China gets rare ship tour: Japan shows off Aegis-equipped destroyer at Sasebo

This Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force "show off" can be viewed in two ways: To display their most advanced hardware to the Chinese as a warming, or to remind the Americans that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is seeking a more "independent" agenda for Japan (here). In light of the recent Okinawa base dispute (here) with the US military and Hatoyama’s proposal for an "East Asia Community" (here)

List of known Class-A Ground Force Military Exercise (cross-region, brigade/division level) conducted by the PLA in 2009.

Peace Mission 2009 和平使命-2009Sino-Russia Joint exercise. Taonan, Jilin province.Medical Service Mission 2009 卫勤使命—2009Medical/Logistic Support ExerciseGeneral Logistic Department, PLAAF, Lanzhou MR, Lanzhou Air force, Jianan MR.Stride 2009 跨越-2009Long Range Deployment, Cross-Region Exercise162nd Motorized Infantry Division, 54th Group Army, Jinan MR. 61st Mechanized Infantry Division, 21st

"Iron Fist-2009" military exercise in Jinan MAC

127th Light Mech Infantry Division Vs 11th Armor Division, 54th Group Army, Jinan MR"Iron Fist-2009" military exercise in Jinan MAC(Source: PLA Daily) 2009-11-27　　The military exercise code-named "Iron Fist-2009" was held at the Queshan Combined Tactics Training Base of the Jinan Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from November 18 to 23, 2009. According to Rong

China, Japan plan first joint military exercise

It will take much more to put aside their mutual suspicion. Nevertheless, it is a welcoming step. Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:54am ESThttp://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE5AQ2EY20091127TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and China agreed on Friday to conduct their first joint military training exercise, in the latest sign of warming ties between the Asian neighbors, long marked by mutual suspicion and

The Government Flying Service of Hong Kong

The Government Flying Service (GFS) is one of the disciplined services departments of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has an establishment of 223 personnel responsible for flight operations, aircraft maintenance and administration. The GFS Headquarters (HQ) is located at the south-western corner of the Hong Kong International Airport at north Lantau. http://

Update on China’s IL-76 buy.

According to the $1.5 billion contract signed in September 2005, Russia would deliver 34 IL-76 military cargo planes and four IL-78 Midas refueling tankers in 2006 (here). The time-frame for this delivery was pushed by Rosoboronexport citing production and cost related issues. The Chinese government suspended the contract after Rosoboronexport attached an additional $400 million USD to the

J-10 pilot gets top honors for saving faulty jet fighter

Public Relations kitsch aside, this write-up offers a glance into how the PLAAF operates. Chinese pilot gets top honors for saving faulty jet fighter08:14, March 30, 2009http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90786/6822507.htmlA Chinese pilot who successfully brought a malfunctioning jet fighter, a domestically made J-10, in for a landing was given the nation's First-Class Merit Citation and a

Coatesville, PN plant gets "Pimp-My-Chopper" contract for Chinese-made Sikorsky frames

This news is definitely a major milestone for China’s aviation industry. It provides further evidence that China’s state sponsored capitalism (tm) is starting to pay dividends with private western companies. While China is capable of weaponizing the S-76, don’t expect to see one in PLA service soon as such modifications will undoubtedly annoy the US Government.Coatesville plant to get

Offical Statement Regarding China's fourth Generation Fighter

The PLAAF public relations department confirmed the reported "fourth generation fighter [J-xx]" is based on the improved J-10 design. This confirmation was published by the Xinhua News Agency and the PLA daily.Hopefully the PLAAF confirmation will put an end to all the speculation about the J-xx project since General He Weirong's statement saying "pilots could expect to jump into the most

China’s last cavalry

China’s last cavalry * Source: Global Times * [17:34 November 20 2009] http://military.globaltimes.cn/china/2009-11/486750.htmlA soldier herds horses on horseback.The second squadron of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is the only mounted troop of The Chinese People's Liberation Army, camping in Maodeng pasture Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia.With the development of modern science and military

H5 and H6 Testbeds for the JH-7 Project.

