Insufficient Firepower Phobia (IFP) Photo Of The Day: Walk the beat with papasha

A fun Chinese internet meme resurfaces every now and then, and “Insufficient Firepower Phobia” is one of the more entertaining. The meme plays on the historical sentiment: China fought outgunned in most her previous conflicts and the experience left a deep imprint on their military thinking. They now want three things - more firepower, more firepower and more firepower. 

Overcompensating? "Dial up to 11"?   No such thing. Here's an example of a police with armed with a modern Day PPSh-41, QBZ-1912 Carbine with a 75-round detachable drum magazine for street‑vendor patrol. 

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

PLA Insufficient Firepower Phobia (IFP) Photo Of The Day: 120mm Automortar mounted on a CS/VP4 Lynx ATV

This export version, adopted by the PLA, will bring 120mm firepower down to the company level. It will undoubtedly enhance light mobile units such as the PLA Airborne and helicopter assault companies, offering high mobility with greater firepower compared to the traditional 82mm mortar.

 Of course, greater firepower entails greater logistical needs. But that's a topic for another post.

 

Thursday, October 10, 2024

PLA Insufficient Firepower Phobia (IFP) Photo Of The Day: PCL-191 300mm MRL

Photo of a Long-range MRL Battalion with seven  PCL-191 launchers capable of raining 56 “Freedom and Confucianism” 300mm guided rockets to a maximum range of 150 kilometers in a single salvo!  

More on the 73rd Artillery Brigade of the 73rd Group Army’s long-range cross-regional maneuver to the Northwest Plateau

UMS Thalun Min is getting media attention in China

When the Myanmar Navy launched its 3500 ton naval combatant, UMS Thalun Min in Dec 2024, it is getting alot of Chinese media attention (link) with some even coined "mini Type054".  Now with UMS Thalun Min commissioned on March 8 2026, its Chinese equipped naval systems finally came to light.  What we could tell are:  

• SR2410C Export Radar  
• C-802 anti-ship missile launchers (4x2)
• H/PJ-26 76 mm naval gun 
• Type 730B 30mm CIWS, 
• ET-52 lightweight torpedoes

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 also selling two of its "younger" Jianghu FFG to the Burma navy.   Since FFG 554 "Anshan" and FFG557 "Jishou" were build in 1986 and 1988, there should be a few years of service life left in them.

Now both navies are Jianghu equipped, it will be interesting to see if they ever face each other in battle.

Burma, Bangladesh in Warship Standoff
By LAWI WENG Monday, October 12, 2009
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=16979

Burmese and Bangladeshi warships faced off across the Bay of Bengal on Monday as both nations built up naval and military forces along the border, according to a report in the Dhaka-based The Daily Star on Monday.

Quoting sources within the Bangladeshi armed forces, The Daily Star reported that Burma had on Sunday brought in heavy tanks, artillery guns, 12 warships and a frigate “as part of its preparation for a large-scale conflict with Bangladesh.”

The Bangladeshi daily said that according to a Bangladeshi naval official, Dhaka had reinforced its maritime border “in a bid to repulse a Myanmarese incursion by preparing 30 warships in Chittagong and Khulna.”

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni reportedly rejected reports about the heavy military build-up on the border at a press conference on Sunday, saying it is a routine movement of security personnel.

However, the Bangladeshi daily cited several sources within the country’s defense services who suggested the Burmese regime was provoking a conflict.

The Irrawaddy was unable to independently confirm the reports with the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

Meanwhile, news of the standoff has to date gone unreported in Burma’s state-run press.

Tensions between Burma and Bangladesh mounted last week after Burmese armed forces began erecting barbed wire fencing along its Bangladeshi border.

According to The Daily Star, the Burmese government had deployed nine light infantry battalions to the border region. However, Khaing Mrat Kyaw, an editor at the Dhaka-based Narinjara news agency, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that only five battalions had been moved into position by Oct 7.

Bangladesh and Burma share a 320-kilometer border, partly demarcated by the Naf River, a regular route for smuggling and illegal crossings.

Tin Soe, an editor for the Kaladan Press Network, based in Bangladesh, said that a border-based military officer told Bangladeshi journalists in Dhaka on Sunday: “We will solve this conflict through diplomatic channels. If we can’t solve it, we have to go to war, because we don’t want to lose an inch of land.”

Tin Soe said that the people living near the border are worried about the potential conflict because they fear the Burmese junta’s troops will bury a lot of landmines along the border.

Dipu

Most of the Burma navy are mounted with C-801/2 SSM,  I am sure the existing C-201 SSM will be removed in due course.

 

Photo of FFG554  taken last year -- seems to be in good working order.

 

6th Destroyer Flotilla, South Sea Fleet March 13th Update

The two newly commissioned Type 055 destroyers (hulls 109 and 110) have now been assigned to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla. Prior to their arrival, the flotilla consisted of four Type 052C, two Type 052D, and three Type 052DG destroyers—nine Type 052‑series ships in total.

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 14, 2025

PLAN Update Of The Day: Repair of DDG164 Type 052D damaged back in the South China Sea on Aug 11th is now complete

Monday, August 11, 2025

PLAN in the news of the day: DDG164 collision with CCG-3104

The Chinese Internet is on fire this morning, calling the head of the DDG164 to be rolled.   

DDG 164, a Type052DG is under the command of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province,  Southern Theater Command Navy.

The 2nd Destroyer Flotilla has a total of 9 DDGs, they are:

• 161 Type052D
• 162 Type052DG
• 163 Type052DG
• 164 Type052DG
• 165 Type052DG
• 166 Type052DG
• 167 Type051B
• 168 Type052B
• 169  Type052B

The flotilla uses three piers at Zhanjiang-Maxie:

21 12 39 N 110 26 01 E
21 12 52 N 110 26 09 E
21 13 14 N 110 26 18 E. 

