, China's X-47 like stealth UCAV??



While reviewing old photos of 601 Aircraft Design Institute/Shenyang
Aircraft Corporation's F-60/J21/J31 fourth generation fighter, I come to
realize that the SAC stealth 'flywing' UCAV, similar to Northrop
Grumman's X-47 projects, might be more than just a "

FFG 514 (ZhenJiang) decommissioned today.

After 514 is gone; of the original 14 Type053H JiangHu I class built, only 4 are remaining with the PLAN.   





中国海军第1代导弹护卫舰镇江舰退役 服役35年2013年05月13日 17:14  京江晚报  我有话说(162人参与)http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2013-05-13/1714724498.html　　本报讯  昨天，被中央军委以镇江城市命名的我国第一代导弹护卫舰——“镇江舰”在东海舰队服役35年后，正式退役。　　市委、市政府及市双拥办相关负责人昨天出席了在上海举行的“镇江舰”退役纪念活动，向舰上官兵赠送了纪念品，表达了镇江人民对“镇江舰”和舰上全体官兵的感激之情。大家表示将永远铭记“镇江舰”35年来创下的辉煌业绩。　　

Chinese navy forms 1st carrier-borne jet force

 Chinese navy forms 1st carrier-borne jet force    Xinhua, May 11, 2013http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-05/11/content_28793701.htmA carrier-borne aviation force has been formally established as part of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, military sources said on Friday.Workers provide technological guarantee for tests of the carrier-borne J-15 fighters on China's first aircraft carrier

It is this time of the year.

DOD Report on China Details Military Modernization
By Karen ParrishAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2013 – A Defense Department report released
today describes China’s military modernization and the Chinese army’s
interaction with other forces, including those of the United States, a
senior Pentagon

PLAN amphibious development

For PLAN followers, the past couple of months have brought some really interesting developments for PLAN amphibious warfare. The first Zubr was handed over from Ukraine to China on April 20th and the construction of the second one is well under way. The original contract called for 2 to be built in Ukraine and the other 2 to be built in China. It remains to be seen whether or not PLAN will see the need to procure more than that.

Last year, we were introduced to a LHD design that Chinas was offering for export. A couple of months ago, we’ve seen this LHD design displayed for export to Turkey and also at Abu Dhabi. This mysterious design is said to be 211 m long, 32.6 m in beam and 26.8 m high for a displacement of 20,000 to 22,000 ton. It’s a little wider than Type 071 and has a flat top, so it can hold 8 helicopters with the hangar space for 4. This is an increase over Type 071, but I would imagine the first Chinese LHD (let’s call it Type 081) to be much larger than this (30,000 to 40,000 in displacement) and able to hold carry more helicopters and armored vehicles. I personally think PLAN has studied USMC long enough that it would also want the LHD to be able to support STOVL fighter jet. Such a ship would be much more complex than Type 071, but is well within the technical capabilities of Chinese shipyards.

More than anything else, the most interesting development for me to watch recently is the recent exercise involving 999, the second Type 071 ship, launching attack and overtaking a defended island in the South China Sea. While I’m sure this development scared a couple of people in the Phillipines and Vietnam, it was interesting seeing all of the news report videos talking about what they tried to do in that exercise. It was also interesting to see that Type 071 can carry more hardware than I previous thought. Its hangar is said to be able to carry 4 helicopters of Z-8 class (the main helicopter used with Type 071 right now). Its well deck can hold a maximum of 4 Type 726 LCAC. Although in reality, we’ve never seen more than 1 Type 726 and several fast attack boats in the well deck due to the fact that only 2 Type 726s have thus far been commissioned. Each of the Type 726 is said to be able to carry 2 IFVs and one tank. It can also apparently transport 80 soldiers. It can travel at 50 knots and can reach 55 to 60 knots. So, it’s an impressive hardware if China can build enough of it. In front of the well deck, there is also a door to a large compartment of 2 floors holding armored vehicles and other heavy machineries. We’ve also seen numerous photos of well deck holding 1 Type 726 along with 15 or more amphibious IFVs. Depending on the number of Type 726 and boats it carries, a Type 071 could hold different numbers of IFVs and tanks based on the mission. According to news report, Type 071 has allowed PLA to launch assault 40 nm from the beach.

