Chinese Navy (PLAN) News & Discussions
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samsara
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It's always interesting to peep into the perspective of the Japanese media with regard to the development in the South China Sea, East China Sea and the Korean Peninsula. Here's one of such attempts, loosely translated from the article carried in the Japanese-language source, means it's catering mostly the Japanese readers at home instead of the international audience. [Images are my additions.]
I hope there will be more over time by the many PDF members here
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International situation intelligence by Masaru Soma > China Navy augmented to 250,000 people in near future
Chinese Navy be strengthened to 250,000 troop strong... stationed in several places in the waters around Japan, the tension of US - China military conflict increases
By Masaru Soma / Journalist - Business Journal - 2017.03.24
The China's People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLAMC) is increasingly becoming clear to significantly increase its forces from the current level of 20,000 to 100,000 strong troop more than five times in the next year, and in future further augmented to 250,000 troop within the next three years.
The Chinese authorities are engaging in the international cooperation including dispatching some of the augmented marine forces to Pakistan's Gwardar Port and the Djibouti Port, among the experts, both the South China Sea islands and the Senkaku Islands, which is under the control of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture [China calls the islands Diaoyu Dao], are in the Chinese mind while strengthening the military activities, there is a view that these activities are aimed to counter the US Marine Corps stationed in Japan.
Disputed islands in the East China Sea
The PLA Marine Corps is now under the command of the South Sea Fleet with its headquarter in Zhanjiang Naval Base, Guangdong province in southern China, with strength of two brigades of 20,000 troops.
The Global Times, which is affiliated with the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, announced on the occasion of the expansion of the PLA Marine Corps, "To protect and defend the Chinese maritime lifeline and the increasing overseas interests, we will dispatch marine forces to Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Djibouti Port in the Republic of Djibouti etc."
Regarding such a report, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said, "Because the issue concerning the expansion of the naval force units involves the military reform issue in China, we are steadily progressing on related reform based on the plan. The related department of the military will announce the relevant information at the appropriate timing based on the progress of the reform."
Hong Kong's English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post, citing experts familiar with Chinese military information, the mission of Marine Corps is the effective control primarily to the defense of the islands in the South China Sea, with several regiments of 5,000 troops were established and will be stationed to serve the several bases constructed in the islands, and another brigade is stationed in the headquarter in Zhanjiang.
Zhanjiang Naval Base at the southwestern end in the Guangdong Province
Moreover, since the military drills of US forces stationed in Japan (and South Korea) are actively conducted in the waters around the South China Sea and East China Sea in the recent years, therefore the Chinese troops also need to counter the US military encirclement, the Xi Jinping leadership is believed to have decided on the policy to enhance the PLA naval forces.
The US and Chinese military conflict potential
According to the Japanese military sources familiar with the situation in China, the number of marine forces will soar in the coming year to reach about 100,000 people, but the US Marine Corps stationed in Japan will be over 50,000 troops in the total of US military presence. Eventually the PLA Marine Corps may be further augmented to reach 250,000 troops.
By doing so, the PLA Marine Corps will have a strength equivalent to 200,000 active-duty soldiers and reservists of 40,000 strong, in responding to the degree of tension in the South China Sea and East China Sea, and it's possible to respond to the situation of the Korean peninsula which is increasing in tension.
The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, has made it clear in September last year the policy to downsize the Chinese army as many as 300,000 soldiers by the end of this year, but a significant buildup of the naval forces will be done, the same sources fear it could become a source of potential conflict between the US and Chinese armed forces.
I hope there will be more over time by the many PDF members here
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
International situation intelligence by Masaru Soma > China Navy augmented to 250,000 people in near future
Chinese Navy be strengthened to 250,000 troop strong... stationed in several places in the waters around Japan, the tension of US - China military conflict increases
By Masaru Soma / Journalist - Business Journal - 2017.03.24
The China's People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLAMC) is increasingly becoming clear to significantly increase its forces from the current level of 20,000 to 100,000 strong troop more than five times in the next year, and in future further augmented to 250,000 troop within the next three years.
The Chinese authorities are engaging in the international cooperation including dispatching some of the augmented marine forces to Pakistan's Gwardar Port and the Djibouti Port, among the experts, both the South China Sea islands and the Senkaku Islands, which is under the control of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture [China calls the islands Diaoyu Dao], are in the Chinese mind while strengthening the military activities, there is a view that these activities are aimed to counter the US Marine Corps stationed in Japan.
