Sunday, July 29, 2012

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




Sunday, March 13, 2011

Photo of the day: Test Ship 892's new mounts.

One way to follow the latest naval weaponry from China -- monitor its test ship fleet.

The radar is similar to the "HK-CL Mobile Continuous Wave Precision Measurement Radar" on display a while back and the new mounts appear to be variants of the FL-3000N RAM.


Photo credit goes to HSH.

Capitalism, can't have a modern Military–Industrial Complex wihtout it.

Thanks XYZ for this news update.

China to Further Open Defense Industry to Private Capital
2012-07-24 13:34:56 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Mao Yaqing

China's military authorities are planning to further open the country's defense-related industry to private capital.

Authorities says private investors will enjoy the same treatment as their state-owned counterparts in taxation and licensing.

CRI's Suyi has more.


The guideline released by the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army is designed to bring competition into the defense industry.

Private investors are encouraged to take part in weapon development, production and even the restructuring of state-owned enterprises.

It also highlights security protocols for private players and sets out to boost supervision for the sake of national security.

Yin Xingming, Deputy Director of the China Center for Economic Studies, says the plan is a good start.

"For long term benefits, all competitive industries should be open for private investment. And based on the experiences in the global market, encouraging private investment in the defense industry will help to beef up product standards and technical know-how."

Last year, China's J-20 stealth fighter had its first test flight, making China the third nation in the world to have stealth technology, right after the US and Russia.

However, most of the fighter jets are either produced by the AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Corporation or the AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, both under the state-owned Aviation Industries of China.

In a bid to bring diversity to the industry, the latest guidelines pledge to shorten the period for qualification assessment and licensing for private investors who apply for weapon development and production.

However, Yin points out that an effective implementation of the guidelines needs facilitating measures.

"It does not provide detailed measures as to how to put the guidelines into action. Should we stick to the previous practice where stated-owned companies dominated the market, or should we open all sectors to private investment? Will the private companies be allowed to produce missiles on their own? These questions remain unsolved."

Yin also advises authorities to draft laws to protect the rights of private companies that are venturing into the field.

China will spend 670 billion yuan on the military sector based on this year's budget plan.

Back in 2005, the State Council released guidelines encouraging non-state owned capital to enter the defense-related industries.

However, state-owned enterprises still dominate the market, with some private businesses joining the industry as suppliers for electronic devices and other facilities.

For CRI, I'm Suyi.

*ttp://english.cri.cn/7146/2012/07/24/2702s713349.htm

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Communist Propaganda of the day: PLAAF 10th Bomber Division training under 55C temperature

Finally a set of PLA Daily propaganda news photos that is professionally done (with PS touch up). 






In the age of internet, information can be borrowed without citing source.

I am shocked to see the following posted by Janes Defense Weekly this morning…….They are calling Type052D a Frigate.   JDW, you can do better.


Date Posted: 27-Jul-2012

Jane's Defence Weekly

China 'developing' navalised version of DH-10 cruise missile

J Michael Cole JDW Correspondent
Taipei

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) appears to be developing a ship-borne variant of the land-based Dong Hai-10 (DH-10) land-attack cruise missile (LACM).

Images of the launcher mounted on PLAN test vessel hull 891 could be the first strong evidence that the Chinese navy is evaluating or certifying a naval variant of the DH-10 LACM. It would provide the service with its first strategic land-attack capability.

The positioning of the launcher suggests a similar configuration to the YJ-62 and YJ-83 anti-ship missile (ASM) launchers in service on PLAN surface combatants. This could minimise the need for structural modifications and allow for interchangeable launchers of a mix of LACMs and ASMs, although this would sacrifice the number of ASMs that could be carried on a vessel.

A likely interim platform for the DH-10 is the Type 052C frigate, which can carry eight rounds. Expeditionary configurations could come with four YJ-62s and four DH-10s, providing limited land-attack and sea-defence capability.

The Type 052D, which is reported to be under development, is expected to carry 16 rounds. It is not yet known whether the PLAN is exploring the possibility of a vertical launch system for the DH-10, which would increase ship safety while giving the missile a 360-degree range regardless of the vessel's orientation.

