H-6K conducted its first long-range maritime strike exercise in the West Pacific

Air force now able to launch long-range, precision strikes

(Source: China Daily)   2015-10-14

Air force now able to launch long-range, precision strikes
A PLA Air Force H-6K bomber conducts a training flight in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in August. [Photo/Xinhua]

　　The strategic bombers of the People's Liberation Army Air Force can now launch all-weather, long-range, precision strikes, military observers said.

　　"The fact that our H-6K bombers have performed several long-distance drills far into the Pacific Ocean indicates that the H-6K fleet has become capable of conducting various operations such as long-range precision strikes," Fu Qianshao, an aviation equipment expert with the PLA Air Force, told China Daily on Tuesday.

　　"In the past, our bombers could only deliver airdropped bombs and so were unable to conduct precision attacks, but the H-6K, with the adoption of some of our most advanced aeronautic technologies, is able to carry and launch air-to-surface cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, which means it can take out multiple targets on the ground or at sea within one mission," he said.

　　Such capability is indispensable for any air force if it wants to perform strategic missions, Fu said.

　　"The PLA has defined its air force as a strategic force and pledged to obtain offensive capability for it. An air force with strategic aspirations must be able to perform long-range precision strike operations, so the H-6K is undoubtedly a valuable asset to the PLA Air Force," he added.

　　His remarks came as PLA Daily reported that H-6Ks from a bomber unit under the Guangzhou Military Command flew several thousand kilometers to an unidentified airspace during a recent exercise and destroyed multiple targets using precision weapons.

　　The bombers used sophisticated maneuvers and tactics to break through the "enemy defense" and overcame bad weather and the "enemy's electromagnetic blockage", the report said.

　　The bomber unit is the first to use the H-6K and has flown out of the "first island chain" several times this year to perform long-range drills, according to the newspaper.

　　PLA military theorists refer to two island "chains" as forming a geographic basis for China's maritime defensive perimeter. The precise boundaries of these chains have never been officially defined by the Chinese government.

　　By commonly accepted definitions, the first island chain refers to a series of islands stretching from Japan in the north to the Philippines in the south. The second island chain runs from the Bonin Islands in the north and moves southward through the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and the Caroline Islands.

　　H-6K is the latest variant of the H-6 bomber and possibly the only one in the five-decade-old family that can be defined as a genuine strategic bomber. The original H-6 was developed based on the Soviet-era Tu-16 Badger, which was designed in the 1950s and retired by Russia in the early 1990s.

　　"Even though the plane lacks stealth capacity, it still can carry out long-range strikes thanks to the capability of launching airborne cruise missiles," he said.

Editor:Zhang Tao

Monday, March 30, 2015

H-6K conducted its first long-range maritime strike exercise in the West Pacific

PLA Air Force conducts first training in West Pacific

(Source: China Military Online)   2015-03-30

　　BEIJING, March 30 (ChinaMil) -- In order to promote its maneuvering combat capability, the Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLAAF) for the first time organized its aviation troops to go to the airspace above the West Pacific Ocean to carry out military training, Shen Jinke, spokesman of the PLA Air Force, said in south China’s Guangzhou province on March 30, 2015.

　　The warplanes of the PLA Air Force flew to the West Pacific for training via the Bashi Channel on March 30 and returned on the same day after finishing the training and achieving the given goal, according to Shen.

　　Training in the airspace far from China is an effective way for the PLA Air Force to temper its combat capability and also a common practice of world powers' air forces, Col. Shen said.

　　Shen said that the military training in the airspace above the Western Pacific by the PLA Air Force is a routine arrangement of the annual training plan for the PLA Air Force and also a normal requirement of China's national defense construction.

　　Shen pointed out that this training by the PLA Air Force complies with relevant international laws and practices, is not aimed at any country or target and poses no threat to any country or region.

Monday, January 05, 2015

Photo of the day: The aggressor H-6K practicing a low-level penetration bomb run against a PLAAF anti-defense brigade during a confrontational drill

The newsworthy of this picture is not the low-level penetration bomb run -- which the K model is primarily designed to perform -- rather the serial number of 11193 confirming that the PLAAF 8th Bomber Division now has at least 14 H-6K (god of war) model in its orbat.

The other H-6K unit is the PLAAF 10th bomber division

 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

PLAAF "in the news" of the day: H-6K, god-of-war (small g)

 H-6K bombers delivered to PLA Air Force

By Chen Boyuan
     China.org.cn, June 22, 2013

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-06/22/content_29197824.htm

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force recently received 15 H-6K bombers with nuclear capabilities, according to British military digest Jane’s Defence Weekly.

