Chinese Weapon Exports

[Zarvan]

D&S 2017: China boosts arms sales to Thailand

In the past two years China has achieved a surprising degree of weapon sales to Thailand. It reflects a closer relationship between the two countries after arms sales from the US decreased due to political issues relating to Thailand’s military rule.

In 2014 the so-called National Council for Peace and Order took control of Thailand after a military coup d’état. As the relationship between Thailand and the US declined, China seized the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Bangkok.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the kingdom’s deputy prime minister and defence minister, has often visited China along with his senior military commanders to meet with senior People’s Liberation Army figures.

In a significant move, in April the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ordered aYuan-class S26T submarine from China for $375 million, and it plans to order two more submarines in the near future.

Additionally, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) ordered a first batch of 28 VT4tanks (delivered in October) and a first batch of 34 VN1 8x8 vehicles.

The Royal Thai Air Force ordered KS-1C surface-to-air missiles too, these being commissioned in 2016.

Chinese arms sales to Thailand are still being fast-tracked, with many interesting offers on the table such as technology transfer and joint military production facilities to repair and maintain Chinese weapon systems in Thailand.

However, the biggest attraction of Chinese weapons is lower prices compared to those sourced from other countries. While the Thai defence budget remains limited, Chinese arms sales therefore offer the most promise.

After the Vietnam War, Sino-Thai relations drew closer when the US withdrew from Southeast Asia and cancelled military aid to Thailand.

A huge arms deal occurred in 1987 with friendship prices for items such as Type 69-II tanks, Type 85 APCs, 130mm Type 59-1 howitzers, 130mm Type 82 MLRS, 57mm Type 59 antiaircraft guns and HN-5A missiles.

The RTN also ordered six frigates from China and, in 2002, it ordered two more Pattani-class offshore patrol vessels.

In 2013 the RTA ordered two DTI-1 MLRS units with associated technology transfer. Two years later, Thailand unveiled its first guidedDTI-1G MLRS.


https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/ds-2017-china-boosts-arms-sales-thailand/

 

[Daniel808]

IMPS - MARITIME SECURITY
D&S 2017: Chinese floats whole submarine family for export
6th November 2017 - 12:11 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Bangkok

Chinese companies were out in force at Defense & Security 2017 in Bangkok, including the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC). Most prominent on its stand was a new family of submarines displacing 1,100t, 600t and 200t.

Scale models of these submarines were displayed alongside a model of the 2,550t S26T (pictured above) currently being built for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) under a $385 million order lodged in May.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect was a video indicating countries currently interested in procuring Chinese submarines. In addition to Bangladesh and Pakistan that have already ordered Chinese platforms, those named by CSOC as interested parties are Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Libya, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Venezuela.

In a rare move from a state-owned Chinese corporation, a lot of specifications about this family of submarines were available. This relative openness, as well as the revelation of a family range spanning 200t to more than 2,500t, shows China is serious about gaining greater export clients for its underwater technology.

The S26T, it was revealed, is customised for the RTN though based on the Yuan class (Type 041) designed for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. It measures 77.7m long, has an 8.6m beam, height of 9.2m and can dive 300m deep.

The type’s maximum speed is 17kt and it can swim submerged for 260nm at 80% battery capacity. Its range using air-independent propulsion (AIP) is 768nm or 20 days. Meanwhile, its maximum range for mixed AIP and diesel-electric travel is 2,000nm or 65 days.

The teardrop-shaped hull accommodates 38 crew in 46 available berths. The boat is divided into six compartments, and employs a cross-stern rudder and bow hydroplanes. An optronic mast is fitted on the sail, while the type can launch anti-ship missiles.

It will still take some time for China to construct the submarine for Thailand, with delivery expected in 2023. The RTN will eventually receive three submarines, with the budget allowing only one to be ordered at a time.

