A previously unknown Chinese UAV

The Chinese blogosphere has been buzzing about the photo release of a previously unknown UAV (operational?). Its high-aspect ratio wings clearly suggest a high-attitude surveillance mission profile. Simultaneously, the Chinese are impressed by the performance of the US UAV in the Af-Pak Theater and have been busy cloning both the US MQ-9 Reaper and the RQ-4 Global Hawk.


According to a recent PLA daily article, all PLA UAV units are considered strategic assets and placed under the direct command of the 2nd department, General Staff Department of the CMC. This indicates the importance of UAV development for Chinese defense planners.

Tianchi and WingLong UAV

The Russian Brigadization

While the PLA’s brigadization reform seems to be stalled after converting 22 low-readiness divisions into brigades in late 1990s, the Russian military is moving forward with their version of brigadization (here). As with the PLA, the most plausible benefit is the reduction of a command HQ, streamlining command and control and allowing for greater operational autonomy. The Russians decommissioned the Army HQ (military district –> operational command –> brigade ) and the PLA axed the Military Region (Central Military Commission -> Corp/Group Army -> Brigade). By removing the Army HQ from the ORBAT Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov can reduce the number of officers by 150,000 by 2012. The PLA took a similar approach in streamlining its military when 170000 officers were decommissioned during the 2005 force reduction. (here)

Recently, a number of Chinese analysts and former officers have spoken out against such huge reductions in the officer ranks; they believe the lack of staff officers actually reduces the combat effectiveness of the brigades. The PLA's brigade reorganization leaves only five deputy chief-of-staffs in the brigade HQ compared to the 50 staff officers in the old regiment. In theory, many of the day-to-day management duties were sent to the Corp HQ. However, it has been demonstrated that the Corp HQ is still ineffective in addressing issues from the lower echelons and so far the NCO corp have not been able to handle the responsibilities that used to be the role of junior officers.

The cut was too deep and the PLA is learning. Recently the PLA shifted its efforts in reforming regiments into battalion-battle groups within a division instead of reducing divisions into brigades; thus enabling the Division HQ to retain its staff officers instead of shifting work to Corp HQ. It seems that Russia is heading down the same path.


Here are some stunning photos taken from the Ladoga-2009 strategic exercises as the Russians test out their brigade reform.

Russia kicks off Ladoga-2009 drills

http://www.milaz.info/en/news.php?id=3924

16:56 19-08-2009

Russia has started the strategic component of ongoing military exercises in the northwest of the country, an aide to the Ground Forces commander said on Tuesday, Ria Novosti reported.

The Ladoga-2009 drills, held from August 10 to September 28 as part of Russia’s military reforms, involve all units of the Leningrad military district, several units of the Siberian military district, interior troops, border guards, and the Northern and Baltic fleets.

“In accordance with the combat training plan of the Russian Armed Forces, the Ladoga-2009 strategic exercises are going ahead under the command of the Russian Ground Forces commander, Gen. Vladimir Boldyrev,” Col. Igor Konashenkov said.

The official said the current phase of the exercise involved the planning of strategic deployment of the armed forces in Russia’s northwest and putting the military units on high alert.

Under the ongoing military reform, Russia held on June 29 to July 10 the Caucasus-2009 exercises, which involved all the brigades of the North Caucasus military district, the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla.

During the Zapad (West) exercises on September 8-29, Russia will deploy two full-sized armies in Belarus.
Russia’s Ground Forces are deployed in six military districts: Moscow, Leningrad, North Caucasus, Urals, Siberian, and Far Eastern.

The central focus of the current reforms is the reorganization of the military command and control system from a four-tier (military district – army – division – regiment) to a three-tier structure (military district – operational command – brigade). MILAZ

Why won't Madeleine return my call?!

Our Dead Leader, eh, I mean Dear Leader won’t smile or change his own clothes any more...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=axHS8ks6bZoQ
Oct. 5 (Bloomberg) -- China pledged to boost ties with North Korea a day after Kim Jong Il’s regime told visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao of its willingness to resume nuclear disarmament talks.

Memory from a happier time


My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun
by William Shakespeare

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks,
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know,
That music hath a far more pleasing sound.
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

Impressive photos of the Yangshan Port near Shanghai.

This 20 billion USD Yangshan Deep-Water Port (洋山深水港) project will be the world's largest cargo port with 30 berths and the capability of handling 15 million TEU annually when the third phase completes by 2012. It is connected to Shanghai via a 32.5 km bridge over the Hangzhou Bay.

Together with Dalian to the north and Hainan down south, the Yangshan port, right in the middle, can be utilized to resupply "large naval vessels" after they became operational.

