PLAN unveils a new single barreled 30mm CIWS solution for auxiliary and support ships

From the latest issue of the Naval & Merchant ships magazine

Taiwan unveils upgraded fighter jets

Taiwan unveils upgraded fighter jets

(AFP) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j2duqRzA_oUE2O2ow3l17zx3xmJw?docId=CNG.1c577930381fad6dfc4d633656a73e2f.61

TAIPEI — Taiwan on Thursday unveiled an upgraded version of its locally developed fighter jet in a bid to boost its air defences against China after the US declined to sell it F16 warplanes.

Taipei began the upgrade in 2009 after Washington, the island's leading arms supplier, allegedly held up its request to buy new fighter jets for fear of angering Beijing.

"I hope the IDF jets will stand for 'I do fight' and 'I don't fail'," said President Ma Ying-jeou, who gave a thumbs-up as he sat in the cockpit of the improved warplane.

The defence ministry has said it plans to upgrade 71 Indigenous Defensive Fighters (IDF), nearly half of the fleet, in a four-year project estimated to cost $587 million.

The retro-fitted jets have enhanced radar, electronic fighting systems and mission computers, experts say. They are armed with four locally made air-to-air missiles -- up from two previously -- as well as ground attack bombs and missiles.

Ma has repeatedly urged Washington to sell Taiwan F16 C/D jets, saying they are critical to help the island maintain sufficient self-defence capabilities against China's rapidly expanding military.

The United States last year approved $6.4 billion of weapons sales to Taiwan, including Patriot missiles and Black Hawk helicopters, but the fighter jets were not among them.

China still claims sovereignty over Taiwan, which it regards as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, and opposes any arms sales to the island. The two sides have been governed separately since their split in 1949 after a civil war.

FORAN in China Ship Development and Design Centre

FORAN would be perfect in CSDDC’s quest to design China’s next generation of bulk cargo fleet for coal transport.

FORAN in China Ship Development and Design Centre

http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/warship/sener/press38.html

29 June 2011

SENER and China Ship Development and Design Center (CSDDC) have signed a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the shipbuilding CAD/CAM FORAN system in CSDDC and for a collaboration in ship design and engineering activities, and other marine related works.

The agreement has been signed in Madrid at SENER headquarters during a visit from a CSDDC delegation.

CSDDC, which belongs to China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), is one of the most influential design offices in the Chinese shipbuilding industry. CSDDC has 50 years of experience in the design and development of all kinds of ships and other marine equipment.

http://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/warship/sener/
FORAN has been devised and developed for the design, engineering and production of all types of ships and other floating units and comprises the disciplines of forms definition, naval architecture, steel structure, machinery and outfitting, electrical, accommodation, from conceptual design to detail engineering.

FORAN is developed and maintained by SENER Ingeniera y Sistemas SA, the largest private and independent engineering company in Spain, with more than 45 years of experience in ship design, which ensures that the final product is truly an effective tool with a single objective: to design and build ships faster, better and cheaper.

Navantia is building five Nansen Class anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy (Courtesy of Navantia - formerly Izar).

FORAN was used in the design of the Scorpene Class Submarine (Courtesy of Navantia formerly Izar).

China and UK strike space deal

Science & Environment
29 June 2011 Last updated at 05:03 ET
China and UK strike space deal
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13946179

Chinese and UK companies have agreed a deal that will result in three high-resolution Earth observation spacecraft being built to map China's extraordinary growth from orbit.

The deal was penned between Guildford satellite imagery provider DMCii and Beijing-based company 21AT.

It means DMCii can now roll out its new constellation of spacecraft that will picture details on the surface of the planet less than a metre wide.

They should be ready to launch in 2014.

For 21AT (Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Company Ltd), it means it can have ready access to Earth imagery without the worry of having to launch and operate satellites in orbit.

The Chinese company will take 100% of the capacity of the three spacecraft over an initial contract period of seven years. Day-to-day use of the data will be handled by 21AT subsidiary, BLMIT.

