Monday, June 29, 2009

Yet another massive "anti-terrorism" eh, I mean "anti-extremism" exercise.

More details emerged on the third Sino-Russia joint military exercise with 1300 troops from both sides participating. This is considerably less than the 2005 exercise where over 10,000 troops (8000 Chinese and 2000 Russian) including marines and paratroopers assaulted an “extremist” controlled runaway island off coastal China.

While the 2005 exercise showcased the latest development, it also exposed some of the underlying weaknesses of the PLA in areas such as rigid command structures, lack of experience in complex mechanized airborne drops, lack of initiative by junior officers to adapt and overall poor communication between service arms. The Russian military also showcased long range bombers such as Tu-22m and TU-95 hoping to land export orders from China, but no deals were made. Overall, it was an expensive dog-and-pony show that exposed weakness rather than strength.


The 2007 show demonstrated the first PLA deployment of the JH-7 and WZ-9 to Russia with a PLA battle- group of 1600 troops in a combined armed maneuver that tested long-distance mobility and logistic support. For many it was considered to be the first such demonstration of power projection outside of China. With a reduced OPOBJ; instead of an island, they assaulted an extremist controlled town, the PLA seemed to perform better than 2005. However, the PLA’s Type92—the mainstay of PLA’s wheeled APC—was shown to be underpowered in rough terrain, and joint operation planning with the Russians was not well coordinated. Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization also took part in the 2007 show with a total of 6500 troops and 80 aircraft from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

It will be interesting to see what is in store for this year.


Russia, China To Hold Military Exercises July 22-26 - Report


MOSCOW (AFP)--Russia and China will hold joint military exercises next month, a top Russian military official said Monday, as the giant neighbors work towards tighter cooperation.

"The head of the Russian and Chinese military delegations agreed that 1,300 soldiers from each side would participate," said the deputy army chief Lieutenant General Sergei Antonov, adding 20 Russian war planes would take part.

The massive five-day exercises, dubbed Peace Mission 2009, are to focus on anti-terrorism and will take place on both countries' territories July 22-26, Antonov told the ITAR-TASS state news agency. The two countries are in their third round of talks to hammer out the details of the joint manoeuvres, he said.

Russia and China made a show of their strengthening ties last month when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Moscow for a major bilateral summit. The friendly diplomacy is a marked change from the later decades of the Cold War era, when the Soviet Union and China clashed for supremacy in the Communist world.

In recent years, the countries have taken great strides to step up trade and put old rivalries behind them, ending a decades-long dispute over their 4,300- kilometer border just last year.

The two held joint exercises in 2005 and 2007 under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional security group consisting of China, Russia and four Central Asian states.

Russia has also been the main supplier of arms to China since the two countries normalized relations in 1989 - the same year Washington imposed an arms ban on Beijing.







China to launch drill with Russia

english.chinamil.com.cn 2009-03-18

  BEIJING, March 17 -- China and Russia will launch a joint anti-terror drill in Northeast China this year, a defense official has said.

  "The defense ministries of the two countries are currently discussing details of the drill," Qian Lihua, director of the Ministry of Defense's foreign affairs office, said.

  The drill, the second between the two troops, is aimed at promoting bilateral strategic partnership, Qian said.

  It will also mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Russian diplomatic ties, he added.

  The first such drill was held in Vladivostok in Russia and East China's Shandong in August 2005.

  In 2007, the two countries joined a multinational anti-terror drill that also brought together Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

  Qian said China will hold more exercises with its neighbors this year, as it is keen on promoting high-level military exchanges. He, however, did not elaborate.

  China has strengthened military ties with its neighbors by participating in regional exercises, Qian said.

  Since 2002, the country has joined 17 military exercises and four ground training drills with its neighbors.

  The country has sent teams to observe military drills in India and Pakistan, as well as "Cobra Gold" drills between Thailand and the United States.

  China and Australia will strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism, disaster relief and peacekeeping, Chen Bingde, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, said yesterday. He made the remarks during a meeting with Australian Chief of the Army Ken Gillespie.

  (Source: chinadaily.com.cn)

Sunday, June 28, 2009

North Medical 01.

North Medical 01.


This photo of North Sea Fleet’s latest medical ship(more like a boat), North Medical 01 illustrates perfectly which naval fleet PLA planners are putting their money into; by comparing North Medical Ship 01 to South Sea Fleet’s latest medical ship 866 Daishandao, the contrast could not be any sharper.

North Sea Fleet’s North Medical 01 is based on the proven Hainan class gunboat design with a displacement of 400 tons and top speed of 30 knots. It is fast, small, reliable, geared as an ambulance for rescues missions in the yellow Sea. For large scale shipborne emergency surgeries, North Sea Fleet has the training ship Shichang under its command with medical modules that can be loaded onboard on an ad hoc basis.

South Sea Fleet’s Daishandao medical ship, on the other hand, has 10,000 tons of displacement with more than 500 beds, eight surgery rooms and can accommodate 40 major surgeries a day.


You know what they say: size does matter.


North Medical 01.





Daishandao





Shichang with medical modules

Thursday, June 25, 2009

China to build world's largest amphibious aircraft

There is no reason to get excited; it is just a larger version of the old SH-5: a seaplane that has a production run of only 4 copies. I found it odd that AVIC calls the Dragon 600 project a "commercial production." Oh my!! Is that a large Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) Sensor in your tail or are you just happy to see me?!




JL (Dragon) 600


SH-5



China to build world's largest amphibious aircraft
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-25 16:48

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2009-06/25/content_8323684.htm

The development and production of the Dragon 600, intended to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, has received government approval, AVIC General Aircraft Company Ltd said Wednesday.


The Dragon 600, which would be as large as an Airbus 320, could be used for tasks such as emergency rescue, fighting forest fires and sea patrols, said Hu Haiyin, deputy general manager of the company.

Hu said that market research indicated a domestic market for 60 such craft in the next 15 years.

The research and design stage would last for four years, with commercial production to begin in at least five years, Hu said.

The company's facilities are southwest of the Zhuhai airport. The first construction phase is scheduled for completion in 2012 and the company plans to have 1,500 employees.



Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Red Flags and Smiles.

June 24th 2009 marks the first goodwill visit to China by a Vietnam’s People Navy (VPN) task force composed of two minesweepers. Led by the deputy chief of staff, the task force visited the HQ of PLAN’s South Sea Fleet at Zhanjiang after the completion of the 7th joint Sino-Vietnam South China Sea patrol.

Ironically, the joint patrol occurred during a recent fishery dispute when Vietnam issued strong protest against a Chinese imposed fish ban as reported by BBC (Here) Of course there are still issues to be addressed but it seems they are working on diplomacy as both step up patrols. The joint patrol allows the VPN to enforce the fish ban and while avoiding sensitive and possibly poisonous issues of sovereignty on disputed territories.

Speaking of which, the USS Impeccable and Victorious ignored such fishing ban while trolling for "large steel" fish.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7941425.stm
The tensions have been stoked by rival claims to parts of the South China Sea.

China has been enforcing an annual fishing moratorium since 1999 in order to conserve stocks, but this year's has been seen by many as extremely tough.

.........

There are increasingly open calls in Vietnam for the government to "stand our ground" in territorial matters.

But with the latest message, it seems Hanoi prefers to attempt a diplomatic resolution for the time being.











To recap, I posted the following back in March 16th.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Red Capitalists of the world UNITE!


http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/03/red-capitalists-of-world-unite.html

With all those excitement surrendering the recent "routine operations in international waters" according to Washington or "like a spy" according to Beijing, the recent warming of Sino-Vietnam relations seems to be overlooked. Both governments (and Republic of China as well) issued protests against Philippine’s recent Baseline Bill (Here). In their view, the bill upsets the 2002 ASEAN agreement on South China Sea Declaration on the Conduct.


