Saturday, May 17, 2025

Photo Of The Day: J-10 vs J-16 size comparison

 

Both airplanes served as backdrops for a PLAAF group wedding. Group weddings have gained popularity in China in recent years as a way to foster camaraderie and alleviate the financial burden on troops. These ceremonies are organized by their respective units.

 

Photos from another wedding  http://www.81.cn/tp_207717/16342570.html

 






 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

New comprehensive submarine rescue ship 840

On April 15, 2025, "China Military" released a series of posters, one of which featured a new type of comprehensive submarine rescue ship, hull number 840, confirming that this new support ship has been commissioned as a unit of the Northern Theater Command Navy.  While Ship 840 was registered last year, however its name is not yet known.

Note the helicopter landing pod is at a rather unusual spot for a PLAN ship 



Saturday, October 21, 2017

PLA Navy sets up another marine rescue squadron (DSRV)

Considering the fact that most of the new PLAN submarine operations are now shifting to the South China Sea, centering around Sanya naval base, this DSRV units is long overdue.


Three Jins SSBN and one Shang SSN at Sanya naval base



PLA Navy sets up another marine rescue squadron (DSRV)

Source
    China Military Online
Editor
    Huang Panyue

Time
    2017-10-20



By Guo Yuandan

BEIJING, Oct. 20 (ChinaMil) -- The South China Sea Fleet under the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy set up a new marine rescue squadron, which is expected to be a very important step for improving the PLA Navy's all-domain combat capability, an expert said.

The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese PLA, said in a report on Oct. 19 that the squadron is a new unit set up in China's recent military reform. Now the Chinese PLA Navy has two marine rescue squadron.

Previously, the North China Sea Fleet's marine rescue squadron was the only unit of its kind in the Chinese PLA Navy, and it was responsible for all submarine rescue operations across all the PLA's naval jurisdictions.

As the name suggests, one of the main duties of the South China Sea Fleet's marine rescue squadron will deploy rescue ships, life-saving equipment and divers to save lives, resolve submarine-related problems and respond to emergencies, so as to minimize losses in submarine accidents.

Moreover, the marine rescue squadron is also responsible for fast search and emergent rescue tasks in coastal waters, high seas and even continental waters.

As the PLA Navy's mission area is expanding and going farther distances, one marine rescue squadron cannot ensure the timeliness and success rate of the rescue, especially in the South China sea.

An anonymous military expert said on Oct. 19 that the South China Sea Fleet of the Chinese PLA Navy has vast areas under its jurisdiction and convenient access to both the West Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Therefore, it is of special significance for the Chinese PLA Navy to carry out near-sea defense and far-sea escort and improve its all-domain combat capability.

According to foreign media reports, China's most advanced nuclear submarines are deployed in the South China Sea. In the light of the principle of nearby and fast assistance, it is absolutely necessary and reasonable to form a marine rescue squadron in the South China Sea.

The squadron is just like the "underwater ambulance" for submarine rescue. It will shorten the time and raise the efficiency of life saving, and effectively improve the success rate of life saving.

Also, setting up such a marine rescue squadron is extremely meaningful for supporting the Chinese PLA Navy to go farther and deeper in the world.









Tuesday, August 09, 2011

2nd Dalao class ASR launched.

The first of Dalao class was commissioned in 2010 and within one year, the second boat was launched. Quietly, PLAN's submarine force is also getting new boats and support, can't let all those naval aviators  hogging all the fun.







Previous blog entry on the lead Dalao ASR
 
 http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2010/03/submarine-tender-864-under-sea-trial.html

Monday, March 08, 2010

Submarine Tender 864 undergoes sea trial

This new PLAN submarine tender is the mother-ship to the 'Most advanced' rescue sub in the world, as claimed by the BBC. (here)

The new Type 926 tender has displacement of 9500 tons and was built by Guangzhou Shipyard International.





'Most advanced' rescue sub tested
Rescue vessel
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7607972.stm

The rescue sub can operate in depths of up to 300 metres.


The world's most advanced rescue submarine, commissioned by the Chinese Navy, is undergoing trials at an underwater centre in Fort William.

Capable of operating in depths of more than 300 metres, its size means it can rescue up to 18 people at once.

The trials are taking place in Loch Linnhe, where water depths are up to 150 metres.

The vessel could deal with incidents such as Russia's Kursk disaster 2000, in which 118 sailors died.

Once the first phase of tests are completed, the LR7 will take part in a simulated rescue.

The final phase of trials, part of an extensive testing and design process, will include pilot training.

The vessel was designed and developed by Perry Slingsby Systems, part of the Aberdeen-based Triton Group.

BBC reporter Ben Geoghan described the experience of going down in the submarine as "quite comfortable". He said the main advantage of the LR7 is its large size.

He added: "There is, what someone described to me, as something of an underwater space race going on. One which presumably the Chinese now are leading, but the Koreans and Singaporeans are not far behind.

"The real test will come when we do get another accident at sea involving a sub to see which vessel is deployed and whether they do manage to bring back survivors."

