News we-already-know of the day: China's aircraft carrier is seen under construction

To quote Casablanca's Captain Renault "I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!"

But....it is a floating Casino after all, right?

8 June 2011 Last updated at 08:06 ET
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13692558

China aircraft carrier confirmed by general
China's aircraft carrier is seen under construction in Dalian, Liaoning province (April 2011) (above) and on Google Maps (below) The 300m (990ft) carrier, under construction in Dalian, is thought to be nearly finished

The head of China's General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has confirmed that China's first aircraft carrier is under construction.

Gen Chen Bingde refused to say when the carrier - a remodelled Soviet-era vessel, the Varyag - would be ready.

A member of his staff said the carrier would pose no threat to other nations.

The 300m (990ft) carrier, which is being built in the north-east port of Dalian, has been one of China's worst-kept secrets, analysts say.

Gen Chen made his comments to the Chinese-language Hong Kong Commercial Daily newspaper.
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Photos from 6/8/2011

Civil "Golf" War Part II.

The comment by ROC's AF General Hsia Ying-chou (here) has caused a firestorm in the Republic of China. What else you are going to do after 18 holes of golf?

Hsia Ying-chou, a retired air force general and former president of National Defense University, was reported to have said on June 5 in China that no distinction should be made between the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China since they were both "China's army."

More reactions to his remark (here), (here) and (here)

Blog entry from May25, 2010


http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2010/05/civil-golf-war.html

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Civil "Golf" War.


Taiwan retired military officers launch golf tour in China: Liberty Times
Taiwan News, Staff Writer
2010-05-25 05:12 PM

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1266886&lang=eng_news&cate_img=logo_taiwan&cate_rss=TAIWAN_eng

The opposition DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei noted yesterday that Taiwan’s national security will be exposed to immediate threats as more and more retired high-ranking military officers launch tours on China soil, which used to be the forbidden area for confidential concerns, according to Liberty Times report.

Reports said that a horde of retired military officers, led by former Admiral Huang Hsing-chiang, arrived in Nanjing, an ancient capital city in China history, to launch a tour combining friendly golf match with former officers of People's Liberation Army and a trip to Chung Shang Mausoleum, a memorial hall for Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. Chen noted that the meetings between cross-strait military officers become normal because of vague attitudes of the ruling KMT. The government must do something to prevent secrets of national defense from leaking.

Responding to the grievances toward the trip, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) noted yesterday that the government hopes these retirees can restrain themselves for security concerns despite their civilian status.

Makes you wonder what they talk about during golf.............

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1057012/1/.html

Taiwan's ex-security chief confirms secret China channels

by Staff Writers
Taipei (AFP) May 16, 2010

Taiwan's former security chief has confirmed for the first time that Taipei and Beijing used secret communications channels from 2008 as they worked to thaw glacial ties, it was reported Sunday.
Su Chi, who was chief of the National Security Council until earlier this year, said in an interview with the Taipei-based United Daily News that the sensitive channels helped build trust between the longtime foes.

He said the National Security Council did not talk directly to authorities on the mainland, but declined to provide details of the secret channels.

"In my office, there were no hotlines. I did not contact them directly. It would have been too risky."

Taiwan's ties with its giant neighbour have improved markedly since President Ma Ying-jeou came to power in 2008, pledging to boost trade links and allowing in more Chinese tourists.

Taiwan has governed itself since 1949 at the end of a civil war. However, Beijing still considers Taiwan part of its territory and maintains its right to use force should the island move to declare formal independence.

First photo of the JH-7B Fighter-Bomber?

Could this be the long rumored JH-7B under development? You be the judge.

The current production version, JH-7A.

Let Free Market Ring!

China Opens Military Procurement to Civil Bidders

June 08, 2011

China Opens Military Procurement to Civil Bidders | East Asia and Pacific | English


Chinese state media say the government has for the first time published a list of companies that are authorized to supply military equipment.

The official Xinhua news agency said Wednesday that 1,600 suppliers are named on the list, which is being made public as part of a reform of the military procurement process.

The agency quotes an unidentified government source saying the reforms are aimed at introducing competition among suppliers and allowing civil manufacturers to bid for contracts. About 900 of the 1,600 companies on the list are civil manufacturers.