In this recent exercise, we can really see PLAN practicing different kind of maneuvers and learning how to really use Type 071. Z-8s were used in flanking maneuvers to attack the rear along with Type 726 sometimes later. This is used to soften the opposition while amphibious IFVs and fast attack boats are storming the beach. The first Type 071 was commissioned at the end of 2007 and this was the first time we’ve heard about this type of exercise. Maybe this would have happened sooner if Type 726 was available earlier, but I think this also shows how long it takes PLAN to learn to start using a new ship like this. They still have a shortage of Z-8s and Type 726s when we consider how many Type 071 they already have. So they will have to ramp up the production of those assets if they want to continue training and developing more advance doctrines and tactics in storming a guarded coastline. They will also need more of those if they want to build a much larger LHD. Attention has been shifted away from PLAN’s amphibious build up over the past year due to the development of CV-16, but it remains an important part of PLAN modernization.

Rurmor of the day: The last J-7s.

I suppose this is the end of an era -- the J-7 production line at Chengdu is now being decommissioned after the last 12 F-7BGI  for the  BAF is handed over.   That is an incredible 40-year production run.








 

 

 

Tuesday, July 03, 2012



The Curious Case of J-7





To the surprise of many Chinese plane spotters, who camp-out near
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group’s test airfield, hoping

Photos of the day: Q- 5L trainer of the Myanmar Air Force

The export success of latest the Q-5 two-seater variant is somewhat of a shocker -- people still buy those?

photo courtesy of Myanmar Defense Weapons
http://mmmilitary.blogspot.com/










Wednesday, June 01, 2011



Q-5J twin-seater trainer down in Shangdong.



Q-5j crashed in Shangdong today (6/2/2011), both pilots ejected safely


6月1日一架解放军战斗机在山东维坊坠毁 有图有真相

http://www.chnqiang.com/

Photos of the day: top gear garage, PLA edition

According to our friend Andrew KC,  those toys belong to 123rd Mech Infantry Division, Guangzhou MR

It is not your father's PLA

China’s Military Says No Plates for Porsches in Crackdown
By Bloomberg News - Apr 28, 2013 9:01 AM PT

 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-28/china-s-military-says-no-plates-for-porsches-in-crackdown.html
   

China will ban the use of military number plates on luxury cars, including Porsche and Bentley, in a crackdown on abuse of vehicle management within the armed forces amid President

Photos of the day: Zubr coming home

Jianghu class FFG535 Huangshi and 536 Wuhu decommissioned today.

Two Jianghu III class FFG completed their refit while being decommissioned at the same day -- this odd pattern adds credence to the rumor that they are being sold off to the Bangladeshi navy.   We will know soon enough





 








Monday, March 05, 2012




Two Jianghu II class to Burma (Myanmar)



In addition to the pending transfer of two Jianghus to the Bangladeshi
navy, the China navy is

War profiteering with Chinese Characteristics

ZXauto, a small Chinese producers of pick ups and SUVs proudly display their "Libyan" technical in a recent Shanghai auto-show.  While this is so wrong on so many levels, I can't help it but to cheer for their entrepreneurial spirit, (with Chinese Characteristics of course)

KJ-200 early-warning airplane first used for disaster relief

KJ-200 early-warning airplane first used for disaster relief(Source: China Military Online)   2013-04-25The picture shows that a KJ-200 early-warning airplane of the Air Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAAF) is about to take off from a military airfield to perform disaster-relief operation on April 24, 2013. (Photo by Wu Sulin)　　BEIJING, April 25, (ChinaMil) -- The air force under

PR photos of the day: Simulation Training Center Army Aviation Corps

Photo of the day: Handover of the Zubr LCAC to the PLAN

Project 958 handover ceremony in Ukraine
http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/218598.html



Thanks snake65 for this news update.











Friday, July 02, 2010




The Zubr deal has been finalized.





The last update on the Zubr deal transpired in April 2010 (here). after a prolonged negotiation, the deal seems to have finalized.
Blueprints are to be handed over to the Chinese side under the

Latest military technologies help China's quake rescue

Latest military technologies help China's quake rescue



Xinhua | 2013-4-24 9:11:48 By Agencies




The
latest development of military technologies, including a satellite
navigation system and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), has helped China
carry out more efficient rescue and relief efforts after Saturday's
strong earthquake.At the field headquarters of the People's
Liberation

China's Air Force starts first airdrop in quake zones

China's Air Force starts first airdrop in quake zones

(Source: Xinhua)   2013-04-23　　BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force on Monday carried out its first airdrop operations in quake-hit southwest China to deliver food and water for thousands of homeless survivors.　　Loaded with bottled water, instant noodles and other food, an Air Force helicopter took off

Sichuan earthquake, helicopter operations.