The rescue submarine itself has a relatively quick turnaround time and can stay underwater for up to four days.

Martin Anderson, chief executive of Triton Group, said it was an "extremely exciting development".

After the trial is complete, the LR7 will undergo further checks and be fitted with ancillary equipment before being delivered to China for sea trials.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Photo Of The Day: PLAN Test Ship 856 with a new AESA active phased array radar

The Chinese Navy PLAN's second Type 909A "weapons integration" test ship was launched at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in March 2006. 

Initially bearing a hull number (892, later changed to 856 in 2021) and bearing the name of Hua Luogeng (link) in honor of the renowned Chinese mathematician born in 1910).   It was commissioned into the North Sea Fleet 

In this PR photo released yesterday, Hua Luogeng 856 is showing off a new AESA active phased array radar is installed at the stern, continuing its role as a test ship.  See previous blog entries blow  



Sunday, July 29, 2012

Photo of the day: DH-10 LACM on test ship 892.




Sunday, March 13, 2011

Photo of the day: Test Ship 892's new mounts.

One way to follow the latest naval weaponry from China -- monitor its test ship fleet.

The radar is similar to the "HK-CL Mobile Continuous Wave Precision Measurement Radar" on display a while back and the new mounts appear to be variants of the FL-3000N RAM.


Photo credit goes to HSH.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

The fourth PLAN test ship commissioned.



The first three test ships are:
891 Bi Sheng
892 Hua Luogeng
893 Zhan Tianyou


PLA Navy’s new comprehensive test vessel commissioned
( Source: China Military Online  ) 
http://eng.mod.gov.cn/Photos/2014-10/11/content_4542634.htm

       2014-October-11 17:38

The photos taken in early October show the commissioning and flag presentation ceremony of the comprehensive test ship "Li Siguang" of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in a military port in Zhanjiang, south China’s Guangdong Province.


  ZHANJING, October 11 (ChinaMil) – Days ago, a naval port in Zhanjiang witnessed a commissioning and flag presentation ceremony held to mark a new comprehensive test ship "Li Siguang" to join the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

  The "Li Siguang" (hull number 894) is designed and built independently by China. The construction of the ship started in 2012, and it was launched in November 2013.

  The ship is 129.3 meters long and 17 meters wide. Its full load displacement reaches 6,080 tons. The commission of this new comprehensive test ship marks the overall improvement of the PLAN's scientific test level. Background: the first "Li Siguang" ship The old "Li Siguang" survey ship (hull number 871) is China's first medium and long-range comprehensive ocean survey vessel with independent design and manufacturing. The ship was put into service in August 1998.

  The old "Li Siguang" survey ship was mainly responsible for ship engineering and marine surveying. Among all the ships of the PLAN, it was the first ship named after a Chinese scientist. With the commission of the ship, the history that China was not capable of conducting pelagic survey was put to an end.

  The old "Li Siguang" survey ship retired on November 16, 2012 and now has been transformed into a fishery administration vessel with a new hull number-China Yuzheng 206.



Wednesday, July 25, 2012


Navalized DH-10 LACM

Deployment of Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) on Chinese warships will bring new dimensions to diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific.

Images have surfaced of a naval variant of the DH-10 LACM on a China Navy test vessel. The missile canisters spotted appear to be virtually identical to the land-based variant. This sort of arrangement is reminiscent to the deployment of the BGM-109 Tomahawk on United States Navy surface combatants by way of the MK-143 Armored Box Launcher. The MK-143 enabled vessels such as the Iowa Class Battleships and Spruance Class Destroyers to launch the BGM-109.

The images suggest that the DH-10 would be installed in the same way as the YJ-62 or YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. This is advantageous for the current generation of China Navy surface combatants, giving designs such as the 052C land attack capability with minimal structural modification. However, the downside is that the arrangement would sacrifice anti-ship capabilities by substituting the YJ-62 or YJ-83 systems with DH-10 launchers. It also means that only a maximum of eight missiles can be carried and that is assuming the launch canisters can be stacked on top of one another.

In spite of its disadvantages and simplicity compared to the deployment of vertically launched LACMs by other navies, the adoption of a naval variant of the DH-10 is a considerable capability leap for Beijing. This development would enable China to complete its “cruise missile triad”, complementing the already in-service land-based system and the air-launched variant, the CJ-10. Missiles launched from land-based platforms are restricted to striking targets around China’s periphery, not so dissimilar to the range limitations faced by the Second Artillery Force’s inventory of conventional ballistic missiles. Missiles launched from the air force’s H-6 bombers provide more operational flexibility and reach for China’s cruise missiles, similar to the way in which the United States Air Force deploys cruise missiles from its bomber fleet. However, without aerial refueling capability and heavy fighter protection, the H-6 is an aircraft restricted to limited regional operations. The bomber’s obsolete design, slow speed and its vulnerability to interception are weighing heavily against its potential strategic roles.