Xinhua says President Hu Jintao has been seeking the changes as part of a broader reform of the government's procurement process. It quotes the government source saying the changes should improve the overall quality of the military's equipment.

A new Chinese tracked vehicle family emerges

Little is known about this new IFV but thus far it seems to have developed a complete family of variants in various stages of testing or field deployments. Some unconfirmed claims pointing to a heavy Type 89/ZSD89/YW534 mod, but without a closer inspection or an official acknowledgement from Norinco, they are still speculations.

At any rate, the PLA is long over due for a modern tracked vehicle,  this is especially true consider the weak armor protection the old Type89 and 86 families have to offer. 

 Engineering variant

 APC variant from the official Xinhua News

 Command variant

 Recon variant

 

SP 120mm turreted mortar variant

Photo from the PLAdaily

Sharp Knife 2011, first Sino Indonesia SpOps joint military exercise.

After reaching joint missile production (here) and coordinated sea patrol deals (here) with Indonesia, the PLA is leaving China for their first joint military exercise with the Indonesian military. It must be nice to be courted by powers in that region (here) .

China delivers two more MA-60 aircraft to Indonesia

China to provide US$8 billion for RI infrastructure projects

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/23/indonesia-china-strengthen-defense-cooperation.html
Indonesia, China to strengthen defense cooperation
Antara, Jakarta | Wed, 03/23/2011 2:08 PM

Indonesia and China have agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation, including in the joint-production of missiles, a defense ministry official said.

Spokesman of the Indonesian Defense Ministry Brig.Gen.I Wayan Midhio said here Tuesday the two parties had paved the way for going ahead with the joint-missile production.

Speaking to newsmen after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the two countries` technical cooperation in the defense sector, he said Indonesia was already using Chinese-made C-802 missiles.

The missiles were used by the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) to equip some of its warships, he said.

"We have agreed on a possible joint-missile production in the future through PT.Pindad (strategic weaponry industry)," he said.

The MoU was signed by Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Head of the Chinese Technological and Industrial Development Agency Chen Qiufa.

The MoU highlighted such points of cooperation as supplying military equipments, transfer of technology of certain military equipment, joint-marketing, as well as upgrading and training programs, he said.

China has been recognized internationally as a nation that is not only successful in developing its economy but also its military power.

That country, as noted by sinodefence.com, has been able to develop a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) called "DongFeng 21" (DF-21, NATO code name: CSS-5).

This missile is a "two-stage, solid-propellant, single-warhead MRBM system developed by China Changfeng Mechanics and Electronics Technology Academy (also known as 2nd Space Academy)".



Indonesia, China plan coordinated sea patrols
Mustaqim Adamrah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 05/23/2011 11:47 PM | Headlines
A | A | A |

Indonesia and China are planning to conduct coordinated patrols in the South China Sea to prevent illegal fishing by Chinese fishermen in Indonesian waters.

Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said that initially, the two countries would establish a joint committee to serve as a legal platform for a range of defense cooperations, including coordinated patrols under direct “navy-to-navy talks”.

“The direct naval talks will cover a lot of issues, including on fishing vessels. [Chinese] fishermen often encroach into Indonesian waters, but that’s because they don’t have GPS [global positioning system] devices so are unclear of where the boundaries are,” Purnomo said late Friday after a dinner to welcome visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guang Lie.

“Under a coordinated patrol, if those fishing vessels accidentally cross the border, we will inform them to leave. But please note that we don’t have any bilateral problems [with China],” he was quick to add.

Liang held a bilateral meeting with Purnomo and an informal meeting with other ASEAN defense ministers on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting last week.

Purnomo said he had ordered Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to draft an agreement with Chinese Ambassador Zhang Qiyue for the establishment of the joint committee.

He added that Indonesia had already established similar joint committees with the US and Malaysia.

Indonesian Navy deputy chief Vice Adm. Marsetio said direct naval talks would help enhance bilateral cooperation between the naval forces of both countries, including maritime security cooperation in the South China Sea, a source of regional concerns.