Recent major Sino-Vietnam related events I am aware of:

They agreed to "properly handle South China Sea dispute" In January 2008 (Here)

Joint "survey of fishery resources and joint naval patrols" In June 2008 (Here)

Formed "a strategic cooperation pact between state-run China National Offshore Oil Corp and PetroVietnam" in Oct 2008 (Here)

Resolved of the 840miles of border dispute in Dec 2008 (Here)

To today’s shocker of (Here) "to advance the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership" by Pham Quang Nghi. Not sure I know what is that statement means in real life and I do understand one has to be careful when reading government’s PR release. However, they seems to be friends, a major far cry from 30 years ago.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

PLA Navy uses new generation of marine geo-information system

Interesting news from PLAdaily today, makes you wonder how many "civilian survey ships" PLAN used in order to build this new system.




PLA Navy uses new generation of marine geo-information system

english.chinamil.com.cn 2009-06-23

  The reporters saw at the China Nautical Book Publisher that with the input of relevant marine environmental data by the operator, a new generation of marine geo-information system can automatically generate a piece of digitalized multi-media nautical chart.

  With the bird's-eye-view charts, sea-lane traffic charts and seabed relief charts of various perspectives offered by the system in real time, the various postures of maritime battle field, military strength, sea routes and the attacking objectives will vividly come into view of the commanders. With such elements as depth of water, current speed and direction of current offered by the system, the missile and torpedo can directly aim at and implement precision attack on the targets, effectively improving ship survival capability and the attack accuracy of the ship-based weapons.

  It is said that since the system started operation, it has successfully supported such major missions as Chinese naval warships' global navigations, formation visits and escorting operations in the waters off the Somali coast and become an important part of the information-based technical support system of the PLA Navy.

  The new generation of the marine geo-information system is composed of 20 sub-systems including information collection and processing, digital nautical chart drawing up and production of digital nautical chart of international standard.

  The database of the system has collected various technical documents, standards, calculation materials, achievement drawings of the PLA Navy and the civilian departments in the process of oceanic investigation, measurement and oceanic drafting since the founding of the People's Republic of China and the domestic and foreign marine environmental materials over the years in such aspects as hydrology, meteorology, navigation, magnetism, gravity and satellite remote-sensing.

  The digital nautical charts offered by the system can display the real object images of various above-water and under-water dangerous elements in long voyage in real time and can guide the ships to safely evade the dangers with the help of the voice prompt.

  While assisting the ships to realize automatic navigation, positioning and operation in long voyage, the system can also assemble thousands of digital nautical charts within the scope of the whole world to offer an optimal interface and platform for human-machine interaction.

  By Cai Nianchi and Chai Yongzhong

  (Jun 23, PLA Daily) Editor: Chen Jie

Monday, June 22, 2009

Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.

Few days ago I blogged the following about JH-7A "Growler" and generated some interest from some of you. Here is a follow up.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/06/jianjiji-hongzhaji-7a-fighter-bomber.html

Jianjiji Hongzhaji-7A (Fighter-Bomber aircraft 7A)- JH-7A “Growler”

There were a number of reports by Chinese sources suggesting that the JH-7A has been selected to perform an Electronic Attack (EA) role similar to Boeing’s EA-18G Growler which was confirmed by recent CCTV photos. The JH-7A is perfect for the Growler role: it has a twin-engine and a weapon systems officer (WSO) in an elevated rear tandem seat; a large external store load of 6500 kg; a long ferry range of 3650 km, and more importantly, a domestic airframe and electronics suite that can be modified at will.

The JH-7A, like other EA aircraft in service elsewhere, has highly classified capabilities and operations, but judging from different types of EA Pods known to be available, the JH-7A can adjust its mission to perform multiple EA roles. Having a dedicated growler in an escort role will surely enhance any PLAN maritime strike package. (Search your local Craigslist for this hot new escort service!)





"Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl."
Notice JH-7 number 81667 (original version, I was wrongly identified it as the newer JH-7A) carried two different types of pods under its wings and followed closely by a KD88 ASM armed JH-7 (81769). Clearly, those two riders are working as a team. "There's too much confusion" or "No reason to get excited"?


(click on the photo to see an enlarged version)













It is all my fault, now I just can't get this song off my head


All Along The Watchtower
"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief,
"There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."
"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke,
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."
All along the watchtower, princes kept the view
While all the women came and went, barefoot servants, too.
Outside in the distance a wildcat did growl,
Two riders were approaching, the wind began to howl.
Copyright ©1968; renewed 1996 Dwarf Music

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A follow up on an earlier blog entry

On May 10, 2009, I posted the following rant about Pakistan army's Al Zarrar MBT.


Sunday, May 10, 2009

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/05/sad-end-of-type-59-in-pakistan.html
TV captures of a knock-out Al Zarrar MBT (updated Norinco Type 59) during the recent fighting in Pakistan’s Swat valley.

Apparently, Pakistan Army did not take the lessons learned by the US army in Iraq and Sri Lankan Army’s operation against Tarmil Tigers by protecting its AFV with an anti-RPG layer of metal-frame such as US Army’s Strykers’s "slat armor" implementation. Metal-frame provides some protections against HEAT projectiles as these would detonate away from the main body.

Since most of Pakistan army’s equipments have Chinese origins, it will be interesting to see how well they perform in combat.




Looks like they learned their lessons and added a metal-frame around their Chinese MBTs in addition to other "structure improvements" such as an overhead cover (I know, I hate fighting a war under the sun too, all those sweat really mess up my hair, ding, now I have to do my nails again)





Making PLAAF’s quartermaster happy.

Making PLAAF’s quartermaster happy. (A special thanks goes to Mike Little)


Making PLAAF’s quartermaster happy.

A recent photo release of a J-7G(2?) sporting a new WP14 (Kunlun) engine and pilots wearing Tk-14 helmets (with helmet mounted sighting units removed) is noteworthy; it might be signaling that the PLAAF’s journey down the path of equipment consolidation is nearing its goal, especially for its second line fighters such as of J-7 and J-8. All the later models of J-7 and J-8 having the same type of engine and Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (SRAAM) might seem logical, but is complicated by the PLAAF’s long history of dependence on foreign technologies and frequent geo-political shifts. This has resulted in islands of technologies from different origins, American, Soviet/Russian, British, French, Italian, and Israeli, just to name a few.

The WP14 ( Kunlun ) turbojet engine is a two-shaft turbojet engine with three compressor stages now powering both the J-7 and the twin-engine J-8. It was described as “the first jet engine to be designed and developed entirely in China ” during it was first public display at the 2002 China Airshow. The J-8D was the first Chinese fighter to be equipped with the WP14, since installed in all follow-up J-8 models such as the F and H. Now, the J-7G is being refitted with the WP14, which makes it the single engine for both types of aircraft, thus greatly reducing the quartermaster’s workload. The WP14 took 20 years to develop and while it is not state-of-the-art by any means, inside China the project is regarded as a major milestone for its domestic aircraft engine program.

The predominant PLAAF SRAAM is currently the PL-8 for fighters such as J-7, J-8 and J-10 (and FC-1). However, since the 1989 Paris Air Show, China ’s Luoyang Electro Optical Center has been marketing the capable PL-9C SRAAM with technologies imported from the Russian AA-11 Archer. This is equipped with an advanced seeker that offers a 60-degree off-bore-sight capability in addition to a helmet mounted sighting system that tracks pilot head position in order to target weapons. It has been a mystery why the PLAAF never adopted the PL-9C in large numbers but continues to improve existing stocks of PL-8s. Part of the reason might be that the PLAAF does not want to field three different types of SRAAM (PL-5, PL-8, PL-9). Also, most of the PLAAF radars are based on Israeli designs; for example, the J-7G’s KLJ-6E radar is based on Elta EL/M2001 radar. The PL-8 used with it is based on Israeli’s RAFAEL Armament Development Authority’s Python-3 missile, while there might be problems integrating the Russian-based PL-9 with an Israeli-based radar. This is not only an issue with the J-7, as later models of the J-8’s KLJ-1 radar are also based on Israeli Elta EL/M 2035 multi-mode pulse Doppler radar. Finally, in 2004 the PL-8B’s seeker was reported to have helmet mounted sighting capabilities and the recent photos confirm this development, which may also explain the PLAAF’s decision not to adopt the PL-9.

Having a smaller set of equipment to support reduces the PLAAF’s logistical complexity and allows greater flexibility in deployments.


