Forever Type79 9×19 mm Submachine gun

In a recently released PR video from CCTV (China Central Television), the venerable Type 79 (79式) 9×19 mm submachine gun made an unexpected cameo.  This time paired with a Cantonese‑speaking officer delivering a public‑safety message, presumably with one eye out for any kung‑fu‑fighting robocops.

Since this is a police‑issue Type 79, it naturally shows up wearing a full set of modernized accessories. An updated stock, an accessory rail, and a red‑dot‑style sight are all clearly visible.  With this kind of modest, official upgrades that keep a 1980s design limping along in 2026.

The Type 79 should have been retired years ago, yet here it is, still soldiering on, just like the Type 59 MBT, the Y‑5 transport, the CJ‑6 trainer, and a whole parade of Chinese "forever" platforms that simply refuse to disappear. 

 

Screen shot from the YouTube below 

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Crazy Type79 tactical mod continues

The PAP seemed to having a fantastic fun upgrading the vintage 7.62x25mm Type79 with tactical accessories that are more expensive than the gun itself.    Why not, I don't judge.  

Friday, February 23, 2018

Photos of the day: Crazy Type79 tactical mod

While the PLA has long since gave up on the Type79 7.62x25mm Submachine Gun as a viable PDW option, this old girl seems to have found a nice niche within Chinese SWAT units.  Its complete lack of stopping power is more than compensated by its easy to use and maintain, its high rate of fire (1000 rounds/min) is a nice bonus in any urban CQC too.

Here are photos of Guangzhou City's Thunder SWAT showing off (here), one of the 36 SWAT units in this southern city of 14 million.  

 Yes, it is him.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Sexist photos of the day: Guangzhou Policewomen

Ok,  I can buy the Type79 SMG, Type92 9mm argument, but ESprit bag, Iphone and pink helmet?? Oh, come on.......really?

Pink helmet's cousin Dark helmet

3rd Transportation and SAR Brigade in CSAR Action

Since 2023, when the 3rd Transportation and SAR Brigade received three of the eighteen Russian‑exported Mi‑171Sh armed combat‑transport helicopters, the unit has carried out a string of high‑profile exercises (link), (link). The latest took place on May 30, simulating the recovery of a downed pilot in high‑altitude desert terrain.

Does that scenario sound familiar to a recent real‑world event or is it just a coincidence? Your guess is as good as mine. What is clear is that the Mi‑171Sh was imported with a very specific purpose in mind: operating in rough, high‑altitude environments where survivability and firepower matter.

The 3rd Transportation and SAR Brigade, under the Northern Theater Command, also flies Z‑9 and Z‑20 helicopters as well as Y‑8 turboprop transports. But none of the domestic platforms match the Mi‑171Sh in terms of armor protection, payload, or onboard weapons. That alone explains why this rugged Russian airframe was chosen for the brigade’s most dangerous mission set of combat search and rescue.

 

Thursday, August 08, 2024

Propaganda Photo Of The Day: “Search and Rescue” with rockets

In 2020, the PLA ordered a batch of heavily armed Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter from Russia, and it is now confirmed that some of them are being placed under a  PLAAF  “search and rescue” brigade of the Northern Theater Command

Sunday, May 04, 2025

1st Transportation and SAR Brigade, Eastern Theater Command Air Force

Speaking of CASEVAC, here's some recently released PR photos of the 1st Transportation and SAR Brigade,  Eastern Theater Command Air Force (here), PLA's main SAR unit (SN 51*1*).  The first began with Z-8 and Mi-171 modified into SAR roles and has since expanded with Z-20 SAR coppers.    The AOO of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force is the Taiwan Strait.

 

Historical Photos of the Day: Type 87A in PAP and PLA Service

The Type 87A represents the refined, polished variant of the original Type 87 featuring improved materials, upgraded polymer furniture, and better‑ventilated handguards. 

While the baseline Type 87 served primarily as a development platform for China’s new 5.8×42 mm cartridge, the Type 87A was the more mature, ergonomic version that saw limited use in both the PAP and select PLA units for a short period of time.   Note the summer and winter uniform in the photos below

 

 

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Rare Chinese Firearm Of The Day: QJB-87 /Type87 5.8×42mm DBP87 rifle and Squad Automatic Weapon

Between Type81 and Type95, the PRC developed two additional service assault rifles, namely Type87 and Type03.    In some ways, the  Type87/QJB-87 is a Type81 chambered with the new 5.8×42mm DBP87 while incorporating several new solutions such as large percentage of polymer with pistol grip and magazine being the most visible.   