He said Indonesia was already engaged in coordinated patrols with Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, India and Australia.

“In direct naval talks, we will later discuss numerous issues such as coordinated patrols, cooperation in surveying, or hydrographic surveys, joint exercises and exchange of personnel for training,” Marsetio said. “All this is also aimed at enhancing cooperation in anti-piracy efforts.”

Apart from the direct talks, China has also offered to conduct coordinated patrols with ASEAN member states to escort merchant vessels from the region through the Gulf of Aden as part of joint anti-piracy efforts.

Purnomo welcomed the offer, but did not disclose whether Indonesia would accept it.

An estimated 21,000 ships cross the Gulf of Aden waterway to access the important Suez Canal shipping route.

It is estimated that piracy causes the world community to suffer between US$13 billion and $16 billion in annual losses.

The International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center, a Malaysia-based NGO, said in a report released April 28 that there were 173 attacks of piracy and 23 hijackings worldwide so far this year. The attacks and hijackings involved 26 vessels and 518 hostages held by
Somali pirates.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/23/indonesia-china-plan-coordinated-sea-patrols.html



U.S., China Court Indonesia with Arms and Military Ties

http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/6282/u-s-china-court-indonesia-with-arms-and-military-ties
Fabio Scarpello | Bio | 29 Aug 2010
World Politics Review

DENPASAR, Indonesia -- In the tussle for influence in Southeast Asia, the United States and China have long been competing for Indonesia's affections. The strategically positioned, resource-rich archipelago is a prized partner in an era of fuel shortages and the global war on terror. But Washington and Beijing have lately expanded their courtship of Jakarta from the traditional areas of trade agreements, foreign direct investment, market access and technical assistance, to increasingly include offers of military hardware and military cooperation.

This three-way dance began in 2005, when China and Indonesia announced their "Strategic Partnership." At the same time, the U.S. partly normalized military-to-military ties with Indonesia after an embargo imposed in the 1990s due to the human rights abuses in East Timor by the Indonesian military (TNI).

Beijing took an early lead in this race for influence. The Indonesia-China Strategic Partnership marked a breakthrough in the relationship between the two giant neighbors and sent alarm bells ringing in Washington. The agreement sought to expand the political, cultural and military-security aspects of the bilateral relationship. In terms of the latter, in particular, it committed the two countries to developing each other's defense industries, establishing a defense consultation mechanism, and increasing cooperation between their law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the fight against transnational security threats.

In July 2005, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Beijing and signed a memorandum of understanding on defense technology cooperation for the development of short- and medium-range missiles. Jakarta also placed a $11 million order for YJ-82/C-802 anti-ship missiles.

In 2006, Indonesia-China Defense Security Consultation talks were inaugurated, causing significant concern in Washington. The warming ties between Jakarta and Beijing led to two Chinese warships visiting Indonesia in March 2007, the first such visit in more than 12 years.

A draft agreement on defense cooperation was then signed in the second Defense Security Consultation Talks a month later, covering defense technology cooperation, exchange of military students and the possibility of further arms sales to Indonesia.

In January 2008, the two countries further agreed to cooperate in the joint production of military transport vehicles and aircraft, to be developed by the two countries' state-owned defense industries. The same year, China's NORINCO and Indonesia's Pindad signed a deal to jointly develop rocket launchers and accompanying ammunition. An agreement was also reached on setting up a TNI-PLA cooperation committee, with a view to arranging joint military and training exercises.

China's charm offensive, however, has led to little tangible results, as the Jamestown Foundation's China Brief argued last year. For all the talks, no contractual production agreements have been signed thus far. Sino-Indonesian military exchanges have also been limited, and no more large orders of Chinese-manufactured military hardware have been placed by Jakarta.

One potential explanation for the slowdown is the United States' renewed efforts to restore relations with Indonesia. Though the groundwork had been laid in previous years, the speed with which the U.S. moved to regain the upper hand in the contest for Jakarta's sympathies over the last 12 months has been quite remarkable.

In March 2010, a U.S. Air Force technical team carried out critical in-country safety and maintenance reviews of the Indonesian air force's of U.S.-built aircraft. This was followed by the signing in early June of a wide-ranging agreement -- the Framework Arrangement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense -- intended to integrate existing defense collaboration between the two countries, according to a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia.

