9th PLA LH Brigade, 39th Group Army, Shanyang MR, the fourth confirmed Z-10 operator

The fourth Z-10 equipped PLA LH Brigade is confirmed by today's (12/26/2012) report.  In a rather short period, the PLA now boost 48 known Z-10s in 4 attack squadrons of 12 birds each in four different LH brigades. 

Here are some clear photos of the Z-10 attack squadron, 6th LH  Brigade, 42nd Group Army, Guangzhou MR.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Zhuhai Suprise: Z-10 of the 6th LH Brigade.

Two Z-10s have just arrived at the 2012 Zhuhui airshow representing the PLA Army Aviation and they are from the 6th LH Brigade (LH96101 and LH96102) of the 42nd Group Army near by.   This revelation marks the 6th LH as the third Z-10 equipped LH units in service.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012

2nd Z-10 equipped Army Aviation Unit.

Judging from the recent PLA Daily articles and internet photo "releases", the 8th LH brigade of the 38th Group Army, Beijing MR has become the 2nd LH unit armed with the latest Z-10 attach choppers (6th squadron).   It is interesting to note that the 8th is also home to the Z-19 light attack helicopter (5th squadron).

After two years of service with the 5th LH brigade, it is clear that the CMC is now ready to expand its Z-10 footprint

This Z-10 is obviously at Baoding (8 Army Avn Bde), where 12 large hangars (for MI-17) and 9 small hangars (for Z-10), all camouflage and with round roofs, have been built by 2011. They seem to be also constructing 8 large hangars (for Z-8?).

There are also round hangars at Sanshui-Daliao (6 Army Avn Bde), but they are not camouflaged and are in two consecutive rows of 10, not separated like those at Baoding.

Since Z-8 and Z-10 appear to go together, perhaps we should expect the next Z-10 squadron to be formed in 26 GA 7 Army Avn Regt (Bde?).

--  franco-russe

Z-10 in BJ MR as reported by the PLA Daily

http://www.chinamil.com.cn/jfjbmap/content/2012-09/08/content_14139.htm

8月下旬，塞北某综合训练基地，北京军区某装甲团与航空兵、防空兵开展协同作战演练。图为装甲兵召唤航空兵提供火力支援
李东现摄　

Sunday, December 12, 2010

WZ-10 of the PLA 5th LH Regiment

It seems there are at least 8 of them already in service.

Photo of the day: J-16's holographic HUD

If the PLAN can field J-15 with a holographic HUD,  I am sure Shenyang Aircraft Company can put the same HUD on J-16, per request from the PLA-AF.

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

No typo, J-16 is the Chinese Strike Flanker, Su30 MK2

http://rusnavy.com/news/othernavies/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=13692


China demonstrated fighter J16 to the press at aircraft factory Shenyang Aircraft Co; it is a copy of Russian Su-30MK2, reports Hong Kong military magazine Kanwa referring to a Chinese authoritative military source.

This airplane is a copy of Russian fighter Su-30MK2, the batch of them was sold to China early in 2000's, reports Interfax citing the source.

According to the magazine, Chinese Navy is quite satisfied with performance characteristics of Su-30MK2 fighter. The military asked the Shenyang aircraft factory to copy that fighter with antiship capabilities adapted for Chinese-made missiles. Basically, the fuselage remained the same as J11BS airplane has, said the source.

The magazine reports that the first batch of 24 fighters J16 had been already constructed.

Since early 2010, Chinese Navy began to receive the first batch of domestically-designed multirole all-weather fighters J10A which significantly increased technological level of Chinese Navy, reports Kanwa.

The Chinese military source told to the magazine that "national air force has not received 'cloned' Su-30MK2 yet. Normally, Chinese Navy gets new fighters first. For example, two-seat fighter bomber JH7 joined Air Force only after commissioning into the Navy".

Posted by Coatepeque at 9:37 PM

China's New Y-20 Military Heavy Lift Transport Revealed

As if 2012 hasn't been a year to remember already vis a vis Chinese military developments, pictures were revealed today of the new Y-20 transport prototype at Xian Aircraft Corporation's Yanliang Airfield.  This aircraft appears to have a T-tail and is using four D-30KP-2 engines, production aircraft are expected to use a new Chinese turbofan.  Keep visiting here, we will continue to watch and post new development and pictures as they emerge.

Photo of the day: Type 052D LUYANG III-Class DDG's mid-section VLS revealed

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Type 052D LUYANG III-Class DDG, what we do know so far

There are two under construction -- they are sporting a new 130mm main gun and a set of much larger radar arrays

According to people who have seen the ship at HSH here are the observations.

1. Main mast is slightly different on the top, similar to 054A.
2. The space between the aft mast and aft VLS is still there, indicating no extended VLS area and probably still gonna have the two quad pack YJ62.
3. Nothing is installed on top of the hangar, indicating it'll be HQ10 not the deck penetrating 730.
4. Aft mast is the same so it's still the good ole 517 radar.

Here is a interesting diagram showing the main gun is moved forward by a little bit compare to the 052C, also shows how massive the new arrays are.

-- hmmwv

Pre-production J-10B

Since J-10B's maiden flight in Dec 2008, the development on this J-10 variant seems to be stuck in low gear.   This situation might be changing as latest rumor has revealed that first batch of four pre-production copies are well on their way.