Photo of a J-7G(2?) sporting a WP14 engine.



Recent photo release of pilots wearing Tk-14 helmets (with helmet mounted sighting units removed) and a close up of PL-8B SRAAM



Tk-14 helmet with helmet mounted sighting unit


Another PR photo of a Tk-14 wearing J-7G driver.





J-7G's KLJ-6E radar


A pair of J-7G from PLAAF's 37th Air Division (Xinjing)

WZ-9 with FCR

A WZ-9 spotted with a dome Fire Control Radar.

Since WZ-9 locks both amour protection and firepower of a modern attack helicopter, this likely to be a testbed serving as as component platform for the more advanced dedicated attack-helicopter project of WZ-10.





An update on Sino-US military relations.

Reading the two articles published today by FT and WSJ, reinforce my believe (faith?) that juxtaposition in South China Sea is a source of a concerned but in the grand scheme of geo-politic related to DPRK, Pakistan and Afghanistan, it is rather minor.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124545705106832957.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

* ASIA NEWS
* JUNE 20, 2009

U.S. and China Work Together to Rebuild Afghanistan



By MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS in Momaki, Afghanistan, and SHAI OSTER in Beijing

The U.S. and China have formed an uneasy alliance in the effort to build stability in Afghanistan.

In a valley long known as a Taliban haven, American troops live alongside Chinese road workers. The troops put their lives on the line protecting the workers. The workers put their lives on the line building a road the U.S. military desperately wants completed.

"Asphalt is ammunition," says Lt. Col. Kimo Gallahue, commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 87th Infantry Regiment, quoting a phrase popular in the military. "Roads are one of the biggest needs in this province."
[US China Work Together to Rebuild Afghanistan] Michael M. Phillips/ The Wall Street Journal

U.S. soldiers like Lt. John Donovan, left, provide security for Chinese workers like Wang Shangkeui in Afghanistan.

The Chinese are in Afghanistan mostly to make deals. "This is business -- we can work in Afghanistan or any other country," says Wang Shangkuei, an engineer for China Railway Shisiju Group Corp., a state-owned company with a $50 million contract funded by Italian aid money to grade and pave 33 miles of two-lane road past Momaki village in Wardak province. But, he says, "if there's fighting, we can't do the work."

What's happening in Afghanistan is an extreme example of the way the U.S. and China must work with each other around the globe. China needs the U.S. to protect global trade routes vital to Beijing's export-oriented economy. The U.S. needs China's investment to boost unsteady, but strategically important, economies. Chinese companies were among some of the earliest to re-enter Iraq.

This month, the Afghan foreign minister visited China to generate interest in oil, gas and iron-ore concessions. He and his Chinese counterpart agreed to study ways to open up commercial traffic on their 47-mile shared border -- located in a remote mountain region and largely inaccessible -- such as building a road through the area.

China's biggest foray into its neighbor's economy so far is a $3 billion deal for two Chinese companies to develop the huge Aynak copper deposit in Logar province, south of Kabul.

As part of the deal, China Metallurgical Group and Jiangxi Copper Group agreed to build schools, clinics, markets, mosques and a power plant. The Chinese companies say they will also build a railway expected to link Afghanistan with China, via Pakistan, and open a rail route to the north from the mine. The Afghan government predicts the project will generate 6,000 jobs.

"It is very safe to conduct the project in Afghanistan because the Americans are guarding us," says Pan Qifang, board secretary of Jiangxi Copper.

The Afghan Ministry of Mines recently said it will seek bidders to explore for oil or gas in northern Afghanistan and to exploit an estimated 1.8 billion-ton iron-ore deposit in the Hajigak mountains, located west of Momaki along the road that is now under construction. The Chinese are expected to be among the bidders.

As of 2008, Chinese companies had 33 infrastructure projects valued at $480 million under way in Afghanistan, not including the big copper mine, according to Chinese Commerce Ministry data.

Eleven Chinese aid and commercial workers have been killed in the country since 2004, scaring off some Chinese companies, according to the Commerce Ministry. Chinese exports to Afghanistan measured $152 million in 2008, down 10.4% from a year earlier.

China Railway Shisiju started work in 2006 on the new road past Momaki.

As the Taliban-led rebellion intensified last year, militants had free run of the valley. In June 2008, they kidnapped a Chinese engineer, who was rescued by Afghan forces after nearly a month in captivity.

The Chinese stopped work for almost three months because of the security situation, built a little more, then stopped again for the winter.

In February, a company of Lt. Col. Gallahue's men -- the first wave of the coming troop surge -- entered the snowy valley and established a fragile peace.

Part of that mission means keeping the valley safe enough for road work to continue. "This road will provide easy access to Kabul," says Capt. Matthew Thom, 31 years old, from Beaverton, Ore. The paved surface will also make it harder for the insurgents to plant bombs, the soldiers hope.

A platoon of U.S. soldiers occupies a hilltop outpost overlooking the Chinese compound, whose walls were chipped by bullets during an insurgent attack last year. The soldiers can keep an eye on the Chinese company's quarry and offices.

"We work on the days when the security situation allows us to, and if it doesn't allow us to, we stop work," says Mr. Wang, the Chinese engineer. So far, the company has finished just 11 of the project's 33 miles.

He says American officers call periodically to urge the engineers to speed up.

"They've got their end-state, and we've got our end-state," Lt. Col. Gallahue says of the Chinese. "They may not be exactly the same, but they're not working against us. At least not yet."
—Kathy Chen, Davide Berretta and Sue Feng contributed to this article.

Write to Michael M. Phillips at michael.phillips@wsj.com and Shai Oster at shai.oster@wsj.com



http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/32398f08-5e46-11de-91ad-00144feabdc0.html


US and China set to resume military talks

By Kathrin Hille in Beijing and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington

Published: June 21 2009 14:55 | Last updated: June 21 2009 14:55

The US expects its highest-level bilateral military meeting with China in 18 months to be dominated by discussions about containing North Korea.

China suspended the military sessions in protest over weapon sales to Taiwan approved by the Bush administration. The Obama administration has been eager to rebuild links, in part to find ways to prevent incidents at sea between vessels of the two navies, which have been frequent over the past few months.

Michele Flournoy, US undersecretary of defense for policy, will visit Beijing for two days of defence consultation talks with Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the People’s Liberation Army’s general staff, from Tuesday, in the first such session since December 2007.

“North Korea will factor in very strongly,” a senior US defence official told reporters. “The recent activities by North Korea of course occasioned a UN Security Council resolution. And the activities are of great concern to China. So I expect that we will be having extended discussions, on matters where we can find common interest and co-operate.”

Following North Korea’s recent aggressive posturing, China has taken a tougher stance towards its reclusive neighbour, reflected in its support for sanctions against Pyongyang.

However, it remains unclear to what extent Beijing is ready to take more radical measures such as forced inspections of North Korean ships suspected of carrying cargo related to weapons of mass destruction.

The US defence official said China was expected to operate within the guidelines of the UN Security Council resolution, and such ship inspections were covered by it. But Beijing has stated before that it believes the proliferation security initiative – the effort launched by the US that includes the ship searches - to be partly at odds with UN principles.

“We would hope that China would use whatever influence they have with North Korea to convince them to change their behaviour,” the official said. “We also continue to look to China to continue and expand their support for the UN Security Council resolution that we all agreed to.”

As Ms Flournoy prepares to address this issue, the Pentagon has sent a warship to shadow a North Korean vessel suspected of carrying illegal arms in an effort to shine the spotlight on countries that facilitate weapons proliferation.

The USS McCain is following the Kang Nam, a North Korean vessel suspected of carrying arms.

"The thinking is to shine the light on states 'flagging' the ship and states giving them port call permission," the official told the Financial Times.

Ms Flournoy is scheduled to travel to Tokyo and Seoul later in the week for consultations on North Korea.

The US continues to demand that the PLA be more transparent about its spending and its strategic goals. To enhance mutual understanding about this issue, Washington hopes to convince Beijing to send more senior PLA officers to the US for regular dialogue.

