For the first time, China has unveiled the production facilities of its fifth-generation fighters, hinting at the aircrafts’ readiness for carrier-based catapult launchers. At least two J-35 fighter jets were spotted in a hangar of its developer, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, during an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday. The stealth aircraft – covered…
Cambodia could use Chinese-made weapons to strike Thailand but they would not put the Thai capital within reach, and Beijing is unlikely to stand by if border tensions erupt into military conflict, according to a Chinese analyst. “China’s weapon exports are defensive in nature, and after purchase, ownership and usage rights belong entirely to the…
Strategic bombers remain “irreplaceable” for China’s military – even as it makes progress with sixth-generation fighters and long-range missiles – given their role in global strikes and nuclear deterrence, analysts say. They pointed to the American B-2 stealth bombers that hit Iran’s three nuclear sites on Saturday, dropping bunker-buster bombs directly over the facilities before…
The Chinese navy’s newly commissioned stealth frigate has upgraded anti-submarine and radar capabilities and is set to play a key role in escorting carrier strike groups, according to observers. The Luohe, China’s first Type 054B frigate, was commissioned at a military port in Qingdao on Wednesday, state news agency Xinhua reported. The port city in…
The Chinese military is using drones and 3D printing to support the remote maintenance of weapons, a tactic that has been used by the US in the Ukraine war, according to the PLA Daily. A brigade of the People’s Liberation Army’s Northern Theatre Command Air Force tested remote maintenance technology during an equipment repair drill,…
A model of China’s advanced Z-20 helicopter has been spotted on a coastguard frigate – suggesting the multirole aircraft could be ready to join the paramilitary force. Photos circulating on Chinese social media platform Weibo over the past week showed a model of the 10-tonne helicopter sitting on the flight deck of a docked Type…
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has achieved major progress in modernising its training programme, as it seeks to boost combat readiness in modern warfare scenarios, according to the Chinese military’s official newspaper. “The transformation and upgrading of our military training has taken a significant step forward, as [we] explore and implement a new model for…
China’s top military official held security talks with his Pakistani counterpart on Wednesday amid joint counterterrorism drills in the wake of several attacks targeting Chinese interests and citizens in the South Asian country. Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), met Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir during a visit to…
President Xi Jinping has called for paratroopers to boost combat readiness during a visit to an airborne force unit that would play a key role in a war over Taiwan. Xi was shown weapons and equipment at the PLA Air Force Airborne Corps headquarters in Xiaogan, Hubei province during Monday’s visit, official media reported on…
The Chinese navy’s two active aircraft carriers – the Liaoning and the Shandong – have completed their first dual carrier exercises in the South China Sea, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday. The report did not give details of the drills, but it included footage showing multiple J-15 fighter jets taking off from the Liaoning,…