It will use the pictures to monitor land use and land-cover changes. In particular, the data will enable regional governments to plan better the extraordinary rate of development in China's cities.

The satellites for the DMC-3 constellation, as it is called, will be manufactured by DMCii's parent company, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). It will cost some £110m to build, launch and insure these platforms.

Approval for the deal has come from the highest levels in government in both London and Beijing, and the satellite data package was actually part of the £1.4bn of trade agreements signed between premiers David Cameron and Wen Jiabao during their summit on Monday.

Both administrations gave their consent after being re-assured that no technology transfer rules were being broken.

The DMC-3 constellation will be operated on a different business model to the other satellites managed currently by DMCii.

These older platforms are wholly owned by the countries that use their data. In the case of DMC-3, the Guildford company will own the spacecraft and lease the capacity to the Chinese. It is a model familiar in satellite telecommunications but not in Earth observation.

Each DMC-3 satellite will be in a larger class than the earlier spacecraft - about 350kg in mass.

As well as their high resolution cameras (1m/pixel resolution panchromatic; 4m/pixel resolution colour), they will also accommodate imagers capable of mapping ultra-wide strips of the Earth's surface, albeit at resolutions above 20m.

This broad-swath facility will allow DMCii to use the new satellites for disaster response - a key skill the company has developed for itself during its seven years of existence.

Its current fleet plays a leading role in acquiring the urgent maps needed by relief agencies when a natural or man-made calamity strikes a particular corner of the globe.

No formal arrangement has been put in place to allow the Chinese-sponsored platforms to perform this function, but it is expected they will take up some humanitarian duties from time to time.

21AT-BLMIT already does this with the Beijing-1 satellite that has been managed in orbit by DMCii since its launch in 2005. Beijing-1 returned much needed imagery following the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008.

The vast majority of the time, however, the DMC-3 satellites will be busy mapping the rapidly changing landscape of China. Their coverage should ensure that any given area in the country can be re-visited on a daily basis.

DMCii hopes the initial three satellites can be followed by a fourth in due course.

"There is an enormous requirement for Earth observation data in China - for urban planning, for agriculture and water management, everything - and they also want to be able to update everything rapidly," explained SSTL Chairman, Sir Martin Sweeting.

"On that basis we planned to put up a constellation of three spacecraft, but when the Chinese went away and looked in detail at what they needed they realised they wanted all the data. So, we'll launch these first three satellites and then look at putting up a fourth to expand the capacity and bring other partners on board as well," he told BBC News.

Jet Engine Development in China

Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson's latest China SignPost deep dive is a must read for anyone who is serious about PLA related affairs. As many have observed, the weakest link in China's modernization drive is her inability to mass-produce jet engines -- this deep dive brings a professional (and very technical) prospective  on  China's attempt at addressing this deficiency.  

http://www.chinasignpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/China-SignPost_39_-China-Tactical-Aircraft-Jet-Engine-Deep-Dive_20110626.pdf

Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson, "Jet Engine Development in China:
Indigenous high-performance turbofans are a final step toward fully
independent fighter production," China SignPost(tm) (洞察中国), No. 39 (26
June 2011).

44 MBT 2000 to Bangladesh Army

The long rumored deal is now finalized. Thanks to Bangladesh Military Forces Forum for the alert.

Monday, June 27, 2011
Front Page
Army to get 44 tanks
2 helicopters also on purchase list
Hasan Jahid Tusher

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=191737

For the first time in the country's history, the government will purchase 44 new tanks and three armoured recovery vehicles (ARV) for the army as part of its plan to modernise the armed forces.

The government will also buy two brand new helicopters for the army to ensure necessary logistic support for the UN peacekeeping activities.