The same month, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron R. Hume inaugurated a $56 million program to fund production of coastal and shipboard radar systems at the Batam Regional Maritime Command Center. The systems included 16 coastal radars, 11 shipboard radars, one set of headquarters equipment and two regional command centers, according to information on the official Web site of the U.S. embassy.

In July, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta told Jane's that it was processing a range of Indonesian requests for services and equipment from the U.S. Department of Defense. It also indicated that Washington intended to position itself as a key military supplier to Indonesia.

Just what that meant became clearer when Indonesia Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro expressed Jakarta's intention to buy U.S.-built F-16 and C-130H Hercules aircraft during a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Jakarta on July 22. The purchase would be funded by the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, a U.S. grant provided to foreign governments to fund the purchase of U.S.-made weapons, services and training.

After the lifting of the U.S. military embargo, Indonesia received nearly $1 million in FMF funds in 2006. That has climbed to $20 million this year.

While in Jakarta, Gates also announced that Washington had lifted its ban on cooperation with Kopassus, the TNI's controversial special forces. The restriction had been the last remaining embargo on bilateral military-to-military ties.

But Washington's reversal of fortune does not mean that Beijing is accepting defeat. China has designated 2010, "The Year of China-Indonesia Friendship," to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. High-ranking Chinese officials have already traveled to Jakarta this year to propose, among other things, the establishment of a joint council to facilitate increased levels of joint military production. Beijing has also offered additional C-802 anti-ship missiles as well as a range of naval vessels.

While Jakarta is considering its options, there are rumors that Yudhoyono may ask for an increase in Indonesia's FMF allocation when U.S. President Barack Obama visits Indonesia later this year. Against such a backdrop, Obama -- who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia -- will find it difficult to refuse.

Fabio Scarpello is the Southeast Asia correspondent for the Italian news agency Adnkronos International. He is based in Denpasar, Indonesia.

Communist propaganda of the day: PLAAF Top Gun.

It is the same testosterone-infused movie filled with cheesy one liners (“I feel the need for speed”, or “you can be part of the fighter” oh come on), the difference this time is that the “bad guy” is not the feared Mig-28 that has a problem with its inverted flight tanks, but advanced UAVs from a certain nation.

Stopped watching after first 5 minutes -- got better things to do.

Criticizing the Chinese government........will get you promoted. A follow up on the career of Lt General Liu Yazhou

Back in August 2010, Lt General Liu Yazhou, the Political Commissar (PC) of the PLA's National Defense University caused a stir by proclaiming that China must reform or die.

Fast forward to now -- writing for the latest edition of the China Brief (here), Dr Zhang, associate professor in the Department of Leadership and Strategy at the Air War College (USAF), predicts that he is inline as the next Political Commissar of the entire PLAAF. If Dr Zhang's prediction is correct, expect to see a different PLAAF five years from now under General Liu's new leadership.

From Dr Zhang's latest China Brief write-up "The Leadership of the PLAAF after 2012" (here)

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General Deng Changyou’s replacement as political commissar will most likely be Lt General Liu Yazhou, who is currently political commissar of the PLA NDU
[snip]
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Striving for an Independent Air Force

As early as 2000, Lt General Liu Yazhou proposed that Chinese military authorities consider reorganizing the PLAAF into functional air commands by separating the air force from the PLA military region (MR) system to become a true independent service. Ostensibly to make the PLAAF a more offensively oriented air force, he further recommended the use of the U.S. Air Force’s “expeditionary force” model to organize air force units into air strike groups with a mix of fighters, bombers, and early warning aircraft [14]. His advocacy for eliminating the ground force dominated military system, however, has received little support from the PLA military establishment.

Blog entry from August 2010


Saturday, August 14, 2010
http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2010/08/lt-general-liu-yazhou-is-on-news-again.html#comments
Lt General Liu Yazhou is on the news again
As the newly promoted Political Commissar (PC) of the PLA's National Defense University (a rank just shy of the CMC) Lt General Liu is once again delivering his provocative view developed from his Chengdu Air Force days -- embrace a US-style democracy or accept a Soviet-style collapse.