Y-7 AEW&C Development is "on the Radar Screen"

Recent photos have emerged of a Xi'an Aircraft Corporation (XAC) Y-7 Transport fitted with what appears to be a "balance beam" radar. A similar balance beam radar mounted on Y-8W airframes, known as the KJ-200, was featured in the recent 60th Anniversary Parade.

Pictures of this Y-7 balance beam development indicate that some attempt has been made to mount the KJ-200 radar in a smaller airframe. From the images it appears that the aircraft is parked in a field as if it were a static display. However, the balance beam is under camouflage and the aircraft is opened up, indicating some activity is still underway at the time of the photo. Interestingly, both the undated snapshot and 2007 satellite image show the balance beam under camouflage, indicating some attempt to hide the development.

While the larger four-engine Y-8W AEW&C has been adopted by the PLAAF, an AEW&C platform mounted on the smaller airframe has many potential uses ranging from export to most notably a navalized carrier-based AEW&C aircraft.

In its standard production configuration, the Y-7 would not be a good candidate for carrier operations. However, recent commercial success of the Y-7 derivative MA60 airliner has breathed new life into this old design. The latest commercial variant of the Y-7, the MA700, is known to also have a parallel military STOL development.

The tantalizing nexus of a shortened and modernized STOL Y-7 and these recent Y-7 balance beam pics may well be the fixed-wing AEW&C component of the PLAN's first carrier airwing.

For more details on this and other Chinese military developments, join the discussion in the China-Defense.com Forum: http://www.china-defense.com/smf/index.php?topic=4202.0

First Confirmation of Shang Class SSN Commission Date?

This Oct 1st 2009 CCTV documentary seems to confirm the commission date of the new 1st Type-93 (09-III) "Shang Class" SSN for the first time. The documentary was part of the CCTV special in celebrating China's 60th anniversary. Since the PLA never release any information regarding its secretive nuclear program, this announcement would represent a break from its tradition.



The CCTV Capture Reads:



On December 2006.



Chairman Hu Jintao braved the several cold



to dedicate the commission of a new type of nuclear submarine.



in a flag-raising ceremony



and presented the August 1st color to the new captain in person.
(Note CCTV/CCAV recycled Song class footage for this report)

Bolivia buys six Pakistan-made aircraft

K-8 scores another deal -- no wonder Hongdu proclaims it has cornered 80% of the intermediate jet trainer market this year. (here)


"Pakistan-made aircraft" -- I know, I know..........

Bolivia buys six Pakistan-made aircraft

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/bolivia-buys-six-pakistan-made-aircraft-05-sal-01

Saturday, 03 Oct, 2009

LA PAZ: The Bolivian government has approved the 57.8-million-dollar purchase of six planes made in Pakistan with Chinese technology for use in anti-drug operations, media here reported Friday.

The deal was finalized Wednesday in consultations with ministers and stipulates that the aircraft will provide a 'contribution to the regional battle against narcotrafficking, ensuring requisite control of national air spaces and areas prone to and affected by this problem,' reported local independent media agency Fides.

The government has not explicitly confirmed the deal but 'the president will announce it on October 10,' according to Defense Minister Walker San Miguel, who was cited by La Razon newspaper.

The K-8, or Karakorum, plane is a light fighter jet jointly developed by China and Pakistan in the early 1990s.

It is used primarily as a training aircraft, but can also be used for airfield defense.

Bolivia is also waiting for five US-made Huey helicopters to be delivered by Brazil. Bolivian President Evo Morales said Thursday that the delivery was being delayed by the United States, which has yet to give the project a green light.

Morales accused Washington of 'boycotting' Bolivia's anti-drug efforts after the country expelled agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration in 2008.

Bolivia is the third largest cocaine producer in the world, behind Colombia and Peru.

In addition to the anti-drug operations aircraft, Bolivia recently announced the purchase of a modern presidential plane, an Antonov AN-148, at a cost of 30 million dollars.

The purchase is part of a deal with Russia worth 100 million dollars to modernize Bolivia's air force.-AFP

KJ-2000 AWAC's Radar, An Inside Look.

China's first early warning aircraft hints strategic leap in air defense

(Source: Xinhua) 2009-10-01

　 　BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The organizer of China's National Day parade showed the most important hardware progress the country's Air Force made in the past decade as the long-range Kongjing-2000 and two other smaller Kongjing-200 aircraft led air formations.

　　The Kongjing-2000 is China's first generation of military airborne early warning and control (AEWC) system developed with its own technology. The plane was deployed around 2004 after decades of trade embargo by Western countries and unsuccessful acquisition of Russia-made equivalent.

　　A practical AEWC platform has been long expected by the Chinese People's Liberation Army's Air Force since the 1960s when it realized the growing insufficiency of short-range fighters and limited ground radar bases to defend China's vast territory and more than 4.7-million square kilometers of waters under its jurisdiction.