In 2008 the Second Artillery Corps began deploying the ground-launched DH-10, which has an estimated range of 1,500-2,200 km, with the CJ-10 air-launched variant entering service on PLA Air Force H-6 bombers in 2010.

The introduction of a sea-based LACM capability would extend China's ability to conduct precision strikes against land targets well beyond its shores, including bases and hard targets in Taiwan, Okinawa, and the East China and South China seas.



Wednesday, July 25, 2012


Navalized DH-10 LACM

Deployment of Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) on Chinese warships will bring new dimensions to diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific.

Images have surfaced of a naval variant of the DH-10 LACM on a China Navy test vessel. The missile canisters spotted appear to be virtually identical to the land-based variant. This sort of arrangement is reminiscent to the deployment of the BGM-109 Tomahawk on United States Navy surface combatants by way of the MK-143 Armored Box Launcher. The MK-143 enabled vessels such as the Iowa Class Battleships and Spruance Class Destroyers to launch the BGM-109.

The images suggest that the DH-10 would be installed in the same way as the YJ-62 or YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. This is advantageous for the current generation of China Navy surface combatants, giving designs such as the 052C land attack capability with minimal structural modification. However, the downside is that the arrangement would sacrifice anti-ship capabilities by substituting the YJ-62 or YJ-83 systems with DH-10 launchers. It also means that only a maximum of eight missiles can be carried and that is assuming the launch canisters can be stacked on top of one another.

In spite of its disadvantages and simplicity compared to the deployment of vertically launched LACMs by other navies, the adoption of a naval variant of the DH-10 is a considerable capability leap for Beijing. This development would enable China to complete its “cruise missile triad”, complementing the already in-service land-based system and the air-launched variant, the CJ-10. Missiles launched from land-based platforms are restricted to striking targets around China’s periphery, not so dissimilar to the range limitations faced by the Second Artillery Force’s inventory of conventional ballistic missiles. Missiles launched from the air force’s H-6 bombers provide more operational flexibility and reach for China’s cruise missiles, similar to the way in which the United States Air Force deploys cruise missiles from its bomber fleet. However, without aerial refueling capability and heavy fighter protection, the H-6 is an aircraft restricted to limited regional operations. The bomber’s obsolete design, slow speed and its vulnerability to interception are weighing heavily against its potential strategic roles.

The China Navy, on the other hand, is the only branch of the Chinese military capable of projecting limited power far beyond China’s shores. While it is debatable whether the China Navy would seek the same sort of global reach as the United States Navy, the possession of ship-launched LACMs would essentially enable Chinese warships to conduct long range precision attacks against land targets around the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The implications are strategic locations that were traditionally distance away from China mainland could now be potentially brought within the firing range of DH-10 armed vessels.

The fact that DH-10 is mounted on a test vessel that has yet sail suggests that it is still very early its development cycle. If the rumored Type 052D destroyer, the successor of the 052C that is reportedly under construction is mounted with DH-10, then a universal vertical launch system for Chinese armed forces is a reality.

It would also be interesting to monitor the future development of an undersea DH-10 systems as arming Beijing’s fleet of conventional and nuclear attack submarines with submarine-launched DH-10 missiles will have far reaching implications.

--cloneattacks

Friday, July 27, 2012

Photos of the day: JZY-01 test platfrom close up.

Finally a close up photo of the Y-7 "JZY-01" carrier-capable “mini-AWACS" prototype, some have even coined it the Chinese E-2 Hawkeye






Thursday, May 05, 2011

Chinese Hawkeye AWAC?

Yet another element under development to support a possible carrier battle group (CVBG)? Chinese BBS and forums are buzzing with speculation about this spotter photo from Xian.


E2 Hawkeye AWAC of the USN

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Navalized DH-10 LACM

Deployment of Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) on Chinese warships will bring new dimensions to diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific.

