Tag: pla
23 articles
China's PLA Embeds Tactical Air Control Teams
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has made significant strides in air-ground integration, with tactical air control teams now seamlessly coordinating with air force aircraft to execute precision strikes. This capability, showcased in recent cross-service training exercises, enables ground teams to guide fighter jets to targets using advanced technology like laser designators and secure datalinks.
Xi Jinping Reshapes China's Military Leadership Amid Purge Fallout
In a significant move, China's military leadership has been reshaped with the promotion of two lieutenant generals to full general, amid a backdrop of sweeping purges that have rocked the People's Liberation Army. On July 3, Zhang Shuguang and Wang Gang were elevated to their new roles, marking a major shift in the PLA's top ranks.
China Exposes US Military's Strategic Weaknesses in Iran Conflict Analysis
A recent memo from China's People's Liberation Army reveals that the US military's strengths in tactical execution are overshadowed by strategic weaknesses, leaving it vulnerable in conflicts like the one with Iran. The analysis exposes five key flaws, including diplomatic isolation and self-inflicted damage through information ecosystems.
China's PLA Deploys Flamethrowers on Unmanned Ground Vehicles
China's PLA is supercharging its unmanned ground vehicles with flamethrowers, combining the brutal power of the Type 74 flamethrower with the cutting-edge ZRY222 Unmanned Ground Equipment platform for a safer, more lethal combo. This game-changing tech allows soldiers to clear trenches and bunkers from a safe distance, minimizing risk to personnel.
China's J-15 Fighter Expands Reach with Y-20A Tanker Refueling
China just took a major leap in its military capabilities, showcasing its J-15 fighter jet refueling mid-air from a Y-20A tanker - a game-changing advancement in aerial reach and endurance. This remarkable footage was quietly released in a recent People's Daily YouTube video.
China Bolsters Tibet Aviation with Z-20T Assault Helicopters
China is strengthening its aviation capabilities in Tibet with the deployment of Z-20T assault helicopters, adding to its existing fleet of over 300 imported Mi-17/Mi-171-series helicopters. The 85th Army Aviation Brigade, based in Lhasa, has been at the forefront of this effort since its emergence in 2018.
China Tests Advanced HQ-16F Missile as Pakistan Eyes Export Variant
China just took a major leap in its military tech with the first live-fire test of its advanced HQ-16F missile, showcasing its impressive range and precision in a desert trial over 1,000 km from its home base. The successful intercept of an airborne target at 50 km range marks a significant milestone in the development of this cutting-edge weapon.
China's Military Deploys QJZ171 Heavy Machine Gun
Meet the QJZ171, a game-changing 12.7×108mm heavy machine gun that's remarkably portable at just 26.4 pounds, and is now being deployed across multiple Chinese services, including the People's Armed Police, to pack a serious punch in border-patrol drills. This powerful yet lightweight gun is set to significantly up the intimidation factor for units patrolling remote frontier stretches.
Armor Tactics Evolve as FPV Drones Redefine Battlefield Dynamics
The online debate rages on: could a US Armored Division take down a PLA combined-arms brigade in a showdown on open plains? But the truth is, geography and logistics play a much bigger role in battle strategy than fantasy matchups.
China Unveils Possible Next-Gen Heavy Tank Prototype
A mysterious blurry photo of a Chinese chassis has sparked excitement, featuring a notable seven road wheels, a design element that hints at a heavier and more powerful vehicle. This detail is particularly intriguing, as only one other PLA vehicle, the PLZ-05B 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, has been confirmed to have this seven-wheel setup.
China Unveils Heated Armored Troop Transport for Tibetan Plateau
Meet China's latest game-changer for high-altitude warfare: an armored troop transport that can safely carry 22 fully armed soldiers across the rugged Tibetan Plateau in style and comfort. This cutting-edge vehicle boasts a heated, insulated cabin - a vital upgrade for troops battling harsh, cold environments.