Back in June 17 2009, I blogged about the "Growler" role for PLA's JH-7 fighter-bomber project. (Here) Recently released photos suggest that old H5 and H6 bombers were used during the component testing phase of the project.There must be a reason to keep all those bombers around..........H-5 testbed for JH-7 systems. Late 1980sH-6 testbed for JH-7 EW pods.

Replenishment ship 888 Transferred to the Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) as "渔政88"

According to the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd (GSI), the Type R22T Fuchi class AOR Fuxianhu 888 was launched on December 25th 2006 and commissioned by the PLAN South Sea Fleet on December 2007. Unlike her two Fuchi class sisters (886 and 887), Fuxianhu was designed to ferry supply and personnel to PLAN's offshore garrison. Her two RAS stations (one liquid, one solid) were

Haier air conditioner – a perfect solution for Indonesia’s armor corps

Chinese Coast Guard Development: Challenge and Opportunity

Chinese Coast Guard Development: Challenge and OpportunityPublication: China Brief Volume: 9 Issue: 23November 19, 2009 12:56 PM Age: 56 minCategory: China Brief, Military/Security, China and the Asia-Pacific, Home PageBy: Lyle Goldsteinhttp://www.jamestown.org/programs/chinabrief/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=35747&tx_ttnews[backPid]=25&cHash=11a04a70b2U.S. Coast Guard Cutter RUSH (WHEC-723) in

PLAAF 11th SAM Brigade (Unit Number 95607) Chengdu Airforce, PLAAF

Recently, PLA daily featured the PLAAF 11th SAM Brigade in its online photo essay (here)This unit is best known for its 23 month and 17 day deployment to Laos from December 21th, 1971 to November 14th 1973 at the height of the “Indochina crisis.”The PLAAF 11th Anti-Air Artillery Division was commissioned in Shanghai on April 1st 1967 with elements drawn from the Nanjing Airforce and an army AAA

PLAAF Wallpapers

Exhibition of Weapons and Equipment of PLA Air Force opened to public(Source: China Military Online) 2009-11-16　　As one of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the Exhibition of Weapons and Equipment of PLA Air Force was opened to the public at the China Aviation Museum in Beijing on November 15, 2009, displaying the

China seeks reform of UN peacekeeping

Interesting timing, right after Obama's China visit.China seeks reform of UN peacekeepingBy Kathrin Hille in Beijinghttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8ecd9a04-d3e2-11de-8caf-00144feabdc0.htmlPublished: November 18 2009 02:00 | Last updated: November 18 2009 02:00China will convene an unprecedented conference on international peacekeeping in Beijing today, in a sign it is seeking to shape the future of an

Obama is such a weakling… chicken soup and Chinese Merlot for state dinner?

Back in the good ole days, real men raise toasts with Maotai, the 150-proof liquor, and joked about how many millions of lives can be scarified in a nuke exchange with the Soviet Union.Did someone order milk?Chinese steak, Stevie Wonder at state dinner for Obamahttp://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j-I-1viEFIjc260gE5jzGIRZXr_w(AFP)BEIJING — After a tough morning of talks Tuesday and

The 7th Type 054A Class FFG Launched.

The 7th Type 054A Class FFG launched at Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou on November 15, 2009.Here is a list of known Type054A FFG composed by Koxinga.F-529 舟山 2006/12/21, 2008/1/3F-530 徐州 2006/9/30, 2008/1/27F-568 巢湖 2007/5/23, 2008/6/30F-570 黃山 2007/3/18, 2008F-571 運城 2009/2/8F-569 玉溪 2009/4/28

GE: We Bring Good Things to Life

The recently announced Chinese heavy transport project can use all the help it can get. (here). From engines to avionics, GE seems to be everywhere around China's aviation industryIl-76 heavy transport of the "Civilian-Run" China United Airline.* NOVEMBER 16, 2009http://online.wsj.com/article/SB30001424052748704538404574537641032679318.htmlGE puts faith in China's aerospace industryU.S. company

An update on the training of PLAN officers in Brazil.