Images have surfaced of a naval variant of the DH-10 LACM on a China Navy test vessel. The missile canisters spotted appear to be virtually identical to the land-based variant. This sort of arrangement is reminiscent to the deployment of the BGM-109 Tomahawk on United States Navy surface combatants by way of the MK-143 Armored Box Launcher. The MK-143 enabled vessels such as the Iowa Class Battleships and Spruance Class Destroyers to launch the BGM-109.

The images suggest that the DH-10 would be installed in the same way as the YJ-62 or YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. This is advantageous for the current generation of China Navy surface combatants, giving designs such as the 052C land attack capability with minimal structural modification. However, the downside is that the arrangement would sacrifice anti-ship capabilities by substituting the YJ-62 or YJ-83 systems with DH-10 launchers. It also means that only a maximum of eight missiles can be carried and that is assuming the launch canisters can be stacked on top of one another.

In spite of its disadvantages and simplicity compared to the deployment of vertically launched LACMs by other navies, the adoption of a naval variant of the DH-10 is a considerable capability leap for Beijing. This development would enable China to complete its “cruise missile triad”, complementing the already in-service land-based system and the air-launched variant, the CJ-10. Missiles launched from land-based platforms are restricted to striking targets around China’s periphery, not so dissimilar to the range limitations faced by the Second Artillery Force’s inventory of conventional ballistic missiles. Missiles launched from the air force’s H-6 bombers provide more operational flexibility and reach for China’s cruise missiles, similar to the way in which the United States Air Force deploys cruise missiles from its bomber fleet. However, without aerial refueling capability and heavy fighter protection, the H-6 is an aircraft restricted to limited regional operations. The bomber’s obsolete design, slow speed and its vulnerability to interception are weighing heavily against its potential strategic roles.

The China Navy, on the other hand, is the only branch of the Chinese military capable of projecting limited power far beyond China’s shores. While it is debatable whether the China Navy would seek the same sort of global reach as the United States Navy, the possession of ship-launched LACMs would essentially enable Chinese warships to conduct long range precision attacks against land targets around the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The implications are strategic locations that were traditionally distance away from China mainland could now be potentially brought within the firing range of DH-10 armed vessels.

The fact that DH-10 is mounted on a test vessel that has yet sail suggests that it is still very early its development cycle. If the rumored Type 052D destroyer, the successor of the 052C that is reportedly under construction is mounted with DH-10, then a universal vertical launch system for Chinese armed forces is a reality.

It would also be interesting to monitor the future development of an undersea DH-10 systems as arming Beijing’s fleet of conventional and nuclear attack submarines with submarine-launched DH-10 missiles will have far reaching implications.

--cloneattacks


A new PAR radar is also spotted.

The older Type 348 Radar AESA radar, found on China Navy's Type052C DDG.





Monday, July 23, 2012


China Defense Blog’s Recommended Read:

Michael S. Chase and Andrew S. Erickson, “The Conventional Missile Capabilities of China’s Second Artillery Force: Cornerstone of Deterrence and Warfighting,” Asian Security, 8.2 (Summer 2012): 115-37.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14799855.2012.686253#preview

Abstract: Since its establishment in the early 1990s, the conventional missile component of the People’s Liberation Army’s Second Artillery Force (SAF) has emerged as a centerpiece of China’s accelerating military modernization program. The conventional missile force has grown in size and sophistication, and China has developed a doctrine for its employment. Chinese military publications emphasize that it plays an increasingly important role in deterrence and warfighting. In particular, Chinese sources underscore its role in achieving information dominance, air superiority, and sea control as well as countering third-party intervention. China’s development of advanced conventional missile capabilities highlights the growing vulnerability of fixed bases and surface ships. Moreover, organizational tendencies, could fuel dangerous escalation. In response to these challenges, the United States must adapt its traditional approach to military operations and deterrence in the Asia-Pacific.