Lt General Liu's free airing of his provocative views on both foreign and domestic issues, especially his calls for political reform and for the freedom of expression, is unprecedented. Thus far, his views are not only strengthening his career but also making him one of the most covered personalities by the PLA-watching community. (here) (here) He was a visiting scholar at Stanford University from 1986 to 1987, a fact that might help explain the origin of his "Pro-Western" views.

In addition to being the PC for the National Defense University, Lt General Liu is also serving as a member of the CCP's Central Commission for Disciplinary Inspection, China's top anti-graft watchdog.

China must reform or die

http://www.smh.com.au/world/china-must-reform-or-die-20100811-11zxd.html

JOHN GARNAUT
August 12, 2010

A Chinese two-star general has warned his conservative Communist Party masters and firebrand People's Liberation Army colleagues that China must either embrace US-style democracy or accept Soviet-style collapse.

Marketing Posters of the day: Vietnam’s “Bastion” Mobile Shore-Based Missile Complex.

Indonesia’s Anti-ship Missiles: New Development In Naval Capabilities – Analysis

http://www.eurasiareview.com/indonesia%E2%80%99s-anti-ship-missiles-new-development-in-naval-capabilities-analysis-31052011/

Written by: RSIS
May 31, 2011



The recent Indonesian Navy test-launch of the supersonic Yakhont anti-ship missile marked yet another naval capability breakthrough in Southeast Asia. The Yakhont missile could potentially intensify the ongoing regional naval arms competition.

By Koh Swee Lean Collin

ON 20 APRIL 2011, the Indonesian Navy (Tentera Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut or TNI-AL) frigate KRI Oswald Siahaan test-fired a Russian-made Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missile during a naval exercise in the Indian Ocean. According to TNI-AL, the missile took about six minutes to travel 250 kilometres to score a direct hit on the target. This test-launch marks yet another significant capability breakthrough amongst Southeast Asian navies. It comes against the backdrop of unresolved maritime disputes and ongoing regional naval arms competition.

A destabilising naval weapon?

According to David Mussington and John Sislin in a Jane’s Intelligence Review report in 1995, weapons which could be considered destabilising in nature possess all or some of the following six characteristics: result in decreased warning time; give one country ‘breakthrough capabilities’; lead to a broadening of target sets; permit no effective countermeasures; give one side better information concerning another’s military preparations; and create hostility. Based on some of these criteria, the Yakhont could be deemed destabilising for the following reasons.

Firstly, the Yakhont could travel at sea-skimming altitude (5-15 metres above surface) at 2.5 times the speed of sound thus reducing warning time for the target vessel, especially those ill-equipped for long-range early warning. It is true that Southeast Asian navies are increasingly better equipped with modern sensors to provide early warning of an impending missile launch and for tracking subsonic sea-skimming missiles. Yet the Yakhont’s unique flight profile could imply that even more sophisticated detection capabilities have to be acquired by regional navies.

Secondly, even though Vietnam had reportedly inducted the Yakhont into service, it exists in the land-based ‘Bastion’ coastal-defence variant and is thus strictly defensive. However, when mounted onto a warship which is essentially a highly-mobile platform, the Yakhont’s range could be extended beyond the defensive perimeters of one’s coastal confines. Prior to the introduction of the ship-launched Yakhont, anti-ship missiles – such as the Western-made Exocet and Harpoon as well as Russian-built Styx and Switchblade – carried aboard Southeast Asian warships are characterised by subsonic speeds and possess ranges not more than 200 kilometres at most.

By contrast, the Yakhont has a maximum range of 300 kilometres when flying at high altitude, and maximum speed of Mach 2.5. The only non-Southeast Asian countries in the wider Western-Pacific with equivalent capabilities are China whose Russian-built Sovremennny destroyers are armed with the Sunburn missile, and Taiwan which has recently deployed the Hsiung Feng III aboard its warships.