The two sides have had a military maritime consultative agreement since 1997 but US officials have complained that it has failed to help prevent incidents. “We would hope to reinvigorate those discussions,” the defence official said.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009

Friday, June 19, 2009

They Sure Don't Make Them Like They Used To

Thank you DOR for this heads up; tonight, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong kicks off the 60th Anniversary of moving here (from Chongqing, Nanjing and lastly Shanghai). Founded in 1943, the club has the distinction of being the only venue in which the leaders of the KMT and CCP (Chiang and Mao) were photographed together, in 1946.






In case you wonder, this is how their grandson/great grandsons turned out:
Chiang Demos , a noted womanizer, now designs covers for PS3 Games. Mao Xinyu is now a Major General with the PLA, in charge of a desk, become a standard internet joke.





I can imagine what family dinner table lectures must be like in both the Mao and Chiang families: Son, when I was your age, I was fighting those Japanese devils all by myself, with no help from those damn Yankees and Ruskis and that commie-bandit/nationalist traitor who pretended to be in the war with me, I might add. Look at your now, you, and your IPod and your fancy cars, aiyiyi, when I was leading the Long March/Northern Expedition, I was barefooted and walked uphill both ways, in the snow! You don't even know why your mother is so upset, kids now-a-day.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

War On Extremism, can’t have a foreign policy shift without it.

War On Extremism, can’t have a foreign policy shift without it.

It's official! The first Joint SAF (Singapore Armed Force) PLA counter-terrorism training exercise is code named “Cooperation 2009," marking a new level of Sino-Singoporean relations. The 9 day training exercise begins today in Guilin and lasts until June 26 (Here).

Singapore has strong military ties with the ROC (Republic of China). Since 1975, Singapore has been training troops in Taiwan under the code name of “Operation Starlight.” During its peak in the 1980s 15000 troops were trained annually. Singapore also maintains a strong military relationship with the US and allows availability of the Paya Lebar airbase and Sembawang Wharves. Singapore also plays a support role in the ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Coincidentally, the government of Singapore is also a strong supporter of the PRC's (People’s Republic of China) “One China Policy” and actively promotes cross-strait diplomacy championed by “Minister Mentor” Lee Yuan Yew, which puts Singapore in an awkward position. When the PRC offered Hainan Island in 2001 as an alternative training site, Singapore turned it down and refused to make public comment, fearing it may complicate its delicate position. Singapore then turned down joint military exercises requested by the ROC (Here)

Until recently, Singapore continued this balancing act of keeping harmonious relations with the ROC and the US while strengthening it’s economic ties with the PRC. During Prime Minister Wen's November 2008 visit to Singapore, the construction of a second industrial park (an eco-city) in Tianjin was agreed upon. It will be modeled after the successful Suzhou Industrial Park. For a small island state of Singapore, having access to large industrial real estate is critical for future growth.

In 2004, Singapore’s stance on the “One China Policy” was questioned in public by the then ROC pro-independent president Lee Teng-hui after Singapore’s failure to support its UN bid. For many, this diplomatic spat was seen as a departure between Singapore and the ROC: a trend that has been developing for sometime as Singapore seeks to expend its economic and cultural ties with the PRC. “Operation Starlight” is slowly being scaled down and is now under low profile. Singaporean troops in ROC wear ROC Army uniforms and are permitted limited leave to prevent local interaction. The bulk of Singapore's military training is now being conducted in Australia’s Shoalwater Bay. In January 2008, Singapore signed the first Sino-Singapore defense pact to formalize existing armed forces exchanges while pledging to work together on humanitarian assistance (Here)

Two recent events have greatly reduced the difficulty of Singapore’s balancing act. First, the US focus on “fighting extremism” coupled with the current economic downturn brings the Sino-US relationship to its closest in recent memory (minor juxtaposition in South China Sea not withstanding). Second, the election of Ma Ying Jeou to the presidency of ROC brings back the traditional Chinese concept of “Make Money, Not War” resulting in an easing of cross-strait tension. These two events give Singapore an opportunity to enhance security cooperation with the PRC without upsetting the ROC. Surely, no one would object to nations banding together to fight extremism, right?


SAF, PLA in joint exercise
FOR the first time, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has teamed up with China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) to conduct a joint counter-terrorism (CT) training exercise.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_392196.html

The nine-day exercise, which is held in Guilin, China, starts on Thursday and ends on June 26.

Codenamed COOPERATION 2009, the joint CT training exercise will involve 60 participating troops each from the SAF and the PLA. It will focus on the conduct of security operations for major events and consequence management concepts related to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive (CBRE) threats.

The SAF's participating troops are from the 2nd People's Defence Force and the SAF CBRE Defence Group. They will exercise with personnel from the PLA Emergency Response Office and Guangzhou Military Region.

Said the Ministry of Defence: 'COOPERATION 2009 marks the first bilateral training exercise between the SAF and the PLA, and underscores the progress made in the defence relationship between Singapore and China following the signing of the bilateral Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation in January 2008.

'COOPERATION 2009 also serves to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the SAF and the PLA, which interact regularly through exchanges of visits, courses, seminars and port calls.'




China, Singapore hold joint anti-terror training exercises

english.chinamil.com.cn 2009-06-19

  BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Singapore are conducting a joint anti-terrorism training exercise in Guilin in the southwest Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, military sources said Thursday.

  The drill, "Cooperation-2009", involves 61 soldiers and officers of the People's Liberation Army and 61 of their Singapore counterparts, Huang Xueping, spokesman with the Ministry of National Defense, told Xinhua.

  The exercise started Thursday and will conclude June 26.

  The exercise will conduct simulations of an attempt by international terrorists to attack an expo using radioactive contaminants, biological and chemical weapons.

  The task forces will conduct joint training and seminars to improve their ability to detect and handle those threats, the spokesman said.

  The joint training exercises were arranged by defense authorities of the two countries, and they represent the PLA's first joint operation with foreign forces in security maintenance, Huang said.

  The exercise would improve the forces' ability to deal with multiple security threats and help maintain peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region, he said.

  China's military took part in security operations during the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games last summer. The PLA deployed some 179,000 personnel from its army, navy and air force around and near the capital.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Jianjiji Hongzhaji-7A (Fighter-Bomber aircraft 7A)- JH-7A “Growler”

There were a number of reports by Chinese sources suggesting that the JH-7A has been selected to perform an Electronic Attack (EA) role similar to Boeing’s EA-18G Growler which was confirmed by recent CCTV photos. The JH-7A is perfect for the Growler role: it has a twin-engine and a weapon systems officer (WSO) in an elevated rear tandem seat; a large external store load of 6500 kg; a long ferry range of 3650 km, and more importantly, a domestic airframe and electronics suite that can be modified at will.

The JH-7A, like other EA aircraft in service elsewhere, has highly classified capabilities and operations, but judging from different types of EA Pods known to be available, the JH-7A can adjust its mission to perform multiple EA roles. Having a dedicated growler in an escort role will surely enhance any PLAN maritime strike package. (Search your local Craigslist for this hot new escort service!)


Photo of a JH-7A from PLA Naval Air Force 16th Fighter-Bomber Regiment, 6th Naval Air Division (Shanghai) with a pair of EA pods.





Other JH-7A EA photos and CCTV captures.




China on this year’s Paris air show.

China traditionally shies away from international spot light in major international military related events such as the Paris Air Show and prefers to deal her customers on a one-on-one basis and this year is no exception. On this world’s largest and most important air show, China only sends display models of L-15 and FT-2000 trainer , FC-1 fighter, in addition to four types of munitions (LS-6 GPS guided bomb, SD-10A MRAAM, PL9C and PL5EII AAMs)

For a country that conducted over 650 billion in currency swap deals (here) since the current economic downturn, put out a huge naval display in Qingdao, and ranked 5th in arms export, and for “some reason” China is still “passive” in world’s military affair with Pakistan, Russia and Turkey as the only known joint-R&D partners in military technologies. (EU’s arms embargo not withstanding)


The only big news release of the current show is that Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation has been invited to became a supplier to China’s civilian aerospace program (here) , again, that is not possible only 2 years ago.