Six month ago, it was reported that China and Brazil had reached an agreement to train PLA Naval personnel in Brazil on aircraft carrier operations. (here) (here) The recently reached "five-point consensus" agreement during the Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim's visit to China seems to add credence to the earlier report.China, Brazil reach five-point consensus to strengthen military

SP-1 and SP-3 Truck Based Self-Propelled Artillery System.

The Norinco SP family of Truck Based self-propelled (SP) artillery system was first revealed during the 2007 Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2007). It is once again on display at this year’s IDEX with more detailed sales brochures and technical diagrams. China’s debut of the L-15 advanced jet trainer marks a major push into the Middle East Arms market after the success of the

Dubai 09: L-15 makes desert debut

DATE:15/11/09SOURCE:Flight Daily NewsDubai 09: L-15 makes desert debutBy Stephen Trimblehttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/11/15/334843/dubai-09-l-15-makes-desert-debut.htmlChina's latest aerospace export candidate - the L-15 Falcon advanced jet trainer - will be on full display at the Dubai air show, a rare glimpse of the supersonic aircraft outside its home country.The L-15, a product of

PLA's Shtora Tank Active Protection Suite

Photos of the Shtora active protection suite mounted on a Type96G MBT has been released by Norinco. The Russian Shtora is an electro-optical jammer that jams the enemy's semiautomatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) antitank guided missiles, laser rangefinders and target designators. The system is also fitted on most of the Russia based MBT such as the T-80 and T-90, the Ukranian T-84, and

Malaysia Seeks China's Logistic Support For Sukhoi Fighters

On July 20th 2004, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that Malaysia had agreed in principle to purchase the KS-1 medium-range SAM and the FN-6 MANPAD. The precise price of the deal was not released, but according to Professor Wang Bingyan, the president of the CPMIEC, China had offered the KS-1A transaction on "flexible payment terms, including counter-trade, barter and deferred

FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle To Indonesia?

This is difficult to believe but Indonesia prefers the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle over the proven K-8 jet trainer. If the deal is finalized, it will mark Indonesia as the first export customer of the FTC-2000.The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 11/13/2009 8:58 AM | Nationalhttp://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/11/13/ri-purchase-trainer-attack-aircraft-russia-china.htmlIndonesia will purchase

Victory 2009 military exercise

Foreign military officers view “Victory 2009” exercise(Source: China Military Online) 2009-11-11　　More than 130 military officers from 56 countries, including foreign students of the College of Defense Studies of the National Defense University and the Nanjing Army Command College of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), commanding officers from the national training centers of Germany and India

Obama to press China on Afghanistan

With "possible" options including greater humanitarian assistance and sending military police to help train the Afghan police force.Odd that China has already begun to provide training and humanitarian assistance (here) (here).Obama to press China on Afghanistanhttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7f2bf2d0-cf78-11de-b876-00144feabdc0,dwp_uuid=9c33700c-4c86-11da-89df-0000779e2340.htmlBy Geoff Dyer in

The PLA de-mining team in Lebanon

The PLA’s UN de-mining team in Lebanon (UNFIL) has been selected by the PLA daily as the next “headline” item to cover. (Here) These photos were taken from the de-mining team of the PLA’s 6th rotation to Lebanon. The 335 person battalion (275 troops and 50 medical personal) is serving under the UN UNFIL mission mandate. The team is composed of 70 de-miners from the Changdu MR UNMACC certified

Xianglong UAV conductes its maiden flight.

Guizhou Aviation Group (GAV) announces (here) and (Here) that the maiden flight of the Xianglong UAV has been successfully conducted on November 7th 2009 at 12:21 PM. The maiden flight took place at the Anshun airport and lasted 18 minutes.Xianglong, or the Chinese HQ-4 Global Hawk, is a joint venture between the Guizhou Aviation Group and the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI). It was

Cooking skill -- can't have force projection without it.

