CCTV capture of the day: PLA's new divisional air defense "DIVAD" systems on the move.

While this report reads "Air defense regiment belonging to the 39th Group Army", both the PGZ07 Twin-35mm Tracked SPAA and the HQ-17 all-weather low to medium altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system, a.k.a Chinese TOR M1, are actually organic to the 116th "Red Eight" Mech Infantry Division of the 39th Group Army.

Together with the 112th Heavy Mech Infantry Division, 38th Group Army, and the 123rd Heavy Amphibious Mechanized Infantry Division, 41st Group Army, more and more PLA divisional Air Defense Regiments are being upgraded with the new PGZ07 and HQ-17 pair.

Photos of the day: Z-20 633 and 635.

Both are sporting the PLAAF roundel, suggesting that they have inducted into service

Monday, December 23, 2013

Z-20 "Copyhawk" medium-lift utility helicopter

Rumors are flying (backed up by CCTV) that a new Chinese medium-lift utility helicopter, the Z-20 or Copyhawk has conducted her maiden flight.  Well, you be the judge of that.

Photos of the day: Closer look at China's VT5 Light Tank

Unveiled at the Zhuhai airshow 2016.  VT5 is an export designation. 

Close up photos of the day: AH-4 155mm Light-weight Howitzer

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

AH-4 "Chinese M777" 155mm Light-weight Howitzer scored its first Middle East export order.

Thanks Chenium for this update.


According to the current issue of "Modern Weaponry" magazine, the AH-4 was able to beat out BAE's M777 for its first win.   Not sure what criteria the win was based on, should be interesting to find out. 

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Zhuhai Surprise: Norinco AH-4 155mm Light-weight Howitzer, AKA Chinese M777

According to Norinco, this AH-4 weighting in about 3,000kg, just a bit lighter than the US M777 counter part and chambered to fire all standard NATO 155mm rounds.

Additional Coast Guard Type054 and Type056 cutters launched in Guangzhou.

The second Type054 hull is sporting the pennant number of 46302.

The 76mm autocannon on the first hull is now visible

Two sisters

Sunday, May 29, 2016

China's Coast Guard getting their own Type054 based hull

And why not,  since the Type054 is a proven design with 24 hulls already in service and an extensive record of overseas deployments by the PLAN.  By sharing the common hull with the PLAN, the Coast Guard is applying the economy-of-scale of the per unit cost in addition to reductions in logistics support and  maintenance costs.

The Coast Guard is also sharing the same hull with Type056 so this is not unprecedented.