All quiet and nothing to see, for those who are interested in PLA affairs, Zhuhai 2008 was a much better show in all aspect.







Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Latest hearings from USCC

If you're having a tough time sleeping, (I am kidding) here is the latest hearding from US Congress's US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on "The Implications of China’s Naval Modernization for the United States" and of course the usual suspects from CNA, US Naval War College and International Assessment and Strategy Center are there.

Professor Peter Dutton's paper on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and China's 'unique' view offers a timely backgrounder for those who follow recent events in the South China sea; another month, another USN-PLAN collision (TM). He also took time to define what he mean by 'unique' and its relations to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).


http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2009hearings/hr09_06_11.php



Hearing on “The Implications of China’s Naval Modernization for the United States”

Thursday, June 11, 2009
Room 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building
First Street and Constitution Avenues, NE
Washington, DC 20510

Hearing Agenda: (PDF)

PARTICIPANTS’ BIOS and TESTIMONIES: (Click on a name to read Participants Bio's in an HTML page. View a Testimony in HTML or PDF view by clicking the associated link with each individual. Some Participants may not have a Bio or Written Testimony. )


Hearing Co-Chairs: Vice Chairman Larry Wortzel and Commissioner Peter Videnieks

Commissioners’ Opening Statements

  • Opening Statement of Vice Chairman Larry Wortzel (HTML)(PDF)
  • Opening Statement of Commissioner Peter Videnieks (HTML)(PDF)

Panel I: Congressional Perspectives

Panel II: Strategic Impact of PLA Naval Modernization

Panel III: Operational Activities of the PLA Navy

Panel IV: Technical Developments of the PLA Navy

Panel V: Views from Former Secretaries of the Navy

Air force of Guangzhou MAC organizes open sea exercise

The following two PLA daily articles reinforce what we already know; PLA is training to extend its line-of-control in the South China Sea in time of war by both air and sea elements. In addition to having the C3I capability to mange a 100 aircraft maritime strike/patrol package, they also moved the CP to a naval ship and build up logistic support in dual-course, while those attempts are not impressive by NATO standard, but it is their first acknowledgment in open sources related to this new found capability.

The bottom line; it has been a long time planning for the PLA to have a multiple-layers of defense parameters manned by aircraft, submarine, and surfaces warships around the South Sea Fleet to protect it’s transport fleet in case they have to deal with "internal problems of a run-away province". Such planning is based on the hard lesson learned from the 1996 Dongshan "missile test"; they had to swallow their pride, when US deployed two aircraft carriers to the Taiwan Strait to stop the "missile provocation" and PLA was powerless mount a response. After 13 years of patient build up, can today’s PLA stop a US carrier task force near China’s Taiwan Strait? Let’s hope we will never find out.

Another item to note, PLA did not utilize their AWAC to perform command functions in this exercise. PLA’s AWAC fleet was used to coordinate hundreds of helicopters and civilian and military transports during the Sichuan Earthquake; clearly it has the capability to direct a 100 aircraft fleet, hopefully we can see them in action during the next exercise to form a more complete assessment.


Photo from PLAdaily of a South Sea Fleet task force taken during a 17 days exercise in June.



Air force of Guangzhou MAC organizes open sea exercise

english.chinamil.com.cn 2009-06-15

  Recently, the attack and defense confrontation and open sea combat actual-troop exercise of the air force of the Guangzhou Military Area Command (MAC) in complicated electromagnetic environment was staged. More than 100 different types of warplanes took off from several airports at the same time and flew to the designated targets on ground and the depth of the open sea to carry out open sea patrol and systematic attack and defense exercise.

  In the exercise, the air force of the Guangzhou MAC integrated the existing information-based command means and collaborative training platform and established a mobile commanding team on board of the warship. Through the information-based platform, the commanders can learn such information as the location, height and speed of each warplane and issue orders to any warplane, adjusting military strength in an easy way.

  The exercise showed that such training subjects as combat patrol and systematic confrontation in open sea and maneuver tactics airdrop of the aviation troops can be carried out in a multiple of air spaces and at different directions at the same time by relying on the information-based command platform.

  By Li Guowen and Zeng Baoyu

  (Jun 15, PLA Daily) Editor: Chen Jie





PLA Navy develops warship remote maintenance support system

english.chinamil.com.cn 2009-06-15

  Since the operation of the "technical support system for the remote maintenance of warship equipment" developed by the Armament Department of the PLA Navy, it has accomplished the equipment support tasks for a multiple of major maritime exercises and warship visits and become an important part of the information-based technical support system of the equipment of the PLA Navy.

  How to realize rapid rush repair of the warships in long-distance navigation? To tackle this problem, a research institute of the Armament Department of the PLA Navy has finally built a military-civilian integrated technical support system and information network for remote maintenance covering naval warships, warship equipment support organs and support agencies at all levels, relevant higher learning institutions, research institutes and local industrial departments by relying on the naval and national defense communication network, offering a reliable information-based cooperation platform for realizing the precision support for warship maintenance in open sea.

  The system integrating a multiple of technical resources scattered in naval and local industrial departments in the network platform enables rear technical experts to directly offer technical support to the front. Therefore, it has tackled the space-and-time restriction of site rush maintenance, ensured warship navigation at the time of overcoming malfunctions, resulting in improvement of maintenance and support efficiency, reduction of maintenance and support expenses and increase of the warship availability and battle effectiveness.

  By Jiang Yi and Chai Yongzhong

  (Jun 15, PLA Daily) Editor: Chen Jie










Monday, June 15, 2009

Million-man swim! well, more like 100.

"million-man swim"............ is now funnier than ever, who says Chinese militaries lack sense of humor.

China, Taiwan approve swim through military zone
Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:31pm IST

http://in.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idINTRE55E1JB20090615?sp=true


TAIPEI (Reuters) - Authorities in China and Taiwan, political rivals once on the brink of war, have agreed to remove underwater military barricades and let 100 people swim from one side to the other, Taiwan officials said on Monday.

The 8.5-km (5.2-mile) swim, billed as the latest symbol of peace between the two sides as well as their first military agreement, is set for August 15 between the southeast Chinese city of Xiamen and Little Kinmen, an outlying Taiwan-controlled island.

"The bigger meaning is that this is a competition for peace," Kinmen County Magistrate Lee Zhu-feng told a news conference. "We want peace, not war."

Military officials have agreed to remove anti-ship landing barricades, which stand as testament to a skirmish between the two sides five decades ago, county officials said.

Protected by coast guard boats from both sides, about 100 professional swimmers, 50 from each side, will go one way from Xiamen through the warm but choppy waters.

Next year another 100 swimmers, 50 from each side, plan to do the route in reverse in what could become an long-term annual event, organizers said.

In 1958, China bombed the islands of Kinmen, also known as Quemoy, for weeks as it tried to seize them. Kinmen has strategic and military value and remains heavily guarded. The main island of Taiwan is about 160 km (100 miles) from China.

The barricades are spikes mounted at an angle on cement bases and designed to spear warships headed toward shore.

China has claimed Taiwan since 1949, when Mao Zedong's Communists won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists (KMT) fled to Taiwan. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.

Since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May, the China-friendly leader has eased tension with Beijing through trade and transit deals, although military distrust lingers.

(Reporting by Ralph Jennings; Editing by Ken Wills and Sugita Katyal)

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Global Times Strikes Back

The article "China revives production of JH-7 strike aircraft "http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=181808 " is making around in the normal internet channels and has been rebutted and discredited as most of the claims are either incorrect or outdated. The news here is not the article, but rather Global Times' response.

Here are some examples:questionable claims stated by the article.

Meanwhile, in another development, Russia and China have clinched a deal to
have more Su-27SK fighters assembled at a Chinese aviation plant for China's
Air Force.

The $ 1.4 billion deal involves a contract for the fighters to be assembled
at the Shenyang Aircraft Making Factory in Shenyang, Liaoning province.The
contract was signed by Chinese defence officials and managers of Russia's
chief arms exporter, Rosvoorouzhenie.


The following up Su-27SK deal was canceled in 2006 only after a short 96 production run by Shengyang Aircraft company in favorite of the domestic J-11B program.