 

 

 

Saturday, July 07, 2018

PLAN Orbat Update: 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Southern Theater Command welcomes DDG 161 Hohhot

DDG 161 Hohhot was launched in December 26th 2016,  commissioned in June 30th 2018 and now assigned to the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Southern Theater Command.  She is the 12th Type052D DDG overall. 

With the introduction of DDG 161 Hohhot, the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla - the red-headed stepchild - of the Southern Theater Command finally has a modern long-range fleet air defense DDG under its command. Southern Theater Command's 9th Destroyer Flotilla - in contrast - commands 4xType052D, 2xType052C and 4xType054A FFG.  

2nd Destroyer Flotilla, July 7th, 2018
	Commissioned	Type
DDG168	2004	Type052B
DDG169	2004	Type052B
DDG167	1999	Type051B
DDG165	1989	Type051
DDG166	1991	Type051
DDG 161	2018	Type052D
FFG500	2018	Type054A
FFG536	2017	Type054A
FFG569	2010	Type054A
FFG571	2010	Type054A
FFG568	2008	Type054A
FFG570	2008	Type054A

Good ole Type 051 Luhu class still soldiering on with the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla

Type051B DDG167 Shenzhen after her 2015 refit

DDG168 Guangzhou, Type052B

 

 

R500CJ unmanned helicopter spotted on a Type075 Amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock LHD.

The AR500CJ is credited as one of China’s first unmanned military helicopters (link), though it also has clear civilian applications, and its debut attracted media attention (link). It was one display at the September 3rd 2025 parade as well.  Seeing the platform deployed aboard an Amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) in full PLAN livery represents a logical next step in its development.

The PLAN has been explicit about its vision for unmanned warfare: full integration of unmanned systems across its entire table of organization and equipment. With that stated goal in mind, it’s reasonable to expect a growing presence of unmanned assets across the fleet in the near future.

 

Spec of the standard AR500C variant (source) notthe  CJ variant

 AR-500 Unmanned Helicopter — Key Specifications

    Dimensions

        Length: 7.3 m

        Height: 2.42 m

        Width: 1.6 m

    Performance

        Maximum takeoff weight: 450 kg

        Maximum level‑flight speed: 170 km/h

        Maximum cruising speed: 160 km/h

        Endurance: 6–7 hours

    Airframe & Structure

        Modular design

        Welded metal main frame

        Full‑composite material skin

        Skid‑type landing gear

        High‑mounted horizontal tail

    Rotor System

        Twin‑blade, single‑rotor configuration

        Composite rotor blades

        Main rotor diameter: 6.27 m
 

 

A new remote controlled weapon system now in service

One thing about observing the PLA is that, at times, new weapon systems enter service with surprisingly little attention. Take their latest remote‑controlled weapon station, for example. It’s quietly replacing the older 12.7 mm HMG mounts on many APCs and artillery observation vehicles, yet most observers barely notice.

LB16 3512 translates into 5th Company, 3rd Battalion, 204th Heavy Armored Combined-Arms Brigade, 78th Group Army, Northern Theater Command 

 

 

 

QBZ-191 with a silencer/sound moderator

In a recent China Central Television feature for International Women’s Day, viewers were introduced to a standout figure: a female political commissar leading a company of the People’s Armed Police (PAP) through a tactical drill. It’s the kind of segment that blends celebration with a subtle reminder that the PAP wants to look both modern and disciplined on camera.

It is interesting to note is that every officer under her command is carrying a QBZ‑191 rifle each one topped with a suppressor. For a law‑enforcement‑oriented force like the PAP, the choice isn’t entirely surprising. Suppressors help tame muzzle blast and flash, which makes communication easier and keeps indoor operations from turning into an impromptu flashbang festival. In tight spaces, anything that reduces the “my ears are ringing” factor is a welcome upgrade. 

"Your gun is long, dude"

But here’s the thing: most PAP duties aren’t high‑tempo CQB raids. They’re more about presence, patrols, and keeping public order (hahahahaha). In that context, the extra length isn’t a deal‑breaker. If anything, the long silhouette of a suppressed QBZ‑191 adds a certain “don’t test me” visual authority. And while the PAP’s day‑to‑day tasks often involve managing street vendors rather than storming buildings (hahahahaha), the optics of a modern, well‑equipped unit play an important role in projecting professionalism.

In short: the suppressors may not be perfect for every scenario, but they certainly make for good television and an even better headline featuring a woman political commissar (女教导员) of 2nd Mobile PAP Corps.

 

 

Policing via firepower in Xinjing

 Photos of the 187th People Armed Police (PAP) Mobile  Division, 1st Mobile PAP Corps in a fire drill.

Monday, March 25, 2019

PR photo the day: manhunt.....with flamethrower

In this drill, the People's Armed Police, Gansu Corps simulated a manhunt to catch 6 terrorists. Yup, if PR pictures below is a correct depiction, one of the tools available to the PAP in this hunt is flamethrower.  Really begs the question on how to get positive identification on those suspects afterward.

 

 

Sunday, May 17, 2020

CCTV Capture Of The Day: Xinjing PAP 2nd Mobile Corps now has an organic heliborne SpOps

Xinjiang PAP 2nd 总队 Mobile Corp is now confirmed with an organic heliborne SpOps team.  2nd Mobile Corp Helicopter Detachment has been operating a fleet of five Z-8 helicopters for over Since 2015, attaching a small SpOps team to it seems to be a logical next step.

Xinjing PAP 1st Mobile Corp operates a similar fleet of Z-8 helicopters, it would not be a surprise if it also commands a SpOs team as well. 

 WJ = PAP