Thirdly, the Yakhont’s flight profile also permits no effective countermeasures for most Southeast Asian navies. Only the navies of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand possess modern shipboard anti-missile missile (AMM) capabilities. Malaysia possesses two frigates armed with the Seawolf AMM and four corvettes with the Aspide, while Singapore has six frigates armed with the Aster AMM and six corvettes with the Barak-1. Thailand has two frigates equipped with the Sea Sparrow system and two corvettes with the Aspide.

The other Southeast Asian navies are deemed poorly-equipped for air defences. Most surface warships in the region are armed with only guns and surface-to-air missiles effective only against slower-moving targets at short range but not high-performance aircraft and missiles.

What next for Southeast Asia?

The entry of TNI-AL’s Yakhont missile came after the recent regional submarine scramble, and introduction of breakthrough capabilities. The Malaysians introduced the first underwater-launched anti-ship missile aboard its new Scorpene submarines while Singapore inducted a pair of ex-Swedish Vastergotland boats with air-independent propulsion for prolonged submerged endurance. In any case, these acquisitions arguably sparked off reciprocal responses from other Southeast Asian navies.

The Yakhont, with its superior capabilities over existing anti-ship missiles arming Southeast Asian surface warships, represented yet another regional naval breakthrough which could not be ignored. This is especially so when no regional navies are adequately equipped against such weaponry if a naval skirmish ever breaks out in the volatile region plagued with longstanding interstate maritime disputes. The Indonesian-Malaysian naval standoff in the disputed Ambalat region in 2009 highlighted the danger of such eventualities.

Possible reactions from neighbouring Southeast Asian navies towards the Yakhont could take certain forms, especially now that regional countries are recovering from the global economic recession and reinstating their naval modernisation programmes. One, it could spark off the acquisition of equivalent capabilities, which might not be that difficult in today’s global arms market. While the current anti-ship missile market is still dominated by subsonic systems, a few supersonic examples do exist for sale, such as the Russian Klub-series or Sunburn, and the Indian-Russian BrahMos. India reportedly earlier on shelved the export of BrahMos (based on the Yakhont) to Indonesia out of security concerns but Jakarta managed to circumvent this by directly procuring the Russian ‘originals’.

A second reaction is the acquisition of capabilities, such as the Barak, Seawolf and Aster AMM systems, to neutralise such supersonic threats. Acquiring such countermeasures might be considered less provocative since these are essentially defensive. A third reaction is that better-endowed navies might acquire both equivalent anti-ship armaments and AMM systems as a safety measure.

Mitigating the ‘Yakhont Effect’

Whichever form it takes, the action-reaction process that could stem from the Yakhont missile would add onto the current intensity of regional naval arms competition. The Yakhont could potentially upset the Southeast Asian naval balance of power even though the Indonesians had reportedly acquired only a small consignment of this missile for limited deployment aboard TNI-AL’s frigates.

The region may need to institute naval confidence-building measures such as mechanisms to prevent or mitigate naval incidents. But perhaps it is time for Southeast Asian countries to think about naval arms control to enhance transparency and help ensure that naval arms acquisitions in the region do not spiral out of control.

Koh Swee Lean Collin is an associate research fellow at the Military Studies Programme in the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. He is also undertaking doctoral research on Southeast Asian naval developments.

On a somewhat related note:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/22/indonesia-china-set-boost-military-relations.html

Indonesia, China set to boost military relations
Dicky Christanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 05/22/2010 8:47 AM
A | A | A |

Indonesia on Friday offered China non-weapon military supplies and in return would consider buying Chinese-made missiles in a sign of improving ties between the two countries.

“We offered locally produced military uniforms, belts, berets, boots and many other military items and the Chinese have shown interest in the offer,” Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro told a press conference on Friday after meeting with Chinese Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Gen. Guo Boxiong.

Apart from promoting supporting military apparel, Purnomo said, Indonesia also introduced its newest assault rifle, the SS-2.

China’s 2.5 million-strong military is the largest in the world, Purnomo said. “It means a promising market for our supporting military equipment industry.”

In return, he added, the ministry would consider purchasing Chinese-made C-802 guided missiles for the Indonesian Navy.

The C-802 is an upgrade to the C-705, which is still used by the Indonesian Navy.