The Main Battle Tanks (MBT-2000) and the ARVs will be bought from China, and the helicopters from France through government-to-government deals, which were recently signed. According to the deals, the cost of the tanks will be around Tk 1,201 crore, and the helicopters Tk 174 crore. Besides, a process is on to buy 18 brand new cannons.

The purchases would be done from the budgetary allocations for the army, said government sources.

The government increased the allocation for the armed forces to Tk 12,134 crore in the proposed budget for fiscal 2011-12 from Tk 10,918 crore in the current fiscal year.

"The tanks will be bought through a government to government deal ensuring maximum transparency," Master General of Ordnance (MGO) of Bangladesh Army Maj Gen Abdul Matin told The Daily Star yesterday.

"The purchase is being done as a part of modernisation of the Bangladesh Army," he said adding that the tanks will be delivered in phases over a span of 27 months. In the first phase 24 tanks will come within 20 months, and the rest will come in the second phase over the next 7 months.

The payment for the purchase will be made in phases over the next eight years, said the major general.

Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury told The Daily Star that through this purchase, the military of the country will definitely get a boost.

“If the authorities concerned that would supply the tanks share transfer of technologies then it would work.”

Mag Gen Abdul Matin however said the Chinese government will provide training to technicians of Bangladesh Army in China and in Bangladesh for a good period of time so that the tanks and ARVs could be maintained properly. The training will be free of charge, he said adding that the China would also give adequate spare parts of the tanks.

The government in 2003 took initiatives to buy tanks for the army, but that initiative did not see the light of day due to budgetary limitations, said the sources.

The government was supposed to buy seven tanks last year and seven more this year. As only a Chinese company took part in the tender, the government cancelled it, and re-invited tender in which four companies from China, Russia, Ukraine, and Pakistan participated. Chinese company Norinco was selected as the lowest bidder.

Later the army requested the government to buy 44 tanks instead of 14.

A five-member committee headed by Maj Gen Abdul Matin signed a deal with the Chinese defence ministry on June 14 to purchase the tanks. According to the deal, China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) will deliver the tanks.

Matin said Eurocopter, a global helicopter manufacturing company in France, will supply the two helicopters by July next year.

The two helicopters will be used in UN peacekeeping missions, he said.

The committee chief said they have signed a draft deal with the countries concerned to purchase 18 new cannons. The agreement will be finalised next year, he added.

Bangladesh first got tanks in 1974 during Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's trip to Egypt. The then Egyptian president Anwar Sadat presented Bangabandhu with 44 tanks that were in good shape, said government sources.

Some refurbished tanks have also been bought for the army over the years.

Photo of the day: PLAAF15th airborne corps' buggy loader.

CDF Book Review: Henry Kissinger: On China.

Henry Kissinger: On China.

For serious students of international relations such as Stephen Colbert(here), and Charlie Rose (here), it is difficult to escape the recent conversations surrounding Kissinger's latest book, On China.

The book could not come at a better time; in the backdrop of a media environment largely dominated by alarmist premonitions about China's rise, knee-jerk condemnations of all influences Chinese, gleeful predictions of its "inevitable" political demise, or another sputnik moment yearned by politicians and NYT pundits alike, it is increasingly difficult for the average Chinese spectator to see American discourse on China as anything but excessive alarm or perpetual contempt. This makes Henry Kissinger's "On China" a must read for not only American students of international relations but more importantly Chinese scholars of the US, for it reveals a side of America not often seen - one that is genuinely sympathetic to different worldviews, not driven by missionary exceptionalism or fearful of being left behind by the Chinese high speed rail, but deep seeded understanding based on half a century of direct engagement and a sincere desire for cooperation and co-existence. Its ironic that Kissinger is not exactly known for his idealism.

