Le catalogue des armements chinois disponibles à l'export

Nouvelle version du PLZ45, le PLZ52 155mm

une comparaison avec les autres systèmes 155mm, Le PLZ52 c'est la dernière colonne

Une copie du OTOKAR COBRA turque ?

5/6 pays africains/asiatique seraient interessés,l´UAE+Uzbekistan l´ont deja acquis

http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn a écrit:

Foreign buyers eye Chinese drones
By Zhao Lei (China Daily)
08:47, June 20, 2013



Technological advances have made unmanned vehicle an attractive deal

At least five countries are negotiating with China on buying its domestically developed Wing Loong drone.

"Wing Loong is quite competitive in the international market and we have delivered it to up to three clients," Ma Zhiping, general manager of China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp, said at the 50th International Paris Air Show.

Ma's company is the biggest exporter of aviation defense products in China and has a strong presence in the military aircraft market. It belongs to Aviation Industry Corp of China, the country's leading aircraft manufacturer.

Established in 1909, the Paris Air Show is held every odd-numbered year at Le Bourget Airport in north Paris. This year's show started on Monday and will last through Sunday.

Ma said clients' feedback on Wing Loong is "very positive".

"They told us that they are satisfied with the drone's performance. Their uses of the Wing Loong have testified to its excellent combat capability, supreme maneuverability as well as convenience of maintenance," he said, quoting users as saying that the drone's actual performance has "surpassed its design specifications".

According to CATIC, Wing Loong was developed independently by China with full intellectual property to meet the requirement of the international market. The project was started in 2005 and its maiden flight took place in 2007. The drone's mockup was unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2008 and a production type was displayed at the same air show in 2012, drawing intense attention from aviation enthusiasts and foreign military observers.

It can perform a wide range of tasks such as precision strikes and long-duration, long-distance reconnaissance. In June 2006, the government gave the green light to its export.

In addition to military purposes, the unmanned aerial vehicle can also serve an array of civil and scientific purposes such as disaster assessment, environmental protection, and atmospheric and meteorological research, the company said.

The drone boasts a range of more than 3,000 kilometers and a payload of 200 kilograms.

All the techniques used on Wing Loong were developed by Chinese researchers without any foreign assistance, said Nie Haitao, deputy director of AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, which designed the drone.

"In the initial stage of Wing Loong's development, only nine researchers were designated to take part in this work and most of them were young professionals without much experience," he recalled. "Yet they succeeded and now you can see they have done a good job."

The United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan have introduced an unidentified number of Wing Loong drones, according to Kanwa Defense Review, a Canadian online magazine of defense affairs and weapon technology.

"Currently five to six nations in Africa and Asia have expressed their intention of buying Wing Loong and we are negotiating over that," Ma said.

He added several foreign countries have told his company that they want to introduce Chinese drones that are even more advanced than Wing Loong, but whether those types could be exported is up to government policy and political decisions.

"Of course we, as a defense products supplier, are willing to introduce more of our cutting-edge weapons to the international market. But it is the government that has the final say."

Seeing a bright picture of Chinese drones in the global market, aviation experts said people should be reminded that China still lags behind in many aspects in the UAV industry.

China is still unable to produce an unmanned aerial vehicle that can rival the United States' RQ-4 Global Hawk, according to Wang Yangzhu, deputy director of the Unmanned Aircraft System Institute under Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

"If we rank the automation capabilities of UAV with 10 being the highest score, China can only get five or six," he said.

"The capability of a UAV should not be judged merely by its speed and altitude, its ability in performing varied missions makes more sense."

Wang's institute is one of the three academic institutes in China that specialize in UAVs. The other two are in Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Jiangsu province and Northwestern Polytechnical University in Shaanxi province.

He said China's efforts to develop advanced drones are being haunted by a long-time inability in resolving some key technologies including engines and data links, noting the country's aviation industry needs to solve a host of technical blocks.

