China Orders Il-76s as It Awaits Il-476s
AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » NOVEMBER 30, 2012
by VLADIMIR KARNOZOV
China is boosting its fleet of Il-76 airlifters with 10 used examples to be supplied by Rosoboronexport. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)
November 30, 2012, 11:45 AM
China has ordered 10 used Il-76s from Russia’s arms vendor Rosoboronexport as an interim measure to enlarge its fleet of the heavy airlifters, before the redeveloped Il-476 version becomes available. Sergei Kornev, head of Rosoboronexport’s aviation equipment department, told AIN that his company has already found seven suitable airframes on the secondary market. They are being overhauled before delivery to the PLA Air Force. Rosoboronexport is still sourcing the other three aircraft, which could come from non-Russian fleets.
Kornev declined to provide the exact number of Il-76s China has already received, noting only that Rosoboronexport and its Ukrainian counterpart, Ukrspetsexport, have been involved in sales of new and used Il-76s to the People’s Republic. In addition, the TAPO plant in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which was the sole Il-76 production location since the 1970s, also supplied some aircraft to China. So did semi-independent Russian entities including LII, the flight-test and research institute, which sold China a couple of Il-76 testbeds outfitted with large rotating antennas mounted atop the fuselage. Presumably, these were the ones used in China’s AEW radar test program.
Some years ago, China sought to buy 50 to 60 new Il-76s from Rosoboronexport, and even signed a preliminary agreement for 38 aircraft in September 2005. The deal was never executed “due to the inability of the plant in Tashkent to build that many new aircraft and fulfill the demand from China,” according to Kornev. He noted that Russia’s focus is now on the Il-476, production of which is being re-launched at the Aviastar-SP plant in Ulianovsk. “One such airplane is already flying, and the customers have been following flight-test progress with interest,” he said.
Russian president Vladimir Putin recently visited Aviastar to inspect the Il-76MD-90A (the Russian air force version of the Il-476). Kornev said that the Il-476 is being offered to India, as well as China. “This version features modern avionics, better payload-range capability, and more powerful and economical PS90A76 engines. It has a large export potential. However, flight-testing could take a couple of years,” he added. Today, the Il-76 is the only heavyweight strategic airlifter type in the inventory of PLA’s Air Force. China attempted, but dropped, indigenous designs of airlifters, powered by local copies of the D30K-series engines that power the Il-76 and Tu-154M.
淮安舰光荣退役 以周恩来总理家乡命名的导弹护卫舰 2013-05-23 08:21:33
来源：中国江苏网 http://jsnews.jschina.com.cn/system/2013/05/23/017364374.shtml
中国江苏网5月23日讯 20日下午，中央军委以开国总理周恩来家乡命名的在东海舰队服役36年的淮安舰退役仪式在上海某港举行。市委常委、军分区政委、市双拥工作领导小组副组长刘伟率淮安市党政军代表团奔赴上海，参加淮安舰退役仪式，看望慰问淮安舰的全体新老官兵，并受到了淮安舰政委徐明及全体官兵的热情迎接。