In his book, Kissinger demonstrated a solid grasp of Chinese strategic thought, especially those that endured throughout the millennia in the minds of each successive generation of Chinese policymakers and statesmen. He also made this serious story humorous at times, the most memorable example being his description of American diplomats chasing down their panicking and clueless Chinese counterparts on the streets of Warsaw and loudly expressing the Nixon's desire to enter into "secret" negotiations (how subtle). At other times, Kissinger's writings felt almost like a saga out of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. For example, the final prophetic instructions of a "dying emperor":

"As he receded from the scene, Deng decided to buttress his successor by leaving behind a set of maxims for his guidance and that of the next generation of leaders... The instructions were stark and succinct. Written in classical Chinese poetic style, they embraced two documents: a 24-character instruction and a 12-character explanation restricted to high officials. The 24-character instruction read:

'Observe calmly; secure our position; cope with affairs calmly; hide our capacities and bide our time; be good at maintaining a low profile; and never claim leadership.'

The 12-character policy explanation followed with an even more restricted circulation among the leaders. It read:

'Enemy troops are outside the walls. They are stronger than we. We should be mainly on the defensive.'

Against whom and what? The multiple-character statements were silent on that issue, probably because Deng could assume that his audience would understand instinctively that their country’s position had grown precarious, both domestically and even more so internationally."

Like other Americans such as Sydney Rittenberg and Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Henry Kissinger served diligently as a bridge-builder for two societies whose ideologies are utterly alien to each other. His book can serve as a reminder to the Chinese of the need to look past the zealously hostile rhetoric, find sympathetic partners, and foster a genuine sense of strategic trust.

It would serve America well to give Chinese scholars and policymakers a glimpse into the other side of the American perspective - one that does not resign to the inevitability of conflict & confrontation. When published in China, this book will be a much needed respite from the incessant noise of hostile media sound-bites.

-- Mr Unknown 

So, you are that Wen guy they told me about

Yes, I am the new Chinese primer.

OK then, you can hold my umbrella

Video of the day: Just Wave Hello

Charlotte Church's classic "Just Wave Hello"

It is such a hit that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force created a sequel for the PLAN task force cruising near Okinawa.

中国艦隊の通過 初めて撮影
6月22日 23時22分 動画あり twitterでつぶやく(クリックするとNHKサイトを離れます)

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20110622/t10013703201000.html

今月中旬から日本の南の海域で演習を行っていた中国海軍の艦隊が、２２日夕方、沖縄本島と宮古島の間の公海上を通過して、中国の方向へ向かったのを防衛省・自衛隊が確認しました。この様子をＮＨＫのカメラが初めて撮影しました。

この映像は２２日午後５時４５分ごろから６時２５分ごろにかけて、宮古島の北東およそ１２０キロの沖縄本島との間の公海上で、ＮＨＫのヘリコプターから撮影したものです。映っているのは、▽最新鋭の「ジャンカイII級」のフリゲート艦と▽「ソブレメンヌイ級」のミサイル駆逐艦▽それに「ドンディアオ級」の情報収集艦で、３隻は中国の方向へ向かって航行しています。また、周辺では、監視に当たっている海上自衛隊の護衛艦「くらま」も確認されました。これらの艦艇は、２週間前、沖縄本島と宮古島の間を通過し、その後、日本の南の海域で演習を行っていた艦隊の一部で、２１日まで実弾射撃訓練などを実施していたことが確認されています。艦隊には、駆逐艦などの水上艦艇合わせて１１隻に加えて、潜水艦も含まれており、防衛省・自衛隊は、同じ海域で対潜水艦戦の訓練も行っていたとみています。防衛省・自衛隊によりますと、この艦隊に所属するほかの艦艇も、現在、中国の方向へ航行しており、２２日夜にも沖縄本島と宮古島の間の海域を通過するものとみられています。中国海軍は、海洋権益を重視する方針のもと、ここ数年、南西諸島から太平洋にかけての海域で、活動を活発化させており、防衛省・自衛隊は、今回の演習にも海洋での影響力の拡大を図ろうとするねらいがあるのではないかとみて分析を進めています。

LD-2000 Land-Based Close-in Weapons System

After failing to secure any orders from the MiddleEast,  Norinco has managed to sale a few copies of the LD2000 Land Based CIWS to the PLA.    Not sure how widespread this land based Type 730 will enjoy in the PLA service.

