Latest news with #PLANavy
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's military reveals details of Type 094 nuclear submarine for first time
Advertisement The sea-based nuclear deterrent is said to have a submerged displacement of 11,000 tonnes, according to information on display during events to mark the PLA Navy's 76th anniversary last week. Posters on display for the open day also said the nuclear submarine had a maximum speed of 30 knots and could operate at a maximum depth of 400 metres. That differs from estimates that the Type 094 had a submerged displacement of 9,000 tonnes, could travel at 20 knots and operate at a depth of 300 metres. The posters also gave details of the Jin-class submarine's size – about 135 metres long, 13 metres wide, and with a surface displacement of 8,000 tonnes. The Type 094 submarine carries JL-2 ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads that have a range of about 7,000km. Photo: AP It is the first time China's military has disclosed the specifications of the strategic deterrence submarine since it entered service in 2007, though it was part of naval fleet review ceremonies in 2018 and 2019.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
China deploys 200-ton boats to take on 10,000-ton US warships in South China Sea
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has deployed Type 22 fast attack missile boats to target US Navy warships in the South China Sea. This action occurred as the United States continues to enhance its naval presence near China. A recent report by China Central Television (CCTV) showcased the PLA Navy utilizing the boat in missions involving the interception of foreign warships and the protection of maritime rights in the contested South China Sea. Initially fielded when the PLA Navy lacked significant blue-water capabilities, the Type 22 was designed to counter littoral threats. Fast and agile, this platform uses stealth technology to fill an important operational need. As China expands its maritime power, the platform's design advantages allow it to be used in various roles. According to CCTV, the Type 22 has been routinely assigned to littoral patrols, escort duties, monitoring operations, and joint missions with China Coast Guard units. In a recent training operation, a Type 22 boat commanded by Yang Wu from the PLA Eastern Theater Command intercepted a foreign naval warship that had allegedly entered Chinese territorial waters. A warship entered the area, weighing between 8,000 and 9,000 tons. This is much larger than the 220-ton Type 22. Even with this size difference, the Type 22 used quick movements, low radar visibility, and strong firepower to reach the area quickly, strengthen its position, and confront the larger ship. The tactical utility of speed, stealth, and precision strike capabilities over sheer size was again demonstrated. Chinese military analyst Wang Yunfei, speaking to the Global Times, highlighted that the Type 22 was engineered for an era when coastal defense was paramount and the PLA Navy's fleet of major surface combatants was minimal. The Type 22 has a top speed of about 50 knots and can launch anti-ship missiles, making it a powerful tool during its early use. As the PLA Navy shifts to a mix of defending coastal areas and operating far out at sea, the Type 22 is still important. The Type 22 boat has a shallow draft and can move quickly. This is helpful in the tricky waters of the South China Sea, where larger ships might get stuck on reefs or in shallow areas. Moreover, the Type 22 can sail faster than most enemy ships of similar size, which gives it an edge in coastal battles. The platform's ongoing importance was reinforced during the PLA Navy's 76th anniversary celebrations on April 23, when over 30 vessels, including the Type 22, were made accessible to the public. Xinhua News Agency reported that the vessel features new technology. It is the Navy's first stealth catamaran missile boat and the main combat vessel that uses waterjet propulsion. These features improve the vessel's speed, agility, and survival ability. The Type 22 is mainly made of aluminum alloy to keep it light. It has a six-barreled 30 mm gun system, jamming flares, and two launchers that can fire eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. Despite its significantly smaller displacement, this gives the Type 22 firepower comparable to a frigate. The Type 22 missile boat is built for speed, stealth, and strong weaponry to help in combat. It is still used today, showing that China prioritizes adaptable ships that can handle different tasks in tough sea conditions.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
China steps up its war of words after branding US and Japanese destroyers 'enemy vessels' - as fears mount PLA will carry out D-Day style invasion of Taiwan after months of war games
China has escalated its war of words by branding American and Japanese destroyers as 'enemy vessels.' The People's Liberation Army made the unprecedented peacetime move in an information display set up for an open day at the country's navy. The sign onboard the Nanjing Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, which is part of the PLA Navy's Eastern Theatre Command whose main role is to aggressively patrol the Taiwan Strait, said the Chinese vessel was able to 'strike large and medium-sized enemy surface vessels such as the US Arleigh Burke-class and Japan 's Atago-class destroyers.' The sign further claimed that the vessel was able to use 'supersonic trajectories, possessing a high penetration probability and accuracy, significantly enhancing the PLA Navy's maritime dominance capabilities.' The South China Morning Post reported that while similar displays in years gone by have only listed generic missile specifications, this was the first time American and Japanese ships were labelled as belonging to the 'enemy.' The sign was spotted on the same day the USS William P. Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was seen transiting through the Taiwan Strait. And it comes the week the Royal Navy's £3.5billion flagship has set sail on its eight-month mission to the Far East as part of a huge military show of force that could see it clashing with China. Crowds cheered as HMS Prince of Wales departed her home of Portsmouth to lead an international maritime strike group which aims to send a 'powerful message' that Britain 'means business'. The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier - the biggest vessel ever built for the Senior Service - will lead a coalition of British, Norwegian and Canadian warships on operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia. While the Government has not confirmed the precise route of 'Operation Highmast' - the codename for the deployment - the Navy has not ruled out sailing through the contentious 110-mile wide Taiwan Strait. The mission comes amid mounting fears that China is planning to launch a full-scale invasion of the island, with Beijing's military having already drilled huge D-Day style assaults of Taiwan using soldiers, marines, warships and its air force. And as tensions continue to intensify, the commander of the British-led carrier strike group has insisted the Royal Navy stands ready to defy China - and that it is prepared for any sort of military operation. 'I will deliver whatever mission I am ordered to go and do – that's my role,' a defiant Commodore James Blackmore told the Telegraph ahead of the UK task group's deployment. 'My part of the bargain is being ready for all eventualities from a combat capability, from a defence engagement capability, from a partners and allies capability, so I'm ready to exercise whatever the Government or the Ministry of Defence asks me to do.' Thousands of families and well-wishers lined the harbour walls at Portsmouth to wave off the £3.5billion naval leviathan, which will be accompanied from the navy base by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless. Banners and flags were waved by members of the public from the walls and beach of Portsmouth harbour with sailors aboard the 65,000-tonne warship waving back to cheers from the crowds as they passed. In a tribute to the Pope Francis, HMS Prince of Wales's ensign flag on its flight deck was at half-mast as a 'sign of a respect' to the late pontiff, a navy spokesman confirmed. The ships will then be joined by two Norwegian vessels - tanker HNoMS Maud and frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen - as well as the UK and Canadian frigates HMS Richmond and HMCS Ville de Quebec, which are sailing from Plymouth. The support vessel Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker RFA Tidespring will make up the final ship in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which will involve other ships and nations during the deployment called Operation Highmast. A contingent of 18 UK F-35B jets will join the carrier in the days after departure, with that number increasing to 24 during the deployment. Also joining will be Merlin Mk2 anti-submarine helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and Merlin Mk4 Commando and Wildcat helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton, as well as an undeclared number of T-150 Malloy and Puma drones. Cdre Blackmore, 50, said the deployment would send a 'powerful message' to allies and potential adversaries about the UK's naval and air power.
South China Morning Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's military identifies US and Japanese destroyers as ‘enemy vessels'
The People's Liberation Army has explicitly identified the US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and Japan's Atago-class destroyer as enemy targets in an information display for the navy's open day. Advertisement The unprecedented peacetime move coincided with the USS William P. Lawrence – an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer – transiting through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday. It was noticed by a visitor in Taizhou, Zhejiang province who was aboard a Nanjing Type 052D guided-missile destroyer – part of the PLA Navy's Eastern Theatre Command whose main role is to defend the Taiwan Strait. The visitor posted a photo of the display on social media that has since been widely circulated. 'The YJ-18A anti-ship missile is a new vertically launched, long-range cruise missile now deployed by the navy,' the display read. Advertisement 'It can strike large and medium-sized enemy surface vessels such as the US Arleigh Burke-class and Japan's Atago-class destroyers using supersonic trajectories, possessing a high penetration probability and accuracy, significantly enhancing the PLA Navy's maritime dominance capabilities.'
South China Morning Post
23-04-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Chinese navy puts giant warship on show to the public for anniversary
One of China's biggest and most advanced warships is going on show on the mainland for the first time as part of this week's events to mark the 76th anniversary of the PLA Navy. Advertisement The People's Liberation Army's Type 075 amphibious assault ship will lower its gangplank to welcome the public aboard in Hainan, its namesake home port, on Thursday during one of a series of open days in more than 10 coastal cities, according to state news agency Xinhua. More than 30 active-duty warships will be open to the public during the events, most of which will span three days this week in cities from Qinhuangdao in the north, Shanghai in the east and Guangzhou in the south. Many of the vessels on display have taken part in international missions, including escort operations in the Gulf of Aden, overseas port visits and multinational joint exercises. It is the first time the 40,000-tonne Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan has been open to the public on the mainland. The ship, which was launched in September 2019 and commissioned into service in April 2021, was displayed in Hong Kong in November. Advertisement It will be open for public tours from Thursday to Saturday at the Macun Port terminal in Chengmai county, Hainan province.