The ad hoc logistic arrangement described in this press release does not seem to be adequate for maintaining a modern, rapid, intense combat operation. The PLA still falls short in mounting a large-scale joint campaign operation. PLA’s first integrated logistic support exercise for joint operation held(Source: MOD) 2009-11-11　 　Liao Xilong, member of the Central Military

A follow up on my previous Q-5 blog entry

A follow up on my previous Q-5 blog entry (Q-5J is Back?) -- the tandem-seat Q-5J is indeed a Q-5D conversion, not a new build.

A "blast" from the past.

Here are some photos of various "naval" artillery deployed by the PLAN during the 1950s to deter possible US/KMT amphibious landings in the Tianjin/Qingdao region. Surprisingly, some of these antiques are still equipped on second-line JiangHu and Luda class warships.These images continue to serve as a reminder that being technologically backwards (foolish as it may seem) has never prevented the

Pakistan in Chinese fighter jet deal

As reported in today's Financial Times, China has agreed to sale 36 J-10 to Pakistan. This important deal has been under negotiation for two years now (as has been noted several times in this blog) and signifies not just a military exchange between China and Pakistan, but a strong "all weather" commitment between those two nations. The timing of this news is very close to Obama’s planned visit

The "party-line" of the PLAAF.

Here are some useful references for all ya'll PLAAF watchers out there.BACKGROUNDER: Timeline of China's People's Liberation Army air forcewww.chinaview.cn 2009-11-10 20:59:43 http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/10/content_12427123.htmBEIJING, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force is to mark its 60th founding anniversary with an air show and an exhibition of

New Light On The Chinese 4th Generation Fighter Project

General He Weirong's statement "pilots could expect to jump into the most advanced fighter jets in 8 to 10 years that will have stealth capability" has generated a great deal of buzz in the Chinese internet and his entire interview can be watched here.Judging from the interview, he was possibly referring to the long rumored J-XX 4th Generation Fighter project based on the stealthy twin-engine

A swimming 122mm Howitzer.

An Norinco Type 96 122mm Howitzer mounted on a ZDB 05 amphibious chassis has been spotted. This new concept will allow the PLA’s amphibious assault party to have an organic indirect-fire platform without resolving to the NGS (naval gun support). The new 122mm howitzer provides fire support immediately after it is launched from the landing ship thus greatly reducing the need to secure a landing

A rare look at a PLAAF radar station under the command of the ECM department, PLAAF Headquarter.

The PLAAF seems to open up (greater transparency?) during the recent 60th anniversary celebration. This could be the first time CCTV is allowed to cover such military sensitive areas.Colonel Sun, head of the ECM Department, PLAAF HQ.The REL Radar FamilyRES Family Long Range Search RadarA map of Shandong

X31II Anti-radiation missile, the imported Russian KH-31P ARM (Anti Radiation Missile) on attack.

In 2005, China imported 200 X31II ARM for its Su-30MKK fleet to perform SEAD missions. However, the performance of the missile was not as well as advertised which led to the replacement of the entire seeker. The improved Chinese multi-band seeker covers enemy radars operating between 2 to 18 GHz and a CEP of 8 to 10 meters and given the new designation of YJ-91.The YJ-91 has been integrated

Joint PLA PLAN-Marine Amphibious Military Exercise.

The recently conducted joint amphibious military exercise between the 124th Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division, 42nd Group Army, Guangzhou MR and the 1st PLAN Marine Brigade, South Sea Fleet, was not well covered by the Chinese media in contrast to the larger exercise such as the Vangard 2009, Firepower 2009, West Region 2009, and the Airborne Maneuver 2009. Nevertheless, it should be noted

China and US conduct a coast guard search and rescue exercise.