China Unveils Advanced Flexible Oil Bladders for Military Logistics
Meet China's game-changing Flexible Oil Bladder, a helidrop-friendly solution that's keeping military forces moving with rapid-response deliveries, as seen in a recent Central China TV exercise where troops resupplied a stranded truck column. This simple yet ingenious gear is revolutionizing military logistics with its durable TPU construction and versatile design.
China's QL550 Armored Vehicle Exposes Air Mobility Tradeoffs
Meet the QL550, a sleek and futuristic armored vehicle from NORINCO that turns heads with its sharp design, hinting at a unique blend of battlefield capabilities and aircraft-inspired dimensions. This cutting-edge reconnaissance vehicle is specifically built to fit inside China's Y-9 aircraft, showcasing innovative design tradeoffs.
China's PLA Adopts Antiquated Homing Pigeons for Battlefield Communications
In a surprising move, China's PLA Logistics Support Force has turned to an unlikely communication solution: homing pigeons, proudly showcased on state television as a key part of their battlefield communications toolkit. These birds are being used to deliver messages, bringing a touch of nostalgia to modern warfare.
Nanyun-Class Troop Transports Bolster China's South China Sea Presence
China's naval capabilities in the South China Sea just got a significant boost with the introduction of the Nanyun-class troop transports, designed to efficiently transport hundreds of troops and tons of cargo. These six versatile vessels, built in the 1980s, can carry around 400 troops or 350 tons of cargo, and offload via two small landing craft.
China Sentences Ex-Defense Ministers to Death With Reprieve
China has taken a drastic step in its anti-corruption campaign, sentencing two former defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting and exchanging bribes. This severe punishment marks a significant escalation in the country's efforts to crack down on corruption within the People's Liberation Army.
China's Stealth Flying Wings Spotted at Secret Test Base
China has been spotted testing massive stealth flying wings at a secret base, with satellite images revealing two enormous aircraft, dubbed "The Monster of Malan", sitting side by side on the apron. Each flying wing boasts an impressive span of approximately 173 feet, rivalling the size of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
China Acquires Soviet T-72 Tanks Through Romania
In a surprising move, China acquired Soviet T-72 tanks through Romania, with several of the 31 imported tanks quietly transferred to China for evaluation in the late 1970s. This acquisition was part of a long-running effort to understand and match Soviet tank design, sparked by the 1969 Zhenbao clash where Soviet T-62 tanks demonstrated clear technological superiority over Chinese armor.
China Absorbs Foreign Tech in Military Vehicle Development
In the 1970s, China's People's Liberation Army made a game-changing move by importing thousands of Berliet GBC 8 KT 6×6 trucks from France, which became the backbone of their artillery transport and left a lasting impact on vehicle design and industrial learning. This strategic adoption of foreign tech not only proved durable and adaptable but also earned a special place in the PLA's operations.
PLA Adopts Ancient Phalanx Formation for Modern Warfare
The PLA has made a striking move by reviving the ancient phalanx formation, trading in flexible tactics for a wall of shields and long pikes in a bold display of modernized might. This unexpected shift has left observers wondering what's behind the Chinese military's return to a battle-tested strategy from centuries past.
China's PLA Revives Explosive Tactics in Modern Warfare
The People's Liberation Army is dusting off old-school explosive tactics, deploying high-explosive satchels and makeshift charges in modern warfare, a move that suggests even simple tools can still pack a punch on the battlefield. This revival is reportedly inspired by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where humble explosive charges proved their continued relevance.
China Upgrades Older Tanks with Active Protection Systems
A game-changing photo has emerged showing an older Chinese tank sporting cutting-edge Active Protection Systems, shifting analysts' focus to the country's strategic intent, costs, and battlefield logistics. This surprise upgrade on a tried-and-true Type 96 main battle tank has significant implications for the future of armored warfare.
China Unveils Upgraded QJH001 Heavy Machine Gun for Peacekeeping Missions
China's latest upgrade to its QJH001 heavy machine gun is turning heads, particularly in peacekeeping missions, where its deployment from a helicopter door offers enhanced protection and firepower. This seemingly small but significant advancement could have far-reaching implications for militaries, technologists, and policymakers.