Saturday, October 18, 2025

UAE Export Of The Day: Indonesian CH-4 UAV

Indonesia’s Air Force quietly acquired 16 CH-4 UAVs back in September 2019 (link), though media coverage has been sparse ever since. Now, they’re on the news again.  See the news clip below. Could this signal more Chinese military hardware heading Indonesia’s way?  Wink wink.







Monday, March 28, 2011

Indonesia to produce C-802 at home

Indonesia and China agree on joint production of missiles
22 March 2011 
http://channel6newsonline.com/2011/03/indonesia-and-china-agree-on-joint-production-of-missiles/


JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesia and China on Tuesday agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation, including the joint production of missiles, the Antara news agency reported.

Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Chen Qiufa, head of the Chinese Technological and Industrial Development Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the technical cooperation in the defense sector.

The agreement includes the supplying of military equipments, transfer of technology of certain military equipment, joint-marketing, and training programs, according to Brig.Gen. Wayan Midhio, spokesman for the Defense Minsitry.

Indonesia and China also agreed on establishing a joint-missile production in the future through strategic weaponry industry. The Indonesian army currently uses Chinese made missiles.

The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) equipped some of its warships with the Chinese C-802 rockets. China is recognized worldwide for it successful development of military equipment.

The Asian giant has been able to develop a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) called Dong Feng 21 (DF-21), which is two-stage, solid-propellant, single-warhead system.

On Thursday, Indonesia announced that it plans to produce 1,000 R122 rockets to support its defense system through the Technology Assessment and Application Agency.

The project would be carried out from 2012 to 2014, time in which the Indonesian government also plans to develop a "remote pilot vehicle" and an "area vehicle" as well.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Our previous blog entry

Wednesday, December 23, 2009


Indonesia to equip navy with Chinese-made missiles

This is not news per se, as two sets of YJ-82 (C-802) were installed on two Indonesian PB-57 patrol boat back in March 2008 in a 11 USD million deal. According to the Indonesian navy, the cost of the C-802 is less than half of the French MM40 Exocet Block II.

RI warships to be equipped with Chinese-made missiles
http://www.antara.co.id/en/news/1261395950/ri-warships-to-be-equipped-with-chinese-made-missiles

Monday, December 21, 2009 18:45 WIB | National | | Viewed 618 time(s)
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Navy`s warships will be equipped with missiles made in China, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Agus Suhartono said here on Monday.

"We will continue to procure C-802 missiles from China after we tested the weapon with good results,` he said adding that the Indonesian Navy was also negotiating with China to obtain C-705 missiles that were more slender in shape.

"Both types of missile will be added to the armament of of the navy`s fast patrol boats and Van Speijk warships," Agus said.

He said the navy would increase the combat capabilities of its Van Speijk and fast patrol boats by integrating their armament systems with weaponry from China.

"We are still unable to make missiles domestically. But fortunately, state shipbuilding firm PT PAL already has the technology to integrate weapon systems imported from abroad with those already in place on our warships," he said.

The navy chief admitted with limited budget for his department, his officials would continue making a priority scale on the procurement of weaponry system.

"Our main priority now is security in sea border areas and the outer islands of Indonesia," he said adding that the navy would also replace some 27 of its warships with newer types and better combat capabilities.

Agus Suhartono had previously said Indonesia`s western waters were prone to various maritime crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking and poaching.

"The sea crimes are not the only problems we have in the western waters. In these areas we also have border problems with India, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia," the navy chief said.

He said that in order to maintain security in the area, the navy conducted routine patrols in the Indonesian western waters. It had maintained a joint patrols with its counterparts from India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

As a result, the maritime crime rate in the western waters had dropped , particularly in the Malacca Strait. (*)

COPYRIGHT © 2009

Indonesia to equip navy with Chinese-made missiles
16:40, December 22, 2009
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91321/6849377.html
Indonesia is going to equip its own navy's warships with missiles made in China so as to upgrade combat capabilities, Agus Suhartono, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral said Monday.

"We will continue to procure C-802 missiles from China after we test the weapon with good results,” he said adding that the Indonesian Navy was also negotiating with China to obtain C-705 missiles that were more slender in shape.

"Both types of missile will be added to the armament of the navy’s fast patrol boats and Van Speijk warships," Agus said.

"We are still unable to make missiles domestically. But fortunately, state shipbuilding firm PT PAL already has the technology to integrate weapon systems imported from abroad with those already in place on our warships," he said.

Indonesian navy will continue making it a priority to procure weaponry systems, despite the limited military budget.

"Our main priority now is security in sea border areas and the outer islands of Indonesia," Agus said. "Crimes at Sea are not the only problems we have in the western waters. In these areas we also have border disputes with India, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia."

By People's Daily Online
C-802 equipped PB-57




C-705


 

Friday, October 17, 2025

Unit Update: PLAN 6th Marine Brigade

The following PR photos showcase an artillery unit from the 6th Marine Brigade (6*06) undergoing training at the PLA Army’s Zhurihe Combined Arms Training Base, Asia’s largest such base (link) The following images confirm that the PLA Marines have access to organic, large-caliber fire support in the form of the 155mm PCL-181 howitzer.