Disputed islands in the East China Sea
The PLA Marine Corps is now under the command of the South Sea Fleet with its headquarter in Zhanjiang Naval Base, Guangdong province in southern China, with strength of two brigades of 20,000 troops.
The Global Times, which is affiliated with the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, announced on the occasion of the expansion of the PLA Marine Corps, "To protect and defend the Chinese maritime lifeline and the increasing overseas interests, we will dispatch marine forces to Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Djibouti Port in the Republic of Djibouti etc."
Regarding such a report, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said, "Because the issue concerning the expansion of the naval force units involves the military reform issue in China, we are steadily progressing on related reform based on the plan. The related department of the military will announce the relevant information at the appropriate timing based on the progress of the reform."
Hong Kong's English-language newspaper, the South China Morning Post, citing experts familiar with Chinese military information, the mission of Marine Corps is the effective control primarily to the defense of the islands in the South China Sea, with several regiments of 5,000 troops were established and will be stationed to serve the several bases constructed in the islands, and another brigade is stationed in the headquarter in Zhanjiang.
Zhanjiang Naval Base at the southwestern end in the Guangdong Province
Moreover, since the military drills of US forces stationed in Japan (and South Korea) are actively conducted in the waters around the South China Sea and East China Sea in the recent years, therefore the Chinese troops also need to counter the US military encirclement, the Xi Jinping leadership is believed to have decided on the policy to enhance the PLA naval forces.
The US and Chinese military conflict potential
According to the Japanese military sources familiar with the situation in China, the number of marine forces will soar in the coming year to reach about 100,000 people, but the US Marine Corps stationed in Japan will be over 50,000 troops in the total of US military presence. Eventually the PLA Marine Corps may be further augmented to reach 250,000 troops.
By doing so, the PLA Marine Corps will have a strength equivalent to 200,000 active-duty soldiers and reservists of 40,000 strong, in responding to the degree of tension in the South China Sea and East China Sea, and it's possible to respond to the situation of the Korean peninsula which is increasing in tension.
The Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, has made it clear in September last year the policy to downsize the Chinese army as many as 300,000 soldiers by the end of this year, but a significant buildup of the naval forces will be done, the same sources fear it could become a source of potential conflict between the US and Chinese armed forces.
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usamafarooqui2
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Good to see Chinese navy making awesomeee stuffs
Support and luv ya
Support and luv ya
samsara
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It's officially confirmed that Type 726 LCAC is in serial production now
The well deck of 071 LPD (landing platform dock) can hold three LCACs.
Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC)
Amphibious landing drill conducted last week in the South China Sea.
March 21-26, PLA Navy landing detachment ships of the South Sea Fleet No. 6 made landing exercises.
@xinfengcao - 27 Mar 2017
The well deck of 071 LPD (landing platform dock) can hold three LCACs.
Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC)
Amphibious landing drill conducted last week in the South China Sea.
March 21-26, PLA Navy landing detachment ships of the South Sea Fleet No. 6 made landing exercises.
@xinfengcao - 27 Mar 2017
Last edited:
samsara
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PLA landing detachment ships of the South Sea Fleet landing exercises
Air cushioned landing craft makes its way to beach-head (HD images)
A Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet under the PLA Navy makes its way to the beach-head during a landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area of the South China Sea on March 21, 2017. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
Air cushioned landing craft makes its way to beach-head (HD images)
A Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet under the PLA Navy makes its way to the beach-head during a landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area of the South China Sea on March 21, 2017. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
samsara
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Air cushioned landing craft participate in beach landing exercise [HD Images]
Editor：Yao Jianing - China Military - 2017-03-28
Two amphibious dock landing ships Jinggangshan (Hull 999) and Kunlunshan (Hull 998), three Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC), and two Z-8 ship-borne helicopters advance in formation during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
Two amphibious dock landing ships Jinggangshan (Hull 999) and Kunlunshan (Hull 998), and three Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) sail in formation during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
The amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy discharges smoke screen during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
The amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy fires its main gun at night during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
The amphibious dock landing ship Kunlunshan (Hull 998), a Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) and a Z-8 ship-borne helicopter head to the beach during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are assigned to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
A Z-8 ship-borne helicopter sits on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) while another takes off during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are assigned to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
Editor：Yao Jianing - China Military - 2017-03-28
Two amphibious dock landing ships Jinggangshan (Hull 999) and Kunlunshan (Hull 998), three Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC), and two Z-8 ship-borne helicopters advance in formation during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
Two amphibious dock landing ships Jinggangshan (Hull 999) and Kunlunshan (Hull 998), and three Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) sail in formation during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
The amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy discharges smoke screen during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
The amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) attached to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy fires its main gun at night during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
The amphibious dock landing ship Kunlunshan (Hull 998), a Type 726 Yuyi class landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) and a Z-8 ship-borne helicopter head to the beach during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are assigned to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
A Z-8 ship-borne helicopter sits on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan (Hull 999) while another takes off during a beach landing exercise at an undisclosed sea area in late March, 2017. They are assigned to a landing ship flotilla of the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy. (81.cn/ Gan Jun)
cirr
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The forward upper structure of JN 055 #1 will be lifted into place in days.