"Though we are able to manufacture UAVs on our own, we can't produce those as advanced as the RQ-4 Global Hawk, which is now the top drone before the Northrop Grumman X-47B enters into service. The most outstanding obstacle confronting us remains the engine problem."

He explained that the data link and airborne electronic devices used on Chinese drones still lag behind those of their US counterparts.

In contrast to Wang's words, many foreign military observers said Chinese drones are fairly competitive in the international market in terms of technical characteristics, performance and price.

Wendell Minnick, Asia bureau chief at Defense News, said in an earlier report on VOA's website that Chinese drones, many of which are specifically produced for the export market, are very attractive for many developing nations.

"(The US) drone exports are very expensive platforms, very sophisticated. The Chinese produce a much cheaper variety that basically does the same job," said Minnick. "The Chinese ... are looking at an export market that's growing."

"China has ramped up research in recent years faster than any other country. It displayed its first unmanned system model at the Zhuhai air show five years ago, and now every major manufacturer for the Chinese military has a research center devoted to unmanned systems," a report published in July by the Defense Science Board, an experts panel charged with advising the US Department of Defense on scientific and technical issues, was quoted by The New York Times as saying.

"(China) could ... rapidly close the technology gaps and become a formidable global competitor in unmanned systems."

Pas mal le drone. 

FK-1000 ... un peu une copie chinoise du Pantsir

La Chine a signé un contrat pour la livraison de 12 L15 à un pays Africain ... les 6 premiers vont être livrés d'ici la fin de l'année
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/621809.html

ca date de 2012 le contrat africain
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airshow-china-catic-signs-deal-for-12-l-15-trainers-378931/

Citation :

China expanding its role in global weapons market


Two JF-17 Xiaolong fighters of Pakistan Air Force. The fighter was jointly developed by China and Pakistan.

Turkey has yet to decide whether it will go ahead with its purchase of the FD-2000, the export version of China's HQ-9 surface-to-air missile, but China is already making strides in expanding its influence in the global arms market, according to the Moscow-based Military Parade website.
The Chinese system was choosen from a list of missile systems including the US Patriot, the Russian S-400 and the Italian-French SAMP-T, as the FD-2000 is more aggressive than its American and Russian counterparts, the Military Parade said. If the purchase goes ahead, Turkey — one of the major allies of the United States in the Middle East — will become the first NATO member to introduce a Chinese air defense system for its military. However, NATO and the US have urged Turkey to reconsider the decision as the system would not be compatible with those of other NATO member states.
A source said Turkey understands that the United States opposes any NATO nation from buying weapons systems from China because of its arms deal with Iran, Syria and North Korea. The source added that although Ankara may eventually give up on the deal due to pressure from Washington, it still highlights the quality of Chinese weapons on a global scale.
"This is a remarkable win for the Chinese arms industry," said Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in an interview with the New York Times. Meanwhile, China is currently the world's fifth-largest arms exporter, selling aircraft, naval combat vessels, guided-missiles and artilleries to security partners like Pakistan, Bengal, Bolivia, Venezuela, Zambia, Iran, Thailand, Namibia and Vietnam, according to the London-based Jane's Defense Weekly.
China is now seeking new buyers for its weapon systems, the Military Parade said. For example, a contract was signed in 2011 for China to sell 40 of its Z-11 helicopters to Argentina. From the perspective of developing nations, China is a provider of quality and affordable weapon systems, and this is the real reason why the country's defense industry is doing so well, the report said.


http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1101&MainCatID=11&id=20131028000007

Citation :

China’s First Stealth Drone – Analysis

The test flight of China’s first stealth drone, in November 2013, makes China leap from drones to combat drones. It demonstrates China’s enormous military expenditure towards building a world class level of military power. Lijian’s successful test flight has made China the fourth country, after the US (X-47B), France (Dassault nEUROn) and Britain (Taranis), to have independently developed a UCAV. The stealth drone, Lijan or Sharp Sword can be used for electronic surveillance and air-to-ground strikes. Its potential and technological capability makes it a suitable choice for the navy as it may also function as an unmanned combat platform for its aircraft carrier. It is capable of flying undetected at high altitudes, providing intelligence information supported by high resolution video.