The PCL-181 is a wheeled artillery system, and its selection over heavier tracked alternatives like the PLZ-05 likely reflects a strategic preference for enhanced mobility and reduced logistical burden for the PLAN Marine. Its lighter weight and road-friendly design make it well-suited for rapid deployment and maneuverability, those are key advantages for the 6th Marine Brigade.

 








Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Artillery Regiment, 11th Combined-Arms Division , Xinjiang Military District, Western Theater Command

 received its PCL181 155mm truck mounted SPH upgrade to replace her old PL66 152mm towed howitzer.









Saturday, June 13, 2020

One more PCL181 155mm truck mounted SPH unit identified

(Source here)

Military vehicles attached to an artillery brigade under the PLA 74th Group Army conduct a convoy maneuver under strange and complicated terrain conditions on June 7, 2020. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Huang Hai) 




Thus far, there are a total of four such PCL181 equipped artillery brigades confirmed, they are:

- 74th Artillery Brigade, 74th Group Army, Southern Theater Command (former 1st Artillery Division, 42nd Group Army) (from above)

-75th Artillery Brigade, 75th Group Army, Southern Theater Command

-73rd  Artillery Brigade, 73th Group Army, Eastern Theater Command

-308th Independent Artillery Brigade, Tibet Military District

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

PCL-181 is SH15


PCL-181 brings great improvement for PLA artillery troops

Source
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/view/2020-05/07/content_9808544.htm
Editor
Wang Xinjuan
Time
2020-05-07 10:31:47

The domestically developed PCL-181155mm wheeled vehicle-mounted howitzers are commissioned to an army brigade under the PLA Eastern Theater Command. (Photo/Courtesy of Weibo @ CNR guofangshikong)
Recently, it has been widely reported that China's new generation of 155mm vehicle-mounted howitzers, the PCL-181, have been delivered to troops of a brigade under the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command in batches. This reveals both the renewal of the main equipment, and even the overall improvement of the authorization system, tactical thinking, and equipment system of the PLA Army artillery troops.
Faster in response
The PCL-181 currently delivered to the PLA Army artillery troops will be mainly used to replace the active PL-66 152-mm towed gun-howitzers and a small part of the remaining Type 59-1 130-mm towed cannons. Compared with the latter two, the PCL-181 features "fastness" as its most prominent technical advantage --- to be specific, its "fastness" in response, marching, and aiming.
First, its response is fast. Within three minutes, the PL-66 152-mm towed gun-howitzer can only complete the transition from marching state to combat state; while thanks to its integrated wheeled chassis and highly automated electromechanical hydraulic servo system, the PCL-181 can realize the whole process from parking to combat state, then to launching six projectiles, and finally to withdrawing and transferring. This means a qualitative leap for the tactics of the PLA Army artillery troops.
Second, its marching is fast. With the integration of wheeled chassis and artillery, the PCL-181 can reach the maximum design speed in marching, with no need to worry about the rollover accident caused by overspeed, which is hardly possible for the PL-66 152-mm towed gun-howitzer.
Third, its aiming is fast. The PCL-181 is equipped with the world-leading automatic fire control system (AFCS). Following the input of the target azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted fire control computer can automatically settle the shooting elements and automatically adjust the azimuth and height of the artillery. However, such element adjustments of the PL-66 rely entirely on manual operation.
Lighter and smaller
At present, the PLA Army artillery troops have already been equipped with the PLZ-05 155mm self-propelled howitzers. Why is the PCL-181 still needed?
The full combat weight of the PCL-181 vehicle-mounted howitzer is 25 tons, only about half compared with the PLZ-05 155mm self-propelled howitzer.(Photo/Courtesy of Weibo @ CNR guofangshikong)
The PCL-181 has a full combat weight of 25 tons, only about half compared with the PLZ-05. Since there are certain restrictions on the total weight of vehicles on many bridges and highways, the PCL-181 is superior to such heavy-duty tracked vehicles as the PLZ-05 in terms of mobility. In addition, with a smaller overall size, the PCL-181 has no worries about "overrun"(the overall height exceeds 3.6 meters or overall width exceeds the train cabin) when transported by rail, and can get through almost all railway sections to reach a freight station nearest to the destination.
Besides, the PCL-181 weighs only 25 tons, which is just within the cargo capacity of China's Y-9 tactical transport aircraft. Each Y-9 tactical transport aircraft can carry one PCL-181, and as long as there are a sufficient number of transport aircraft groups, the rapid deployment of the organically assigned artillery troops as a whole within nearly a thousand kilometers can be realized. This will undoubtedly greatly improve the rapid reaction capability of the PLA Army.
In addition, the PCL-181 is more cost-effective with a lower price, so the procurement cost can be reduced to a considerable extent while ensuring equivalent firepower. Under the premise of controlling the procurement cost, it is possible to completely replace the old towed artilleries such as the Type 59-1 the PL-66, which are now active in quantity. In this way, the situation in which a variety of large-caliber artillery coexist in the equipment system of the PLA Army artillery units will be thoroughly changed: artillery of 130 mm and 152 mm calibers are to be completely eliminated, only with that of 122 mm and 155 mm calibers retained.
More flexible