View attachment 385266 View attachment 385267
Done!
samsara
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WHO is the guy in business suit at the forefront, 2nd from the left?26.03.2017 - Construction has formally begun on the PLAN's first Type 075 LHD at the HDZH shipyard in Shanghai.
View attachment 387162
His look carries some resemblance to the Real Admiral Yin Zhuo, from the side view
cirr
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WHO is the guy in business suit at the forefront, 2nd from the left?
His look carries some resemblance to the Real Admiral Yin Zhuo, from the side view
Dong Qiang, Chairman of the Board, CSSC.
samsara
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Analysis: The Pace of Chinese Military Modernization is Getting Attention at the Pentagon and in Congress
By KRIS OSBORN - SCOUT WARRIOR - 2017.03.30 6:10 AM
A Congressional Report Catalogues Chinese Military Provocations and Estimates that China May Have 351 Ships by 2020
China's rapid development of new destroyers, amphibs, stealth fighters and long-range weapons is quickly increasing its ability to threaten the United States and massively expand expeditionary military operations around the globe, according to a Congressional report.
A detailed report from Congressional experts, called the 2016 US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, specifies China's growing provocations and global expeditionary exercises along with its fast-increasing ability to project worldwide military power.
As examples, the report catalogues a number of aggressive Chinese military or maritime militia encounters:
As part of a detailed effort to document China's growing influence as an expeditionary global power, the Congressional report highlights a range of Chinese deployments and worldwide exercises beyond their borders or more immediate regional influence. From the report:
At the same time, despite these developments, the report does point out the China will need to sustain its current pace of military expansion for years to come in order to truly rival the US military's global reach.
"To support, sustain, and defend long range operations, the PLA must continue to develop or procure large amphibious ships, heavy lift aircraft, and logistical support capabilities, as well as continue to improve command and control capabilities," the report states.
Chinese Navy
While Chinese naval technology may still be substantially behind current U.S. platforms, the equation could change dramatically over the next several decades because the Chinese are reportedly working on a handful of high-tech next-generation ships, weapons and naval systems.
China has plans to grow its navy to 351 ships by 2020 as the Chinese continue to develop their military’s ability to strike global targets, according to the Congressional reports.
The 2014 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended to Congress that the U.S. Navy respond by building more ships and increase its presence in the Pacific region – a strategy the U.S. military has already started.
Opponents of this strategy point out that the U.S. has 11 aircraft carriers, the Chinese have one and China's one carrier still lacks an aircraft wing capable of operating off of a carrier deck.
However, the Chinese are already beginning construction on several of their own indigenous aircraft carriers. China currently has one carrier, the Ukranian-built Liaoning.
Looking to the future, the 2016 report says "future Chinese carriers are likely to be flat deck ships, like U.S. aircraft carriers, that utilize steam or magnetic catapults and would enable the PLA Navy to employ aircraft armed with heavier munitions intended for maritime strike or land attack missions. According to DOD, China could build several aircraft carriers in the next 15 years. China may ultimately produce five ships—for a total of six carriers—for the PLA Navy."
The commission also cites other platforms and weapons systems the Chinese are developing, which will likely change the strategic calculus regarding how U.S. carriers and surface ships might need to operate in the region.
