PLA tests Chinese version of US Longbow FCS radar

The PLA is currently running tests on various airframes to accommodate a new milimeter-wave FCS radar, similar to the US Longbow, into its Z-9, Z-19 and WZ-10 attack helicopter fleet.

The radar is a parallel development of the Chinese AKD-10 laser-guided ATGM and is expressly developed to enhance the missile delivery system. The AKD-10 is similar in form and function as the US Hellfire missile and is expected to become the standard loadout of the WZ-10 attack helicopter and various Chinese combat UAVs in the near future.

It is suggested by experts that the air-to-ground capabilities of China's attack helicopter fleet will be greatly enhanced after the radar is accepted into service and used in tandem with the AKD-10 missile.


A Z-19 light attack helicopter used as a test airframe for the new FCS radar system

Saudi Nuclear weapons already 'on order' from Pakistan

In light of its disapproval regarding recent US rapprochement to Iran, Saudi Arabia is seriously considering purchasing nuclear weapons for itself. The Saudi leadership is concerned that gradual lifting of Iranian sanctions by the US may encourage an accelerated Iranian nuclear weapons program.

According to the BBC, Saudi Arabia has covertly made a deal with Pakistan, itself an Iran rival, for nuclear weapons development to use against Iran. Reports say according to a senior NATO official, reports exists of "Pakistani-made nuclear weapons sitting in depots awaiting immediate delivery to Saudi Arabia" under the threat of an Iranian nuclear weapon. The Saudi leadership has indicated on numerous occasions to US envoys stating that if 'Iran crosses the threshold, we will get nuclear weapons'. The report is further corroborated by the former head of Israeli Intelligence, General Amos Yadlin, who stated that if Iran obtains a nuclear weapon "Saudi Arabia will not wait for a month. They have paid for the bomb. They will go to Pakistan and bring back what they need".

It is known that the Saudi leadership has covertly financed and co-developed Pakistani nuclear weapons research, including the visit of Defense minister Prince Abdul Aziz al-Saud to the Pakistani Nuclear research facility in 1999 and 2002 and met with renowned nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan. Although Saudi Arabia itself is a signatory of the non-proliferation NFA treaty, it has argued efforts to ensure the middle east is a Nuclear weapons-free zone has been severely undermined by the alleged existence of Israeli nuclear weapons.


Satellite photos taken in 2013 showing an undisclosed Saudi Ballistic missile base at Al-Watah, 200 miles south-west of Riyadh


News Link: BBC: Saudi Nuclear weapons already 'on order' from Pakistan

Actually Saudi Arabia founded the Saudi Strategic Missile service in 1987 and they already had old chinese-made DF-3 ballistic missiles since the 1990s, although with conventional warheads. Can be safely assumed the DF-3 missiles can be refitted with a nuclear warhead if the need arises. After all that time the existence of the missiles were only released to the public in 2014.

The recent purchase of DF-21 missiles can be viewed as an upgrade in delivery systems. The DF-3 missiles were already near-obsolete when the Saudis acquired them in 1988, also due to the nature of their liquid-fueled nature they must be fueled AFTER they have been erected, similar to the older-model SCUD missiles. So it takes a significant amount of time to make them ready for launch (about 1 hour from system activation to launch). The inertial navigation system was also not the most accurate system to use in a ballistic missile,the DF-3 missile had a CEP of about 500 meters. Also the Saudi DF-3s were never purchased with their transport and command vehicles, the Saudis meaning to deploy them as stationary missiles.

The new DF-21 missiles are solid-fueled and takes much less time to prepare for launch. It also has GPS and satellite navigation systems to ensure a more accurate weapon,even with a conventional warhead. Also this time the Saudis also bought the missile's dedicated transporter and command vehicles,making them more mobile and versatile than their predecessors.


Saudi DF-3 ballistic missiles on display in 2014 at the conclusion of 'Saif Abdullah' military exercises

News Link: Saudi Arabia displays nuclear-capable ballistic missiles for the first time

I think if a country start getting ballistic missiles, we can safely suspect they have intentions to use them with some sort of WMD warhead. In truth, a Ballistic missile with conventional warheads just isn't worth it. Nobody wants to buy a sophisticated multi-million dollar missile just to deliver a 2,500 lbs conventional warhead.