Talking about the technicalities, one of the most important things about Lijat is that it is equipped with the Russian made RD-93 turbofan engine. RD-93 is a fighter jet engine used in Pakistan and China’s joint fighter jet project. Using it to equip Lijan would also mean that this latest stealth drone will have an extended flight range. This would mean that China will have a larger reconnaissance capability in the region.

Is China trying to narrow down its airpower disparity with western nations? Or does it have a far bigger objective of strengthening its regional sphere of influence?
Regional Implications

Lijan’s test flight is important in the light of the intensifying island dispute between Beijing and Tokyo in East China Sea. To put it in perspective, UAVs demonstrates a country’s prominence in a disputed zone. China has converted a number of out-of-date J-6 fighters into UAVs in recent years, to monitor the Southwest Islands in East China Sea. In the backdrop of this development, Japan recently came up with a plan of action to strengthen its defence capabilities in East China Sea and surprisingly increased its military expenditure index against its conventional defence guidelines.

Weeks after this, China came up with the multi-capacity Lijan. It will let the maritime departments of China be updated about developments in the East and South China Seas, thereby helping Beijing take accurate decisions. Some analysts have suggested, as National Post reports, “…the drone might someday be launched from China’s sole aircraft carrier, possibly to fly missions around China’s East China Sea and South China Sea Island claims.” A day after China test flew Lijan, the Chinese Defence Ministry announced the creation of an ‘air defence identification zone’ (ADIZ), that overlaps Japan’s own ADIZ covering much of the East China Sea, including the disputed islands. China’s Defence Ministry, as reports suggest, said that aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules or face ‘emergency defensive measures’.
Air Power Disparity with the West

Following what China Daily has quoted: “The successful flight shows the nation has again narrowed the air-power disparity between itself and Western nations,’’ many predictions emphasise that the launch of Lijan was a conscious effort to match up to Western air power. The US has conducted test flying of about five UCAVs since the late 1990s. Europe is not far behind in this respect. Currently it is developing the Neuron and Taranis models. In the meanwhile, Russia is working on a version of the MiG Skat. The reports suggest Beijing has developed different kind of UAVs that matches almost all the categories deployed by the US that range from tactical drones of partial endurance to larger structures that look remarkably familiar to US Predator or Reaper models. Another point of similarity is that these Chinese drones, like their US counterparts, are equipped with hard points on their wings to carry armaments. The delta wing Lijan has has been compared to US’ Northrop Grumman X-47 series and the European Neuron stealth drones. It has also been referred to as a reverse-engineered copy of Russia’s Mikoyan Skat.

Sun Tzu’s quote looks very relevant to China’s Stealth Drone strategy. He famously said, “Subdue the enemy without any battle”. It implicates China’s policy of invoking threat perception among its neighbours strengthening its military capability from time to time.

Despite drawing so much attention for its modern technology and features, this multi functional stealth drone, developed by two subsidiaries of Aviation Industry Corp of China, has been criticised as ‘a little bit naïve’ by Hong Kong-based military expert Andrei Chang. He thinks the design of the engine that appears to be exposed would reduce its stealth capabilities. It shows China as not having ‘enough experience’ in the field. Commenting on the use of RD-93 turbofan engine, Wang Ya’nan, deputy editor-in-chief at Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said, ‘Using the RD-93 compromises the stealth capability of the Sharp Sword, but the situation will be changed after our domestically developed engine that is specifically designed for drones enters production’. Commenting on the criticism would be difficult at this juncture as it requires taking account more expert opinion. In the end, whether Lijan would be a game changer is too early to predict.

Angana Guha Roy
Research Intern, IPCS
Email: anganaguharoy@gmail.com

http://www.eurasiareview.com

wow deja   sikorsky peut fermer

Il y a déjà 24 BlackHawk en service dans les Forces chinoise

je sais mais celui la a le serial Z0001 des proto

Oui il se sont enfin décider de le copier

Ils avaient récupéré les designs du BlackHawk par hacking, je m'attends à un LCS Chinois bientôt  

Bof, si c'est comme leurs montres....