A total of 27 Mi-171 family of helicopters (23 from the 2nd LH brigade and 4 from the PLAAF) carried out 132 sorties 36 hours after the quake's occurrence.   According to reporters on site, finding suitable landing zones in this mountainous region is the major bottleneck for the initial slow tempo of operations.    
























 

China Int'l Search and Rescue Team arrived at Lushan

Air Force Gen. Ma Xiaotian in Command

Air Force Gen. Ma Xiaotian (back R) reads a map of
the quake-hit zone on the plane. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Lushan
County of Ya'an City in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 8:02 a.m.
Upon hearing the news, Commander Ma Xaotian of the Chinese People’s
Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), who is inspecting air force troops
stationed in Yunan Province these days, changed his prefixed

The body of the fallen. RIP

The PLA lost one of their own en route to the quake zone.

据成都晚报消息，在荥天路翻车的成都军区救援车最新情况：荥经县人民医院接了5名受伤战士，其中1人去世。加上在荥经县中西医结合医院去世的1名战士（这名战士仅20岁），救援战士去世了2名。.

 












 

Over 6,000 soldiers, aircraft deployed to quake-hit Sichuan

 Over 6,000 soldiers, aircraft deployed to quake-hit Sichuan    0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, April 20, 2013http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-04/20/content_28604603.htmChinese authorities have deployed more than 6,000 military and armed police soldiers and several aircraft to the area hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province to help with rescue and relief

Sichuan Earthquake, 2013. PAP mobilization Update 4/19/2013

* 950 PAP arrived at the quake zone
* 1 S&R team (15 people and one dog) arrived

Sichuan Earthquake, 2013. PLA mobilization Update 4/19/2013

* 2000 troops of the 149th Mech Infantry Division mobilized and en route to the quake zone .

 The 149th is Chengdu MR's designated RRU unit, this repaid reaction is not unexpected.

* one Artillery Regiment of the Chengdu MR mobilized 
* 2nd LH (Army Aviation) Brigade is carrying S&R work



China earthquake: 'Hundreds dead or injured' in Sichuan BBCHundreds of people may have been killed or

Propaganda photo of the day: I'm on a boat

Photo of the day: Composition of Liaoning's first carrier strike group

According to folks in China, the first Liaoning carrier strike group is composite of two Type051C DDG, two 054A DDG and one supply ship.   While this composition make sense, we are still waiting for further proof.

The first ZBL-09 Assault gun equipped unit unveiled

It is the 162nd light-mech infantry division, 54th Group Army, Jinan MR.  There is no need for "Drumroll, Please" as the 162nd already operates other ZBL-09 variants.  

It is interesting to note that this PLA daily is calling  ZBL-09 Assault gun  a "wheeled light tank"










http://jn.81.cn/content/2013-04/12/content_5297880.htm
中国军网记者频道济南（王卫东 武今鹏）：今年3月初，某新型轮式坦克正式列装济南军区某装甲团，盼新装备盼红了眼的全团官兵，

I suppose that's one way to avoid paying highway tolls in China.

Camo-ed your truck and claim you are transporting missile parts.   Well, It did not work this time.






“穿”着迷彩衣，却没挂军牌。日前，宁洛高速滁州段一收费站迎来两辆耍横的“军车”。“气势十足，还拉着警报。”据当地交警介绍，两辆车很有军用货车的
“范儿”，司机也要求免费过道口。令交警生疑的是，这两辆崭新的军车没有悬挂军牌。见唬不住，司机再出一招，“我们正在执行秘密运输任务。”问：“运的什
么？”答：“导弹！”

　　两辆迷彩车蛮横要免单

　　4月3日下午14时30分左右，宁洛高速公路44公里处曹庄收费站，伴随着响亮的警报声，两辆大货车呼啸驶入收费道口。这两辆车气势十足，不光警报拉
得响，车身也喷涂着迷彩漆，更是彰显其“军车”的身份。可蹊跷的是，这两辆车并未悬挂军车号牌。进入道口

Military industrial complex PR of the day: LockMart's UCLASS Concept

looks impressive.   Wait the minute, what is that FFG on the lower right corner?

Thanks xyz for this FYI.








Thursday, February 28, 2013


military industrial complex PR of the day: Raytheon Naval Mission Defense Solutions against incoming C-801 ASCM









Raytheon illustrates its unique and flexible approach to
protecting Offshore Patrol Vessel missions.

Introducing the PLA naval underwater demolition team

This PLAN’s sole underwater demolition team was commissioned in 1984.   Since its inception, the team has participated in 57 key projects such as the Three Gorges Damn dam and the Qinshan nuclear power plant.  