The H-6K, an updated version of the H-6 bomber, is a medium-sized craft designed for long-range attacks, stand-off attacks and large-area air patrol. Unlike its predecessor, the H-6K can carry cruise missiles under its wings. The H6-K also maneuvers more deftly than the H-6 and requires a smaller crew to operate. Jane’s Defence was the first media outlet to confirm that the H6-K had formally entered active service.

The most visible departure from the H-6 is the H6-K’s nose, where a nose randome has replaced a navigation cabin. Military expert Fu Qianshao said that the H6-K’s nose should greatly improve avionics, search and detection, navigation, fire control and weapon precision.

Fu said that the H-6K has a larger engine inlet than does the H-6, which may mean that the newer bomber’s engines have greater thrust. If so, the H-6K would also have a greater maximum takeoff weight and payload than the H-6. A more favorable weight-to-thrust ratio would improve fuel efficiency and lengthen cruising range, Fu said.

H-6K reportedly has a combat radius of 3,500 KM. The nuclear-capable Changjian (long sword)-10 cruise missiles it carries have a range of 1,500-2,000 KM, effectively extending the bomber’s combat range to 4,000-5,000 KM - long enough to reach Okinawa, Guam and even Hawaii from China’s mainland.

Analysts stipulated that PLA Air Force missiles be able to reach Taiwan, southwestern Japan and Guam, a range of control that requires a 3,000-KM combat radius and powerful attack capability. Only the combined combat radii of the H6-K and Changjian-10 currently satisfy the length requirement.

Life savers

Off the headline news and fanboy chat room, the PLA introduced a battlefield ambulance variant on every AFV family current in service.  While this trend is not sexy but it is noteworthy nevertheless

J-10S down.

According to CCTV report, a J-10S (two-seat trainer) crashed during night-training.  While both two pilots ejected safely but some injuries were incurred.

China to transfer technology of submarine construction to Pakistan

China to transfer technology of submarine construction to Pakistan

(Source: People's Daily Online)   2015-10-09

　　China is to build four submarines in Pakistan port city Karachi, fulfilling a new defense deal between the two countries, Pakistan local media reported on Wednesday.

　　The new defense deal includes eight submarines, which are going to be put into production at the same time in China and Pakistan. This makes the arms deal the biggest ever to China.

　　Announcing the deal, Pakistani Minister for Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said that the deal had been finalized and four submarines would be built in Karachi. "China will transfer the technology to Pakistan for submarine construction," the Minister told Dawn, the Pakistan media.

　　The minister did not reveal which type of submarines China would transfer to Pakistan. Neither did he announce the exact date of the submarines being put into production.

　　Pakistan had earlier explored the options of buying submarines from France and Germany, but the deals did not materialize.

Editor:Zhang Tao

They deserve nothing less!

Veterans to receive better income, pensions package

(Source: China Daily)   2015-10-09
 　　Expert says reform will pave way for 300,000 troop cut scheduled for completion in 2017

　　China will continue to improve the living standard of military personnel and veterans by further raising their income and reforming the pension system for retirees, experts said.

　　"The military increased our vocational allowance around July and the basic salary is expected to be raised before the end of this year," a human resources management researcher at a People's Liberation Army institute who wished to be named as Wang said on Thursday.

　　"Once the basic salary is increased, those who will retire from the service will receive a higher pension because the pension level is partly decided by their salary in the military," he explained.

　　The PLA is also considering the establishment of an independent body responsible for veteran affairs, he said. Many PLA researchers have been calling for such an organization for a long time, he added.

　　"In the past, the veterans' interests and rights were somewhat ignored by some local governments but then the central government came to realize that problem and began to take action to resolve veterans' difficulties," Wang said. Improvement to retirees' treatment will also help facilitate the troop cut recently announced by President Xi Jinping, he said.

　　The State Council and the Central Military Commission said on Wednesday that they have approved a plan to improve the veteran pension system. The plan, jointly made by several central government departments and military authorities, stipulates that veterans will be retroactively eligible for a basic pension allowance and occupational pension allowance from Oct 1, 2014, both of which will be subsidized by the central government.

　　An unidentified official with the PLA General Logistics Department told PLA Daily that the improved veteran pension system will be conducive to ensuring veterans' livelihoods, improving military job competitiveness, motivating military personnel and encouraging more young people to join the military.

　　The pension amendment is the latest in a string of policies to safeguard soldiers' interests. In July, the State Council and Central Military Commission published a policy that encourages commercial insurance providers to provide services to PLA members.

　　President Xi Jinping announced a 300,000 reduction to the country's standing troops during the military parade in Beijing on Sept 3.