I bet nobody believed that North Korea will only want to use their ballistic missiles with conventional warheads, rite?

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 23 2014, 09:24 PM

PLA troops conducting high-altitude military exercises at Xinjiang mountain plateau

Probably cutting it very close if the plane is taking off/landing on max capacity. Landing and taking off with reduced payload should help lessen the strain on the airframe and help reduce the runway space needed for the plane.

Also, most pilots would be more comfortable with landing/taking off when they have at least 1/3 of spare runway space in front of them, in case of unforeseen circumstances (insufficient engine power, overshot landing). Considering the airfield at Pulau layang-layang most probably ends in the sea, I'd imagine this would be a major issue to our pilots.

Anyway, is it true that a single A400M costs $195 million USD? Seem a bit high, especially when the latest version of the C-130J Super Hercules is supposed to cost about $90-100 million USD each. So (in theory at least), we could buy two C-130Js for the price of one A400M. Plus points we're already familiar with the C-130 Hercules airframe in terms of pilot & tech staff training, service, maintenance and supply of spare parts, so have to take that into account in terms of savings. When we get the A400M we'll have to start everything from scratch.

but that's probably just me (a C-130 Hercules fanboi ).


Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 24 2014, 09:32 AM

Good point, but some people question whether Malaysian military doctrine currently have a need for Strategic transports? Sure, the capability to transport armored vehicles and other heavy equipment quickly by air is great, but currently our military doctrine doesn't include long-range movement of assets (i.e for overseas deployment, for example). Unless very drastic policy changes occur in the future, I don't think our military forces will ever venture out of the ASEAN region for military operations unless on special peacekeeping missions under UN (even then UN has its own assets for this).

Even distance between Peninsular with East Malaysia by ship is quite relatively short. For any deployments of heavy assets from the peninsular to Sabah & Sarawak I think transport by sea is still economical and effective, considering our modest defence budget.

Also, I don't think they consider the A400M as a Strategic transport. I hear a plane has to be capable of carrying at least 50 tons of cargo to be considered a Strategic transport.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 24 2014, 10:33 AM

Who needs Airbus when you have Air Asia.


On a more serious note, why is Malaysian army have very limited deployments in Sabah & Sarawak? Sorry if this issue has been discussed before & I may have missed it,but IMHO Borneo Island is way more geographically linked with countries we had serious beef in the past about territorial issues (Indonesia with their North Borneo and The Philippines with their Sabah Sulu Sultanate). Aren't these states theoretically in more danger than Peninsular Malaysia? Is this the result of Malaysia simply not having the logistical means or is some part of regional geo-political deals?



This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 24 2014, 11:27 AM

Hahaha JK only

Anyway, as we've already switched to a conventional army from a COIN force, are there any chance for organizational & structural reforms in Malaysian military? IMHO it's long overdue, now new threats to Malaysian sovereignty is emerging from national forces, not insurgents.

Features of JMSDF Kawasaki P-1 Maritime Patrol Airplane

I'm happy if one day Malaysian Armed Forces have dedicated maritime patrol plane. 2nd hand P-3 Orion also nevermind.

As an small archipelago nation with the sea all around I really think Navy and maritime forces (including APMM) should be given top priority in defence budgeting.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 24 2014, 03:57 PM

Chinese shipyards pumping out Coastal patrol vessels at astonishing rates

To further attempt to solidify its control over disputed waters in the East and South China Seas, the Chinese coast guard have received a large number of brand-new heavy coastal patrol vessels from Chinese shipyards. Due to their simpler designs in contrast with military naval ships (light armor, light weaponry, basic radar systems), these patrol vessels can be designed and built very quickly, in order of approaching commissioning rates of one ship per month.

Pictures below originate from Guangzhou Shipyard:
Wow, I think most ASEAN navy's warships are smaller than these

hahaha if have to use anti-ship missile to sink coast guard ship probably means you have way too many anti-ship missiles.
Same case as using a TOW missile to shoot a pickup truck. Wasting.