Polymer has many advantages over metal and wood materials, including high strength, corrosion resistance, longer life, and better heat resistance. Additionally, using polymer simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces weight, and lowers processing costs for mass production.   As seen in the subsequent example of QBZ-95.   However, For the purists out there, "cheap looking" polymer will never be able to replace wood in terms of aesthetics, especially in AK-influenced assault families

While QJB-87/Type87 did enter service but it  never widely deployed; for some it is simply a field test platform.     It is difficult to find a copy of the QJB-87 /Type87 rifle these days, let alone a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) version.

 

This copy of SAW still "got wood"   

Just Photos: ZTZ100 Main Battle Tank In The Field

 

 

Confirming that it operates with a three‑man crew.

 

Photos of the Day: PLAN’s 155 mm Advanced Gun System Heads to Sea Trials

A May Day surprise? If so, the PLAN definitely has a sense of humor.
Back on February 18th, 2025, when photos first surfaced showing a new 155 mm gun mount installed on a Type 909‑series test ship, it was clear that sea trials could begin at any moment. Fast‑forward to May 1st and sure enough, she’s out at sea.

The appearance of this system marks another step in the PLAN’s ongoing push to modernize its naval gun technology. While details remain limited, one unconfirmed report suggests the gun may be a 43‑caliber design. As always, until official information emerges, it’s best treated as an early datapoint rather than a firm specification.

Regardless, the fact that the system has moved from pier‑side installation to open‑water testing is noteworthy. The Type 909 test ships have long been the PLAN’s workhorses for evaluating new sensors, weapons, and combat systems, so seeing a major new gun system aboard one is a strong indicator that development is progressing.

More photos and details will no doubt surface as sea trials continues, but for now, the May Day timing adds a bit of extra flair to an already interesting milestone.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

PLAN's new 155mm naval gun is now mounted

photos from a PLAN test ship indicates that the new 155 mm naval gun system is approaching formal evaluation.  

 

Sunday, August 17, 2025

A closer look: PLAN's 155mm naval gun

Recent imagery circulating on Chinese defense forums suggests the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is moving ahead with deployment of a 155 mm naval gun system. In concept and role similar that of US Navy’s Advanced Gun System (AGS), optimized for delivering sustained, precision fire in support of amphibious and coastal operations.

Looking at the following photos below indicates the weapon is likely to be integrated into an upcoming guided‑missile destroyer (DDG) class. Of course, there's no surprise that PLAN intent to enhance long‑range naval gunfire support (NGFS) capabilities, leveraging larger‑caliber munitions for improved reach, payload flexibility, and shore bombardment effectiveness to an island somewhere east of China.
 

The adoption of 155 mm naval artillery could:

•     Expanded land‑attack portfolio alongside missile systems.
•     Interoperability potential with advanced guided projectile tech.
•     Doctrinal shift toward sustained fire support in joint operations.

Reassured, we will be seeing it onboard of a PLAN vessel soon

 

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

New PLAN Development Of The Day: 155mm Naval Guided Missile Gun

As of today,  the heaviest naval combatant under the PLAN command is the Type055 DDG, sporting a H/PJ-38 130mm naval gun, the same H/PJ-38 also found on the type Type 052D.   Reading the plaque, this new "155 mm Naval Guided Missile Gun" was freshly minted in March 2025 (this month) by the State Factory 447 weighting in 21800 Kg.

The next logical set of questions are: 

1) Retrofiring the Type055 from 130mm to this new 155mm?  

2) A new class of PLAN "heavy" is under consideration? 

 Both 1 and 2?

Your guess is as good as mine.

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

A cleaner picture of the the PLAN Test Ship 856 with a new AESA active phased array radar

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Photo Of The Day: PLAN Test Ship 856 with a new AESA active phased array radar

The Chinese Navy PLAN's second Type 909A "weapons integration" test ship was launched at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in March 2006. 

Initially bearing a hull number (892, later changed to 856 in 2021) and bearing the name of Hua Luogeng (link) in honor of the renowned Chinese mathematician born in 1910).   It was commissioned into the North Sea Fleet 

In this PR photo released yesterday, Hua Luogeng 856 is showing off a new AESA active phased array radar is installed at the stern, continuing its role as a test ship.  See previous blog entries blow  

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Photo of the day: DH-10 LACM on test ship 892.