　　The cuts - which will mainly target troops equipped with outdated armaments, administrative staff and non-combatant personnel - will be accomplished by the end of 2017, Yang Yujun, Defense Ministry spokesman, said at a news conference following the parade.

　　At 2.3 million, China now has the world's largest active-duty military, including an 850,000-strong ground force, according to a 2013 government paper.

　　Gong Fangbin, a political education researcher at PLA National Defense University, told Beijing Times that the improved pension package will relieve concerns of those who will be cut from the military thus helping pave the way for the troop cut.




China moves to ensure veterans' welfare

(Source: Xinhua)   2015-10-09

　　China on Wednesday announced measures to improve the living standards of retired soldiers through pension reforms.

　　The proposed amendments to the veteran pension system have been approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission. The General Department of Logistics, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Headquarters of the General Staff and the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army jointly released two notices on the changes.

　　According to the notices, veterans will be retroactively eligible for a basic pension allowance and occupational pension allowance from Oct. 1, 2014, both of which will be subsidized by the central government.

　　President Xi Jinping announced a 300,000 reduction to the country's standing troops during the military parade in September.

　　The cuts -- which will mainly target troops equipped with outdated armaments, administrative staff and non-combatant personnel -- will be accomplished by the end of 2017, Yang Yujun, Defense Ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference following the parade.

　　At 2.3 million, China now has the world's largest active-duty military, including a 850,000-strong ground force, according to a 2013 government paper.

　　The improved system will protect soldiers' immediate interests, improve military service as an occupation, motivate military personnel and help with recruitment, an unidentified official with the General Department of Logistics said.

　　The pension amendment is the latest in a string of policies to safeguard soldiers' interests. In July, the State Council and Central Military Commission adopted an act that encouraged commercial insurance providers to provide products for service people.

　　The document advocated endowment insurance, health insurance and household property insurance policies, and promised tax exemptions to insurance providers for business related to military units, service people and their relatives.

　　In April 2012, the top legislature passed the first law on insurance for service people, exempting them from premiums on death and injury insurance as this would be covered by the state.

　　It also rolled out government-subsidized medical insurance and pension programs for the unemployed spouses of service people who relocate to where their partners are stationed.

Editor:Zhang Tao

Photos of the day: China Navy, Naval Aviator Patch

Navy aviation officer Dai Mingmeng. 

 

Please note the 3 digit production serial numbers on those J-15s -- they all belong to the 1st production batch run.  The two prototypes that made the first take-off are longer to be seen 

 

CV16 is still around.......

According to several non-reputable sources on the interweb, the PLAN CV16 Liaoning is joining fight against ISIS.  Well, that is just wishful-thinking..

Setting the record straight here

 

38th Group Army in Malaysia

The  38th Group Army, Beijing Military Region is sending a detachment of Special Operation forces as part of the 1160-strong PLA ground force to kick off the first joint military drill with Malaysia. This marks the largest ever between Beijing and an ASEAN country.

China, Malaysia start first joint military exercise

(Source: Xinhua)   2015-09-18

　　SELANGOR, Malaysia, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Malaysian armed forces launched their first joint military exercise here Friday, aiming to deepen all-round strategic partnership between the two countries.

　　The drill, coded "Peace and Friendship 2015" and scheduled to be conducted in the Malacca Strait and surrounding waters, includes exercises for joint escort, joint search and rescue, hijacked vessel rescue, weapons use, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief.

　　Yi Xiaoguang, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said at a press conference after the opening ceremony that the Chinese armed forces are committed to promoting cooperation in the defense and security area with countries by the South China Sea including Malaysia.

　　He said the drill aims to boost China-Malaysia all-round strategic partnership, enhance bilateral pragmatic exchanges and cooperation, improve the ability of the two sides to address non- traditional security threats and safeguard regional maritime security.

　　He added that the joint exercise does not target a third party and is not related to the regional situation.

　　Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces Zulkifeli Mohd. Zin said the joint exercise provides a platform for coordination and cooperation between the two armed forces, which is of great significance to the improvement of ties between the two armies as well as the strategic relations between the two countries.

　　He said that by conducting the drill, the two armies could take advantage of their respective strength to jointly deal with major natural disasters and play a greater role in enhancing regional security.

　　The joint drill is also the largest bilateral military exercise between China and a country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Editor:Yao Jianing

blue smurf

Seriously guys -- if the Chinese high command really wants the PLAN Marine to be a multirole RRU, they should at least provide them with a better alternative BDU that is not so smurf 

Republic of China Navy mini movie.Solid as a rock

Entertaining.....