Continuing down in scale, the 1,100t submarine is 60m long, 5.6m wide and 6.8m high. Its speed is listed as 15kt, with a submerged AIP range of 800nm and mixed range of 3,000nm. It can dive 200m deep and carry 18 crew for up to 30 days. It carries ten torpedoes.

Moving further down in scale, the 600t conventional submarine is 50m long, 4.5m wide and 5.6m high. It travels at a top speed of 15kt with an AIP range of 400nm and submerged mixed range of 2,000nm. The 600t boat has a crew of 15 and can sustain a 20-day journey.

Finally, the MS200 is a mini-submarine of 200t displacement. Measuring 30m long, 3.6m wide and 4.4m high, it is designed for covert missions. It operates with a crew of six and can carry eight special forces operatives.

This small submarine moves at a maximum 8kt speed and submerged range of 120nm. Its endurance is 15 days and it can travel for up to 1,500nm submerged. It has two launching devices for torpedoes or mines.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/ds-2017-chinese-floats-whole-submarine-family-expo/


The MS200 is a mini-sub of 200t displacement. Measuring 30m long, 3.6m wide and 4.4m high, for covert missions. Photo by @combatpaparazzi

Credit to @Xinfengcao

Most of them fitted with AIP Technology (Air Independent Propulsion Technology).
That's the most important thing

 

[Khafee]

IMPS - MARITIME SECURITY
D&S 2017: Chinese floats whole submarine family for export
6th November 2017 - 12:11 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Bangkok

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/ds-2017-chinese-floats-whole-submarine-family-expo/

Perhaps the most interesting aspect was a video indicating countries currently interested in procuring Chinese submarines. In addition to Bangladesh and Pakistan that have already ordered Chinese platforms, those named by CSOC as interested parties are Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Libya, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Venezuela.

Please Note
@EgyptianAmerican @The SC @Gomig-21 @Saif al-Arab @Sharif al-Hijaz
@Mangus Ortus Novem @Dawood Ibrahim @Maarkhoor @BATMAN @Bubblegum Crisis

 

[BATMAN]

I like the mini sub.

 

[The SC]

Please Note
@EgyptianAmerican @The SC @Gomig-21 @Saif al-Arab @Sharif al-Hijaz
@Mangus Ortus Novem @Dawood Ibrahim @Maarkhoor @BATMAN @Bubblegum Crisis

Not surprised, they have been looking for submarines for a while.. if these can come with TOT _at least the 1100t one for KSA and the UAE_ it will be a good procurement..Egypt might go for the bigger ones..With AIP for most of them it should be a good deal with some Western subsystems if needed..

 

[yusheng]

A vn-4 wheeled armoured vehicle equipped by the malian police has been hit by an IED, and the three occupants of the vehicle are safe.

Chinese vn4

 

[samsara]

Mauritanian 1750-ton class Landing Ship starts construction at Wuchang shipyard.

Via dafeng cao‏ @xinfengcao 2017-11-10

 

[Daniel808]

China's Norinco Group signs a $250 million arms sales contract with Laos

2017年11月13日，集团公司总经理温刚在老挝首都万象会见老挝国防部长占沙蒙中将，并共同见证了中国北方工业公司与老挝国防部重大军贸合同签约。

　　该合同是十九大后集团公司签署的首个重大军贸合同，也是老挝历史上金额最大的军贸合同。双方在习近平总书记对老挝进行国事访问期间签署该合同，标志着双方在国防工业领域的合作迈上了新台阶。

　　占沙蒙中将对温刚一行的来访表示欢迎。占沙蒙表示，老中是好邻居、好朋友、好同志、好伙伴，兵器工业集团所属北方公司是国际知名企业，在海外特别是老挝取得了非凡成就。老挝国防部与北方公司建立了长期友好的合作关系，此次合同的签署受到了老挝人民革命党政治局的高度重视，也必将为老挝人民军提供更强大的国防保障力量。

　　温刚对占沙蒙中将出席合同签约仪式表示感谢。温刚表示，在习近平总书记构建中老命运共同体的蓝图指导下，兵器工业集团公司高度重视老挝市场，在老挝的军民品合同成交和投资额已近20亿美元。此次重大军贸合同签订后，北方公司将向老挝提供成体系、成建制的武器系统，以及最完善的售后服务，助力推动中老全面战略合作伙伴关系迈上新台阶，为提升老挝国防实力作出贡献，为老挝人民军成立70周年献礼。

Credit to @GS Zhou

any details about the package?

