Thursday, December 14, 2017

Another PLAN live-ammunition drill near North Korea is in the pipe

PLA seals off Bohai Sea for live-ammunition drills

China's People's Liberation Army will conduct a four-day live-ammunition drill starting Thursday in the Bohai Sea off the coast of Haimao Island, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

A Maritime Security Agency website notice said the area would be sealed off from 4pm on Thursday to 4pm on Monday 4 pm. The notice was published in English and Chinese.
Vessels will be prohibited from entering the 276.55-square-kilometer area designated for the "Bohai Sea gun firing," read the notice.

Friday, December 08, 2017

PLAN conducts a 40-warship drill near North Korea

Slow news cycle -- just another routine drill next to the DPRK with 40 ships from all three fleets.

The guided-missile frigate Suqian (Hull 504) deploys its missile to intercept a simulated target missile during a missile competitive assessment conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in waters of the East China Sea on Dec 7. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Hu Wei)

A simulated target missile is successfully hit by a missile launched by a participating frigate under the PLA Navy during a missile competitive assessment conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in waters of the East China Sea on Dec 7. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Hu Wei)

http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2017-12/08/content_7860792.htm

EAST CHINA SEA, Dec. 8 (ChinaMil) -- The missile competitive assessment of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy kicked off in waters of the East China Sea on the morning of Dec 7, 2017.

More than 40 vessels attached to the three naval fleets of the PLA Navy carried out live-fire anti-missile and air defense training exercises. The competitive assessment was aimed to test the air defense and anti-missile training quality of the Chinese PLA Navy's surface vessel troops.

As the assessment began, the guided-missile frigate Putian (Hull 523) entered the designated sea area first, launched the target missile and left quickly, and then the guided-missile frigate Huai'an (Hull 509) was ordered to search for and fend off the incoming target missile.

Chen Shengqi, staff officer at the staff department of the PLA Navy, told the reporter that the competitive assessment used a kind of mainstream anti-ship missile as the target missile and aimed to test the terminal anti-missile capability of a certain type of surface vessel.

According to Chen, the participating vessels were randomly selected from the three fleets of the PLA Navy. They had to continuously fight against multiple targets at ultra-low altitude, judge the air defense effects by themselves, and organize intercept operation again based on the actual situation.
During the assessment, a number of experts from the PLA Navy's training departments, research institutes and colleges analyzed in real time the data transmitted back from the target missiles, target planes and vessels, and accurately judged the launch time, flight status and interception effect of the air defense missiles.

"The assessment yielded concrete results and also revealed some problems of the commanders' judgment on battlefield status and of the sailors' skills in operating weapon and equipment," said Cheng Dewei, deputy director of a bureau of the PLA Navy's staff department.

He added that, based on the assessment results, the PLA Navy will urge its troops to make up for deficiencies, adjust views and practices that don't conform to realistic combat requirements, and continue to enhance the air defense and anti-missile capabilities.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

PLA's STUFT (Ships Taken Up From Trade) capacity in a North Korean crisis

While it is fashionable to cite the PLNA having the"capable of sea-lifting only one infantry division" (TM), but without the PLAN, the PLA can draw upon its own organic amphibious warfare assets, which is enormous in its own right. Furthermore, the CMC also has a long tradition of STUFT-ing civil assets in a crisis.

When-and-if the PLA is able to secure a beachhead near the plain of Pyonyang, undoubtedly they will use captured ports to send supply and reinforcement from Dailian, Yantai and Shanghai. Distance between Pyongyang and Dalian 224 miles across the Yellow Sea.

Here is a look at China's STUFT (Ships Taken Up From Trade) capacity as of 2012.

- Bohai Ferry Fleet. 11x Ropax liners with 1400-1600 passengers + 200+ vehicle spaces each. That is 22,000 vehicles and 28,000 troops.

