Monday, June 29, 2020

Professional publication of the day: Overview of the PLA Air Force’s Kongtian Yiti Strategy






Link (here

Introduction This paper examines the “integrated air and space capability” (kongtian yiti / 空天一体) component of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force’s (PLAAF) first ever service strategy, which was implemented to coincide with the PLAAF’s 10th Party Congress in May 2004 and represented a major milestone in China’s efforts to build a “Strategic Air Force.”2 Although the strategy has a second component – “coordinating offensive and defensive operations”3 (攻防兼备) – the paper will not discuss this in any detail. The PLAAF often combines the two components together in the phrases “ building a strong air force based on integrating air and space capabilities, and coordinating offensive and defensive operations” (建设一支空天一体,攻防兼备的强大人民空军) and “creating a modern air force with integrated air and space capabilities and coordinate offensive and defensive operations ” (空天一体,攻防兼备的现代化空军). It also uses “to change from an aviation-type [air force] to an air and space-type [air force]” (航空型向空天一体型转变). However, there is normally very little substance in the articles concerning what this means.4In May 2004, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Military Commission (aka Central Military Commission / CMC) implemented the strategy as one component of the reforms to the PLA’s “Military Strategic Guidelines” (军事战略方针)5 that were first implemented in 1956 and is linked to the PLA’s “active defense” (积极防御) strategy that dates back to the 1930

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Non-Chinese photos of the day: T-34, let it rip and let it flip

from the parade 3 days ago












Orbat update: 7th Heavy Armor Combined-Arms Brigade, 82nd Group Army

Update and  photo credit go to Andrew KC

As part of the 2016 reorg, 7th Armored Brigade, 27th GA, became the 7th Combined-Arms Brigade, 82nd Group Army.  Recently it changed its title to 7th Heavy Armor Combined-Arms Brigade, after an injection of newer and heavier equipment. 


Its four Heavy Armor Combined-Arms battalions are equipped with:

-ZTZ96A MBT
- ZBD04 IFV
- PPZ10 120mm SPM

Air Defense Battalion (7xxx):

- PGZ09 35mm SPAAA
- HQ-17 SAM
- PGZ04A 25mm SPAAA

Artillery Battalion (6xxx)

- PLZ07A 122mm SPH
- PLZ89 122mm SPH
- PHZ11 122 SPMRL















China Navy Marine in Djibouti getting their new BDU, Smurfs no more!

Photo credit goes to Hongjian










Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Another 2 photos of China's improved 8x8 wheeled IFV

Could be a 30mm IFV variant







Sunday, June 07, 2020

Detail CGI rendering of the new Chinese 8x8 wheeled Assault Gun




What do we know so far:
  • It uses the same long barrel variant of the ZTP-94 105mm tank gun and autoloader just like the new Type 15 light MBT
  • The chassis is an improved ZBL-08 with a rear ram and big vision block for the driver's hatch
  • Remote controlled turret with minimum hulk penetration
  • Remote weapon station for the 12.7mm HMG
  • Odd layout of its smoke grenade launchers with 6x on the right and 4x on the left
  • Laser warning receivers and digital camera all around
   New finds:
  • There will be a IFV version with a smaller remote control turret; assuming 30mm autocanon and HJ-11 or HJ-12 ATGM launch tubes
  • The new TC panoramic sight features thermal imaging sight, laser range finder and external stabilization.
  • The bolt-on armor plates are compose of HHS, ceramic and polymer+RHA backing. It's capable of stopping 40mm caliber autocanon. Optional ERA.
  • The most interesting is the hatch opening behind the TC panoramic. 
    • My take on it: 
    • It's fairly small so it's not for quick entrance or exist. It's a pass-through design.  
    • It look heavy, so it probably has a mechanical opening system
    • So, it's likely just made for letting the commander stand up and out of the top of the turret. Which it seems like a lot of wasted space.    

Friday, May 22, 2020

The new improved 105mm wheeled assault gun/Wheeled IFV family spotted again

Based on the same ZTL11 8x8  chassis with improved armor protection and a new a new turret to boot.

Photo Source (here)

Command variant?
 IFV/APC variant
 The 105mm assault gun variant



Your standard PTL-11 assault gun and ZBL08 IFV currently in service







Sunday, February 10, 2019


An improved 105mm wheeled assault gun under winter trails at Baicheng Weapon Test Center

Judging by the limited screen captures below, this new 8x8 ZBL08 based assault gun is featuring a new turret, claims to be remote controlled + auto loader, a new RWS on top to sum of a total of 11 automated systems/functions.    Basic armor is also getting an upgrade.




 Baicheng Weapon Test Center

 The in-service 8x8 ZBL08 based assault gun variant

Wednesday, April 17, 2019


Computer render of the new Chinese 8x8 assault gun/tank destroyer


Computer render of the new 8x8 assault gun/tank destroyer. We already know this has a remote turret featuring the 105mm tank gun and auto loader from the Type 15 light tank. This shows the addition of the commander's panoramic sight from the VN17 infantry fighting vehicle, which is also based on the Type 15 light tank, and finally, remote weapon station for the 50 cal HMG, which looks like the one from the VT-4 MBT.

Airborne or light Infantry? More photos of the 134th Combined-Arms Mechanized Airborne Brigade's rapid deployment to Tibet




























Monday, June 08, 2020

More photos on the 134th Combined-Arms Mechanized Airborne Brigade's repid deployment to Tibet via civilian assets

The airborne on the move