The China Navy, on the other hand, is the only branch of the Chinese military capable of projecting limited power far beyond China’s shores. While it is debatable whether the China Navy would seek the same sort of global reach as the United States Navy, the possession of ship-launched LACMs would essentially enable Chinese warships to conduct long range precision attacks against land targets around the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The implications are strategic locations that were traditionally distance away from China mainland could now be potentially brought within the firing range of DH-10 armed vessels.

The fact that DH-10 is mounted on a test vessel that has yet sail suggests that it is still very early its development cycle. If the rumored Type 052D destroyer, the successor of the 052C that is reportedly under construction is mounted with DH-10, then a universal vertical launch system for Chinese armed forces is a reality.

It would also be interesting to monitor the future development of an undersea DH-10 systems as arming Beijing’s fleet of conventional and nuclear attack submarines with submarine-launched DH-10 missiles will have far reaching implications.

--cloneattacks

 

Monday, May 12, 2025

PLAN Orbat Of The Day: 1st Squadron, 19th Frigate Flotilla, Yulin Naval Base, South Sea Fleet

As the PLAN expands, it continues to move ships from one flotilla to another, making tracking PLAN Orbat a rather unenviable task. Thanks to the Chinese Internet,  we now have an update on the 1st Squadron, 19th Frigate Flotilla, Yulin Naval Base,  South Sea Fleet. 

 

This four-ship squadron is confirmed to have four Type54A FFG, they are: 

  • FFG554 Tongliao
  • FFG553 Dali
  • FFG552 Chenzhou
  • FFG551 Bayannao'er

 





Saturday, January 12, 2019

A note on PLAN orbat

It seems that changes are occurring to the PLAN orbat the last six months:  At least three new Frigate Flotillas (one per theater command, Northern, Eastern, and Southern) has been commissioned to home all those newly minted Type056s and Type054As.  Some Fast Attack Flotillas are being recommissioned as Frigate Flotillas as well.

Two confirmed examples are:
Zhoushan Naval District is now recommissioned as 14th Frigate Flotilla (第14护卫舰支队), Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province
21st Fast Attack Flotilla is now recommissioned as 15th Frigate Flotilla (第15护卫舰支队), Ningde, Fujian Province
  
Theater command is not a typo either as the old three-fleet structure is now belongs to the PLAN history book.  Each fleet is now part of their new theater command structure






Photo Collection Of The Day: The Very Modern Of A Modern Day PLA Infantry Platoon

 





Monday, December 23, 2024

"I know Kung Fu"

 Heavy Pikeman Infantry + Kung Fu flying kick,  the PLA is now officially invincible. 





Monday, November 04, 2024

PLA heavy infantry update

Finally, the PLA frontier defense heavy infantry is now receiving much-needed equipment standardization and enhanced armor, including leg and elbow guards.   Yes, after more than 2000 years, the poor PLA infantry is now headed in the correct way in terms of adequate armor protection, closing the gap with  their Han Dynasty counterparts. 

I am not crying, just have sands in my eyes......




 
 
 

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Modern PLA Land Unit Of The Day. Light Cavalry

After reviewing the modern Chinese heavy shield infantry and Phalanx / Mandarin Duck formations, next up is the mysterious PLA Light Cavalry.   The PLA Light Cavalry, like other Light Cavalries such as the legendary Mongolian equivalent, is trained as swift scouts and battlefield raiders. As a result, they traded heavy armor for speed and mobility, allowing them to perform critical missions such as performing reconnaissance, quick raids against the enemy's rear, and protecting the flanks of the main army.   At least in principle.   In actuality, as evidenced by the photographs below, they are not properly armed for modern combat of 2024.   While it is understandable that they are not protected with plate armor, they are also not wearing mail shirts for little protection against arrows or melee warfare.  

As several famous PLA professional analysts have properly pointed out, the PLA has not performed a massive cavalry charge since the mid Qing dynasty, 200 years ago, thus it is understandable that they will not know how to handle modern combat.  They are untested.  Additionally, they appear to be equipped just with a saber and a composited bow, with neither shield or lance to be found. Furthermore, crucial two-way communication technology such as Ram Horn is not available at the squadron level; as some well-known PLA professional analysts have pointed out, corruption at the top levels is to blame for not equipping Ram Horn to each troop.






 

 


Friday, October 04, 2024

More Photos For Your Modern Infantry ToE Nerds Out There

Good to see that the Mandarin Duck formation is alive and well.  With that being said, a plate armor upgrade would be a great next step upgrade.






Wednesday, October 02, 2024

The PLA still has a much to learn about modern warfare, particularly infantry tactics and related Table of Equipment in 2024

 What's wrong this this PLA Phalanx?   For starter, their spears are too short, lacking standards.  What?  no shield?  Yikes, only four rank deep.   

I am telling you, they would not stand a chance against Little Alex’s Macedonian phalanx of 323 BC.  No not a chance.



Man, oh man, the PLA Hastati border guard is carrying a cheap, Chinese knockoff gladius that isn't even sharp to start.  Their scuta also appears to be of low quality.


Group photo of this 13-member  Contubernium



Two Type 89 120mm Pilum for range attack before close-quarters melee at Contubernium level