- State owned CSC-sinotrans has 27 Ro-ROs

http://www.sinotrans-csc.com/art/2016/9/30/art_12507_221252.html
Jinling Shipyard has to date delivered 27 RORO ships of various types. It was awarded the project for the 16,000-ton RORO ships, further consolidating its advantageous position in the global RORO ship building sector, and indicating the acknowledgment by the ship-owner of the Jinling RORO brand for its fully guaranteed timely ship delivery. At present, Jinling Shipyard is has received the contracts for and is in the process of building 10 RORO ships, which fall into the four series, i.e., 6700-vehicle, 3800-vechile, 12,00-ton and 16,000-ton ships, with the ship-owners being internationally renowned big companies.

- Five Ocean going rail ferries.

I n short, if the CMC is committed to STUFT its entire Ro-Ro fleet, it could drop 150,000 troops together with their supply and vehicles in a single lift.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

After Shangyang MR, Jinan MR is also getting STUFT-ed

China Launch Passenger RoRo Ship with Military Capability
PLA Daily
Friday, August 10, 2012

China's largest RoRo 'Bohai Emerald Bead' with the longest reach leaves Yantai Port in East China.

Different from ordinary ships, the 36,000 displacement civilian passenger and roll-on/roll-off ship was constructed in accordance with national defense requirements in mind in its design and construction so that it can carry organic troop units and heavy equipment. 

The 178-meter-long and 28-meter-breadth ship can carry 2,000-plus persons and be loaded with over 300 vehicles of various sizes simultaneously.

The "Bohai Emerald Bead" is the first ship of its kind to be built in China, and there are three more of the same design under construction.

According to Rong Xianwen, director of the Military Transportation Department under the Jinan Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the passenger and roll-on/roll-off ship is the most optimal ship type in maritime transportation of military troops as it possesses the advantages including large transportation quantity and high loading efficiency.

It is not only the means of transportation, but also a temporary barrack. Such type of ship is often utilized in military operations by western developed countries.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

STUFT-ed, Chinese Style.

According to the Chinese edition report of the same (here), the China Army will STUFT (Ship Taken Up From Trade) a total of four large size Ro-Ro ships under the command of the Shenyang MR.

Advanced passenger ro-ro ship commissioned in Shenyang MAC
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/news-channels/photo-reports/2012-01/19/content_4772483.htm
(Source: China Military Online) 2012-01-19

The “Qingshandao” large-scale passenger ro-ro ship (China Military Online/Chen Li and Du Mingjun)

Escorted by related personnel of the military representative office of navigation affairs under the Shenyang Military Area Command (MAC) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Passenger Ship Co., Ltd of the China Shipping Co., the 23,000-ton “Qingshandao” large-scale passenger ro-ro ship smoothly arrived at the Dalian Port from the Guangzhou Shipyard on Jan. 12, 2012. The commission of this most advanced ship lays a solid foundation for improving the maritime strategic projection capability of the Chinese Navy.(China Military Online/Chen Li and Du Mingjun)

Editor:Zhang Qingxia

Of course, all those news release could be part of a Communist propaganda attempt to deceit -- China, as a nation, still only capably of sea-lifting one division at a time. Don't believe me? See this official US government report.

"China Naval Modernziation: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities -- Background and Issues for Congress released by the US government.
http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/128334.pdf

Change in Amphibious Lift Capability Since 2000 Although China in recent years has deployed new amphibious ships and craft, DOD states that “PLA air and amphibious lift capacity has not improved appreciably since 2000 when the Department of Defense assessed the PLA as capable of sealift of one infantry division.”

