PLA Naval H-6 bombers conduct bombing drill

A PLA Navy bomber squadron stationed along China’s southeast coastal region recently conducted a live-fire bombing exercise targeting an imaginary enemy port.

At 8:20 A.M., a green flare marked the start of the drill, and a dozen H-6 bombers took to the sky.

“Now starts radio silence! Keep your course by compass and meters!” said the drill commander.

On the mark, the lead bomber makes a drastic descent towards the sea surface, followed by his wingmen. The bomber pilots approach the combat zone at an extremely low attitude, an effective way to avoid radar detection.

At 9:45 A.M., as the bombers close in on the combat zone, they pull up to an attitude of 600 meters and spot the target in distance.

“Target in sight! Target locked!” reports each pilot. Soon after, bomb bay doors open and explosives hit the target area, splashing the water below.

China Finds MREs Irresistible

The Chinese Navy has faced a serious problem with feeding its crews on long voyages. This is because traditional Chinese food is time consuming to prepare and uses more water than Western chow. You can cut corners and provide simple (and unappetizing) meals on short training voyages and get away with it. That does not require much manpower or lots of water, but does little for morale. The officers usually get fed better, but the sailors expect that.

On longer voyages quality food is an important element in maintaining morale for the entire crew. This was discovered over the last four years as China sent 13 Task Forces (3-4 ships each) over 4,000 kilometers to Somalia for anti-piracy duty. These ships were away for six months or more and the navy was forced to innovate to keep the food appealing. The solution turned out to be more Western style food. This worked mainly because most of the sailors were young and keen to try Western food. This stuff is still relatively expensive (but very popular) in China, if only because a lot of it relies a lot on meat (burgers and chicken). Chinese officers had studied food service in Western navies and noted that the Western navies were able to use more equipment and automation as well as pre-packaged items to greatly reduce the manpower (and fresh water) needed to prepare attractive and nutritious meals.

PLA to step up war preparedness as military exercises 'have become a show

The People's Liberation Army must rid itself of deep-seated habits, cultivated within the military by decades of peace, in order to prepare for war at a moment's notice, the mouthpiece of the armed forces reported yesterday.
The PLA Daily ran an article yesterday highlighting problems found during a military review on Wednesday of three recent drills in Inner Mongolia involving an unnamed artillery brigade with the 38th Army Corps, which is affiliated with the Beijing Military Command.
One of the problems was that the unit allocated food based on the length of the drill and number of participants, without bringing extra provisions in case of bad weather. Troops also used all the ammunition after a drill without reserving any for a possible ambush on their way back to camp.
"After a long period of peace … some troops have little awareness of war, and their exercises are no longer realistic. They have become a show," the PLA Daily warned.
This came as Xinhua reported yesterday that General Xu Qiliang , vice-chairman of the PLA's top decision-making body, the Central Military Commission, pledged to forge a number of elite troops to safeguard the country's sovereignty and safety when needed. The promise came during Xu's recent fact-finding trip to Luoyang city in Henan province and Qingdao in Shandong province, which are under the Jinan Military Command.
There have also been stepped-up calls by state media for war preparedness, after the party's new general secretary, Xi Jinping , stressed the importance of using military drills to prepare for war, and amid escalating tensions between China and Japan because of a territorial dispute in the East China Sea, as well as similar tensions in the South China Sea.

Chinese QBJ 10 12.7mm Sniper Rifle

Chinese QBJ 10 12.7mm Sniper Rifle uses 12.7x108mm round which are claimed to be capable of  penetrating 50mm of steel plate at 1500 m  and 100mm when fired from a distance of 200 m.

Unmanned J-6 fighter jets put on Fujian air base

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A large number of old J-6 fighter jets that have been converted into unmanned attack aircraft are being stationed at Liancheng Air Base in Fujian province, according to the latest issue of Kanwa Defense Review. China's Huanqiu.com cited the Canadian online magazine as saying that satellite photos taken on July 31, 2011 showed there were at least 55 of the J-6 aircraft on the base. The magazine said the air base most likely has more J-6s than any other base in Fujian, showing that the Chinese Air Force attaches great importance to the capabilities of the unmanned fighter. Reports said the J-6, the Chinese-built version of the Soviet MiG-19 "Farmer" fighter aircraft, was produced by Shengyang Aircraft Corp. and formed the backbone of the Chinese Air Force in the 1960s and the 1970s. The J-6 fleet was retired in the late 1990s.

