Thursday, September 19, 2019

Type 15 light tank in the National Day Parade rehearsal


On main design feature of all modern Chinese tank design is their modular armor. Which the armor package could be change at the unit level. This Type 15 has ceramic armor tiles installed instead of bulkier ERA bricks.

Friday, September 13, 2019

The Thai Navy is buying the Chinese Type 71E LPD



According to the shipyard insider, the Type 71 LPD costs 221millions US dollars to build.  The "E" is for the export model. Wonder how much is the price of the export version for the Thai Navy? Also if there will be a royal family stateroom build in like the Thai aircraft carrier HTMS Charkri Naruebet.

Update: according to Thai media the price for the Type 71E is 6.1 billion Baht or equals to 200.6 millions USD. Which is 20 millions USD cheaper than the Chinese Navy version. A friendship price? or it has different weapons and equipment than the non-export version?





Monday, September 09, 2019

Retired Chinese Mine-laying/Mine-clearing rocket system


It was developed from the Russian Katyusha rockets of WW2 vintage with an emphasis in increase  payload at reduced range. The system was in PLA service from the late 1960s-early 1970s to its retirement in 2000s. In its primary mine laying role, each rocket carries 10-20 small AT scatter mines. In the mine clearing mode, the rockets have either conventional high explosive or fuel-air explosive warhead with a long nose prob to detonate it few feet above ground. The overpressure allows it to trigger or disable surface laid or buried mines. Both type of rockets typically have 3000-4000m range. 

Friday, September 06, 2019

Steel Beach in the PLAMC style


No BBQ, steak or beer. It's self-serving hot pot with a lot of squatting around.

Monday, September 02, 2019

Canard-Delta wings: Chinese J-10s and Thai Gripens


Fighter jets from China's PLA Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force fly in tactical formation during a joint training exercise. The closing ceremony of the joint exercise code-named "Falcon Strike 2019" between the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force was held at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (Udorn RTAFB) on August 29, 2019, local time. The three-day exercise was aimed to promote cooperation and exchanges between the two air forces, test combat tactics and methods, promote equipment development, and improve the joint training level of the two sides. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xie Zhongwu and Zhou Yongheng)