"As China’s capabilities for local and regional operations have increased in certain areas since 2000, a number of limitations appear to have persisted. The PLA has developed new doctrine for joint warfighting and implemented organizational changes, such as including service commanders on the Central Military Commission, to facilitate the transition to a more “joint” force. However, joint integration still lags. Similarly, PLA air and amphibious lift capacity has not improved appreciably since 2000 when the Department of Defense assessed the PLA as capable of sealift of one infantry division. Likewise, China’s current ability to deliver about 5,000 parachutists in a single lift (less if equipment is carried at the same time) is similar to previous assessments. China’s at-sea replenishment has improved with experience since 2000, but the PLA Navy today remains limited by a small number of support vessels – much as it did then. In 2000, the Department of Defense projected aerial refueling as an operational capability by 2005. Today, while China has a few aerial refueling aircraft, it does not have the number of tankers, properly equipped combat aircraft, or sufficient training to employ this capability for power projection."

Previous blog entry:

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

The COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Company) “Spirit”
The first “China design and build” Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vehicle carrier launched on June 24, 2009 at Zhoushan shipyard marking a major advance in China’s building capability.

The COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Company) “Spirit” 中远盛世 has a fully loaded displacement of 14,500 tons, capable of carrying 5000 vehicles with a design speed of 20 knots. Its dimensions are: 182.8 meters in length, 32.2 meters in width and 34 meters high. It has a total of 9 stationary and 3 adjustable decks to accommodate vehicles of different heights. Just like other modern RoRo’s, the COSCO Spirit is fully automated and allows for single-crew-piloting.

COSCO cited the increase in automobile imports as the sole reason to build such a fleet and indeed in January, China surpassed the US as the world’s largest car market. (Here) But the RoRo carrier can press into military service and is generally considered a national security asset according to the August 2006 report “The Role of United States’ Commercial Shipping Industry in Military Sealift” presented by the US DOD due to its capability to load and offload large volumes of vehicles in repetition. US civilian RoRo fleets under the US Transportation Command were credited as a necessary strategic asset during the recent gulf war as cited by the same report.

The RoRo carrier also played an important support role for the Royal Navy during the 1982 Falklands War by ferrying 4000 troops to the remote island battlefield. Today one of the Royal Navy’s auxiliary training ships, the HMS Argus, was also converted to a RoRo carrier.

Additional RoRo carriers will augment the PLA’s transport capabilities especially in situations where large numbers of Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV) are needed. At the same time, one must be careful not to view it as an amphibious asset for operations directed at “a run-a-way island,” err, I mean “an investment partner” as RoRo carriers require a secure and undamaged deep seaport in order to offload.

Photos of COSCO "Spirit" with primer gray and a top deck that can accommodate helicopter operations.

It looks similar to the French Navy's amphibious assault ship Mistral (L9013)

Previous RoRo with imported designs are painted red such as the smaller Changjilong which launched in Sept 08, 2008

Other RoRo currently in civilian service

CCTV Reported a military exercise involving Yue Hai Tie 2, a railroad car RoRo, pressed into military service in Hainan Island.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Great Wall Battlements Are Back, Baby.

Chinese can leave China, but they can't seem to leave their Chineseness behind -- this is particularly the case when they are building fortifications again. They bother not to look further into the Great Wall for architectural inspiration.

First up: China's first overseas support base in Djibouti, the front gate and the surrounding wall is totally reminisce of the Ming period Great Wall battlements.

Here is a Japanese NHK report on the Djibouti support base:

Second up: The newly reconstructed border defense forts. As you can tell, they are also sporting the same Great Wall style battlements. This is great in both form and substance; there's no mistaken who they are for!

PLA border troops fortified
By Shan Jie and Huang Jingjing Source:Global Times Published: 2017/7/31 23:43:39 Last Updated: 2017/8/1 7:40:04
Defense crucial ‘in areas near NK, India, other hotspots’

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1058947.shtml

Even in peacetime, China's border troops are tasked with protecting the country's sovereignty and security under some of the most challenging conditions.

Unlike many other countries such as the US, China shares a border with 14 countries with different political orientations, Xu Guangyu, a retired rear admiral and a senior adviser to the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, told the Global Times on Monday.