Introduction

The transformation of the Second Artillery Force (SAF) – the part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) responsible for most of China’s conventional and nuclear ballistic missiles and land-attack cruise missiles (LACM) – is one of the most important elements of Chinese military modernization. China has progressed rapidly from having a limited and vulnerable nuclear ballistic missile capability to having one of the most impressive nuclear and conventional ballistic missile and land-attack cruise missile programs of any nation. This transformation is underscored by the 2010 unclassified report on Chinese military power issued by the US Department of Defense (DoD), which states that “China has the most active land-based ballistic and cruise missile program in the world.” …

The remainder of this article consists of five parts. The first reviews the development of China’s conventional missile force. The second surveys its emerging doctrine for deterrence and strike operations. The third examines the conventional missile capabilities China is developing and deploying to enable the SAF to implement these force employment concepts. The fourth provides an overview of recent developments in SAF training. The fifth assesses the challenges that China’s growing conventional missile force capabilities may pose to the United States and its allies and friends in the Western Pacific and offers recommendations for US planners and policymakers. …










Tuesday, July 24, 2012

PGZ07 Twin-35mm Tracked SPAA spotted in Guangxi Province.

Photos of a column of 18 PGZ07 Twin-35mm Tracked SPAA heading toward their new home in Nanning Guagnxi. Since there is only one PLA division stationed Nanning, it is safe to assume that the 123rd Mechanized Infantry Division, 41st Group Army, Guangzhou MR is the second PGZ07 equipped division in the PLA orbat.

The honor of being the first PGZ07 equipped PLA division goes to the 112 Heavy Mechanized Infantry Division, 38th Group Army, Beijing MR.




Monday, July 23, 2012

China Defense Blog’s Recommended Read:

Michael S. Chase and Andrew S. Erickson, “The Conventional Missile Capabilities of China’s Second Artillery Force: Cornerstone of Deterrence and Warfighting,” Asian Security, 8.2 (Summer 2012): 115-37.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14799855.2012.686253#preview

Abstract: Since its establishment in the early 1990s, the conventional missile component of the People’s Liberation Army’s Second Artillery Force (SAF) has emerged as a centerpiece of China’s accelerating military modernization program. The conventional missile force has grown in size and sophistication, and China has developed a doctrine for its employment. Chinese military publications emphasize that it plays an increasingly important role in deterrence and warfighting. In particular, Chinese sources underscore its role in achieving information dominance, air superiority, and sea control as well as countering third-party intervention. China’s development of advanced conventional missile capabilities highlights the growing vulnerability of fixed bases and surface ships. Moreover, organizational tendencies, could fuel dangerous escalation. In response to these challenges, the United States must adapt its traditional approach to military operations and deterrence in the Asia-Pacific.

Introduction

The transformation of the Second Artillery Force (SAF) – the part of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) responsible for most of China’s conventional and nuclear ballistic missiles and land-attack cruise missiles (LACM) – is one of the most important elements of Chinese military modernization. China has progressed rapidly from having a limited and vulnerable nuclear ballistic missile capability to having one of the most impressive nuclear and conventional ballistic missile and land-attack cruise missile programs of any nation. This transformation is underscored by the 2010 unclassified report on Chinese military power issued by the US Department of Defense (DoD), which states that “China has the most active land-based ballistic and cruise missile program in the world.” …

The remainder of this article consists of five parts. The first reviews the development of China’s conventional missile force. The second surveys its emerging doctrine for deterrence and strike operations. The third examines the conventional missile capabilities China is developing and deploying to enable the SAF to implement these force employment concepts. The fourth provides an overview of recent developments in SAF training. The fifth assesses the challenges that China’s growing conventional missile force capabilities may pose to the United States and its allies and friends in the Western Pacific and offers recommendations for US planners and policymakers. …










Saturday, July 21, 2012

J-10A Electronic Warfare Mod

My special thanks goes to Huitong for this newspaper scan from the July 17th edition of the China Defense Daily newspaper.

According to this article, the newly electronic warfare nods equipped J-10As from the Chengdu Military Regional clearly have many advantages over their less fortunate opponents. No wonder they can bring home the "gold helmet"

 Notice the new twin hardpoint 


Wednesday, June 20, 2012


China Air Force's Golden Flight Helmet

Only 10 are awarded each year to Air Force’s top guns who can down bogies in mock dog fights. After all those years the PLAAF has finally learned the right way to build spirit de corps with honors and realistic trainings. So, please no more empty slogans from now on  – they don’t work and they are super cheesy.