LD-2000
Like the land-based version of the naval CIWS Type-730, the LD-2000 combines a seven barreled 30mm Gatling gun with 6 TY-90 SAMs. The system is likely to have a similar overall capability to the US C-RAM but with extended range, thanks to the 6km reach of the TY-90s. However, rather than just anti-mortar defense the LD-2000 is more likely employed for point defense of key installations and facilities from cruise missiles, PGMs and fast jets at low altitude.

According to Norinco, LD2000 can engage cruise missiles with an RCS of 0.1 m2, up to a maximum speed of M2.0. The system is also claimed to have a multiple-target engagement capability and be able to operate in an electronic counter counter-measure environment.

 Nice dog house, I like it.

Previous entry on the LD-2000

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

United Arab Emirates, China, India and a plane load of “weapons”

It was reported on September 5th 2009, that a China-bound UAE air force C-130 Hercules was detained at India’s Kolkata airport after the discovery of arms and explosives during a routine refuel stop. (here)

After being detained for 72 hours the C-130 and its 9 crew members were released and on their way to their original destination of Xiangyang China after the UAE government issued an apology; blaming the omission in the cargo declaration on a technical error. (here) Since the cargo was sealed during the episode, speculation concerning the content was abound, ranging from illegal US Harpoons, (here) to US Maverick or French MICA missiles to Pakistan. (here) (here) In other words, people were just guessing.

Back in June 2009, Norinco’s Kunlung Company shipped an entire LD-2000 air-defense system to UAE via a rented Russian An-124 for evaluation (here) . After 22 days, the evaluation was considered a success, with a final live-fire demo in front of the PLA’s defense attaché and other high ranking UAE officers.

While the detained UAE C-130 may not contain the returning LD-2000, it must be noted that like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the UAE has an active military exchange program with China, a fact missed by many pundits. In that light, it should not be a surprise to see military equipment in transit to China from UAE. Maybe next time someone will double check the paperwork and train the crew in simultaneous winking when embarking on such clandestine operations.

UAE C-130 Hercules at Kolkata airport

(Drawing courtesy of Planeman)

Photo of the LD-2000 under eval in UAE.

Photos of LD-2000 in China.

An update on the L-15 Program.

Hopefully this new L-15 production line would address some of the questions regarding the L-15 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) program.

News release from yesterday (here)

中航工业L-15总装脉动生产线即将开工建设 2011-06-20 15:22:42 | 来源：中国航空报

http://www.hangkongnet.com/2011/0620/23089.html

本报讯　经过前期紧张筹备，中航工业洪都L15飞机总装脉动生产线将于7月开工建设，并将应用到L15飞机小批生产中。作为2011年洪都制造技术振兴工程重点任务之一， L15飞机总装脉动生产线可进一步提升产品质量，改进公司的生产管理模式，全面提升洪都的飞机制造管理水平。

L15总装脉动生产线，改变了传统飞机装配模式，借鉴了航空工业内先进高效的流水线作业方式，使飞机以固有的节拍移动，操作人员则在固定区域进行装配作业。通过对现有生产资源的合理规划和整合，它可以有效地提高飞机总装装配效率、改善产品装配质量，并能降低工人劳动强度、改善装配现场操作环境，实现飞机低成本、高质量和快速响应制造。

该生产线建设方案已于5月通过评审。目前，各项组织、管理、建设工作正在紧张筹备之中，该线的运行可以实现“下游”装配车间带动“上游”零件生产、原材料等供应部门有效的组织生产，使制造过程中出现的“瓶颈”问题显性化。洪都公司通过该生产线建设，可以提高装配效率，提高产能，提升批生产和保障产品装配工艺的可靠性，实现产品配送模式、装配过程的信息化。 （余珍如）