It's current key project is the construction of  Liaoning’s home port at Qingdao.  Judging by satellite photos, this huge  key project has the work cut out for them.   Also, given the

Dog and pony show can be useful at times.

Take this recently PLA USO visit to the artillery regimen, 6th Light Mechanized Infantry Division, Lanzhou MR for example,  the backdrop of PLZ05 155mm SP-How and PLZ07A 122mm SP-How clearly confirms the recent report of an major upgrade to this outfit.   Come to think of it,  that is a lot of fire power for handling those pesky terrorists in Xinjing.


http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2013-04/07/c_

Rumor Control: .50 caliber Sniper Rifle in Syria IS NOT an AS50 , it's Chinese M99

The media is awash with "news" of how the Syrian rebels now have the AS50 Accuracy International .50 caliber sniper rifle...but they don't.

Many Western media sources have erroneously identified the video in this video as an AS50.  However, the rifle is in fact a Chinese M99 sniper rifle in 12.7x108mm:




If you were a member of the world's premier internet Chinese military discussion,

Names of two pilots killed in Su-27 fighter crash released

Two pilots of the Air Force of the Chinese
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sacrificed themselves in a flight
training on March 31, 2013 in Rongcheng, east China’s Shandong province,
and their voices and appearance were released prior to the Tomb
Sweeping Day which falls on April 4, 2013.
　　The two pilots are Wu Yongming, deputy chief of staff of an
aviation regiment under the PLA Air Force

Photo of the day: DDG 151 Type 052C destroyer "Zhengzhou" arrives at East Sea Fleet.

Soon be ready for commission soon.




Unrelated photo analysis of DH-10 Naval LACM

31 March 2013 - crash Su-27UBK PLAAF. Near Rongcheng (Shandong prov.). Two pilots killed.

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2013-03-31/1846720223.html中国空军一架苏27双座型战机在山东荣成坠毁(图)




失事现场照片，显示飞机座舱已打开，飞行员或已弹射今日下午，一架空军战斗机在山东荣成海域坠毁，据称坠毁机型为苏27，据网友称两名驾驶员可能已经牺牲。苏
-27是苏联苏霍伊设计局研制的，单座双发全天候空中优势重型战斗机，中国空军从上世纪90年代初引进苏-27系列飞机。1991年底，首批12架苏
-27(8架单座型的苏-27SK和4架双座型的苏-27UBK)飞抵中国。至今，苏-27和国产歼-11及改进型共约有近300架。其主要任务是国土防
空。护航.海上巡逻等。

Thanks dererd2 for the update.

Norinco SH-1 Truck-mounted 155mm Gun-Howitzer of the Tatmadaw

While the Burma military is showing off their newly ordered Norinco SH-1 Truck-mounted 155mm Gun-Howitzer and other made-in-China hardware during their 68th
Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw,  the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) continues to use their made-in-China hardware to fight back the Tatmadaw





Type 81 mod and Type 89 Heavy Machine Gun in service with the KIA

Photo courtesy of

Photos of the day: Test Ship 892 at QingDao

with DH-10 LACM, naturally.






















 

 

Saturday, July 28, 2012


In the age of internet, information can be borrowed without citing source.




I am shocked to see the following posted by Janes Defense Weekly this
morning…….They are calling Type052D a Frigate.   JDW, you can do better.



Date Posted: 27-Jul-2012

Jane's Defence Weekly

China 'developing' navalised version of DH

What to make of speculated deals for Su-35/Lada?

In the past week, there have been a lot of speculations regarding a deal where Russia would export 24 Su-35s and 4 Ladas to China.  Now, there have been official denials from Russian government and sukhoi has also not put this on their website.  That would indicate this deal is definitely not done yet.  I normally would ignore these su-35 rumours from Russia, but there have been enough support reading through the Chinese sources for me to think that there are serious discussions for this.  In addition, Chinese sources also indicate that there could also be sale of S-400 and IL-476 as part of a large deal.  Obviously, this would be the largest sale package from China to Russia since probably 2002.  I will just look at the individual parts of the deal and whether they make sense from a Chinese point of view.

Back in 2008 when the su-35 rumours first came out, it made sense for China to buy 2 or more regiments of Su-35.  As time went on, it seemed like the domestic flankers produced by SAC have been more or less satisfactory for PLA.  I often read on Western/Russian news sources about how they are shocked to see Russia is still willing to sell such an advanced aircraft to China even after China “cloned” Russian fighters, but those articles really do not seem to have a good grasp on reality.  We know that China has two “stealth” fighter jet programs under development that will probably achieve IOC sometimes toward the end of this decade, so it doesn’t make sense for China to buy and then “copy” a large number of su-35s.  Shenyang AC is actively developing and producing naval and fighter bomber versions of flankers in J-15 and J-16.  Su-35 is mostly an air superiority aircraft, so it’s not going to help those projects.  At the same time, China is also not exporting any of its flankers to other countries, so this export deal will not threaten Russia’s other export markets.