淮安舰是我国自行设计制造的导弹护卫舰。作为第一批整建制海军战舰，见证了中国海军光辉的壮大历程。1977年加入海军战斗序列以来，曾先后完成了数次重大战备演习，执行数十起海上抢险、救灾救人应急任务，多次被上级机关评为军事训练等先进单位，荣立集体三等功2次，被驻地政府评为“军民一家亲先进典型”、“军民共建先进单位”和“海上环卫者”等光荣称号。 刘伟表示，淮安舰是我市一块流动的土地，也是保卫祖国的海疆长城，淮安舰官兵作为军事斗争准备的第一线部队，围绕习主席提出的“听党指挥，能打胜仗，作风优良”的强军目标付出了艰辛的努力，取得了骄人的战绩。（通讯员 张宾 记者 唐筱葳）
中国海军第1代导弹护卫舰镇江舰退役 服役35年
2013年05月13日 17:14 京江晚报 我有话说(162人参与)
http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2013-05-13/1714724498.html
本报讯 昨天，被中央军委以镇江城市命名的我国第一代导弹护卫舰——“镇江舰”在东海舰队服役35年后，正式退役。
市委、市政府及市双拥办相关负责人昨天出席了在上海举行的“镇江舰”退役纪念活动，向舰上官兵赠送了纪念品，表达了镇江人民对“镇江舰”和舰上全体官兵的感激之情。大家表示将永远铭记“镇江舰”35年来创下的辉煌业绩。
作为我国海军的主战舰艇、我国第一代导弹护卫舰，“镇江舰”在近海防御上发挥了积极作用，为捍卫国家海洋权益、保卫祖国海防、维护国家主权、支援国家经济建设作出了巨大贡献，同时也培养出多名将军。
1953年2月，毛泽东主席曾亲临“镇江舰”的前身“洛阳舰”视察，挥毫写下了“为了反对帝国主义侵略，我们一定要建立强大的海军”的题词，鼓舞了一代又一代“镇江舰”官兵搏风斗浪，卫国戍边，献身祖国的海防事业。
“镇江舰”政委倪万群代表“镇江舰”全体新老官兵，衷心感谢镇江市委、市政府以及镇江人民多年来对“镇江舰”的大力支持、关心和帮助。
他说，镇江市委、市政府和镇江人民的深情厚谊，将继续激励着我们全体官兵在新的岗位奋勇向前，不畏艰险，继续为祖国的海防事业作出新贡献。(魏华 沈春来)
相关链接：光荣“镇江舰”
海军514舰，于1986年8月1日被中央军委命名为“镇江舰”。从此，镇江市欣喜地多了“一块流动的土地”、“一张流动的名片”。“镇江舰”是一艘有 着辉煌成就的战舰，它在捍卫国家权益、保卫海防、维护主权、支援经济建设等各方面都作出巨大贡献，为我国海军建设培养了一大批优秀的人才。
中国海军第1代导弹护卫舰镇江舰退役 服役35年
2013年05月13日 17:14 京江晚报 我有话说(162人参与)
http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/2013-05-13/1714724498.html
本报讯 昨天，被中央军委以镇江城市命名的我国第一代导弹护卫舰——“镇江舰”在东海舰队服役35年后，正式退役。
市委、市政府及市双拥办相关负责人昨天出席了在上海举行的“镇江舰”退役纪念活动，向舰上官兵赠送了纪念品，表达了镇江人民对“镇江舰”和舰上全体官兵的感激之情。大家表示将永远铭记“镇江舰”35年来创下的辉煌业绩。
作为我国海军的主战舰艇、我国第一代导弹护卫舰，“镇江舰”在近海防御上发挥了积极作用，为捍卫国家海洋权益、保卫祖国海防、维护国家主权、支援国家经济建设作出了巨大贡献，同时也培养出多名将军。
1953年2月，毛泽东主席曾亲临“镇江舰”的前身“洛阳舰”视察，挥毫写下了“为了反对帝国主义侵略，我们一定要建立强大的海军”的题词，鼓舞了一代又一代“镇江舰”官兵搏风斗浪，卫国戍边，献身祖国的海防事业。
“镇江舰”政委倪万群代表“镇江舰”全体新老官兵，衷心感谢镇江市委、市政府以及镇江人民多年来对“镇江舰”的大力支持、关心和帮助。
他说，镇江市委、市政府和镇江人民的深情厚谊，将继续激励着我们全体官兵在新的岗位奋勇向前，不畏艰险，继续为祖国的海防事业作出新贡献。(魏华 沈春来)
相关链接：光荣“镇江舰”
海军514舰，于1986年8月1日被中央军委命名为“镇江舰”。从此，镇江市欣喜地多了“一块流动的土地”、“一张流动的名片”。“镇江舰”是一艘有 着辉煌成就的战舰，它在捍卫国家权益、保卫海防、维护主权、支援经济建设等各方面都作出巨大贡献，为我国海军建设培养了一大批优秀的人才。
Chinese navy forms 1st carrier-borne jet force
Xinhua, May 11, 2013
http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-05/11/content_28793701.htm
A carrier-borne aviation force has been formally established as part of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, military sources said on Friday.
Workers provide technological guarantee for tests of the carrier-borne J-15 fighters on China's first aircraft carrier the Liaoning.
Workers provide technological guarantee for tests of the carrier-borne J-15 fighters on China's first aircraft carrier the Liaoning.
The forming of the force, approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), demonstrates that the development of China's aircraft carriers has entered a new phase, the sources said.
The force comprises carrier-borne fighter jets, jet trainers and ship-borne helicopters that operate anti-submarine, rescue and vigilance tasks.
The sources said the carrier-borne force is vital to the strike force of China's aircraft carrier and a vanguard in transforming its navy. It will also play a key role in developing aircraft carrier groups and building a strong navy.
Wu Shengli, a member of the CMC and commander of the PLA Navy, attended the forming event on Friday.
The sources said the personnel of the force are more elite than the aviation forces within the PLA. To be able to fly fighter jets, the pilots should have flown at least five types of aircraft and their flight time must exceed 1,000 hours.