Google translation of the above article (sorry for being so laze today)

AVIC pulse of L-15 assembly production line to be started soon 2011-06-20 15:22:42 | Source: China Aviation News

http://www.hangkongnet.com/2011/0620/23089.html

WASHINGTON After intense preparations early, the aircraft industry Hongdu L15 aircraft assembly pulse line will start construction in July, and will be applied to small batch production of the aircraft L15. Honduras in 2011 as a manufacturing technology key tasks of the revitalization projects, L15 aircraft assembly pulse line further enhance product quality, improve the company's production management to raise the overall level of Honduras aircraft manufacturing management.

L15 pulse production line assembly, aircraft assembly to change the traditional model, borrowed from the aviation industry within the advanced and efficient assembly line practices, the inherent rhythm to the aircraft movement, the operator in the fixed area for assembly operations. Existing resources through rational planning and production integration, it can effectively improve the efficiency of aircraft assembly assembly, to improve the quality of product assembly, and can reduce labor intensity and improve the assembly site operating environment of aircraft low-cost, high quality and fast response manufacturing.

The production line construction program was accredited in May. Currently, the organization, management, construction work is being in preparation, the operation of the line can be achieved "downstream" assembly workshop led "upstream" production parts, raw materials supply sector and effective organization of production, the manufacturing process of the " bottleneck "problem of dominance. Honduras through the production line, can improve assembly efficiency, increase capacity, improve batch production and assembly processes to ensure product reliability, and product delivery mode, the assembly process information

Hawking Plastics II

It seems that the Chinese are also making improvements with their toy business -- those plastics look more refined compare to those from the Eurosatory 2010. They are world's plastic toy leader after all.

Chinese aerospace toys on display at the 2011 Paris toy show...err I mean the 2011 Paris air show.
‎

 L-15 Simulator

Monday, June 21, 2010

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2010/06/hawking-plastics.html

Hawking Plastics

As promised, photos of Norinco's plastics at Eurosatory 2010.

Mrs. Norinco, you are trying to seduce me. Aren't you?
I Have Just One Word for You: Plastics

Chinese armament at Eurosatory 2010

Military equipments from China are seen Eurosatory defence international fair at the Villepinte exhibition center in the suburb of Paris, capital of France, June 17, 2010. It is the first time that China has participated in the Eurosatory 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

(Source: Xinhua) 2010-06-19

Model of Yitan Shoram Missile System from China are seen Eurosatory defence international fair at the Villepinte exhibition center in the suburb of Paris, capital of France, June 17, 2010. It is the first time that China participate in the Eurosatory 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

Model of VN9 Infantry Fighting Vehicle from China are seen Eurosatory defence international fair at the Villepinte exhibition center in the suburb of Paris, capital of France, June 17, 2010. It is the first time that China participate in the Eurosatory 2010. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

News we-already-know of the day:JT-9 carrier born trainer

The official designation of PLAN's carrier trainer has been revealed as JT-9 by the PLA Daily -- I stand corrected.

Navy JT-9 advanced fighter trainer in trial flight
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/photo-reports/2011-06/16/content_4452814_2.htm

http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/photo-reports/2011-06/16/content_4452814.htm

(Source: CCTV) 2011-06-16

The TV pictures show the scenes of the Navy JT-9 advanced fighter trainer in flight test. It is the first time to expose this type of fighter trainer used for training the pilots of ship-based fighters of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. This type of fighter trainer will be mainly used by the pilots of the ship-based fighters to conduct simulated take-off and landing training on carrier deck.

Editor:Cui Xinwen

Previous blog entry

Friday, June 10, 2011

Yup, JL-9H Carrier Trainer. 

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2011/06/yup-jl-9h-carrier-trainer.html

 And a new DSI ((Divertless Supersonic Intake) intake to boot!

Selected photos of China Maritime Surveillance (CMS) and Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) cutters

Expect to see more of them in the News in the future