One of the four pre-production copies

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party

Let hope that this new ban won't weaken their revolutionary spirit

Chinese military bans luxury banquets

(Source: Xinhua)   2012-12-22

　　BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The military on Friday declared that receptions for high-ranking officers will no longer feature liquor or luxury banquets.

　　The receptions will also be free of welcome banners, red carpets, floral arrangements, formations of soldiers, performances and souvenirs, according to ten regulations drawn up by the Central Military Commission.

　　The regulations also prohibit commission officials from staying in civilian hotels or military hotels specially equipped with luxury accommodation during inspection tours.

　　The ten regulations also require officials to cut both the number and length of inspection tours, overseas visits, meetings and reports.

　　The regulations state that speakers at meetings should avoid empty talk, while commission officials will not be allowed to attend ribbon-cutting and cornerstone-laying ceremonies, celebrations or seminars unless they have received approval from the of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee or the Central Military Commission.

　　The use of vehicles equipped with sirens will be rigorously controlled during official visits in order to prevent public disturbances.

　　Additionally, commission officials are also required to discipline their spouses, children and subordinates and make sure they do not take bribes.

　　The Central Military Commission enacted the regulations to echo the new central leadership's call to improve work styles.

　　At a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held on Dec. 4, participants approved regulations calling for political bureau members to improve their work in eight ways, with a particular focus on reducing extravagance and bureaucracy.

Editor:Ouyang Dongmei

It is offical -- "Global Liberation Army - Navy" font

Back in August, I blogged that some Chinese forumers are not happy with the new PLAN white pennant font.  Well, according to today's PLA Daily, the new white pennant is now the official “naval hull number font”.   

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Global Liberation Army - Navy

Recently some of the China Navy's latest vessels, including their newly commissioned 052C Luyang II class DDG 152, are sporting a USN like “white pennant” and this does not sit well with some Chinese “forumers”.  They want to see a “China Navy with Chinese Characteristics” (bad English grammar included)  not a USN a.k.a “Global Liberation Army – Navy” wanna be.

My apologies to those who does get the GLA reference.  

 Liaoning sporting the new GLA-N style font.

 Chinese naval ships renew hull numbers

(Source: China Military Online)   2012-12-17

　A pair of nearly-40-square-meter hull numbers “16” is extraordinarily conspicuous on the two sides of the bow of China’s first aircraft carrier “Liaoning Ship”. By comparison, it is easy to find that the elements of the hull number of the “Liaoning Ship”, such as font and color, are distinctly different from those of other Chinese naval ships.

　　The reporters recently learnt from related departments under the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that the painting design scheme of the new-type hull number of the “Liaoning Ship” had been officially approved and would be widely used in the Chinese naval troop units.

　　The painting design scheme stipulates the font, color, size and position of hull numbers, so as to achieve overall coordination of different types of warships.

　　The font of the new-type warship hull number is divided into “naval hull number font” and “naval hull number vertical font”. The hull numbers include 38 Chinese characters and 10 Arabic numerals which can be expanded as needed by the painting of hull numbers. The color and style of hull numbers are also changed from black and horizontal to white and vertical respectively, reflecting the special requirements of warships for low visibility in modern wars.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Putting their Photoshop skills to good use.

Folks at the Chinese military forums are having issues with the new PLA infantry gear -- they look too GLA (Global Liberation Army) like. In protest, they put their Photoshop skills to good use. In their view, if they are looking like the GLA, they might start acting like the GLA i.e. leaving their old non-intervention stand behind.  A change that is not welcomed.

Here is the PS-ed US DOD style photo.  I have to admit, the "price of freedom" slogan is a nice torch.

The original photo

What's the 'GLA' doing with its 'dumplings'? Find out online
http://military.globaltimes.cn/china/2011-05/659990.html
Source: Global Times
By Xu Tianran

A newbie entering an online military forum may be baffled by jargon including references to the "GLA" launching warships like "dumplings into boiling water."

But seasoned browsers know that GLA stands for "Global Liberation Army," a sarcastic nickname for the US military, while the dumplings refer to its mass production of naval vessels.

Initially invented as a precaution against the leaking of military secrets, such slang terms are now being popularized by military enthusiasts, Pei Shen, a senior editor at the military channel of the huanqiu.com website, said.

Photos of the day: Chinese Navy ships visit Sydney

Chinese Navy ships visit Sydney

(Source: Xinhua)   2012-12-18

　　Three Chinese navy ships returning home from counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden have arrived in Sydney as part of a four day port visit, local media reported on Tuesday.

　　The ships, Yi Yang, Chang Zhou and Qian Dao Hu, began arriving in Sydney at 8:30 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reports.

　　Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith said in a statement that the Chinese and Australian navies will share the lessons learned on counter-piracy operations during the visit.

　　"China has a central role to play in contributing to regional security and Australia welcomes China's continued efforts in working with other countries to combat piracy," Smith said.

　　"International dialogue is necessary to ensure a coordinated and effective international response to the threat that piracy poses to regional security."

　　He said the ship visit is one of a number of defense engagement activities conducted in 2012 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and China.

　　The Australian navy participated in two other exercises with China in 2012.

　　In May HMAS Ballarat visited Shanghai and conducted a passage exercise with the Chinese Navy frigate Anqing at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

　　In October Australian, New Zealand and Chinese navies conducted training for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

　　"Australia is committed to developing strong and positive defense relations with China through dialogue and practical activities," Smith said.

Editor:Zhang Tao

Photo of the day: Jianghu class FFG (551 and 552) becoming scrap metal