One of the reported reasons from Chinese side for purchasing Su-35 is the coming end of production of J-11B.  They have requirement for 1 regiment (24 aircraft) of air superiority version of flankers before the more advanced 5^th generation fighters can enter service.  While that is possible, I think su-35 will create a logistical problem in the future like the Sov destroyers with the Chinese navy.  They will need to maintain a new type of aircraft, a new engine, a new generation of Russian avionics and Russian missiles.  That would seem to be a lot of trouble for just one regiment.  That would lead to my conclusion that they are purchasing this strictly to get their hands on the 117S engine.  Russia made it clear to China early on that they would only be willing to sell 117S to China as part of a Su-35 order.  I think 24 is probably the minimum number of Su-35s that Russia would be willing to sell to China to allow Chinese access to 117S engine.  China does have the largest MRO plant for AL-31F outside of Russia.  All maintenance work for AL-31 is done inside China.  I would assume 117S maintenance and life extension work would also be done there.  Despite improvements in the reliability of WS-10A, I still read about problems found in deployment.  If there is one problem that can cause real delay in J-20, it would be not having a reliable engine solution in its development and early deployment.  117S would also be possible options for J-10 and J-15/16 projects.  If China does choose to purchase Su-35s, access to 117S engine would be the primary motivation.  And Russia would benefit by exporting su-35 and possibly large numbers of 117S engine later.

The deal for 4 Lada submarines is more interesting.  Many PLAN followers have asked why China would be interested in purchasing so many units of a submarine that Russia has not even accepted into its own service (its AIP system is not going to be ready until later).  Typically, China chooses to only purchase mature systems that it can quickly induct into service.  On top of that, it seems to some that Chinese submarines seem to have reached the technology levels of their Russian counterpart with that mysterious new conventional submarine in 2011.  The reality is that Chinese submarines still have a way to go in stealth.

As part of this deal, China will be getting transfer of technology along with local production for 2 of the 4 submarines.  On top of that, some unreported Chinese subsystems will be going onto these submarines.  So, the question is what is China providing as part of this submarine and what is it interested in?  The currently mass produced 039B submarine are already equipped with AIP system that can be installed on the Chinese version of Lada submarine.  On top of that, China could install its own sonar system and combat systems onto Lada.  The latter part should not be surprising since China has also installed its own sonar on kilo submarines.  What China seeks as part of this deal is the Russian’s design of Lada submarine and its noise insulation technology.  From Lada, China could learn how to design and build a single hull submarine with conformal sonar.  If we look at China’s new submarine that came out in 2011, it seemed to adapt numerous features from Lada submarine.  This submarine is supposedly one of a kind built to replace the old Gulf class ballistic missile test bed.  It is probably too large and expensive to be mass produced.  Based on their experience from this submarine and Lada project, it’s quite possible that China’s next series of submarine would look somewhere in between (possibly single hull) and have many of the features currently on Lada class.  Russia also has a lot to gain here, because it needs a new submarine for export to replace kilo.  Regardless of whether Russia chooses to use any Chinese subsystems for Lada in the future, Chinese involvement in this project will ensure that the export version of Lada becomes fully developed and commercially viable.

So while I’ve read numerous panic articles online about how this deal will significantly improve China’s capabilities and shift the cross strait balance of power even more toward China’s favour, I think those articles really show very little appreciation of China’s current military industrial complex.  While these purchases will help and speed up PLA development, they are by no means game changers.  However, these purchases will improve ties between the two countries at a time where Russia constantly complains about the trade imbalance.

Photos of the day: PLAN in Malta

Local Maltese and tourists visit the Chinese frigate
"Hengyang" at the grand habour of Valletta, Malta, on March 27, 2013. An
Open Day of the "Hengyang" for Maltese was held on Wednesday. The 13th
naval escort squad, sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)
Navy, arrived at Valletta of Malta on Tuesday for a five-day visit after
finishing its escort missions. (xinhua/Xu Nizhi)

Myanmar Military's PTL02 6x6 Wheeled Self-Propelled 100mm Assault Gun on parade

Hope she likes them





Aung San Suu Kyi, right, with Major General Zaw Win during Burma's 68th
Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw. Photograph: Nyein Chan
Naing/AFP/Getty Images





Just in case you were wondering; those are not Norinco Type97 5.56mm but rather Myanmar EMER K-1 5.56mm

Brokeback PLAN

You know, I used to wonder how come you never brought any trouts home.
You always said you caught plenty, and you know how me and the girls
like fish

After spending a year at Xiaopingdao,  this 094 Jin Class SSBN readies to sortie out.   Given the fact that it sails in broad daylight "to catch trouts",  don't think they still consider their Jin project a top secret anymore.