Anyway not likely coastal patrol ships will take on a straight warship. That's serious escalation. they both operate on different situations also.

^^^ This

Thats why we always see coast guard-to-coast guard action ,they'll be spraying each other like they're both on fire.



This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 24 2014, 09:52 PM

Ya, I heard about this earlier this year. If it is 12,000 ton ship, it has to be nuclear-powered if it wants to have a good performance level. Ship that heavy if only powered by normal engines will perform like a lumbering container ship than a patrol vessel.

Chinese Coast Guard set to receive new 5,000 ton patrol vessels

Wuhang Shipyards are putting the finishing touches on China's largest coastal patrol vessels to date, two 5,000 ton patrol vessels (number 1306 and 1307) that is estimated to be about 125 meters long with a total displacement of approximately 5125 Tons. The patrol vessels are lightly armed but have hangar facilities that allow it to operate helicopters on patrol missions.

The two ships are part of an order made by the Chinese Coast Guard earlier this year that includes the construction of up to ten 3,000 ton vessels and four 5,000 ton vessels. China regards these ships as essential to the security of China's claims on disputed island chains in the East and South China Seas.

(These new ships are not to be confused with the existing CMSA (Chinese Maritime Safety Agency) Haixun-class patrol vessels that also weigh 5,000 tons and recently joined the search for MH370.)







News Link: Chinese Coast Guard launches new 5,000 ton patrol vessel

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 25 2014, 10:23 AM

No matter how much bigger is it, it's basically still a law-enforcement ship. So weaponry is not that important, especially when you expect only to encounter other coast guard ships. Big ship can carry more supplies and stay at sea longer. It is a patrol vessel,so there's advantage of being at at sea on patrol for a long time rather than being forced to go back to port constantly for resupply and refuel. Also there's word the ships will also have function as command and emergency resupply ship for CCG task forces.

Besides, 99.9% of coast guard duties (of any country,even China) doesn't involve ship-to-ship washing sessions with neighboring country's coast guard ships. Mostly they do boring stuff like chasing smugglers, rescuing fishing boats with dead engines or finding lost tourist boats who ran out of fuel.

At any case, a Coast guard ship is not a warship. If a warship is shooting at your coast guard ship, I think it can be regarded as an act of war. Anyway, if it does encounter an armed warship, it can always call any nearest PLAN warship for support.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 25 2014, 01:05 PM

Unlike Chinese coast guard ships, which are practically unarmed with only some light machineguns, Korean and Japanese coast guard ship are quite heavily armed for its job. Largest of these ships are the two 9,000 ton Shikishima-class Patrol Vessels (PLH-31 Shikishima and PLH-32 Akitsushima), which are armed with two 40mm cannons and two 20mm CIWS cannons in addition to carrying two helicopters. These ships are actually larger than most Navy destroyers.

The main duties of these ships is to escort ships carrying spent nuclear fuels from Japanese reactors to US and European nuclear disposal facilities.


PLH-31 Shikishima patrol vessel

When the Chinese 12,000 ton coast guard ship comes out, I'd imagine them about the size of these ships but slightly bigger.

This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 25 2014, 07:38 PM

Probably not,weapons load that would be seen by some as escalation (but perfectly OK when they do it.... ). I'm more interested in the electronics as I heard it will be installed with air search radar system of a frigate-class ship. Normally coast guard ships only installed with navigation & surface search radars only. That's why I'm convinced it will function as command ship for CCG task force.

Most likely weapons loadout will probably be one 57mm main gun & two 20mm autocannon plus some light machineguns.

A friend asked me last night at mamak : "eh, anti-radiation missile is like anti nuclear ah? " "No,why u say like that?", I asked him. He answered: "Wah, The name is anti-radiation, of course la it gets rid of radiation,like from nuclear."

I instantly went

Sorry for OT story, here's some pics of a fat, happy fighter plane:



This post has been edited by MilitaryMadness: Sep 26 2014, 08:15 AM