These include the LUYANG III, a new class of Chinese destroyer slated to enter the fleet this year. These ships are being engineered with vertically-launched, long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, the commission said. The new destroyer will carry an extended-range variant of the HHQ-9 surface-to-air missile, among other weapons, the report says.
As evidence of the impact of these destroyers, the report points out that these new multi-mission destroyers are likely to form the bulk of warship escorts for Chinese carriers - in a manner similar to how the US Navy protects its carriers with destroyers in "carrier strike groups."
"These 8,000 ton destroyers (the LUYANG III) . . . have phased-array radars and a long-range SAM [surface-to-air missile] system which provides the [navy] with its first credible area air-defense capability," the 2016 report states.
The Chinese are currently testing and developing a new, carrier-based fighter aircraft called the J-15.
Regarding amphibious assault ships, the Chinese are planning to add several more YUZHAO LPDs, amphibs which can carry 800 troops, four helicopters and up to 20 armored vehicles, the report said.
"The YUZHAO can carry up to four air cushion landing craft, four helicopters, armored vehicles, and troops for long-distance deployments, which DOD notes ‘‘provide a ... greater and more flexible capability for ‘far seas’ operations than the [PLA Navy’s] older landing ships.,’ according to the report.
The Chinese also have ambitious future plans for next-generation amphibious assault ships.
"China seeks to construct a class of amphibious assault ships larger than the YUZHAO class that would include a flight deck for conducting helicopter operations. China may produce four to six of these Type 081 ships with the capacity to transport 500 troops and configured for helicopter-based vertical assault," the report says. Some observers have raised the question as to whether this new class of Chinese amphibs could rival the US Navy's emerging, high-tech America-Class amphibious assault ships.
The Chinese are also working on development of a new Type 055 cruiser equipped with land-attack missiles, lasers and rail-gun weapons, according to the review.
China’s surface fleet is also bolstered by production of at least 60 smaller, fast-moving HOBEI-glass guided missile patrol boats and ongoing deliveries of JIANGDAO light frigates armed with naval guns, torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles.
The commission also says Chinese modernization plans call for a sharp increase in attack submarines and nuclear-armed submarines or SSBNs. Chinese SSBNs are now able to patrol with nuclear-armed JL-2 missiles able to strike targets more than 4,500 nautical miles.
The Chinese are currently working on a new, modernized SSBN platform as well as a long-range missile, the JL-3, the commission says.
While the commission says the exact amount of Chinese military spending is difficult to identify, China’s projected defense spending for 2014 is cited at $131 billion, approximately 12.2 percent greater than 2013. This figure is about one sixth of what the U.S. spends annually.
The Chinese defense budget has increased by double digits since 1989, the commission states, resulting in annual defense spending doubling since 2008, according to the report.
Some members of Congress, including the former House Armed Services Committee's Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., advocated for both a larger U.S. Navy and a stronger U.S. posture toward China's behavior in the region.
Chinese Air Force
The U.S. Air Force’s technological air power superiority over China is rapidly diminishing in light of rapid Chinese modernization of fighter jets, missiles, air-to-air weapons, cargo planes and stealth aircraft, according to analysts, Pentagon officials and a Congressional review.
The 2014 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended that Congress appoint an outside panel of experts to assess the U.S.-Chinese military balance and make recommendations regarding U.S. military plans and budgets, among other things. Despite being released in 2014, the findings of the report - if slightly dated - offer a detailed and insightful window into Chinese Air Force technology, progress and development.
The Commission compiled its report based upon testimony, various reports and analytical assessments along with available open-source information. An entire chapter is dedicated to Chinese military modernization.
The review states that the Chines People’s Liberation Army currently has approximately 2,200 operational aircraft, nearly 600 of which are considered modern.
“In the early 1990s, Beijing began a comprehensive modernization program to upgrade the PLA Air Force from a short-range, defensively oriented force with limited capabilities into a modern, multi-role force capable of projecting precision airpower beyond China’s borders, conducting air and missile defense and providing early warning,” the review writes.
Regarding stealth aircraft, the review mentions the recent flights of prototypes of the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter, calling the aircraft more advanced than any other air platform currently deployed in the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese are also testing a smaller stealth fighter variant called the J-31 although its intended use is unclear, according to the report.
In 2014, China displayed the Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter at China’s Zuhai Air show, according to various reports. However, several analysts have made the point that it is not at all clear if the platform comes close to rivaling the technological capability of the U.S. F-35.