PLA Navy makes preparations for Liaoning Aircraft Carrier formation

Within only a month, the development of China’s aircraft carrier experienced the official delivery of the “Liaoning Ship” to the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the successful taking-off and landing training of the carrier-borne J-15 fighter nicknamed “Flying Shark” on the deck of the aircraft carrier. Western observers feel astonished at the speed of the development of China’s aircraft carrier and no longer doubt that China’s first aircraft carrier formation will debut in the near future.A naval open-sea taskforce mainly composed of warships from the East China Sea Fleet under the PLA Navy sailed to the vast waters of the West Pacific Ocean and carried out routine drills again on November 28, 2012. During the open-sea training, the taskforce conducted training on such subjects as round-the-clock navigation and defense, open-sea combat and supply and escort for large surface ship. Military experts speculate that such open-sea training may be the preparation for the building of China’s first aircraft carrier formation.
A naval open-sea taskforce mainly composed of warships from the East China Sea Fleet under the PLA Navy sailed to the vast waters of the West Pacific Ocean and carried out routine drills again on November 28, 2012. During the open-sea training, the taskforce conducted training on such subjects as round-the-clock navigation and defense, open-sea combat and supply and escort for large surface ship. Military experts speculate that such open-sea training may be the preparation for the building of China’s first aircraft carrier formation.

Various fleets started mission-oriented formation drills

Actually, various fleets under the PLA Navy had begun mission-oriented drills before the commissioning of the “Liaoning Ship”. Especially in recent years, the lineup and formation, communication and command and combined tactics of large surface ship taskforce have become the basic components of open-sea training of the PLA Navy.  A joint taskforce under the North China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy consisting of seven warships, including the “Harbin” and “Shijiazhuang” guided missile destroyers, also carried out coordinated training among multiple arms in the waters of the West Pacific Ocean in early October. Obviously, with the official delivery of the aircraft carrier “Liaoning Ship”, the PLA Navy will timely carry out joint taskforce drill between the “Liaoning Ship” and other surface ships.

PLA highly praises performance of its early-warning aircraft

China’s locally made early-warning aircraft have proven their operational capabilities in drills and can now direct different forces to respond more effectively to aerial threats, the People’s Liberation Army Daily reported yesterday.

Analysts said the report could be seen as a response to Western reports that downplay the effectiveness of China’s military modernisation effort.

The PLA Daily report, which appeared in an inside page, did not identify the aircraft that took part in the drills, but it was accompanied by an illustration of a KJ-2000 early waring aircraft in flight. It said the plane had become an air operational centre to command land, air and naval forces in several drills this year.

The aircraft is larger than ordinary fighter jets and can detect threats such as enemy airplanes.

“It is a historic leap for our army’s combat ability on the modern battlefield … as the combat information transport system successfully connected with our advanced fighter jets during the drills,” the report said, adding that China had spent more than five decades developing its early-warning aircraft systems.

China unveils missile-equipped drone

China showed off a new military drone and a model of a next-generation fighter plane as it builds up its own defense capabilities and seeks customers for its hardware.
Industry giant China Aviation Industry Corporation displayed its Yi Long drone, called Wing Loong in English, at the opening of China's premier airshow in southern Zhuhai, state media said, AFP reports.
AVIC, which makes both military and civil aircraft, also showed a model of a new generation fighter jet that Chinese media said was the J-31, a stealth plane whose existence was only recently known to the public.
Chinese President Hu Jintao last week called for China to step up the military's technological abilities, saying its most important task was to be able to “win a local war in an information age''.
AVIC had previously shown only a model of the nine-meter long drone, which can carry two missiles, at previous Zhuhai airshows, an analyst said.

Devastating power of China's J-15 ranks high in the world

The J-15, a heavy bomber independently developed by China, has the features of excellent carrier-based aircraft, but it still needs time for the aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, to become combat effective, a military expert disclosed in an interview recently.

The carrier-based aircraft refers to any naval planes based on an aircraft carrier or other warships, which is used to attack targets in the air, on and under the water and on ground and execute tasks of early warning, scouting, patrolling, convoying, mine-laying, mine clearance and vertical landing. It is used as one of the main weapons of naval air forces in battles and an important force to seize and maintain air and sea controls on the maritime battlefield.