Is me or the color scheme seems  "more red than expert"? 





象征我空军战斗机飞行员最高荣誉的“金头盔” 

http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2012-06-21/0607693650.html

 本报西北某演练场6月20日电 特约记者胡晓宇报道:仲夏的西北戈壁热浪滚滚,空军组织的一场实战背景下的体系对抗演练激战正酣。成空航空兵某团飞行大队副大队长、“金头盔”飞行员万松 峰驾驭新型战机直插云霄,与“敌”机展开一对一空战。经过一番空中厮杀,万松峰成功将“敌”机击落。

记者在该团“演练战绩表”上看到:在几天的演练中,万松峰在空战中与对手打了4仗,击落“敌”新型战机3架;刚由大队长提升为师侦察科长的“金头盔”飞行员彭礼忠击落5架……
“空战对抗得靠战绩说话,这些飞行员不愧为‘金头盔’!”说起几名飞行员在演练中的表现,团长卢建军一脸自豪。卢团长接着介绍说:“去年底空军评出了10个‘金头盔’,我们团就占了3个,他们都是近年来在部队军事斗争准备中经过千锤百炼成长起来的。”
琢磨着卢团长的话,记者回想起此次对抗演练前采访该团3名“金头盔”飞行员的经历。当时,他们刚从雪域高原执行空军首次高海拔寒区跨昼夜实兵轰炸演练任务归来,随即又投入新的任务。“金头盔”飞行员苏宛对记者说:“去年执行重大任务,光驾机转场就飞了约两万公里。”
作为我军首支改装某新型战机的部队,该团近年来只争朝夕狠抓战斗力建设,填补该型战机作战训练领域的多项空白。从高原到沿海,从大漠到雪域,都 留下了他们奋飞的航迹:驾驭新型战机首次低空突击海上目标、首次空中加油、首次高原夜训……在这些具有开创性的重大任务中,一大批具有全疆域作战能力的尖 刀飞行员脱颖而出。
“还有许多优秀飞行员,虽然没评上‘金头盔’,但都具备高超的空战技能!”卢团长话锋一转,指着“演练战绩表”向记者介绍:在这次体系对抗中, 团副参谋长殷海权击落“敌”新型战机4架、大队长吴天成击落4架、大队长孙军击落3架、副大队长吴迪击落“敌”搜救直升机3架……
对此,万松峰深有感触:“许多战友战绩并不比我们差。其实,在我们飞行员的心中,‘金头盔’已成为一种象征、一种追求!”
在与该团飞行员们的交流中,他们都表达了一个共同的心声:“我们今天争当‘金头盔’,只为打赢明天的战争!”
■“金头盔”是空军在空战对抗中授予飞行员的最高荣誉。2011年底,空军组织100余名新战机尖子飞行员首次开展同型机间的空战比武。经过激 烈角逐,10名飞行员获得空战能手(机组)“金头盔”奖。每名获奖者都获得了与战斗机飞行员头盔同比例的金色头盔。在空军部队,“金头盔”象征着荣誉、责 任、实力。“金头盔”奖的诞生,极大地激发了空军飞行员爱军精武的使命感和崇尚荣誉的自豪感。
■近年来,空军组织了数千人次参加的空战对抗、突防突击和体系对抗演练,飞行人员在复杂条件下遂行任务的能力明显提升,一大批优秀飞行员经受历练脱颖而出。
■2004年初,成空航空兵某团奉命在全军首家整建制改装国产新型战机。从改装初期只有两名飞行骨干,到现在完成多批飞行员改装,该团锻造出一大批空军和军区空军“空战能手”“爱军精武标兵”,为兄弟部队输送了一批飞行骨干,较好地发挥了“种子”部队的作用。
王礼光 《前卫报》记者 范青军