Animated gif of the day: Releasing PL-10 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles from J-20's weapon bay

Open the bay door, HAL.

Photos of the day: J-20 mounting a pair of PL-10 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles

Sunday, November 20, 2011




PL-10 AAM spotted on a J-11B



Is this the first photo of the PL10, China Air Force's next generation of High Agility AAM?

Word on the street seems to agree.














Close by, a freshly minted J-11B undergo flight-testing

Classic photos of the day: Chinese airforce in color!

Photos of the day: Sizing a small island in South China Sea, by a PLAN Marine company

A combat-readiness patrol and high-sea training
taskforce under the South China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Chinese
People’s Liberation Army (PLA) carried out beach-seizing and landing
training in the waters of the South China Sea on March 21, 2012. The
officers and men are pushing an assault boat out of the dock.
(chinamil.com.cn/Qian Xiaohu, Song Xin Gao Yi and Gan Jun)

Photos of the day: New PLAN LCAC 3321

South China Sea Fleet conducts combat readiness patrol and high-sea training(Source: China Military Online)   2013-03-20The “Jinggangshan” amphibious dock landing ship leaves a naval port in Sanya in south China’s Hainan province on the afternoon of March 19, 2013. (Photo by Li Zhanglong)　　A taskforce under the South China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Chinese People’s

Photos of the day: 056 Jiangdao class, a closer look.

Comparing Type 056 to LCS

With the recent induction of 056, a lot of comparison has been made between 056 and LCS.  The comparisons are understandable.  Both are just entering services.   Both are expected to be built in large numbers and are also considered to be the lower end ships of their respective navy.  In many ways, their comparison stops there, because Type 054A would be more comparable to LCS just based on the size and dimensions of the ships.  I want to break this down to two sections: the differences in capabilities/cost between the two classes of ships and what that tells us about the two navies.

First of all, despite both ships are designed for littoral operations, one is designed to operate in its own waters, whereas the other is designed to operate in enemy waters.  056 is supposed to replace 053 and 037 in the role of patrolling coastal waters.  It's equipped with enough strike power to conduct ASuW against other regional navy.  With some modification, it can also be useful in ASW operations in the littoral waters.  On the other hand, LCS is suppose to be faster, stealthier, far more modular and capable of operation in other country's littoral waters.  USN has no need for something like 056, since it faces no foreign naval threat within its coastal waters.  For any issues like smuggling, piracy and drug trafficking, it should be up to coastal guard to protect.  At the same time, China has no need for a littoral ship as large or fast as LCS, because it really has no need in the near future for a ship built specifically to fight in the littoral waters of a non-neighbouring country.  While most of the mission packages for LCS have yet to finish development, LCS will be capable of ASuW, ASW, MCM and special ops once that does happen.  You might see more dedicated ASW or ASuW variants of Type 056 coming out, but each ship is really not expected to be doing more than one task.

As a result of this difference in roles and size of the ship, there is also a large gap in the cost of the ship.  Each LCS cost over $400 million to build and equip.  That's about twice as much as the cost of a Type 054A.  Type 056 is expected to be a much cheaper ship than Type 054A, since it's much smaller.  My current estimate for Type 056 is around around 60 million just based on the cost of Type 022, Type 054 and equivalent sized cutters (which run for about $15 to 20 million each).  The relatively low cost of this should explain why China is able to build so many units in such short time while also build numerous other classes at the same time.  If this cost more, China would not be able to use it to replace all of the old Type 053 and 037 ships.  Despite the recent austerity in USN and the higher cost of American shipbuilding, USN still has a far higher budget than PLAN, so it could afford more expensive ships.

