On July 15th, 2024, the US Navy's 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) visited Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay (link). Along with other USN visits in that region, it was accompanied by media coverage and, of course, OpEd speculation across the spectrum. (link) (link) (link)
Following the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam's visit to China (link) on August 18th, the PLAN paid a visit to the same Cam Ranh Bay (link) It was accompanied by little or no fanfare, as were earlier PLAN visits in that region; it has "It was another Tuesday" feel to it.
Those two nations take different approaches to their military foreign affairs, that's for sure.
2x 07LPD and 1x Type 052D DDG 174 Hefei at Cam Ranh Bay
After the first batch of eight Type055 DDG were all commissioned by 2022, the PLAN won funds for a second batch of another eight.
The photo below was taken in Dalian yesterday on haul number 10. Haul number 9 of the second batch is under construction in Shanghai. With China's two main shipyards building the second batch concurrently, the PLAN expects to have a fleet of 16 Type055 DDGs by the end of 2030 based on the first batch's production rate.
China-Thailand "Falcon Strike 2024" joint air force training exercise concludes successfully
Source China Military Online (link) Editor Li Jiayao
Time 2024-08-30 20:14:45
By Yu Hongchun and Xing Ruikang
The
PLA Air Force J-10C fighter jets conduct formation flight with the
JAS39 Gripen of the Royal Thai Air Force during the China-Thailand
“Falcon Strike 2024” joint air force training exercise.
BANGKOK,
Aug. 30 -- China-Thailand "Falcon Strike 2024" joint air force training
exercise concluded successfully on August 29. During the 19-day joint
training exercise, China sent several types of aircraft including
fighter jets, fighter bombers and helicopters to form mixed formations
with the Thai air force and successfully completed all training
exercises.
With emphasis laid on combat effectiveness,
collaboration, and confrontation, the training scenarios were designed
to closely mimic real combat situations, with operations planned around
command coordination, force deployment, and tactical execution. Covering
such training subjects as early warning detection, dissimilar aircraft
combat, close air support, penetration assault, and battlefield medical
evacuation, the joint training exercise effectively enhanced the combat
readiness and cooperative operational capabilities of the participating
forces from both sides.
It is the seventh joint training exercise
between the Chinese and Thai air forces. It aims to deepen pragmatic
exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries and jointly
maintain regional security and stability.
After a big show in Tanzania, the PLAN Marine is heading to Brazil next. Would it be interesting to see a Type 071 Class Amphibious Transport Dock LPD-led PLAN task force operating arouund South America, as some Chinese Internet rumors suggested
Chinese marine corps detachment to join multilateral joint exercise in Brazil (Xinhua) 16:30, September 05, 2024
BEIJING,
Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of National Defense announced on
Thursday that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will dispatch a
Marine Corps detachment to Brazil to take part in a multilateral joint
exercise, following an invitation from the Brazilian military.
The exercise will primarily concentrate on joint landing and anti-landing combat drills.
It
aims to strengthen the friendship and collaboration between the Chinese
military and its counterparts from the participating nations as well as
to bolster their collective capacity to tackle security risks and
challenges. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Saturday, August 03, 2024
There is a PLA task force in Tanzania
Confirming that the participating PLA Units are combat units from the
82nd Group Army, the PLAN Marine, an all-female sniper unit with an
intelligence and communication regiment, and a military hospital for
support. A rather sizable task force for a mere "joint
counter-terrorism exercise" if you ask me.
China-Tanzania joint military drill kicks off, 'reflects Chinese continental power projection capabilities'
By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jul 30, 2024 09:14 PM Chinese
and Tanzanian troops line up at the opening ceremony of the Peace
Unity-2024 joint exercise at the comprehensive training center in
Mapinga, Tanzania on July 29, 2024. Photo: Screenshot from China Central
Television
Chinese and Tanzanian troops line up at the opening
ceremony of the Peace Unity-2024 joint exercise at the comprehensive
training center in Mapinga, Tanzania on July 29, 2024. Photo: Screenshot
from China Central Television
China and Tanzania have launched a
joint counter-terrorism exercise in Tanzania, with experts saying on
Tuesday that the drill, featuring a large number of Chinese troops,
heavy equipment and large warships, reflected the continental power
projection capabilities of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to
ensure peace and stability around the world.
The Peace
Unity-2024 joint exercise kicked off at the comprehensive training
center in Mapinga on Monday with an opening ceremony, the PLA Daily
reported on Tuesday.
Under the subject of joint counter-terrorism
military operations, the exercise features a land phase and a sea
phase, the PLA Daily said. The land phase will comprise joint combat
planning, infiltration and reconnaissance, stealth assault and rescue,
as well as decapitation and arresting, while the sea phase will comprise
joint main gun shooting, search and rescue, as well as anti-terrorism
and anti-piracy missions.
The sea phase is scheduled to last until August 5, and the land phase until August 11, the report said.
China
Central Television (CCTV) reported previously that China organized a
multidimensional cross-border transport operation to send troops to
Tanzania via air and sea, with the PLA Navy having sent two Type 071
comprehensive landing ships, the Wuzhishan and Qilianshan, and a Type
052D guided missile destroyer, the Hefei, and the PLA Air Force having
sent Y-20 strategic transport aircraft.
This marks the first time
the PLA has sent whole units to an exercise in Africa with Y-20
strategic transport aircraft, showing the PLA's long-distance airlift
capabilities, Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global
Times on Tuesday.
It is also the first time the PLA has sent Type
071 comprehensive landing ships to a drill in Africa, Zhang said,
noting that the large vessel can not only carry troops but also heavy
equipment.
After the opening ceremony, the Chinese side held an
equipment display session and shared 23 typical Chinese weapons in seven
categories with the Tanzanian side, the PLA Daily reported.
In
addition to light arms, multiple types of infantry fighting vehicles,
assault vehicles, command vehicles, communications vehicles, explosive
ordnance disposal vehicles and drones were displayed, according to a
CCTV report on Tuesday.
Experts said that the PLA sent personnel
mostly via transport aircraft, which are fast and comfortable. The PLA
also sent heavy equipment on ships, which are slower but can carry more.
This combination of multidimensional delivery is a typical long-range
power projection approach of a major country.
The exercise,
focusing on anti-terrorism, will contribute to peace and stability in
the region, another Chinese expert, who requested anonymity, told the
Global Times on Tuesday.
The expert also highlighted the China-Tanzania military relations and pragmatic cooperation.
In
September 2023, the two countries held Transcend-2023 Marine Corps
joint training in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while the comprehensive
training center in Mapinga that is hosting the ongoing Peace Unity-2024
joint exercise is built under Chinese assistance, according to media
reports and official announcements.
According to an announcement
by the Chinese Defense Ministry, Mozambique will also participate in the
Peace Unity-2024 joint exercise.
The militaries of China, Tanzania and Mozambique will hold “Peace
Unity-2024” joint exercise from late July to mid August. The subject of
the exercise is joint counter-terrorism military operations, which will
be conducted both on land and at sea. The joint exercise aims to
enhancing the capabilities of participating troops in joint
counter-terrorism operations, and deepening military mutual trust and
practical cooperation. It will also be conducive for the three countries
to jointly preserving regional peace and stability. (link)