 

[samsara]

A delegation from a Maghreb country visited the Chinese Radar Institute NRIET recently, and "several contracts" were subsequently signed.
The notes are in French - Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia?

Via East Pendulum‏ @HenriKenhmann 2017-11-20

Maghreb

The Maghreb or the Berber world or Barbary or Berbery (Arabic: المغرب‎ al-Maɣréb; Berber: Tamazɣa or Tamazgha, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵗⴰ) is a major region of northern Africa that consists of five main countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. As of 2017, the region has a population of about 100 million people.

This region geographically includes the disputed territories of Western Sahara (mostly controlled by Morocco) and the cities of Melilla and Ceuta (both controlled by Spain and claimed by Morocco).

In historical English and European literature, the region was known as the Barbary Coast or the Barbary States, derived from "Berbers". Sometimes it was referred to as the Land of the Atlas, derived from the Atlas Mountains. In some current Arabic media and literature it's referred to as the "Greater Maghreb" (Arabic: المغرب الكبير‎, al-Maghrib al-Kabīr). In current Berber language media and literature, the region is known as "Tamazgha" or "Tamazɣa" which correspond to the English words "Barbary" and "Berbery".

The region is usually defined as much or most of northern Africa including a large chunk of Africa's Sahara Desert, excluding Egypt. The traditional definition of the region that restricted it to the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, was expanded by the inclusion of Mauritania and of the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

During the Al-Andalus era in Spain (711–1492), the Maghreb's inhabitants, the Muslim Berbers or Maghrebis, were known as "Moors". Morocco also transliterates into Arabic as "al-Maghreb" (The Maghreb). - Wiki

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//EDIT:
And while I dug some info to try to grasp what's the region so-called Maghreb, the names of Libya and its brutally murdered leader, Moammar Gaddafi or Muammar Gaddafi (btw both spellings are correct and widely used) popped out. And I can't help but feel very sad as well as much angry knowing the fate of both that leader and this country today compared to its previous glory under Gaddafi. You may read HERE how Gaddafi treated his people and how's the condition in that nation back then, compared to the practically a failed state, in ruins nowadays! Libya and Gaddafi is the very good, blatantly obvious illustration of the contemporary, nakedly savage history of how a small, weak nation was destroyed by a rogue, unrestrained empire... whereas "might is right"! Just can't help but leave a little rant here....

Just remember, the next time every crook media or persona or individual preaches the face value "Human Rights" to you, just remind the fake about the fate of Libyan people, their livelihood and their great leader, Muammar Gaddafi as well as real causes: Gold Dinar initiative and Libyan Gold Reserves!!
。。。

 

[IblinI]

Speaking of Algeria, SR5 Multiple Launch Rocket System are spotted.

 

[Han Patriot]

A delegation from a Maghreb country visited the Chinese Radar Institute NRIET recently, and "several contracts" were subsequently signed.
The notes are in French - Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia?

Via East Pendulum‏ @HenriKenhmann 2017-11-20

Maghreb

The Maghreb or the Berber world or Barbary or Berbery (Arabic: المغرب‎ al-Maɣréb; Berber: Tamazɣa or Tamazgha, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵗⴰ) is a major region of northern Africa that consists of five main countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. As of 2017, the region has a population of about 100 million people.

This region geographically includes the disputed territories of Western Sahara (mostly controlled by Morocco) and the cities of Melilla and Ceuta (both controlled by Spain and claimed by Morocco).