It has also become the focus of attention of the outside world that whether the repeated "touch and go landing" in recent days means that J-15 will be delivered soon. To this question, Chinese naval expert Li Jie said as it is the first time for China to carry out taking off and landing training of a carrier-based aircraft, it still needs much time for J-15 to be delivered.

In addition, the external world also paid special attention to the performance of J-15. An expert revealed that J-15 is a fighter plane of or above the third generation. It has superior combat performance and characteristics of excellent carrier-based aircraft.

Seven Chinese Navy warships skirt Okinawa

Seven Chinese warships passed Tuesday through Japan's contiguous zone, a band of water just outside the nation's territorial waters, near an Okinawa island, the Defense Ministry said.

 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121017a3.html

The ships, including destroyers and frigates, were spotted at around 7 a.m. sailing from the Pacific Ocean to the East China Sea about 49 km south-southeast of Yonaguni Island, which is 110 km east of Taiwan.

The seven vessels confirmed by Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C reconnaissance aircraft were heading north-northeast south of the disputed Senkaku Islands, according to the ministry.

Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto told reporters he was unsure of the purpose of the flotilla. "At present, we don't see any helicopters flying from the vessels," he added.

It is the first time Chinese naval vessels have been spotted in the 22-km-wide contiguous zone between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands, the ministry said.

Sailing in the contiguous zone, which connects to 12-nautical mile territorial waters, poses no problem under international law. In the zone, Japan can apply its laws for customs procedures and immigration control.

Friends again, Israel and China boost ties

Israel and China have been renewing military ties in recent months after a lengthy chill caused by hefty Israeli arms deals that the United States shot down.

The upswing in relations between the defense establishments has raised eyebrows in Washington, which views China's expansion in the Pacific with growing concern.

Israel once seemed set to be a major arms supplier to China. But in 2000 they fell out after the United States, Israel's strategic ally which provides $3 billion in military aid a year, pressured the Jewish state not to sell a sophisticated airborne early warning aircraft to Beijing.

But in recent months, relations have begun warming again and in 2010, Beijing invited the commander of Israel's navy, Adm. Eliezer Marom, to visit.

Marom's mother was Chinese, so the belief in Israel's Defense Ministry was that Beijing was seeking to restore defense links with Israel.

"While the ban on Israeli defense exports appears to still be in place," observed Yaakov Katz, defense editor of The Jerusalem Post, "there is no question that Israeli-Sino military ties have entered a new period of warmth -- although the content of those ties largely remain a mystery."

That seems evident from a recent flurry of high-level bilateral visits by senior military officials from both countries, although there's no sign that China will resume buying Israel arms -- yet.

China Now Using a Cruise Ship to Haul Troops and Tanks

The media freaked out about China’s crappy aircraft carrier and hyperventilated over the J-20 stealth fighter. But China’s newest addition to its military is more subtle, and stylish. It’s a 36,000-ton pleasure boat capable of disgorging thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles held inside its belly.

That would be the Bahai Sea Green Pearl, a 36,000-ton ferry and cruise ship commissioned in August at Yantai Port in China’s northeastern Shandong Province. At heart a vessel for pleasure and civilian transport, the ship is intended to normally ferry cars and passengers across the Yellow Sea. But when needed by the People’s Liberation Army, the Green Pearl can double as a troop carrier. During its launching ceremony and demonstration on Aug. 8, PLA troops could be seen loading dozens of tanks, artillery pieces and armored vehicles on board.

Chinese Missile tests targeted at no specific country

China's Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had conducted missile tests within national territory and clarified that they were not targeted at any one country.

"We conducted some normal weapons tests within the territory recently," spokesman Geng Yansheng told a regular press conference arranged by the ministry.

"These tests have no specific targets and were not targeted at any specific countries," Geng said, reiterating that the weaponry buildup is to answer the need to safeguard national security.

Domestic and foreign media reports said that the PLA's Second Artillery Force had successfully test-launched several missiles, including DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile.

Chinese Hummer With Remote Weapon Station

PLA Air Force organizes long-range maneuver drill

The Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) organized 14 vehicle and vessel troop units to conduct a long-range maneuver drill and assessment, codenamed “Iron Flow 12″, in multiple areas in late July of 2012. According to the briefing, this long-range maneuver drill will last for 22 days and span across 28 provinces (cities and prefectures).

It is learned that all the operations during the “Iron Flow 12″ followed the requirements of “actual-combat organization and training, full-process evaluation and review-style summary”.