Rich experience in joint drills and major drills is also a prerequisite. The pilots also received training in courses like warship theory, nautical basics, and maritime meteorology.
Currently, China operates one aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, which was refitted based on an unfinished Russian-made carrier and delivered to the Navy on Sept. 25, 2012.
The carrier's original design allows it to carry about 30 fixed-wing aircraft.
The Liaoning has conducted successful take-off and landing tests of its carrier-borne J-15 fighters, the main strike force of China's carrier group.
DOD Report on China Details Military ModernizationBy Karen ParrishAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 6, 2013 – A Defense Department report released today describes China’s military modernization and the Chinese army’s interaction with other forces, including those of the United States, a senior Pentagon official said today.
Helvey said the trends in this year’s report show the rising power increasing its rapid military modernization program. “We see a good deal of continuity in terms of the modernization priorities,” Helvey noted, despite the 2012 and 2013 turnover to new leadership, which happens roughly every decade in China. The report notes China launched its first aircraft carrier in 2012 and is sustaining investments in advanced short- and medium-range conventional ballistic missiles, land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, counter-space weapons and military cyberspace systems. Helvey noted these technologies all bolster China’s anti-access and area-denial capabilities. “The issue here is not one particular weapons system,” he said. “It's the integration and overlapping nature of these weapons systems into a regime that can potentially impede or restrict free military operations in the Western Pacific. So that's something that we monitor and are concerned about.” Helvey said the report provides a lot of information, but also raises some questions. “What concerns me is the extent to which China’s military modernization occurs in the absence of the kind of openness and transparency that others are certainly asking of China,” he added. That lack of transparency, he noted, has effects on the security calculations of others in the region. “And so it's that uncertainty, I think, that's of greater concern,” he said. Helvey added the report noted China has “increased assertiveness with respect to its maritime territorial claims” over the past year. China disputes sovereignty with Japan over islands in the East China Sea, and has other territorial disputes with regional neighbors in the South China Sea. “With respect to these claims, we encourage all parties to the different disputes or interactions to address their issues peacefully, through diplomatic channels in a manner consistent with international law,” he said. Helvey noted China’s relations with Taiwan have been consistent. “Over the past year, cross-strait relations have improved,” he said. “However, China's military buildup shows no signs of slowing.” China also is building its space and cyberspace capabilities, Helvey said. He noted that in 2012, China conducted 18 space launches and expanded its space-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation, meteorological and communication satellite constellations. “At the same time, China continues to invest in a multidimensional program to deny others access to and use of space,” Helvey said. Addressing China’s cyber capabilities, Helvey said the Chinese army continues to develop doctrine, training and exercises that emphasize information technology and operations. “In addition, in 2012, numerous computer systems around the world, including those owned by the United States government, continued to be targeted for intrusions, some of which appear to be attributable directly to [Chinese] government and military organizations,” he added. Helvey noted a positive trend in U.S.-China engagements over the year, including several senior-leader visits culminating in then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta’s visit to Beijing in September. The two sides also explored practical areas of cooperation, he said, including the first counterpiracy exercise conducted in September by Chinese and U.S. forces, followed by the U.S. invitation to China to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise in 2014. “We'll continue to use military engagement with China as one of several means to expand areas where we can cooperate, discuss, frankly, our differences, and demonstrate the United States' commitment to the security of the Asia-Pacific region,” Helvey said. |
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Biographies: David F. Helvey Related Sites: 2013 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China Transcript |
To the surprise of many Chinese plane spotters, who camp-out near Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group’s test airfield, hoping catch a glimpse of J-20 performing aerobatics or J-10B ferrying back and forth to its operation eval unit. What they found today is a batch of J-7G variants fresh off the production line, still sporting their yellow primer.
Gearing for export perhaps? to quote 49er “Wow, where else can you find a factory producing three generations of aircraft?
In the mean while, this once proud J-7E (notice the double-delta wing) is destined for scrap
中国空军歼7系列战斗机正退出一线作战部署
2011年12月09日 11:06
来源：中国航空报
杨维勤摄
临近年底，位于安徽某地的空军某部加大了训练力度，图为该部队装备的歼7E战斗机双机编队起飞训练。
歼7系列战斗机，曾经是我国空军的主力战斗机型，随着部队装备更新换代的加速，歼7系列战斗机正逐渐退出一线作战部署，其主要作战任务也开始转变。杨维勤摄
http://news.ifeng.com/mil/2/detail_2011_12/09/11216346_0.shtml