Yesterday, the US Coast Guard’s Cutter Rush conducted a search and rescue (S&R) exercise with its Chinese counterpart off Shanghai.This cooperative event together with the recent visit by Rear Adm Scott Sanders (the commander of the US TaskForce 151) (here), the deployment of a PLAN task force to the Gulf of Aden, China’s search for a missing Korean war US bomber (here), and the recent visit by

J-8II Ground Attacker –replace the center fuselage tank with a bomb and call it good.

The J-8II was designed to perform as a high speed interceptor to counter enemy bomber fleets. With the introduction of the more modern Su-27/J-11/J-10, the PLAAF is moving the J-811 to a secondary role of "PGM Trucks" similar to the Q-5D/E modernization path.Modification of the new J-8IIs include replacing the center fuselage "wet" drop-tank hardpoint with a weapons station and a newer "

The long waited Chinese heavy military transport will be revealed by the end of 2009.

According to the AVIC (China Aviation Industry Group) press release as covered by the CCTV; China’s 200 ton class heavy military transport prototype will make its first physical appearance for the first time by end of this year. The R&D and manufacture work of this new transport will be centered at Xian. Here is the CCTV Report The new heavy transport prototype will be powered by four Russian

First Photo of the Russian S-300PMU2 in PLA service?

In November 2004, China reached a 980 million USD contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for 64 launching units of the S-300MPU2 “Favorit” Air Defense Missile systems (NATO reporting name: SA-20B Gargoyle B). The deal also signified China as the S-300PMU2’s first customer. In addition to the 64 launching units, the deal also contained 256 Type 48N6E2 missiles in launch transport containers with

PLA Exercises March Toward Trans-Regional Joint Training

Col (Ret'd) Blasko's good summary on the large-scale PLA military training exercises conducted recently.PLA Exercises March Toward Trans-Regional Joint TrainingPublication: China Brief Volume: 9 Issue: 22November 4, 2009 01:29 PM Age: 3 hrsCategory: China Brief, Featured, Home Page, Military/Security, China and the Asia-PacificBy: Dennis J. Blaskohttp://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&

The Hugo Chavez Warplane show.

Chavez: Chinese Military Planes will Arrive http://www.cadenagramonte.cubaweb.cu/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1065:chavez-chinese-military-planes-will-arrive&catid=3:world&Itemid=14Caracas, Oct 30.- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced the arrival of Chinese K-8 planes for training and combat by the end of 2009, as part of their fleet modernization with

Q-5J is back?

Hongdu HAIC was greeted with doubts when it displayed the tandem-seat trainer “J” variant of the old Q-5 (A-5, NATO reporting name: Fantan) during the 2004 Zhuhai Air shows. The Q-5 attacker has been in service with the PLAAF for 40 years and production has been reduced to replacement due to attrition. The justification for pouring more resources into this old design is not apparent as more

Sino-Russian 20+ ton Heavy-Lift Helo Development Underway

Recent internet photos have surfaced of a concept model for the joint Sino-Russian heavy-lift helicopter project. This development is believed to be the latest incarnation of the Mil Mi-46, a heavy-lift helicopter project intended to replace the Mi-6 series and under sporadic development since 1992. The joint project was announced in the Russian media October 13th. The impetus for Chinese

Capitalism is alive and well in the People's Republic.

Beijing street vendors are gearing up for next month's Obama visit

More Y-8C Ordered By The PLAAF

According to Shaanxi Aircraft Company's press release, (here) the PLA has placed its single-largest order for the Y-8C tactical transport aircraft to date. The exact number of aircrafts involved with this order has not been made public but it is rumored over a dozen and training of the new ground support personnel has already started. (here) (here)The Y-8C order has been under negotiation for

CCTV features a YJ62C/C602C SSM Battalion.

The YJ62/C602 was revealed to the public during the 2006 Zhuhai air show and has quickly become an important part of the PLAN’s coastal defense and anti-access strategy. With a range of 300+ km, according to its exporter: the China National Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CPMIEC), it can shield PLA troop transport routes around the Taiwan Strait from naval surface interdiction

More Photos From The PLAAF 60th Anniversary Warplane Show