The official said that it was likely that China would want to put new engines on the JH-7 in the 2004-2006 time frame, but that these dates were not fixed.


China has received the last batch of Rolls-Royce Sprey MK202 turbofan engines between 2004 and 2004 and installed them to the improved JH-7A program.


In another development, a group of Chinese officials visited Moscow in August 2000 to negotiate the purchase of Russian-built A-50 early warning aircraft. The visit came in the wake of the failure of a similar deal between Beijing and Israel for Phalcon early warning aircraft.


Up to 4 KJ-2000 AWACS already in service since 2003.



The article is too lame to be commented here initially; but to my surprise, Global Times fires back a rebuttal. Global Time, is a newspaper operated under People's Daily which launched back in April 2009 as China's attempt to win greater influence abroad thought media.

At any rate, the rebuttal is news by itself as Chinese media normally shy away from direct response against specific articles and stay in the "He says, She says mode". They picked on a low hanging fruit this time, let's see if they will became more aggressive over time. As a side note, they published two front page articles related to Tiananmen on June 4th 2009. (Here) (Here)




Chief Designer: China able to fix Flying Leopard's turbofan alone
http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/military/china/2009-06/436643.html
* Source: Global Times
* [14:09 June 12 2009]


Flying Leopard. Photo: chinamil.com.cn

By Liu Chang

Reports on China's intention to cooperate with aircraft engine makers in the UK and France to improve the performance of the turbofan of PLA fighter bomber JH-7, are denied by the chief designer of the aircraft, Chen Yijian, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering. According to Chen, China has also already fixed problems with the JH-7 turbofan, Hong Kong newspaper Ta Kung Pao reported.

Also known as the Flying Leopard, JH-7 initially used the WS-9 Qinling turbofan, which were from turbofans produced by the Rolls-Royce Spey company in the UK. But after years of research, China has fixed problems with the turbofans of Flying Leopard on its own, according to Chen.

Chen went on to say that China's research on turbofans is still lagging behind compared with some other countries, especially the turbofans of large aircrafts. China has been calling for more research talents to help solve this problem. He said the third generation of China's fighter bombers, including the J-8 series, J-10 series and the Flying Leopard, have taken shape of a combatant power, and will appear in the Military Parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the nation.

According to Ta Kung Pao, China began research on the WS-15 Qinling-2 Turbofan in 1998. The Qinling-2 Turbofan is an improvement on the WS-9 turbofan, with increased pre-heating temperatures on the turbines and reduced weight for greater efficiency. Tests on the Qinling-2 Turbofan in October 2008 were successful. It is now technically competitive to the late M53-P2 engine from France.


Friday, June 12, 2009

Will China play a more "direct" role in both the Pakistan and Afghanistan conflicts?


During the past two days, both Afghanistan (Here) and Pakistan (Here) are sending envoys to China to ask for China’s "direct" help in their fight against militant. The previous attempts to draw China into the conflicts by both NATO (Here) (Here) and US (Here) met with little success as China preferred to stay in the background and aid only in forms of financial and hardware support.

China’s previous rejection to joining the military coalition is understandable as others have noted; while China does not view NATO/US missions in Afghanistan with suspicion compare to other SOC state but allowing a military alliance to use China as a military supply route seem to undermine the Chinese Security-Umbrella that took 60 years and four wars to build. In addition, such an act violates China’s core foreign policy doctrine of noninterference in others internal affairs.

At the same time, the core Chinese military doctrine is changing with the release of the new “Outline of Military Training and Evaluation” which for the first time placed focus of Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) role for the PLA outside of China’s boarders and Anti-terror operation is considered part of the MOOTW. China is hosting the first “Non-traditional Security Forum of Armed Forces of ASEAN, China, Japan and ROK (Here), something unthinkable just few years ago. Maybe China is ready to move out of the “hide my capabilities and bide my time” phase to the “make some contributions” phase to be inline of what Hu coined the “harmonious world” (a.k.a, making the world safe for Confucianism) in his “Go Abroad” policy shift. (Here)

It is also noted that both the Pakistan and Afghanistan’s request is coordinated and without "US/NATO involvement" which makes the request a bit more politically acceptable in China and the statement by Rehman Malik "Pakistan has handed Chinese nationals accused of insurgent activity back to China and will continue to do so" is clearly aimed at audiences in China. Judging from China's Foreign Ministry Press Release (Here), China might be ready to take a more direct role.
China is ready to further expand and deepen our cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual benefit so as to push forward our comprehensive partnership of cooperation"
Wait and see how "direct" is "direct".



PLA sets to boost support capability for MOOTW

english.chinamil.com.cn 2008-11-14

   When addressing the closing ceremony of the PLA intensive training of logistic support for military operations other than war (MOOTW), Liao Xilong, member of the Central Military Commission and director of the General Logistics Department of the PLA, noted that it is a must to bank on the national strength, base on the nuclear capability of the troops, integrate the three services, combine the army with the people, and make rational use of the support forces and resources for the purpose of offering vigorous logistic support to military operations other than war.

  Liao Xilong pointed out that it is required to sum up the experiences of performing logistic support tasks for military operations other than war in these years and on that basis, come up with practical and useful measures in the aspects of support scheme, logistic force, material reserve, logistic equipment and logistic training. It is also imperative to have a good command of the logistic support demands for executing the main patterns of military operations other than war such as anti-terrorism, maintaining social stability, disaster rescue and relief, emergency public health events, closing and control of the border, safeguarding the maritime rights, ensuring the security of maritime strategic channels and carrying out oversea military operations with the aim to enhance the pertinence and effectiveness of the work.

  Liao Xilong went on to stress that efforts should be made to keep firm hold of the main tasks of enhancing the capability of offering logistic support for military operations other than war, improve the logistic support planning system, have in store a moderate preservation of rescue material, build a contingent of professional rescue staff, develop rescue technologies and support equipment, improve the delivery system and enhance the auxiliary facilities for engineering security.

  By Zhao Jianwei and Fan Juwei

  (Nov 14, PLA Daily) Editor: Dong Zhaohui





Here is a follow up on Malik's visit


Pak to import anti-terror equipment from China
12 Jun 2009, 1845 hrs IST, PTI

BEIJING: Facing a tide of terrorist attacks, Pakistan has inked a key deal worth $300 million with China to import specialized mobile scanners
that can detect explosives from a distance.

"We have signed agreements worth $300 million to acquire state-of-the-art equipment to combat terrorism," Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said.

The first consignment of these most needed equipments, Malik said, would be reaching Pakistan within three weeks. China is one of the major suppliers of arms to Islamabad.

"We want to ensure that our law enforcing agencies are well equipped, so that they could thwart with full force militancy," Malik was quoted as saying by the state-run APP.

During talks with the Chinese leadership, Malik assured them that it was committed to defeat the evil forces of extremism, terrorism and separatism.

He said Pakistan would start employing these equipment in the metropolitan cities under threat of terrorism, like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi and then gradually cover the entire country.

Malik said that there was some "traces" of terrorist outfit of Xinjiang-based East Turkmenistan Independence Movement (ETIM) in Pakistan's FATA area.

The Pakistani minister was in Beijing from June 9-12 on an official visit where he met Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei on Thursday.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pak-to-import-anti-terror-equipment-from-China/articleshow/4649710.cms


Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Type 054 for Pakistan Navy?

It has been reported by the current issue of JDW under the title of "Pakistan to receive first Sword-class frigate from China in August" that Pakistan is considering acquiring four Type 054 Class FFG after the four Sword Class (F-22P) have been delivered. I am not able to find any other sources to confirm that claim; while the sword class is not state-of-the-art, but it make sense in light of its intended purpose of replacing the old British Leander class FFG and more importantly to kick start Pakistan indigenous Warship building capabilities and know-how at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. However, four new Type054, on the other hand, will significantly boost Pakistan's Naval power as for the first time its naval task force can operate under an area air defense umbrella.

So, if anyone can provide another creditable source of the Type054 purchase, please share.




