Naval Aviation Aircraft Of The Day: Y-5 Transport

While the PLAAF’s operation of the Y‑5 transport is well known, it may come as a surprise that the PLAN Naval Aviation also continues to field this updated variant of the Antonov An‑2 ‘Colt.’ A remarkably enduring aircraft, it’s still going strong.

 

 At the same time J-35 as well.  Talking about an age gap

 

Sunday, December 01, 2024

Y-5 biplane said good bye to another crew

Yesterday, the PLAAF airborne said goodbye to this year's retired crew members of a Y-5 unit.  The Y-5, which initially entered service on December 23rd, 1957, under direct Soviet supervision, is still operational, awaiting a new crew to continue flying.

Y-5B, a search and rescue variant on display at the recent 2024 Zhuhai Airshow, yes it is still going strong

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Yes, they are still making An-2 Colt / Y-5 biplane in China

The latest Y-5BG model completed her first flight on March 3rd, 2020 (here).  As a point of reference, the original An-2 completed her first on 1947.

Engine is Honeywell PE-331 turboprop and all civilian to boot.  Cheap to operate, easy to handle and can land anywhere, why not?  Great for agriculture applications

 

Saturday, February 06, 2021

Forever Y-5, still in service with the China Air Force for anti desertification aerial seeding

 China Air Force Unit: 3rd Transportation and SAR Regiment, Western Theater Command

 

 

They did it, they finally did it. Type59 MBT chassis with a Type99a Turret

There aren’t many additional details available beyond the photos provided. As for the intended users, there are currently no known examples of the Type 99A MBT being exported. If this vehicle is truly meant for the export market, one would expect the manufacturer to consider fitting it with a VT‑4/MBT‑3000 turret, given that platform’s recent export successes

 

 

Monday, January 05, 2026

Wait, is that a Type59D MBT

 Yup,  As of Jan 2026, the 39th Combined-Arms Brigade, 77th GA (LX 31) soldiers on with the Type59D MBT.  Yes, the PLA might never decommission them, they are just too... classic 

 

 

Tuesday, December 02, 2025

Forever Type59 Main Battle Tank

Surprise, surprise, yet another Type 59 main battle tank variant entered the export market.

This latest offering comes from Liaoning Poly Special Vehicle Co., Ltd. (辽宁保利特种车辆有限公司), a private enterprise that traces its roots back to the former PLA Factory No. 6409. Established on May 17, 2006, with a workforce of just 80 employees, the company now presents the Type 59G-125 to foreign buyers.

The upgraded model boasts a completely redesigned turret, composite armor, a new 125mm ZPT-98 smoothbore gun, and a modernized engine alongside advanced internal systems. At its core, the tank is powered by a 730-horsepower 12V150ZLC engine, delivering significantly enhanced performance compared to earlier iterations of 520-horsepower Model 12150L V-12 liquid-cooled diesel

 

 

Sunday, November 11, 2018

QN506, the MOUT of Type59mod with a 3-man crew

 

Monday, December 26, 2011

Photo of the day: Type59G in Tanzania

Speaking of ERA blocks.....could this be the ultimate edition of the old T54/55 family?


Thanks Imp for the photo.

Bangladesh Army also ordered 300.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Bangladesh Army's New Type59G MBT

According to our friend, the Bangladesh Military Forum, (http://www.bdmilitary.com), the first public appearance of the long-expected Type 59G was reported by today's Channel-i news.

In essence, this latest Type59MBT variant is a Type 96G in a Type59 body modified to carry a 125mm main gun, a modern fire control system, and the latest Chinese armor protection package. A total of 300 examples of the Type59G will be rebuilt from the existing fleet.  In addition to the Type59G rebuild program, the Bangladesh army will procure the Type96 MBT in due course as part of a greater modernization drive.  Since both MBTs are sharing many common components, this will greatly reduce the load on the existing logistics infrastructure.

Here is a list of Chinese land forces hardware to be procured by the Bangladesh Army compiled by BMF.


****
* 7 x Type 96 MBTs (Not delivered yet, but eventually a couple of regiments)
* 5 x MBT ARV (Chinese, for MBT2000/Type 96 recovery)
* 300 x Type 59 MBT Upgrade (1 spotted at Dhaka; Army named them as "Type 59 G")
* 1 x SPH Regt (Chinese 122 or 155 mm SPH is expected)
* 1 x ADA Regiment (This complements another air defence regiment in BDA. Regiment is equivalent of brigade; Equipped with Chinese AAGs and MANPADS).

****

Profile for new Type 59G MBT at bdmilitary.com created with input from armoured corps officer, photo analysis and Chinese defense websites:

http://www.bdmilitary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=333&Itemid=97

Including a couple of pictures, which might be interesting reference material.

 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Photos of the day: Forever the Type59 MBT mod!

Kilo Class, Boat 365

 

Kilo 877EKM pennant 365 was imported from Russia, arrived in 1995, and decommissioned in 2021. During her service life she saw relatively limited operational use, spending long periods undergoing refits. One major focus of these refits was the integration of Chinese‑made communication and electrical subsystems. A notable example is the installation of the H/ZQQ‑5 photoelectric mast, which replaced the traditional optical periscopes originally fitted on Project 877 boats. Later variants of the improved Kilo class (Project 636.3) are built with modern photoelectric masts from the outset. Bonus photo of PLAN's encrypted communication system

Much like the PLAAF, the PLAN consistently prioritizes domestic subsystems over imported ones, even on foreign‑built platforms.

 

 Encrypted communication system

 

Friday, June 19, 2020

Photos of the day: Sino-ized Sovremenny-class destroyer on patrol.

First pair commissioned into the PLAN China Navy in December 1999 and November 2000.  After a prolonged period of midlife upgrade, they are now back into 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Eastern Theater Command Navy's orbat.

They ripped out everything - including the kitchen sink - out, leaving only the AK-130 automatic naval gun mounts in place.  Type54A's electronic warfare and radar suites are clearly visible

Before 

After

Monday, March 20, 2023

PLN Decommission of the day: One of China Navy's Kilo Class Submarines To Be Turned Into A Museum Ship

 As part of the Zhanjiang Bay Cultural Tourism Base tourist attraction