　 　With an ability to process comprehensive information and long-range detection by its active phased array radar, Kongjing-2000 can track dozens of aerial targets and guide the PLA's fighters to intercept enemy aircraft far beyond their detection range.

　　"The early warning aircraft is a multiplier of air defense forces and its advantages will be particularly significant out of the land area, such as the South China Sea," said Prof. Wang Hanling, a maritime expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

　　Kongjing-200 with its balance beam-like radar on the back of itsYun-8 transporter airframe is a supplemental AEWC system for lower-altitude and shorter-range mid-air combat information supply.

　　"They (AEWC aircraft) are the basic requirement for the PLA's Air Force to have a systematic combat platform under information-based warfare," said Prof. Wang Mingliang with the Air Force Command College.

　　"To construct such a systematic platform is what the PLA's Air Force is doing and will reinforce in the future," Wang said.

　 　Wang said the PLA is stepping up the platform's construction as the world's leading air forces have connected air weaponry such asfighters, bombers, AEWC aircraft and electronic warfare devices with military information distribution network which rely on military resources in both the air and the space, such as satellites.

　　"The AEWC aircraft is actually a comprehensive mid-air platform that connects the ground radar and the aircraft which can see and hear farther than a single weapon alone," said Prof. Tan Kaijia.

　　"The development of Kongjing-2000 and Kongjing-200 has also encouraged Chinese scientists with huge pride, which proves that China can master AEWC technologies," Tan said.

　　The Air Force's vice commander Lt.-Gen. Zhao Zhongxin told Xinhua that AEWC aircraft played an essential role in providing navigation and telecommunications services during last year's earthquake relief work in Sichuan Province and Beijing Olympic Games.

　　The aircraft to perform the air show were selected from the PLA's Air Force, naval aviation and army aviation. Their pilots have conducted rehearsals of flying over Tian'anmen Square from the air bases in the outskirts of Beijing.

Editor:Chen Jie

J-10B for Pakistan

This article confirms what we already know for some time – the Pakistan Air Force is interested in J-10B instead of the standard J-10 variant currently in service with the PLAAF.


No big surprise per se.

DATE:30/09/09
SOURCE:Flight International
China's AVIC steps up sales push for FC-1, J-10 fighters
By Siva Govindasamy

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/30/332905/chinas-avic-steps-up-sales-push-for-fc-1-j-10-fighters.html

China plans to market the Chengdu FC-1/JF-17 and J-10 fighters aggressively as part of its plan to become a major player in the global aerospace industry.

"While AVIC's main job is to manufacture aircraft, the company also fulfils a national agenda by producing military aircraft for China's political allies around the world," says a source close to Chengdu's state-owned parent company. "There are also countries that would like to buy a good fighter, but not at the cost of a Western fighter.

"While China's military aircraft have been exported for many years, this is the first time that there is a concerted effort to properly market them and establish a support network," the source adds.

In the past few months, senior company officials have been identifying the military products that will be given the most attention for the export market. In the fighter segment, the JF-17 and the J-10 are the two most important aircraft, says the source.

"Given that the JF-17 has been in service in China and Pakistan for a number of years and is a mature programme, it is being given first priority," the source adds.

Islamabad, which helped to develop the JF-17, has committed to buying 150 aircraft produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex. This figure could rise to 300 aircraft to replace the country's air force fleets of Nanchang A-5s, Chengdu F-7s and Dassault Mirage III and Mirage Vs.

The JF-17 will be able to carry a variety of conventional and precision-guided bombs, and air-to-air and air-to-sea missiles from short- to beyond-visual-range. The type is already being marketed to countries in Africa, the Middle East, South America and South-East Asia.

"The J-10 is not ready for export yet, as AVIC is still finalising upgrades for the fighter," the source says. "But there has been interest from several countries."

AVIC is likely to begin exports of the new type - which entered Chinese air force service in early 2007 - after it has finished developing an upgraded J-10B version. Enhancements are to include a modified vertical stabiliser and ventral fins, redesigned engine inlet, a new radar and an infrared search and track sensor.
Pakistan is likely to be the first export customer, having begun negotiations to buy 36 aircraft several years ago. To be designated locally as FC-20s, deliveries are likely to begin from 2014-15.

Beijing could extend loans to purchasing countries and offer local assembly if there are sufficient orders, the source adds.

J-10B

Tough crowd

When asked about the CCTV’s coverage on the Oct 1st National Day Parade, the surveyed gave an overwhelmingly negative response. Their complaint range from poor camera angle and shot selection, idiotic commentary, to the constant bombardistic music. Tough crowd, indeed.

Some of the "colorful" comments from other Chinese forums are very "creative"

From CCTV's own website: 12 voted for "very good" and 1105 voted for "very bad"