Pakistan Navy to get first F-22P Frigate in August-09 PDF Print E-mail

http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77875&Itemid=2

ISLAMABAD, Jun 4 (APP): Pakistan Navy would receive first of four state-of-the-art Frigates F-22P type in August this year while the second one in December-09 from China. “Construction of first two ships has already been completed and will be delivered to Pakistan Navy in August and December this year after successful completion of on going trials,” a media release issued by Pakistan Navy said here on Thursday.

“Weapons systems to be installed on first ship have been successfully demonstrated at the optimum performances and ranges,” the media release said.

Construction of the third F-22P Frigate is also progressing as per schedule. This ship has been successfully launched at Shanghai on May 28, 2009 in an impressive ceremony attended by both Pakistani and Chinese dignitaries.

Construction of fourth ship was started in March this year at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works and will be delivered to Pakistan Navy in April 2013.

Pakistan Navy is acquiring four new F-22P class frigates under collaboration with China as first three ships are being constructed at Hudong Shanghai and last one at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering works.

F-22P frigates are equipped with modern weaponry and sensors.

Each ship of them will carry Anti-submarine Z9EC helicopters.

First batch of two helicopters has arrived in Pakistan.

Induction of F-22P frigates will not only enhance the war fighting potential of Pakistan Navy but will also strengthen the indigenous ship building capability of the country.






Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Stupid PLA PR

Chengde MR's A&E Regiment (arts and entertainment) staged a new drama; not only they get the rifle wrong (L85? are you kidding me), they also managed to scare the bejeezus out of the Tibetans.



Saturday, June 06, 2009

You want to know for the past 10 years, now here is the answer.

One of those meaningless and stupid trivia question that has to be answered -- yes J-10 can perform a Pugachev's Cobra Maneuver. This cool look’in ACM has absolutely no actual combat values, but who cares, as long as it can entertain spectators at airshows.


In order to perform the Cobra the pilot reduces speed to approximately 275 knots in level flight, then he must disable the AOA limiter on the Flight Control System, as this serves to limit the airplane to angles of attack not exceeding 30 degrees in normal flight. Once this is accomplished, the pilot sharply pitches up the nose of the airplane. If the speeds are right and the pitchup is done properly, the aircraft will rotate around its horizontal axis until the nose is past vertical - the single-seat fighter can achieve between 110 and 120 degree AOA! - while continuing to move in its prior flight path as the maneuver is too quick and there isn't enough energy to allow the airplane to climb as it pitches up. Once the pilot has reached the desired attitude, s/he sharply increases throttle and releases the stick. The airplane has managed to rotate back past vertical on the initial rotational energy of the pitchup maneuver; once it approaches vertical, however, the rear half of the aircraft (now the 'lower' half) generates much more drag than the front (or 'top') half due to the larger cross-section of the wings and stabilizers. This will cause the rotation to stop and then reverse, the nose pitching sharply 'down' relative to the airframe, back into level flight. The throttle added during the maneuver will, if done properly, prevent the airplane from losing any altitude during the process. In sum, the maneuver should take no more than a few seconds. The aircraft will exit the maneuver at around 135 knots, which means it is in a fairly precarious position until it gains airspeed.






Friday, June 05, 2009

LTTE Mod. (corrected)

It's not a Sri Lankan Army mod, but a kitbash of captured (ex-SLA) vehicles made by the LTTE guerillas. The resulting vehicle was captured by the SLA during the final days of the conflict. By the way, the SLA described it as a "BMT Armored Tank"


No....Did they really mounted a Panzer III Ausf F turret on top of a Type63 APC?!!

Joking aside (The turret is from a FV601 Saladin) it is interesting how they managed to convert an old APC into a light tank by lowering the chassis, the rewire work to bring power to the turret must be extensive. Not sure it is worth the effort; the extra weight can really slow down the already slow APC and there is almost no armor for protection. But, when you are at war, you gotta do what you gotta do, plus, it looks cool. Pimp my ride, South East AZN sytle.


Thursday, June 04, 2009

We have much to fear from the Chinese Military.

First, they are buying up all the oil in the world, and than all the iron ore, the world tolerated it. Not this time, Chinese military has crossing the sacred line -- they are buying up all the hemp, no wonder folks at Huffingtonpost hold such strong views against the PLA, it is about supply and demand.




http://www.votehemp.com/news/newsv3no16.html

According to Nimbin-based hemp researcher and grower Klara Marosszeky, a Western Australian hemp grower is exporting all of his crop to China, including a contract to supply the Chinese military. The military are using the material to create "hemp food packs" that include hemp milk, hemp chocolate, hemp cake, hemp coffee and hemp protein powder, amongst other food products.



After some investigation, I found over 20 Chinese military sites contain articles calling for the greater usage of hemp in military applications. Surprisingly, one of those sites included the largest Chinese military portal, FYJS (飞扬军事). If Chinese government wants to recruit the best foreign College students to fill its ranks, they should study the proposal suggested by the following websites.

http://www.fyjs.cn/bbs/htm_data/26/0906/189683.html
http://news.ifeng.com/mil/2/200906/0605_340_1189108.shtml
http://bbs.money.163.com/bbs/mfsm/136892503.html
http://military.china.com/zh_cn/news/568/20090605/15510731.html



Here are examples of hemp based applications adopted by the Chinese Military.



Enhanced protection for new type of helmet by using hemp fiber






Hemp based filter for gas mask, (and it smells good)






Hemp added bullet proof glass for Chinese Humvee



A layer of Green-Hemp-Coat has improved anti-ballistic protection performance on this new 8x8 wheeled APC






And, of course, a better tasting military MREs (the Chinese writing above reads "Hemp Based Food")





中国大力开发军用汉麻
上世纪七十年代末,中国南方边境战事犹酣。由于气候潮湿,许多官兵患有脚气、股癣、烂裆等疾病,总后军需装备研究所遵照中央军委指示,开始寻找一种适合军用服装的新型纺织纤维材料。汉麻以其奇特的性能,很快被列入首选。

●由它制成的军服吸湿排汗、抑菌舒爽,制成的头盔美观耐用、轻便坚固

●由它制成的板材搭建的指挥所吸音屏蔽,提取的生物油可抵军用柴油

内容提要

汉麻,一种古老的植物,素有“天然纤维之王”美誉,由它制成的服装衣饰具有吸湿、透气、舒爽、散热、防霉、抑菌、抗辐射、防紫外线、吸音等多种功能,既可军用又可民用。大面积推广种植,可有效缓解我国纤维紧缺的现状,为解决“三农”问题闯出一条高附加值的新路,其优良特性将为未来军人吃穿住用带来革命性变化。

汉麻,一种神奇的植物,在他们手中,浴火重生一般变成各种军用服装、高档服饰的原料,有望改变当今世界纺织品结构;将来还可能成为石油、煤等矿物替代品,减少能源消耗造成的环境污染。

汉麻,一种生态环保、可再生的多用途植物,在他们手中,经过脱胶、抽丝等工序,变成像白花花的棉絮一般,既可毛纺,又可棉纺,还可混纺,且成本低廉。

20年不懈奋进,裁得云锦织霓裳的“魔术师”们,就是总后军需装备研究所军用汉麻材料研究中心的科研人员。

“国纺源头,万年衣祖”——

穿越历史续写传奇的植物

汉麻,又名线麻、寒麻、火麻等,别名称谓多达十余种。

史书载,麻起源于中国,是人类最早用于织物的天然纤维,有“国纺源头,万年衣祖”美誉,其种植历史至少有8000多年。早在2000多年前的西汉,我国麻纺织技术就已成熟。马王堆汉墓出土的“素色蝉衣”等大量麻纺精品,已成为麻纺工艺发展史的里程碑。西汉时期,麻纺精品与丝织精品沿着“丝绸之路”进入中东、地中海、欧洲,继而走向世界。麻织品运用到官吏和宗教的服饰上,被赋予一种神圣祥瑞的力量,为世人膜拜。