With a border stretching more than 22,000 kilometers and a coastline of more than 18,000 kilometers, China is one of the countries with the largest number of neighbors and the longest land borders, according to a national defense white paper released by the State Council Information Office of China in 2013.

Border defense troops were set up in 1949 when the People's Republic of China was founded. Since some regions in the country were not liberated at the time, the main border forces were located in Northeast China, North China, and the southeast seashore opposite Taiwan, Xu noted.

The border is mainly defended today by border security forces of the People's Armed Police Force, together with local PLA troops, stationed at border posts and remote islands, Xu said.

"Border defenses have been fortified along China's border with North Korea, Mongolia, India, as well as in the Nansha Islands and the border area of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which is threatened by the three forces of evil - separatism, extremism and terrorism," Xu noted.

China has signed border cooperation agreements with seven countries, and established mechanisms with 12 countries for border defense talks and meetings, according to the white paper.

The PLA's border and coastal defense forces promote friendly cooperation in joint patrols, guard duties and joint control-management drills with those from Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Vietnam.

They also organize annual reciprocal inspections to supervise and verify the implementation of confidence-building measures in border areas with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, the white paper said.

"Besides maintaining regular entry and exit work, border defense troops are also required to crack down on international crimes like terrorism and illegal drugs trade," Xu noted.

Arduous task

China's armed forces defend China's land borders and maritime areas, and the task of safeguarding border and coastal security is arduous and complicated, the white paper said.

"The border troops are working and living under very tough conditions. For instance, in the southern border, troops have to stay in jungles and mountains, and those stationed in the highlands of western China have to endure extremely low temperatures," Xu noted.

"Plateaus form the border areas of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Some places we patrol are as high as 6,000 meters above sea level," an officer surnamed Xu said, who has served for 12 years in the army.

"It snows frequently in summer and in winter, with temperatures dropping to as low as -40 C," Xu said.

"Each patrol covers as much as 200 kilometers over three to four days. We eat together and stay in small clay houses or tents," he said.

"However, the living conditions of border defense troops have been improving with the increase in subsidies. The soldiers are also entertained by visiting cultural troupes," Xu added.

The border troops in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, more than 1,000 kilometers away from the Chinese mainland, have been stationed there for more than 30 years, the Peoples' Daily reported on Sunday.

Recent developments have led to an improvement in living conditions on the islands. These include the construction of airports, cinemas and a modern hospital, which have improved morale.

Meanwhile, an officer from the Xinjiang border defense force told the Global Times that living conditions for border troops have also improved.

"My colleagues and I readily go to work in the tough environment, because we take pride in guarding the border," Xu said, adding that "we live a harsh life, but we face the difficulties together."

In peacetime, China's border defense troops deserve the understanding and support of Chinese people, Xu Guangyu noted.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

The new PLAAF Air Brigade.

Together with the ground force, the PLAAF is also moving away from her traditional Division/Regiment orbat structure to a smaller Brigade/Dadui one. Under each Dadui is a Zhongdui/squadron. The smallest unit is a Zhandou Fendui / Combat Detachment, which is under a Zhongdui

Air Brigade > Dadui > Zhongdui > Fendui

Also noted that a Dadui commander in this new Brigade structure has a "battalion grade" while the deputy commander of the air brigade has a "regiment grade".

Picture of J-10C of the 131st Air Brigade, Southern Theater Command (Number 74528)

Saturday, December 09, 2017

Say hello to "Seal" China's answer to the "WaterCar Panther" Amphibious 4x4 Jeep

WaterCar Panther vid here

Low-res photo of the day: FC-1/JF-17 Xiaolong Fighter Two-seat variant (JF-17B) prototype number 2

In addition for being a trainer, this new JF-17B variant could be used as an enhanced ground attacker with the second crew acting as the Weapon Systems Officer (WSO). To accommodate this secondary attack role, the B variant is sporting an larger nose to house an AESA radar, it's wingspan is enlarged and strengthen to increase its weapon payload.