Jakarta is hoping that China considers its offer to build the missiles in Indonesia and allow joint production to support Indonesia’s intention to increase local components in its military industry.

Indonesian Deputy Defense Mi-nister Lt. Gen. Syafrie Syamsuddin, on a separate occasion, said the proposed arrangements should be viewed as a ramification of the consequences of the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) that has greatly benefited China, which has flooded ASEAN states with cheap consumer goods.

“The talks are for our mutual benefits,” he said.

Initiated in 2002, the ACFTA, was implemented this year. Under the ACFTA, commodities from both China and the 10 ASEAN member countries are no longer subject to import duty.

Syafrie added that the meeting between Chinese and Indonesian military leaders showed that China had realized that Indonesia played a pivotal role in safeguarding regional stability.

As for the plan, he said, both countries would hammer out the details in the near future.

“We will meet again by the end of the year.”

Syafrie said other items were also discussed Friday, including military personnel exchange and joint exercises to tackle terrorism and piracy.

University of Indonesia international relations expert Makmur Keliat said the visit by the Chinese top brass was an indication that Indonesia-China relations continued to improve.

“The cooperation plans for Indonesia to sell supporting military equipment and to buy Chinese-made weapons should be seen as a good start to improving bilateral relations,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Under Soeharto, bilateral relations were strained as the Soeharto regime voiced suspicions that China supported communist movements in Indonesia.

Chinese Tigr (YJ2080 Guardian) enters Xinjiang police service.

Report from September 07, 2008 edition of the Jane's Defense weekly

China signs Tigr contract

Ted Parsons, JDW Correspondent

China has signed a contract to buy up to 100 Tigr lightweight multipurpose military vehicles, according to Russian sources at the International Salon of Weapons and Military Equipment exhibition (MVSV-2008), which was held on 20-24 August in Moscow.

Under the deal, signed in early 2008 with the Arzamas Machinery Plant of Russia's Military Industrial Company, the vehicles are to be assembled in China, although a significant proportion will be built in Russia. Assembly may begin in 2009, although details of the deal are still being negotiated
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White cat, black cat, the one with oil is a good cat.

Don't you just love Chinese pragmatism?

China meets Libya rebels in latest blow to Gaddafi

By Peter Graff

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/03/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110603

TRIPOLI | Fri Jun 3, 2011 12:26pm EDT

(Reuters) - China made its first confirmed contact with Libyan rebels in the latest diplomatic setback for Muammar Gaddafi, and France said on Friday it was working with those close to the veteran ruler to persuade him to leave power.

The meeting in Qatar between a Chinese diplomat and the leader of the rebel National Transitional Council follows a spate of defections by high profile figures this week including top oil official and former prime minister Shukri Ghanem.

Libyan rebels and NATO have made Gaddafi's departure a condition for agreeing a ceasefire in a conflict that has killed thousands, but he emphatically told visiting South African President Jacob Zuma this week he would not leave Libya.

A NATO-led military alliance extended its mission to protect civilians in Libya for a further 90 days this week, and France said it was stepping up military pressure as well as working with those close to Gaddafi to try to convince him to quit.

"He is more and more isolated," French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe Juppe told Europe 1 radio. "There have been more defections around him and we have received messages from his close entourage which has understood that he must leave power."

"We will increase the military pressure as we have been doing for several days...but at the same time we are talking with everyone who can convince him to leave power," he said, speaking by telephone during a visit to Israel.

In Beijing, a terse Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said Beijing's ambassador to Qatar, Zhang Zhiliang, had met and "exchanged views on developments in Libya" with Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the chairman of the Council, which is trying to offer itself as a credible temporary alterative to embattled Gaddafi.

The ministry gave no details of the talks but the meeting itself was an indication that Beijing wants to keep open lines of communication with the rebel forces that could supplant Gaddafi, even as it urges a political solution.

China was among the emerging powers that abstained in March when the United Nations Security Council voted to authorize NATO-led air strikes. But China also quickly condemned the subsequent expansion of those strikes, and since then has repeatedly urged a ceasefire and a political compromise.

China was never especially close to Gaddafi, but it generally tries to avoid taking firm sides in other countries' domestic conflicts, including in the Middle East, where it has been buying growing quantities of oil.