近代以来,随着棉花种植的推广,以及工业合成纤维的出现,古老的麻渐渐淡出了人们的视野。


上世纪七十年代末,我国南方边境战事犹酣。由于气候潮湿,许多官兵患有脚气、股癣、烂裆等疾病,有些部队患病率竟高达90%,直接影响着指战员的身心健康和战斗力。鉴于此,总后军需装备研究所遵照中央军委指示,开始寻找一种适合军用服装的新型纺织纤维材料。经过大范围筛选和调查,汉麻以其奇特的性能,很快被列入首选。军需所及时研制开发的抗菌防臭袜、高腰作训鞋和内裤等产品,有效地解决了官兵疾患问题。

随着对汉麻研究的深入,专家们发现这种神奇的植物可谓浑身是宝:汉麻的排湿性是纯棉的3倍,汉麻面料可在1小时内将附着的细菌杀灭;汉麻织物可屏蔽95%以上的紫外线,在370℃ 高温时不褪色,在1000℃时不燃烧,具有极佳耐热、防紫外线性能;汉麻韧皮可用于纺织;汉麻秆芯经研磨可生产木粉、制造活性炭、生产浆粕用于造纸;麻叶、麻花、麻根可提取药物,有止血、散淤、解毒、安胎等功效;麻籽仁可榨油,其不饱和脂肪酸含量竟高于深海鱼油;汉麻秆芯吸收甲醛是松木的11倍,且具有分解化学有害气体的特殊功能。

而当时,汉麻的“金贵”仍处于“养在深闺人不识”的实验室阶段。

进入新世纪,我国纺织业异军突起,一跃成为世界纺织服装大国,纺织品出口创汇顺差最高时占到我国的70%,但同时也使我国成为世界上最大的纺织原料消耗国。羊毛原料50%、棉花35%依赖进口,它的直接后果是造成纺织品出口附加值降低,每出口一吨纺织品仅创汇4000美元,而同期的美国可达1.7万美元- 吨。

随着纤维资源的紧张,人们的审美理念也在发生位移,那种以消耗资源、破坏环境为代价的化工产品并不被看好,取而代之,追求环保、崇尚自然重新成为时尚主旨。

寻求一种具有自主产权的新型纤维资源,对中国纺织行业不仅是解燃眉之急,更是一次涅槃之旅。古老的汉麻,再次激发了人们无尽的遐思。

为破解“三农”难题闯出新路——

汉麻是军民融合的新宠儿

中国是农业大国,但土地资源日渐缺乏成为构建现代农业的最大障碍之一。怎样让“浑身是宝”的汉麻为破解“三农”难题出力呢?

2004 年,总后军需装备研究所专门成立军用汉麻材料研究中心,由张建春副所长领衔多位专家,首先完成了汉麻的改良育种。此后,中心联合国内有关科研院所,进行了大量艰苦细致的探索,包括汉麻种植、汉麻加工等专项技术研究。每一次闯关夺隘都如同到太上老君的“炼丹炉”中走上一遭。5年多的攻关终于研制成功了机械脱胶软麻设备、闪爆加工设备、生物脱胶、高温蒸煮设备、分纤漂洗、液氨整理设备和纤维分级梳理设备及相关的工艺技术。

采用新工艺方法开发出的汉麻纤维除保持了麻原有优良性能外,还具有纤维长度长,柔软舒适的性能;利用该纤维可以纺出60Nm的优质纯汉麻纱线,而且可以与棉、莫代尔、天丝等其他任何材料进行混纺。军需所专家们20多年的不懈求索为汉麻的产业化提供了技术支撑,为实现纤维资源产业革命奠定了坚实的基石。

据了解,一季汉麻秆芯的产量相当于一年速生林,其韧皮纤维产量每亩可达100公斤以上,比棉花高50%。这种产能的表现形式还包括在我国各地都能种植,特别适合种植在山坡地、荒地和盐碱地等,不与粮、棉、油争地。

由于汉麻自身含有多种特有化学成分,具有较强的抑草抑虫害功能,因此在整个生长过程中不需要使用杀虫剂和除草剂,对环境没有任何污染。

诸多优良“天赋”使得汉麻产业化的第一步——种植,成为保护土壤的可持续利用价值,调整农业产业结构,培育新型产业,增加农民收入的有效途径。

2006 年,云南西双版纳设立汉麻生态农业基地,一期种植了3万亩汉麻。现今,从云南的红河、石林到北方的通辽、呼伦贝尔,汉麻种植的范围迅速扩大。2009年我国汉麻种植面积扩大到10万亩。伴随着种植业的蓬勃兴起,这些地区经济得到了发展、农民生活得到了改善。根据产业发展计划,到2020年,我国汉麻种植面积将达到1000万亩,可实现100万农民就业,每年可为国家提供100万吨汉麻韧皮纤维、500万吨木浆、20万吨高档食用油,增收1000亿元,有望使300万贫困人口脱贫。

2006年5月,胡锦涛总书记在云南视察汉麻基地时给予了充分肯定,他指示“务必把这件利国、利军、利民的事办好”,并要求实现产业化。总后有关部门坚决贯彻总书记的指示,对汉麻产业的发展给予了长期的支持。

2007 年4月,在总后技术指导下,中国纺织行业龙头企业雅戈尔集团与宜科科技共同投资2亿元,在云南组建了汉麻产业投资控股有限公司,现已达到年产汉麻纤维 5000吨的生产能力,一条从汉麻的种植、纤维加工、纱线、产品创意设计、产品制作和销售的独特产业链正在形成。

现代后勤“大厦”的新材料——

未来军人吃穿住用离不开汉麻

30年前,汉麻的军用让这株古老的植物成为专家的新宠。重生的汉麻又怎样为中国军人搏击未来遮风挡雨呢?

张建春作为汉麻研究开发的领军人,他一直致力于勾画这样一幅蓝图:让中国军人穿得帅气健康。

军服在保型性、悬垂性、保温性、舒适性、功能性等方面均有严格的要求。常服、礼服需要挺括,以保持军人英武的身姿;作训服除应具有防水、防风、防虫、防晒、抗菌等功能外,还应具有结实耐磨、防红外、阻燃的特性;二炮部队的服装要能防酸、防碱、防生化、防辐射,飞行员的服装要能抗负荷,在这些方面,汉麻大有可为。

“我军是世界上第一支大批应用麻纤维的军队!”谈及此,张建春总是一脸的自豪。

张建春有个梦想:中国是纺织服装大国,军人的穿戴也应体现国家实力,彰显我们和谐发展的新理念。

“ 我们现在从袜子开始做起,袜子是弹性纤维和麻的复合。接着是鞋,鞋是涤纶、尼龙等强度较高的纤维和麻的混合。麻加到鞋里面特别好,因为麻是吸湿快干。一出脚汗,很快可以干,本身又抗菌,所以麻在鞋材料里会有大发展。我们做了180万双高腰作训鞋试穿,部队反映特别好。现在正在做的是含麻的毛料。现今军官的礼服夏天穿,一场会下来,浑身全湿透了,多热啊。把麻加进去,散热透湿就舒适了。官兵的内衣内裤也准备用汉麻,届时部队常见的皮肤病将会得到根本抑制。”

“除了服装,我们目前开展了全方位的汉麻军用研究。以汉麻秆芯粉为原料,可制作新一代木质防弹陶瓷,防护能力高、重量轻;汉麻电磁屏蔽板材可用于指挥所电子信息屏蔽;汉麻杆做成的高效炭吸附材料可用于制作高档防毒面具;汉麻籽榨油后剩余的籽粕中可提取汉麻仁蛋白,可用于制作高营养价值的作战口粮;汉麻籽生物柴油经上百万公里坦克发动机和地面车辆行车试验,证明与现今军用柴油指标基本一致,可满足部队能源多样化的要求。此外,我们已成功研制出一种以汉麻秆芯粘胶为基体的新型阻燃纤维,该项研究获2008年纺织工业协会一等奖。”

汉麻,在张建春的脑海中是一座取之不竭用之不尽的宝藏。这个古老又年轻的神奇植物造就了张建春和他的战友,他们也把汉麻事业推上了一个新高峰。

迄今,汉麻研究中心已研究出了18台-套新型加工设备,申报了18项国家发明专利,研究成果得到了行业内和国际上的广泛关注。张建春和他的同事们也在汉麻事业春意盎然中收获着喜悦和希望。