Mystery solved: the new Type 056 variant is indeed the “C” variant intended for donation to Cambodia.

 Two ships (link) of this new Type 056C class have already been launched, with the first scheduled for commissioning on April 8th at Ream Naval Base.

The C variant introduces several notable upgrades. It carries the SR2410C active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, the same system used as the primary search radar on the Type 054AP frigates. Its close‑in defense has also been modernized: the older gun mounts have been replaced by the Type 630B Gatling‑style CIWS, featuring a non‑penetrating installation and a dual‑sided drum‑magazine feed system.

 

Thursday, October 02, 2025

A new Chinese corvette launched in Qingdao on Sept 29, 2025

This new corvette launched in Qingdao appears to be an extended variant of the Type 056, noted the Type 630 CIWS mounted forward of the bridge. 

Folks in China speculate that it could be another export variant of the Type 056, a design that has already found success with Algeria, Bangladesh, and Nigeria navies. Notably, the vessel is also equipped with a 3D radar system reminiscent of the one fitted on the C28A-class frigate

Algeria F-15A corvette variant, based on the Type056, note the missing front CIWS mount

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Photos of the day: 921 and 922 of the Algerian C28A corvette program

Friday, February 06, 2015

Second Algerian C28A corvette launched by the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company today

Sunday, September 21, 2014

C28A for the Algerian Navy

This Jiangwei/F22P mod might not be state-of-the-art by today's standards but the design has been provided easy to operate and inexpensive to maintain.  Judging from comments posted on defense sites,  C28A must been a disappointment to many fanboys out there -- it is just  not "as good as the" a Daring class Type45 DDG! 

 pennant number 920

The Little LST That Could

 At first glance, there’s nothing remarkable about the PLAN’s Landing Ship Tanks (LST). They’re simple, low‑tech vessels with minimal self‑defense, usually just a 30 mm cannon, often without modern fire‑control systems, and in the older batches, even manually operated. Their twin diesel engines push them to an unremarkable 15 knots. Compared to the newer 071, 075, and upcoming 076 classes, they look like relics.

Yet the PLAN continues to operate them as if they’re indispensable. And in a way, they are.  These LSTs perform a mission no other PLAN ship carries out routinely: sustaining the South China Sea garrisons. When they’re not participating in exercises, they’re constantly running supply runs, food, fuel, construction materials, personnel, day in and day out. Many of the outposts sit in shallow waters where larger amphibious ships cannot safely approach. For the LSTs, this is exactly what they were built for: flat‑bottomed hulls, bow doors with a ramp, and a ballast system that lets them beach, unload, and pull away with ease.

In peacetime, they are the true workhorses/trucks of the PLAN’s logistics network.

 

Sunday, March 14, 2021

PR photos: Old China Navy LST

I have seen my fair share of China naval vessel over the years, both online and in person.  Sure, those are PR photo, still, they are so clean and well maintained they can almost eat off the floor.  This type of cleanliness is applicable across all the vessel that crossed my path over the years.

Yuting Class was commissioned in 1993.

Photo source (here)

 

QJH001 "Door Gun". 12.7X108mm heavy machine gun

"Unless You Can Be A Door Gunner, Then Always Be A Door Gunner"

    

The 6th Chinese rotation of the PLA Peacekeeping Helicopter Detachment (Mi-171) in Abyei is showcasing its upgraded QJC88 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, now designated as the QJH001. The “H” suffix, as expected, denotes its helicopter‑mounted configuration.   LH as in Army Aviation. 

 

 

Sunday, September 07, 2025

Weapon Of The Day: QJH001 12.7X108mm Gunpod

For the last 20 years, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has equipped its naval helicopters from the Z-8, Z-9, to more recently the Z-20J with external gun pods designed for ground support fire missions. These pods typically carry around 1,000 rounds.

The gun pod mounted on the Z-20J is derived from the QJH001 door gun, which itself its based to the PLA’s QJC88 family of heavy machine guns (link).

There's nothing special about the pod really.  However, it exemplifies the PLA’s methodical, incremental approach to weapons development. Rather than pursuing radical innovation, they focus on refining proven systems (home or aboard) to maximize mileage before transitioning to something entirely new.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

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