In historical English and European literature, the region was known as the Barbary Coast or the Barbary States, derived from "Berbers". Sometimes it was referred to as the Land of the Atlas, derived from the Atlas Mountains. In some current Arabic media and literature it's referred to as the "Greater Maghreb" (Arabic: المغرب الكبير‎, al-Maghrib al-Kabīr). In current Berber language media and literature, the region is known as "Tamazgha" or "Tamazɣa" which correspond to the English words "Barbary" and "Berbery".

The region is usually defined as much or most of northern Africa including a large chunk of Africa's Sahara Desert, excluding Egypt. The traditional definition of the region that restricted it to the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, was expanded by the inclusion of Mauritania and of the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

During the Al-Andalus era in Spain (711–1492), the Maghreb's inhabitants, the Muslim Berbers or Maghrebis, were known as "Moors". Morocco also transliterates into Arabic as "al-Maghreb" (The Maghreb). - Wiki
。。。

Alot of deals are kept secret and not announced.

 

[HannibalBarca]

A delegation from a Maghreb country visited the Chinese Radar Institute NRIET recently, and "several contracts" were subsequently signed.
The notes are in French - Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia?

Via East Pendulum‏ @HenriKenhmann 2017-11-20

Maghreb

The Maghreb or the Berber world or Barbary or Berbery (Arabic: المغرب‎ al-Maɣréb; Berber: Tamazɣa or Tamazgha, ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵗⴰ) is a major region of northern Africa that consists of five main countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania. As of 2017, the region has a population of about 100 million people.

This region geographically includes the disputed territories of Western Sahara (mostly controlled by Morocco) and the cities of Melilla and Ceuta (both controlled by Spain and claimed by Morocco).

In historical English and European literature, the region was known as the Barbary Coast or the Barbary States, derived from "Berbers". Sometimes it was referred to as the Land of the Atlas, derived from the Atlas Mountains. In some current Arabic media and literature it's referred to as the "Greater Maghreb" (Arabic: المغرب الكبير‎, al-Maghrib al-Kabīr). In current Berber language media and literature, the region is known as "Tamazgha" or "Tamazɣa" which correspond to the English words "Barbary" and "Berbery".

The region is usually defined as much or most of northern Africa including a large chunk of Africa's Sahara Desert, excluding Egypt. The traditional definition of the region that restricted it to the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, was expanded by the inclusion of Mauritania and of the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

During the Al-Andalus era in Spain (711–1492), the Maghreb's inhabitants, the Muslim Berbers or Maghrebis, were known as "Moors". Morocco also transliterates into Arabic as "al-Maghreb" (The Maghreb). - Wiki
。。。

That guy is not really good with the french plural" too many "s" lost in the process...
Anyway..; they look like dudes from Algeria.

And I'm pretty sure it' s not us (Tunisia)

 

[samsara]

China’s CETC readies long-range air defence radars for export | Jane's 360 (2017-11-06)

State-owned electronics and radar systems developer China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) is taking aim at Asia-Pacific and Middle East countries, which have traditionally relied on Western and Russian radars, with its latest long-range air surveillance and early warning systems, Jane’s sources have revealed.

The indigenous road-mobile SLC-7 L-band multifunction phased array radar system by Nanjing Institute of Electronic Technology (NRIET)

NRIET YLC-8B medium/high altitude long range 3D surveillance radar, which is road, rail, and sea transportable
。。。

 

[samsara]

It is quite possible that a country in Central Asia, perhaps Kazakhstan, has recently acquired the Chinese SAM missiles designed by the CASC group.
FN-6 / -16 or LY-60D? (East Pendulum 2:13 AM - 26 Nov 2017)

。。。

 

[samsara]

Interviewed by a Shanghai TV channel, Colonel Shahzad Iqbal, commander of the frigate PNS Saif, indicates that the Pakistan Navy will acquire the Chinese Type 054A frigates.
25 buildings of this class are currently in service in the Chinese Navy.

https://twitter.com/x/status/936630300578217986

。。。