PLAN Decommission Of The Day: FFG 527 Luoyang after 20 years of service

Most modern warships operate for more than 20 years, with some lasting up to 30 years or more.  However, given how quickly the PLAN is "making dumplings," rehiring older, less powerful ones to reduce operating costs and personnel makes sense. 

Link to the news of the decommissioning in Chinese (here)

 

Monday, September 02, 2024

Family Photo: Type 053H3 class frigate.

Everyone smiles now and says chess. 

FFG564 Yichang, FFG565 Huludao, FFG 566 Huaihua, FFG567 Xiangyang, FFG528 Mianyang

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Checking in with the Type 053H3 class frigate

The PLAN still maintains 8 Type 053H3 class Frigates (FFG) in its fleet (two of which were sold to the Bangladesh Navy), but they rarely receive any no media coverage.   For example, the majority of the class's air defense systems were upgraded in 2017, but a CCTV report on them only aired recently.    I suppose they aren't as appealing as the latest and greatest Type055.  

FFG 527 Luoyang

Tuesday, January 03, 2017

Type 053H3 FFG gets an upgrade.

Judging by the recently completed Mid-Life extensions of PLAN's 053H3 FFG, its older air defense assets are now par with currently standards:  Out are the HQ-7 SAM and the 4x Type 76 dual 37mm AAA,  new are the HQ-10 (Chinese SeaRAM) and the 2xType730 CIWS. 

The ten 053H3s still in service are considered "second tier" by the PLAN and being deployed as such.  However, since this class has organic hangar support for ASW helo and with a greater range, they are more versatile than the newer Type056.  Expect them to be around for a while. 

 Photo credit goes to Forbin

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Hi Res Photos Of The Day: Z-20J

 Photo credit goes to B747SPNKG

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Move Over PLA Army Flyboys, Now It Is PLA Marine's Turn To Show Off Their Shipborne Assault Z20J

The examples on display at the current Zhuhai Airshow belong to the PLAN Marine Aviation Brigade, and provide substantially better features and capacities over the preceding Z-8 and Z-9s. (link)

Similar to the Z-20T,  J variant's stub wings can host different fire support solutions from rockets, gunpods, to ATGM

Remembering Admiral Liu Huaqing, who passed away on January 14, 2011.

Admiral Liu Huaqing is still regarded as a hero in China, a reformer who is widely credited with converting the PLAN from a brown water navy to its current standing.   He is also regarded as the father of the PLAN carrier fleet, who planed its expansion. 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Admiral Liu Huaqing enjoys a little R&R in San Diego

From ONI's China Navy 2009
http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/oni/pla-navy.pdf

Admiral Liu Huaqing was the third commander of the PLA(N)(1982-1988) and one of the foremost maritime strategists produced by the People's Republic of China. Born in 1916, Liu joined the PLA in 1930 and was a veteran of its Long March. His transition from the army to the navy began in 1952, after which he served in a variety of operational and technical assignments including Deputy Commander of the North Sea Fleet, Vice Minister of the 6th Ministry of Machine Building (Ship Building), and Deputy Chief of the General Staff, before assuming the position ofPLA(N) Commander in August 1982.

In a military dominated by the "great infantry" concept, Liu was much more than just an army officer serving in naval assignments. Instead, Liu proved himself to be a forward thinking maritime strategist who developed the PLA(N),s current strategy of"offshore defense," began the now robust program of naval diplomacy and foreign engagement, and laid the intellectual and technical foundations for the rapidly modernizing PLA(N) of today. In the final phase of his military career, Liu served on the Central Military Commission, where he would eventually become the senior vice chairman and one of the most powerful men in the Chinese military behind then-CMC Chairman Deng Xiaoping


Photo source http://www.defenseimagery.mil

Hug a Commie for Mommy.

A member of the Chinese delegation from the People's Republic of China is hugged by a person dressed in a koala bear suit at the zoo.

Photographer's Name: PH2 Ron Wood
Location: SAN DIEGO
Date Shot: 6/1/1980
Date Posted: unknown
VIRIN: DN-SC-83-07422