Nevertheless, the U.S. technological advantage in weaponry, air and naval platforms is rapidly decreasing, according to the review.
To illustrate this point, the review cites comments from an analyst who compared U.S.-Chinese fighter jets to one another roughly twenty years ago versus a similar comparison today.
The analyst said that in 1995 a high-tech U.S. F-15, F-16 or F/A-18 would be vastly superior to a Chinese J-6 aircraft. However today -- China’s J-10 and J-11 fighter jet aircraft would be roughly equivalent in capability to an upgraded U.S. F-15, the review states.
Alongside their J-10 and J-11 fighters, the Chinese also own Russian-built Su-27s and Su-30s and are on the verge of buying the new Su-35 from Russia, the review states.
“The Su-35 is a versatile, highly capable aircraft that would offer significantly improved range and fuel capacity over China’s current fighters. The aircraft thus would strengthen China’s ability to conduct air superiority missions in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea as well as provide China with the opportunity to reverse engineer the fighter’s component parts, including its advanced radar and engines, for integration into China’s current and future indigenous fighters,” the review writes.
In addition to stealth technology, high-tech fighter aircraft and improved avionics, the Chinese have massively increased their ability with air-to-air missiles over the last 15-years, the review finds.
“All of China’s fighters in 2000, with the potential exception of a few modified Su-27s, were limited to within-visual-range missiles. China over the last 15 years also has acquired a number of sophisticated short and medium-range air-to-air missiles; precision-guided munitions including all-weather, satellite-guided bombs, anti-radiation missiles, and laser-guided bombs; and long-range, advanced air-launched land-attack cruise missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles,” the review says.
The review also points to the Y-20 aircraft, a new strategic airlifter now being tested by the Chinese which has three times the cargo-carrying capacity of the U.S. Air Force’s C-130. Some of these new planes could be configured into tanker aircraft, allowing the Chinese to massively increase their reach and ability to project air power over longer distances.
At the moment, the Chinese do not have a sizeable or modern fleet of tankers, and many of their current aircraft are not engineered for aerial refueling, a scenario which limits their reach.
“Until the PLA Navy’s first carrier-based aviation wing becomes operational, China must use air refueling tankers to enable air operations at these distances from China. However, China’s current fleet of air refueling aircraft, which consists of only about 12 1950s-era H–6U tankers, is too small to support sustained, large-scale, long-distance air combat,” the review states.
The review also cites Russian media reports claiming that Russia has approved the sale of its new, next-generation S-400 surface-to-air-missile to China.
“Such a sale has been under negotiation since at least 2012. The S–400 would more than double the range of China’s air defenses from approximately 125 to 250 miles—enough to cover all of Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands, and parts of the South China Sea,” the review says.
The review also catalogues information related to China’s nuclear arsenal and long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the existing DF-31 and DF-31A along with the now-in-development DF-41.
The Chinese are believed to already have a number of road-mobile ICBMs able to carry nuclear weapons. The DF-41 is reported to have as many as 10 re-entry vehicles, analysts have said.
http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1668461-us-report-warns-of-chinese-military-threat
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Military Expert KRIS OSBORN - MANAGING EDITOR, SCOUT WARRIOR (Since August 2015)
Just prior to coming to Scout Warrior, Osborn served as an Associate Editor at the Military.com. Before joining Military.com, Osborn worked at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert – Information Liaison for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army – Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. In his role with the Army, Osborn wrote about and analyzed Army acquisition programs and emerging technologies.
Prior to joining the Army and serving as a civilian, Osborn served as the land warfare reporter at Defense News. While at Defense News, Osborn reported on a range of topics including Future Combat Systems, MRAPs, precision munitions, robots, and more. He has appeared on MSNBC, Fox News and The Military Channel to discuss his stories.
Before joining Defense News, Osborn spent three weeks in 2004 embedded with the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, reporting from Tikrit, Baqubah and Baghdad as a freelance military reporter with the Washington Times.
From 2001 to 2004, Osborn was an on-air anchor, reporter, and military specialist with CNN/CNN Headline News, and wrote a weekly news column on CNN.com about the War on Terror called "target terrorism." From 1998 to 2001, Osborn was a correspondent with the Fox News Channel, and from 1994 to 1998, Osborn worked as an anchor and reporter for Channel One News, an educational news program for high school students.