The size of crews also show us interesting things about the two navies.  I think the crew size for LCS is supposed to be at most 75, whereas the much smaller 056 is expected to have 60 to 70 crews (even that is a reduction to 1/3 of Type 053).  Even though Type 056 is far more complex and automated than the ships it is replacing, it's probably safe to say that it still lags modern Western ships.  I think a large part of that has to do with the greater number of service personnels at the disposal of PLAN.  Even with the rising labour cost in China, I think it's safe to assume that the compensation for a USN sailor is far higher than that of a PLAN sailor.  Another part to look at is the huge leap facing sailors who are accustomed to operating a low tech ship like type 037 (I was told no training is required to be on that ship) to type 056.  It's simply unrealistic to expect someone who has operated on Type 037/053 for their entire life to be able to be competent on something like LCS.  As PLAN continues modernization, this expected improvement in software is often overlooked when one looks at the new ships that are coming out.  The cost of training crew members will also go up as ships become more and more complicated.

Another interesting thing is the choice that the two navies made in developing these two ships.  LCS is a ship expected to be modular enough to be able to easily reconfigure for different roles by changing to different mission packages.  I expect different variants of Type 056 to come with each variant built with specific role in mind.  Similary to Type 037, I would expect to see a Type 056 emphasize more toward ASW and one more emphasized toward patrol and another more emphasized toward ASuW.  At the same time, LCS had the requirements to be able to travel at faster than 40 knots and also be extremely stealthy.  It certainly pushes the technological envelope, whereas Type 056 does not.  LCS is not only a new ship design but also requires new weapon system.  Whereas PLAN rarely builds a shipping class that requires leap in both the ship design and its weapon system.  I think this shows the background of both navies.  USN always had a lot of money to spend, so it is willing to press for that additional performance on the newest ships in the face of budget overruns and delays.  In comparison, PLAN had very little money back in the days and most of its programs was canned in the 80s and 90s due to lack of funding.  So as a result of this, it has always been more conservative in incorporating improvement from one shipping class to the next.  Compared to USN, PLAN is more frugal in the development of new ships and the management of its existing fleet.  As an example, Type 052 underwent modernization recently, but the old HH-7 SAM was kept around instead of being replaced by more advance HQ-10 SAM.  PLAN has a large stock of HH-7 missiles in stock and did not want them to go to waste by removing them from the ships undergoing modernization.  It will be interesting to see how the perspectives of the two navies change in the future as PLAN continues to get more funding whereas USN starts to face austerity.

Communist propaganda of the day: North Korean Artillery

They might not be very smart, but they are really big.



The undated photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March
14, 2013 shows Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK), watching a live shell firing drill at the
southwest sector of the front line. Kim Jong-un watched and guided the
drill which was conducted by the Jangjae Islet defense

Z-10 of the 1st LH Brigade, 54th Group Army, Jinan MR

Fast forward three and half months, a new Z-10 squadron emerges.  This marks the fifth Z-10 squadrons in army aviation service.  It is not, by any stretch of the imagination, to see all 10 of PLA's LH brigades will be equipped with at least one Z-10 squadron soon.













Wednesday, December 26, 2012



9th PLA LH Brigade, 39th Group Army, Shanyang MR, the fourth confirmed Z-10 operator

Photos of the day: pumping lead, Liaoning style

Tuesday, May 17, 2011


New PLAN ten barreled CIWS unmasked.




A new PLAN CIWS recently unmasked on-board of the Varyag sporting a
total of 10 tubes. Well, that is just not fast enough.........because
it is not Up To Eleven.













The current in service model of Type 730 CIWS seven-barreled 30 mm
Gatling CIWS with a maximum firing rate of 5800 rounds per minute.

Photos of the day: Uniforms and emblem of the new Chinese coast guard

Saturday, March 09, 2013



The "real" Chinese Coast Guard is finally here.









Well, this has finally happened, the newly reorganized State Oceanic
Administration will take command four of the five maritime law
enforcement agencies in the form of the newly established Coast Guard
Bureau.

CMS, FLEC, CCG, and Customs will all be under the command
of this new bureau, which

Photo of the day: Liaoning, Anti-submarine platform

Monday, January 02, 2012


It is a " localizated" RBU-6000 Smerch-2 ASR, naturally




Since there is no record of a RBU-6000 sale to the PRC.




















Russian RBU-6000 Smerch-2 ASR

J-31 may become China's next generation carrier-borne fighter jet

This is not  news per se but confirmation from an "official" source is always welcome.   We at China Defense.com and many others have suspected that the J-31 is to be a carrier-borne fighter from day one.








AutoCorrect, fail.

The J-15, nicknamed "lying shark", is China's
first generation of carrier-borne fighter jet.

J-31 may become China's next generation carrier-borne fighter jet(

The "real" Chinese Coast Guard is finally here.