Je volerai pas dedans.......

plutôt un Port avions

Citation :

China developing 11,0000 ton 'super aircraft carrier' to rival US naval power

Beijing, Dec. 22 (ANI): China has declared it is building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

The size of the carrier will be huge enough to rival the biggest in United States naval service in the first move of a major new arms race.

According to China Daily, Chinese website qianzhan.com said 'top People's Liberation Army' sources as saying the 110,000-ton aircraft carrier should be launched by 2020.

The news follows rising tensions in the South and East China Seas.

The design of the carrier is reportedly based on drawings from the former Soviet Union of a nuclear-powered, 80,000 ton vessel capable of carrying 60 aircraft, the report added.(ANI)

http://news.yahoo.com

....

Citation :

China’s new ‘Black Hawk’ helicopter takes maiden flight

Home-made utility helicopter successfully completes test flight, and analysts believe it has an edge over American counterpart in high-altitude regions
A Chinese-made, People's Liberation Army helicopter successfully made its first flight on Monday, "filling a blank" in the military's arsenal, according to analysts.

The new type of medium-lift, general-purpose helicopter completed its test flight in an airport in the country's northeast on Monday morning, the official CCTV announced later Monday evening.

The report came after a photo of the aircraft emerged from popular domestic military forum cjdby.net, prompting a flurry of speculation from tech-savvy military enthusiasts about its potential performance and efficiency.

Dubbed by amateurs as "Z-20", a codename that is in line with the naming pattern of previous military helicopter models, the aircraft’s exterior is similar to the US-made Sikorsky UH-60, better known as the “Black Hawk”.



The PLA utility helicopter is believed to have a capacity of 10 tonnes, putting it between the categories of agile attack helicopters and heavy transportation helicopters, military commentator Du Wenlong said during the CCTV news programme.

Unlike the later aircraft designed for specific applications, the new helicopter's flexibility allows it to be modified to cope with a wide range of tasks such as assault, transportation, electronic warfare and special operations. It can even boost the country's naval power, potentially being able make landings on PLA ships such as the aircraft carrier Liaoning, Chinese media reports said.

“It fills a blank for the Chinese military force,” deputy professor Fang Bing of the PLA National Defence University said, when asked about the new hardware's significance.

It was unclear how many units of the new model would be added to the PLA's fleet.

China last purchased two dozen Black Hawk civilian models from the United States in 1983 after officials were amazed by its outstanding performance in high altitudes.

But the military experts believe the new helicopter’s five-blade propeller, unlike Black Hawk’s four, gives it more superior performance in high-altitude regions, such as southwestern China’s vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is home to a restive Tibetan population and is flanked by India, with which it has long-standing border tensions.

http://www.scmp.com

oui copié mais avec ameliorations a ce que je vois,je peux bien m´imaginer le prendre sur l´original surtout avec un prix chinois

Sinon niveau sous marins ils n'ont rien de potable ? J'ai lu que il avait exporté 2 SM au Bangladesh qui sont de même type que les Kilo russes... Le S20 également , presenté a l'IDEX 2013 .

Citation :

La Chine a présenté lors du salon IDEX-2013, aux Emirats Arabes Unis, un nouveau modèle de sous-marin classique, le S20, et a dévoilé certaines de ses caractéristiques techniques.

Le sous-marin a été développé à partir du Type 041 (classe Yuan). Selon le site spécialisé Jane’s, la Chine, malgré ses réticences habituelles, a dû dévoilé certaines caractéristiques du nouveau sous-marin, compte-tenu de la concurrence sur le marché internationale, en particulier de la part des chantiers navals russes et allemands.