Osborn has done graduate work in international relations at the University of Chicago, received an M.A. in Comparative Literature from Columbia University, and earned a B.A. in Political Science and English from Kenyon College. Osborn can be reached at: kris.osborn@scout.com.
By KRIS OSBORN - SCOUT WARRIOR - 2017.03.30 6:10 AM
A Congressional Report Catalogues Chinese Military Provocations and Estimates that China May Have 351 Ships by 2020
China's rapid development of new destroyers, amphibs, stealth fighters and long-range weapons is quickly increasing its ability to threaten the United States and massively expand expeditionary military operations around the globe, according to a Congressional report.
A detailed report from Congressional experts, called the 2016 US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, specifies China's growing provocations and global expeditionary exercises along with its fast-increasing ability to project worldwide military power.
As examples, the report catalogues a number of aggressive Chinese military or maritime militia encounters:
- In May 2016, two PLA Air Force fighters conducted an unsafe intercept of a U.S. EP-3 aircraft, causing the EP-3 to dive away to avoid a collision.
- In 2013, a PLA Navy ship crossed the U.S. guided missile cruiser Cowpens’ bow, causing the ship to alter course to avoid a collision.
- In 2009, the U.S. Navy ship Impeccable was harassed by maritime militia boats in the South China Sea.
- In 2001, a PLA Navy fighter collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea.
As part of a detailed effort to document China's growing influence as an expeditionary global power, the Congressional report highlights a range of Chinese deployments and worldwide exercises beyond their borders or more immediate regional influence. From the report:
- 2012, China deployed its first UN peacekeeping combat forces to the UN Mission in South Sudan to provide security for PLA engineering and medical personnel.
- Indian Ocean far sea deployments: In early 2014, Chinese surface combatants carried out far sea training, during which they transited through the South China Sea, into the eastern Indian Ocean, and then sailed back to China through the Philippine Sea. During the 23-day deployment, the PLA Navy conducted training associated with antisubmarine warfare, air defense, electronic warfare, and expeditionary logistics.
- In addition to ongoing antipiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, China dispatched an intelligence gathering ship to the Indian Ocean in 2012, and has deployed four classes of submarines (both nuclear and conventionally powered) to the Indian Ocean.
At the same time, despite these developments, the report does point out the China will need to sustain its current pace of military expansion for years to come in order to truly rival the US military's global reach.
"To support, sustain, and defend long range operations, the PLA must continue to develop or procure large amphibious ships, heavy lift aircraft, and logistical support capabilities, as well as continue to improve command and control capabilities," the report states.
Chinese Navy
While Chinese naval technology may still be substantially behind current U.S. platforms, the equation could change dramatically over the next several decades because the Chinese are reportedly working on a handful of high-tech next-generation ships, weapons and naval systems.
China has plans to grow its navy to 351 ships by 2020 as the Chinese continue to develop their military’s ability to strike global targets, according to the Congressional reports.
The 2014 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended to Congress that the U.S. Navy respond by building more ships and increase its presence in the Pacific region – a strategy the U.S. military has already started.
Opponents of this strategy point out that the U.S. has 11 aircraft carriers, the Chinese have one and China's one carrier still lacks an aircraft wing capable of operating off of a carrier deck.
However, the Chinese are already beginning construction on several of their own indigenous aircraft carriers. China currently has one carrier, the Ukranian-built Liaoning.
Looking to the future, the 2016 report says "future Chinese carriers are likely to be flat deck ships, like U.S. aircraft carriers, that utilize steam or magnetic catapults and would enable the PLA Navy to employ aircraft armed with heavier munitions intended for maritime strike or land attack missions. According to DOD, China could build several aircraft carriers in the next 15 years. China may ultimately produce five ships—for a total of six carriers—for the PLA Navy."
The commission also cites other platforms and weapons systems the Chinese are developing, which will likely change the strategic calculus regarding how U.S. carriers and surface ships might need to operate in the region.
These include the LUYANG III, a new class of Chinese destroyer slated to enter the fleet this year. These ships are being engineered with vertically-launched, long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, the commission said. The new destroyer will carry an extended-range variant of the HHQ-9 surface-to-air missile, among other weapons, the report says.
