Latest news with #combatreadiness
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China adds aerial refuelling to pilot training in move to boost combat readiness
China's air force has introduced aerial refuelling to its pilot training programme as the People's Liberation Army tries to step up combat readiness and long-range capabilities. Advertisement The move was highlighted in a report by state broadcaster CCTV on Friday that included footage from a PLA training video. It showed instructors from the PLA Air Force's Shijiazhuang Flight Academy piloting two J-10 fighter jets in a refuelling drill, supported by a YU-20 tanker. The J-10 – seen as China's answer to the American F-16 – has a two-seat variant for advanced fighter and strike training. Another variant, the J-10CE, was used by Pakistan to down French-made Rafale jets in combat with India's military near the disputed Kashmir region last month. The YU-20 tanker can offload up to 100 tonnes of fuel in a single sortie. Photo: Xinhua According to the CCTV report, the academy plans to expand the refuelling training in phases. It said the goal was to round out combat readiness training and better prepare pilots for operational requirements and the demands of the battlefield. Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, said it was a significant step for the air force as it tried to cultivate real-combat capabilities from the earliest stage in a pilot's training. 'Previously, such training was limited to experienced operational units,' Song said. 'Now it's moving upstream into pilot education. That opens a new path for building a strategic air force with global reach.' Advertisement He said the programme would help pilots to develop 'a long-range operational mindset early in their careers'. 'It will reduce the interval between graduation and combat readiness, significantly boosting the military's ability to rapidly produce a battle-ready talent pool.'
Japan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
North Korea's Kim leads missile test, stresses nuclear force readiness
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test of a short-range ballistic missile and long-range artillery on Thursday and stressed the importance of combat readiness of the country's nuclear forces, state media reported Friday. The test, which also included an inspection of the operational reliability of its "nuclear trigger" system, was designed to ensure the rapid response posture to counter the sensitive regional military climate, the official Korean Central News Agency said. South Korea and Japan on Thursday reported multiple ballistic missiles were fired from North Korea's east coast in what was believed to be a performance test of short-range missiles that had been already deployed. KCNA said the 600 mm multiple launch rocket systems and tactical ballistic missile Hwasong-11 were mobilized for the test. Hwasong-11 is known internationally as KN-23, a series of the North's short-range ballistic missiles that Ukraine and Western officials have said were being supplied to Russia and used by Moscow to strike Ukraine. Ahead of the missile launches, there was an inspection of a nuclear defense system, dubbed by the North as "nuclear trigger," KCNA said. "Kim Jong Un said that it is very important to steadily perfect the normal combat readiness of the nuclear force to deter war and fight war," KCNA said. "He said that the DPRK should continue to direct efforts to steadily improving the long-range precision striking capability and efficiency of weapons systems," KCNA said, using the short form for the country's official name. A South Korean military official and an analyst said Thursday's missile launches were was likely to test the performance of a short-range missile arsenal, possibly to upgrade them for export.
Reuters
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
North Korea's Kim Jong Un leads missile test, stresses nuclear force readiness, KCNA says
SEOUL, May 9 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test of a short-range ballistic missile and long-range artillery on Thursday and stressed the importance of combat readiness of the country's nuclear forces, state media reported on Friday. The test, which also included an inspection of the operational reliability of its "nuclear trigger" system, was designed to ensure the rapid response posture to counter the sensitive regional military climate, KCNA news agency said. South Korea and Japan on Thursday reported multiple ballistic missiles were fired from North Korea's east coast in what was believed to be a performance test of short-range missiles that had been already deployed. KCNA said the 600 mm multiple launch rocket systems and tactical ballistic missile Hwasong-11 were mobilised for the test. Hwasong-11 is known internationally as KN-23, a series of the North's short-range ballistic missiles that Ukraine and Western officials have said were being supplied to Russia and used by Moscow to strike Ukraine. Ahead of the missile launches, there was an inspection of a nuclear defense system, dubbed by the North as "nuclear trigger", KCNA said. "Kim Jong Un said that it is very important to steadily perfect the normal combat readiness of the nuclear force" to deter war and fight war, " KCNA said. "He said that the DPRK should continue to direct efforts to steadily improving the long-range precision striking capability and efficiency of weapons systems," KCNA said, using the short form for the country's official name. A South Korean military official and an analyst said Thursday's missile launches were was likely to test the performance of a short-range missile arsenal, possibly to upgrade them for export.
New York Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
New Joint Chiefs Chairman Picks a Friendly Crowd for His Debut
For Gen. Dan Caine, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Thursday was a homecoming of sorts. An F-16 pilot with 150 combat flight hours, General Caine has also served in several highly secretive intelligence and special operations assignments, some in the United States and some overseas. So it came as no surprise that he picked a friendly audience — the sprawling annual special operations conference, or SOF Week — to make his first public remarks as chairman. 'I'm most at home with this tribe,' General Caine told hundreds of American and allied military and civilian personnel, as well as industry contractors, who gave him a standing ovation at the beginning and end of his 15-minute remarks. General Caine — who was sworn in last month after President Trump fired Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a four-star fighter pilot known as C.Q. — played it safe in his prepared comments. He emphasized combat readiness, working closely with allies and arming U.S. troops with the most advanced weaponry and equipment. The general takes charge of the American military at a time when the world is in 'a dynamic and dangerous place,' he said. And his role, he added, will be to help weave together the combat capabilities of U.S. and allied forces to 'create dilemmas' for 'the Chinese and others.' General Caine did not mention the U.S. air war in Yemen, whether the Pentagon would deliver additional aid to Ukraine beyond what President Joseph R. Biden Jr. approved or any other specific challenges facing the United States. He played it safe. He took no questions Indeed, he has kept a low profile since assuming the military's top job. Last month, General Caine made an unannounced visit to the southwestern border to get a firsthand look at the military's growing role in helping to stem migrant crossings, a top priority for Mr. Trump. That General Caine made his first official trip to the border as chairman underscores the importance of the mission to the White House, and the Pentagon, even as crossings have dropped precipitously during the Trump administration. Being chosen by Mr. Trump caught him off guard. General Caine had retired at the end of December after completing the final job in his military career — as the Pentagon's liaison to the C.I.A. — and joined Shield Capital, a firm in Burlingame, Calif., specializing in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. But then came the call from the White House, the Senate confirmation process, his swearing in on April 14, and now his grappling with myriad challenges the world is hurling at him. 'I am, you know, still trying to find my way around the Pentagon and learning my job,' he told the audience.
Khaleej Times
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sheikh Hamdan climbs mountains, ziplines as he joins soldiers in military exercises
As he paid a visit to 11th Mountain Infantry Battalion, Sheikh Hamdan joined the battalion's members in intense training exercises simulating military operations in rugged terrain. The Dubai Crown Prince scaled mountains with the soldiers, ziplined, and also undertook a shooting exercise in what was a showcase of his leadership and affinity to the armed forces. In a social media post later, he said he was "delighted" to join the soldiers in their field exercises. On Saturday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, was also briefed on the tactics and strategies employed by the Battalion while carrying out its missions. The Dubai Crown prince praised the battalion's combat readiness and efficiency, stressing that strong will and continuous training are the keys to excellence regardless of missions and terrains. He also expressed his pride in the soldiers' determination and persistence in achieving excellence while performing their national duty. At the conclusion of the exercises, Sheikh Hamdan saluted the battalion's leadership and personnel, stressing the importance of continuing to develop the UAE's defensive capabilities. He also wished them success in their field missions.