The PCL-181 vehicle-mounted howitzer is equipped with the military high-mobility truck chassis, which make it good at long-distance mobility on road. It was reported that the service members of an Army brigade under the Eastern Theater Command just drove the PCL-181 to their camp after unloading at the freight station. However, when it came to receiving the PLZ-05 155mm self-propelled howitzers in the past, they had to carry them back with heavy-duty wheeled trailers.
According to statistics, the total mileage of China's expressway network has exceeded 100,000 kilometers at present. Therefore, the PCL-181 can quickly reach designated areas by using its wheeled chassis of long-distance rapid maneuverability in North China, East China, and South China where the expressway network is relatively dense. In addition, the PCL-181 is also superior to the PLZ-05 in terms of maneuverability and operational flexibility in mountainous areas, deserts, Gobi deserts, and plateaus.

Photo OF The Day: Wing Loong Pterodactyl II UAV of the Chinese Public Security Sea Police

 In addition to the PLA,  other Chinese government services are deploying UAV in greater roles.


Friday, May 14, 2021

CAIG Wing Loong (Pterodactyl) UAV and its civlian variants

Coastal search and rescue,  fire fighting,  earth-quack search and rescue and weather monitoring variants are now revealed 

 













 




Sunday, October 12, 2025

China’s New 004 Aircraft Carrier: First Look at the Island in Wuhan

It’s becoming a bit of a tradition for Chinese military watchers by keeping an eye on the mock-ups at Wuhan Technical College of Communication to see what’s brewing. Over the years, we’ve seen early hints of CV-16, the Type 055 destroyer, and plenty more pop up here, there and in between.

Now, the spotlight’s on what looks like the next big thing: the Type 04/CV-04, China’s next aircraft carrier after CV-18. A new island structure has been spotted, and both analysts and fanboys are zooming in on every detail like hawks. If history’s any guide, this mock-up might be giving us a sneak peek at what’s coming next for the PLA Navy.

 






The college can be found at the coordinates 30°25'23"N 114°15'37"E on Google Earth

 

 

Saturday, October 10, 2009

A full scale mockup of the Varyag is under construction near Wuhan.

Judging from those photos, the mock-up is clearly not suitable to conduct flight operations. However, it is useful for training the flight and dock crews on basic carrier operation procedures before the actual aircraft carrier is ready.

A simulated hanger deck is also furthered.













 

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Photos of the day: JZY-01 (Chinese E-2 Hawkeye) mock up found a new home.

Spotted at Wuhan Technical College of Communication, a PLAN facility for crew training and electromagnetic interference testing.



 

Sunday, April 06, 2014

New Chinese Cruiser: First Glimpse Seen in Wuhan

Pictures have emerged on Chinese internet sites showing what appears to be a full scale mockup of a new large surface combatant at the Wuhan Technical College of Communication, a PLAN facility for crew training and electromagnetic interference testing.
New CG mockup circled in foreground, CV mockup in left background.

This new mockup has been recently constructed alongside the full-size mockup of the CV LIAONING (Ex-KUZNETSOV).  When the LIAONING mockup was identified at Wuhan in 2009 it represented a first look at the rebuilt superstructure and new electronics fit of the former Soviet carrier.  It is expected that the new large surface combatant mockup will also mount the actual electronic and sensor array of PLAN's large warship.
Satellite imagery of the new surface combatant mockup foundation DOI 8/6/13



Based on the mockup, China Defense Forum member "Totoro" has extrapolated the projected dimensions of the new large surface combatant as follows"
The above image is, to the best of my ability, a try at getting the scale right, using all the available images. Starting with the GE measurement of 23 m as width, calculating other measurements from other images taken from up close.

Of course, there's bound to be some +/- 5% errors.
All the measurements of the full lines are real calculations.
The stern and the bow, in dotted lines, are just assumptions on my part. How long the stern be and how long the bow would be. Thus those two measurements are my guesswork.
The red line is true measurement/calculation of height of the Wuhan model, from the ground level to the top of the main deck. The image sort of assumes that's the height from waterline to main deck, but of course, 14,7 m may be a tad too much, so the ground level at Wuhan may not actually represent waterline of real ship.

The stern dotted lines also portray two possibilites, as it doesn't seem to me the current height of hangar structure is tall enough for the current wuhan model deck height. so either the hangar structure is not finished and will be taller, or the actual level of helo pad will be lower than rest of the main deck level.

It would appear that there's more than enough space for 64 fore and 64 aft vls cells. plus bunch of other systems.
The wuhan model has these five large openings on the sides of the main superstructure. their size and position suggest to me we might be looking at turbine intake holes.

Further, a new sensor previously identified at the Wuhan site is believed to likely be associated with the new large surface combatant.
i also did measurements of the sensor mast, from the available images on GE and near Wuhan. The whole mast, from base to tip seems to be 16.7 m tall. From base to middle of the sensor "ball" structure it's 13 meters tall. Diameter of the sensor ball seems around 5,4 meters. Again, +/-5% of error is applicable.


Log in to China-Defense.com forum for more superb discussion.