As evidence of the impact of these destroyers, the report points out that these new multi-mission destroyers are likely to form the bulk of warship escorts for Chinese carriers - in a manner similar to how the US Navy protects its carriers with destroyers in "carrier strike groups."
"These 8,000 ton destroyers (the LUYANG III) . . . have phased-array radars and a long-range SAM [surface-to-air missile] system which provides the [navy] with its first credible area air-defense capability," the 2016 report states.
The Chinese are currently testing and developing a new, carrier-based fighter aircraft called the J-15.
Regarding amphibious assault ships, the Chinese are planning to add several more YUZHAO LPDs, amphibs which can carry 800 troops, four helicopters and up to 20 armored vehicles, the report said.
"The YUZHAO can carry up to four air cushion landing craft, four helicopters, armored vehicles, and troops for long-distance deployments, which DOD notes ‘‘provide a ... greater and more flexible capability for ‘far seas’ operations than the [PLA Navy’s] older landing ships.,’ according to the report.
The Chinese also have ambitious future plans for next-generation amphibious assault ships.
"China seeks to construct a class of amphibious assault ships larger than the YUZHAO class that would include a flight deck for conducting helicopter operations. China may produce four to six of these Type 081 ships with the capacity to transport 500 troops and configured for helicopter-based vertical assault," the report says. Some observers have raised the question as to whether this new class of Chinese amphibs could rival the US Navy's emerging, high-tech America-Class amphibious assault ships.
The Chinese are also working on development of a new Type 055 cruiser equipped with land-attack missiles, lasers and rail-gun weapons, according to the review.
China’s surface fleet is also bolstered by production of at least 60 smaller, fast-moving HOBEI-glass guided missile patrol boats and ongoing deliveries of JIANGDAO light frigates armed with naval guns, torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles.
The commission also says Chinese modernization plans call for a sharp increase in attack submarines and nuclear-armed submarines or SSBNs. Chinese SSBNs are now able to patrol with nuclear-armed JL-2 missiles able to strike targets more than 4,500 nautical miles.
The Chinese are currently working on a new, modernized SSBN platform as well as a long-range missile, the JL-3, the commission says.
While the commission says the exact amount of Chinese military spending is difficult to identify, China’s projected defense spending for 2014 is cited at $131 billion, approximately 12.2 percent greater than 2013. This figure is about one sixth of what the U.S. spends annually.
The Chinese defense budget has increased by double digits since 1989, the commission states, resulting in annual defense spending doubling since 2008, according to the report.
Some members of Congress, including the former House Armed Services Committee's Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., advocated for both a larger U.S. Navy and a stronger U.S. posture toward China's behavior in the region.
Chinese Air Force
The U.S. Air Force’s technological air power superiority over China is rapidly diminishing in light of rapid Chinese modernization of fighter jets, missiles, air-to-air weapons, cargo planes and stealth aircraft, according to analysts, Pentagon officials and a Congressional review.
The 2014 U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recommended that Congress appoint an outside panel of experts to assess the U.S.-Chinese military balance and make recommendations regarding U.S. military plans and budgets, among other things. Despite being released in 2014, the findings of the report - if slightly dated - offer a detailed and insightful window into Chinese Air Force technology, progress and development.
The Commission compiled its report based upon testimony, various reports and analytical assessments along with available open-source information. An entire chapter is dedicated to Chinese military modernization.
The review states that the Chines People’s Liberation Army currently has approximately 2,200 operational aircraft, nearly 600 of which are considered modern.
“In the early 1990s, Beijing began a comprehensive modernization program to upgrade the PLA Air Force from a short-range, defensively oriented force with limited capabilities into a modern, multi-role force capable of projecting precision airpower beyond China’s borders, conducting air and missile defense and providing early warning,” the review writes.
Regarding stealth aircraft, the review mentions the recent flights of prototypes of the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter, calling the aircraft more advanced than any other air platform currently deployed in the Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese are also testing a smaller stealth fighter variant called the J-31 although its intended use is unclear, according to the report.
In 2014, China displayed the Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter at China’s Zuhai Air show, according to various reports. However, several analysts have made the point that it is not at all clear if the platform comes close to rivaling the technological capability of the U.S. F-35.
Nevertheless, the U.S. technological advantage in weaponry, air and naval platforms is rapidly decreasing, according to the review.
To illustrate this point, the review cites comments from an analyst who compared U.S.-Chinese fighter jets to one another roughly twenty years ago versus a similar comparison today.