BODIES OF AFRICAN REFUGEES FOUND

In Tripoli, government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said he had no immediate comment on China's meeting with the rebels.

Libyan television reported that forces of the "crusader coalition" had shelled civilian and military targets in Al Jufrah, 450 km (300 miles) southeast of Tripoli.

In London, Major General John Lorimer said British warplanes destroyed two tanks and two armored personnel carriers on Thursday in Yafran, 100 km (60 miles) southwest of Tripoli, where he said Gaddafi's forces were continuing to attack rebels.

In Tunisia, a U.N. official said the bodies of 150 African refugees fleeing turmoil in Libya had been recovered off the Tunisian coast after the vessels carrying them illegally to Europe got into difficulty.

Tunisian authorities rescued 570 people, but many others went into the water when a stampede to get off the small fishing boats -- combined with the effect of rough seas -- capsized some of the vessels, a Tunisian official said. In all about 250 people were reported on Thursday as missing from the vessels.

The United Nations has warned government-held parts of Libya were running out of food and the capital Tripoli this week saw the first big protest in months against Gaddafi's 41-year rule.

Now in its fourth month, the Libyan conflict is deadlocked, with rebels unable to break out of their strongholds and advance toward Tripoli, where Gaddafi appears to be entrenched.

Rebels control the east of Libya around Benghazi, where the rebel Council is based, and a mountain range stretching from the town of Zintan, 150 km (95 miles) south of Tripoli, toward the western border with Tunisia.

Gaddafi says the rebels are armed criminals and al Qaeda militants, and has called the NATO intervention an act of colonial aggression designed to grab Libya's plentiful oil.

Western governments say they believe they are wearing down Gaddafi's ability to control Libya through a combination of diplomatic pressure and military action, although the U.S. role in the conflict in particular has been controversial at home.

US LAWMAKERS TUSSLE OVER LIBYA

The House of Representatives prepared to vote on differing approaches to U.S. involvement in Libya, one directing President Barack Obama to pull U.S. forces out of NATO operations and a second that demands more information about U.S. strategy.

The resolutions are a response from U.S. lawmakers in both main parties who are unhappy the United States is now in a third conflict after Iraq and Afghanistan.

Guma El-Gamaty, a rebel official based in Britain, said rebel fighters fought a skirmish overnight with Gaddafi loyalists near rebel-held Ajdbaiyah town in eastern Libya.

Ghanem, the top official who oversaw Libya's oil and gas sector, was the second most senior official to quit and rebels said the defection showed that the end is nearing for Gaddafi almost four months into a rebellion against him.

Libya plans to send a representative to the next meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna on June 8 but on Friday the government said it still had not named a replacement for Ghanem.

(Additional reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed in Algiers, Zohra Bensemra in Misrata, Edmund Blair, Isabel Coles and Sarah Mikhail in Cairo, Sherine El Madany in Benghazi, and Joseph Nasr in Rabat; writing by Christian Lowe, Jan Harvey and William Maclean; editing by Maria Golovnina)

Non sequitur photos of the day: Type 79 SMG in action.

Q-5J twin-seater trainer down in Shangdong.

Q-5j crashed in Shangdong today (6/2/2011), both pilots ejected safely

6月1日一架解放军战斗机在山东维坊坠毁 有图有真相

http://www.chnqiang.com/article/2011/0602/mil_45178_1.shtml

强国网首发：@泉城刘铭 的消息，6月1日14时28分左右，一架飞机坠毁在山东潍坊临朐新寨姚家庄前的麦地.


事发飞机（村民说是“战斗机”）降落在麦田，所幸未造成人员伤亡。

最新消息：飞机上有两名飞行员跳伞逃生。

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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Q-5J twin-seater trainer

Q-5J (30093 and 30094) twin-seater trainer of the 82nd Attack Regiment, 28th Attack Division, post for photo after replacing the old JJ-6 that has been in service for more than 30 years.   In addition to a new fleet of "modern" fighters, the PLAAF is also procuring more specialized training assets -- a trend that is ignored by some of the PLA watchers out there.