Well, this has finally happened, the newly reorganized State Oceanic
Administration will take command four of the five maritime law
enforcement agencies in the form of the newly established Coast Guard
Bureau.CMS, FLEC, CCG, and Customs will all be under the command
of this new bureau, which the Ministry of Public Security will provide
professional consultation.

-- hmmwv





    

Photo of the day: Good bye, Railways Ministry.

 























































Thursday, January 21, 2010


The decommissioned PLA Railway Engineering Corps.




As China unveils the world's fastest high speed train and its French designed railway terminals. (here), perhaps it is time to look back at PLA's long forgotten Railway Engineering Corps (REC).
The Wuhan Terminal


The REC was commissioned in August 1948 and

Photos of the day: “Peace-13” multinational maritime joint military exercise starts in Pakistan

It is interesting to see “Harbin” DDG is paring up with F22P FFG of the Pakistan Navy

Fact check, please.

Just in case you're wondering why this blog refuses to become a news aggregator for other defense sites.  Well, here is a good explanation:


Are you kidding me?
Meanwhile, China has also decided
to add three aircraft carriers by 2016. While one of the carriers,
Varyag, was announced by China last year, Beijing is also refitting two
aircraft carriers bought from Russia six years back.


Indian

Wanted, long range MPA

Until the new MA60 MPA enters service, the PLAN will continue to rely on their B-6 bombers for long range patrols over the South China Sea.  A role that the Chinese Tu-16 is clearly ill-suited for,







Bombers cruising in South China Sea(Source: China Military Online)   2013-03-07Recently, a bomber regiment of the aviation force under the South China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the Chinese People

Photo of the day:VN4 4x4 Light Armoured Vehicle for Venezuelan national guard.

1960s PLANAF comic book of the day: moving forward (永远向前)

Chinese 55mm DP-65 remotely controlled antidiversion grenade launching system spotted

on one of those South China Sea Garrisons.   Besides its antidiversion role,  I think it is also a perfectly fine fishing tool.





The 55mm DP-65 remotely controlled antidiversion grenade launching system
is designed for protection of ships against attacks of underwater
combat swimmers at external roadstead open anchor stops and bases, for
protection against attacks of underwater combat

Here is a stupid "Word Play" weekend humor.

Photos of the day: Y-20 heavy transporter in its new paint scheme

A little write up on 056

I did a little write up today for Type 056 and here it is.

The first 056 class No. 582 was officially handed over to PLAN on the 25th of February as Wu Shengli, Commander of PLAN personally came to inspect the ship. While it is referred to as light frigate by Chinese news, it really should be classified as a corvette or OPV based on its size and displacements. This class is expected to be the next mass produced PLAN shipping class.

The type 056 class fills the gap between the 4000-ton 054A class frigate and 220-ton 022 class FAC. As of now, at least 9 other 056s have already been launched by the 4 shipyards building them. The overall number of this class is expected to be between the final count of 054A (probably around 20) and 022 (around 80). They are expected to replace the 10 Type 053 class Jianghu frigates currently serving in the South China Sea Patrol flotilla and the close to 50 Type 037 class missile boats.

In many ways, the type 056 hull is based on the Pattani class OPV that China built for Thailand from 2005 to 2006, although more signature reduction work is done such as the shielding of the funnels. Currently, 056 is equipped with 4 YJ-83s and AK-176M for ASuW missions along with a 8-cell HQ-10, AK-176M and two automated new single 30-mm barrel CIWS for self defense. Although the first few ships are not fitted with Towed Array sonar, it could provide some support for near sea ASW missions with a helipad large enough to hold Z-9C (and possibly Z-15 in the future), appearance of bow sonar bulb and 6 torpedo tubes installed in what looked to be the hangar. Most likely, the earliest 056 units will be used to replace Type 037s in the Hong Kong garrison and green water patrol missions. I expect a good number of Type 056 to eventually be used to patrol the disputed areas in South China Sea. Compared to the ships it is replacing, Type 056 requires 1/3 of the crew size of Jianghu class while offering more punch and similar endurance. Compared to Type 037, it should have better endurance, seakeeping and far stronger ASuW and AAW capabilities. It should be able to handle the naval threats from neighboring countries like Vietnam, Phillipines and Thailand. The goal is to free up larger ships like the Type 054A class and Type 052C/D class for blue water missions. In the future, I could also see ASW variants of Type 056 replacing the Type 037 sub chasers and more dedicated patrol versions of Type 056 with hangar large enough to hold 2 S-100 size UAVs.

military industrial complex PR of the day: Raytheon Naval Mission Defense Solutions against incoming C-801 ASCM