The analyst said that in 1995 a high-tech U.S. F-15, F-16 or F/A-18 would be vastly superior to a Chinese J-6 aircraft. However today -- China’s J-10 and J-11 fighter jet aircraft would be roughly equivalent in capability to an upgraded U.S. F-15, the review states.
Alongside their J-10 and J-11 fighters, the Chinese also own Russian-built Su-27s and Su-30s and are on the verge of buying the new Su-35 from Russia, the review states.
“The Su-35 is a versatile, highly capable aircraft that would offer significantly improved range and fuel capacity over China’s current fighters. The aircraft thus would strengthen China’s ability to conduct air superiority missions in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea as well as provide China with the opportunity to reverse engineer the fighter’s component parts, including its advanced radar and engines, for integration into China’s current and future indigenous fighters,” the review writes.
In addition to stealth technology, high-tech fighter aircraft and improved avionics, the Chinese have massively increased their ability with air-to-air missiles over the last 15-years, the review finds.
“All of China’s fighters in 2000, with the potential exception of a few modified Su-27s, were limited to within-visual-range missiles. China over the last 15 years also has acquired a number of sophisticated short and medium-range air-to-air missiles; precision-guided munitions including all-weather, satellite-guided bombs, anti-radiation missiles, and laser-guided bombs; and long-range, advanced air-launched land-attack cruise missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles,” the review says.
The review also points to the Y-20 aircraft, a new strategic airlifter now being tested by the Chinese which has three times the cargo-carrying capacity of the U.S. Air Force’s C-130. Some of these new planes could be configured into tanker aircraft, allowing the Chinese to massively increase their reach and ability to project air power over longer distances.
At the moment, the Chinese do not have a sizeable or modern fleet of tankers, and many of their current aircraft are not engineered for aerial refueling, a scenario which limits their reach.
“Until the PLA Navy’s first carrier-based aviation wing becomes operational, China must use air refueling tankers to enable air operations at these distances from China. However, China’s current fleet of air refueling aircraft, which consists of only about 12 1950s-era H–6U tankers, is too small to support sustained, large-scale, long-distance air combat,” the review states.
The review also cites Russian media reports claiming that Russia has approved the sale of its new, next-generation S-400 surface-to-air-missile to China.
“Such a sale has been under negotiation since at least 2012. The S–400 would more than double the range of China’s air defenses from approximately 125 to 250 miles—enough to cover all of Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands, and parts of the South China Sea,” the review says.
The review also catalogues information related to China’s nuclear arsenal and long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the existing DF-31 and DF-31A along with the now-in-development DF-41.
The Chinese are believed to already have a number of road-mobile ICBMs able to carry nuclear weapons. The DF-41 is reported to have as many as 10 re-entry vehicles, analysts have said.
http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1668461-us-report-warns-of-chinese-military-threat
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Military Expert KRIS OSBORN - MANAGING EDITOR, SCOUT WARRIOR (Since August 2015)
Just prior to coming to Scout Warrior, Osborn served as an Associate Editor at the Military.com. Before joining Military.com, Osborn worked at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert – Information Liaison for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army – Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. In his role with the Army, Osborn wrote about and analyzed Army acquisition programs and emerging technologies.
Prior to joining the Army and serving as a civilian, Osborn served as the land warfare reporter at Defense News. While at Defense News, Osborn reported on a range of topics including Future Combat Systems, MRAPs, precision munitions, robots, and more. He has appeared on MSNBC, Fox News and The Military Channel to discuss his stories.
Before joining Defense News, Osborn spent three weeks in 2004 embedded with the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, reporting from Tikrit, Baqubah and Baghdad as a freelance military reporter with the Washington Times.
From 2001 to 2004, Osborn was an on-air anchor, reporter, and military specialist with CNN/CNN Headline News, and wrote a weekly news column on CNN.com about the War on Terror called "target terrorism." From 1998 to 2001, Osborn was a correspondent with the Fox News Channel, and from 1994 to 1998, Osborn worked as an anchor and reporter for Channel One News, an educational news program for high school students.
Osborn has done graduate work in international relations at the University of Chicago, received an M.A. in Comparative Literature from Columbia University, and earned a B.A. in Political Science and English from Kenyon College. Osborn can be reached at: kris.osborn@scout.com.
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