The participating troops carried out full-strength, full-process and full-element drills on such subjects as combat readiness transition, organizing and commanding, long-range maneuver,

CQ 7.62x51mm general purpose machine gun

CQ 7.62x51mm general purpose machine gun

Poly Technologies - China

The CQ 7.62x51mm general-purpose machine gun is used to effectively suppress and neutralize hostile forces within 1200 m.

It can be used as a light or heavy machine gun with a bipod or tripod.

Specifications

Calibre: 7.62 mm
Ammunition: 7.62x51mm
Muzzle velocity: 840 m/s
Effective range: 1200 m
Weight (with bipod): 10.85 kg
Length: 1225 mm
Feed: link belt

New Individual Support System for PLA Soldiers Debuts

According to a briefing, the new individual comprehensive support system developed by the Quartermaster and Equipment Research Institute under the General Logistics Department (GLD) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is equipped with such devices as electronic medical tag, miniature water purifier and so on, and suitable for the ground combat forces of such services and arms as the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Second Artillery Force. It will multiply the individual soldier's field survival competence.

"Features like being complete in functions, light in weight, easy to put on and convenient to take off make it meets the various demands in actual combats," said delightfully Sun Shoulei, a squad leader of the second company of the first battalion of a regiment. This system consists of two parts, the individual combat comprehensive support system and the individual life comprehensive support system, and serves the functions of defense and protection, self-help and mutual aids, eating and drinking, camping and bivouacking, and many others. Its total weight is only 15 kilograms.

"In the past, portable combat equipment such as firearms, ammunition, jugs, satchels, rain gears, gas masks and bullet pouches was usually hung on the body, which was not only heavy but also troublesome to carry," said a troop unit leader.

Now this new individual comprehensive support system gives prominence to humanized concept in design and enhances the practicality, comfort and safety of the equipment, it provides convenience for officers and men in performing combat tasks and long-range march.

PLA Encourages Private Investment in Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense

The State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the General Armaments Department of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently jointly issued a document entitled the Implementation Guideline of Encouraging and Guiding Private Capital into the Fields of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (hereinafter referred to as the Guideline). The Guideline specifies that private capital is attracted and encouraged to enter such fields of science, technology and industry for national defense as scientific research and production of weaponry and equipment, investment and construction of science, technology and industry for national defense, restructuring and reorganization of military industrial enterprises and development of military-civilian dual-use technologies.

The Guideline points out that it is necessary to implement equal treatment for private investors and state-owned military industrial enterprises in such aspects as access, task competition and tax preference and strengthen supervision and administration as well as security and confidentiality, in a bid to ensure the security of state secrets.

Chinese Special Operations Forces Weapons & Gear

Details of the weapons and gear used by the  People's Liberation Army (PLA) Special Operations Forces.

Chinese Spies In Russia

On June 20 a Russian court sentenced two university teachers to 12 years in prison each for selling SLBM (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile) secrets to China. The crime was committed three years ago and the two received $7,000 for the information on the Bulava missile they gave to the Chinese. This is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year the Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) arrested a Russian engineer who was working on the Bulava SLBM (Sea Launched Ballistic Missile). The accused engineer was charged with selling secrets to a foreign intelligence service. Also this year a Russian court convicted a Russian space engineer for selling missile test data to the CIA. But it's the Chinese who appear to be most active in Russia.
Last year 41 spies were arrested in Russia. Such arrests have been declining. In 2008, 149 foreign spies were arrested. Of those, 48 were officials of foreign intelligence agencies. Strictly speaking, these are not spies, but the people who seek out locals suitable for recruiting as spies. Of these spies 76 were non-Russians living in Russia and 25 were Russians. Six of those arrested for spying were working for Georgia and one was a Russian citizen from Syria, who was working with Islamic radicals in the Caucasus. China has a major espionage effort going in Russia and a few Chinese operatives are caught every year. The foreign spy agencies have apparently adapted because none has shown any interest in shutting down their espionage operations in Russia.
Some of the spies were simply people the Russian government wanted to shut up and take out of circulation. Charging them with espionage is an old trick from the Soviet period (and ever earlier, as the Czarist secret police used the same technique). In practice, Russia is doing much more spying on others and many more Russian spies were caught overseas each year. But Russia, using a proven Cold War era technique, attempts to deflect criticism of its own espionage activities, by emphasizing the real or imagined spying activity in Russia.