Le S20 mesure 66 m de long, 8 m de large et 8,2 m de haut. Il déplace 1.850 t en surface et 2.300 t en plongée. Il peut atteindre une vitesse de 18 nœuds en plongée, son rayon d’action est de 8.000 km à 16 nœuds. L’équipage du S20 est composé de 38 personnes, son autonomie en régime de croisière atteint 60 jours. Il dispose d’une double coque et peut plonger jusqu’à 300 m.
Contrairement aux sous-marins du Type 041 de la marine chinoise, les S20 ne sont pas équipés d’une propulsion anaérobie, bien qu’elle puisse être commandée séparément.
Le sous-marin chinois est équipé d’un sonar à fréquence variable, d’un intercepteur sonar et d’un système de mesure de son bruit propre. Il peut de plus être équipé d’un sonar remorqué. Le S20 est équipé de torpilles, de mines et des missiles anti-navires. La Chine ne donne pas de précisions sur les armes, mais indique que l’acheteur peut commander des torpilles, des missiles et des « torpilles anti-torpilles ».
Les sous-marins Type 041 ont été développés en Chine dans la 1ère moitié de la décennie 2000. Selon diverses sources, la marine chinoise en aurait 7 ou 8 en service et prévoirait d’en construire 15 au total.
Les sous-marins Type 041 sont plus gros : ils déplacent 4.000 t pour 75 m de long. Ils peuvent naviguer jusqu’à 20 nœuds. Ils sont équipés de tubes lance-torpilles de 533 mm, et peuvent lancer le missile anti-navires YJ-8X.

http://investigationsoanisetoceanographiee.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/la-chine-presente-une-version-export-dun-de-ses-sous-marins/

Ils achétent des SM aux russes et les copient aprés    Massakhit ces Chinois . En tout cas leurs chantiers navals tournent a plein régime , ils ont encore un peu de retard sur les russes et allemands , mais je leur donne 5/10 ans et ils les terrassent .

Citation :

China To Accelerate Weapons Development & Export In 2014

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China spent a chunk of last year showcasing its new advanced weapons, bagging major arms deals and plans to accelerate its arms development this year.

In September, Turkey began contract negotiations with the China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corporation (CPMIEC), which is under US sanctions for selling arms and missile technology to Iran and Syria.

CPMIEC, which makes the HQ-9 missile system, beat competition from a US partnership of Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Russia's Rosoboronexport, and Italian-French consortium Eurosam for the deal, estimated at $4 billion (2.9 billion euros).

In 2012, Argentina signed a deal with the Chinese company Avicopter to build Z-11 light helicopters under license. Mass production for the Argentine military began in 2013 and 40 helicopters are expected to be built over the next several years. The value of the contract has not been made public.

While China’s customer base varies from South America to Africa, its biggest buyer remains Pakistan.

China To Accelerate Weapons Development & Export In 2014

Citation :

China confirms test of “hypersonic missile delivery vehicle”

China has confirmed the successful test flight of a “hypersonic missile delivery vehicle,” but stresses that the system is not designed specifically to penetrate US missile defences.

The confirmation of the test was published in state news organ China Daily, and on the ministry of defence’s web site.

"It is normal for China to conduct scientific experiments within its borders according to its plans. The tests were not aimed at any nation nor any specific target,” the paper quotes the ministry as saying.

The story follows news reports in the US quoting Pentagon officials that said China had tested a hypersonic delivery vehicle designed to thwart missile defence systems.

The story goes on to quote Chinese defence experts as saying that US reports about the event contribute to distrust between the two countries.

Details about the test are sketchy, but it appears to have occurred the week of 6 January. It is not clear if this was the first test of the vehicle.

The vehicle is apparently designed to be launched aboard a conventional ICBM. It then, reportedly, would detach in space and manoeuvre to its target at many times the speed of sound.

The programme appears to resemble the US Department of Defense’s conventional prompt global strike (CPGS) effort, which calls for a capability to hit any target in the world in less than one hour.

In August 2011, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA) hypersonic technology vehicle (HTV-2) failed during a test flight related to the CPGS programme.

For China, a hypersonic vehicle could have applications aboard the country’s DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). A major application of the DF-21D would be engaging US warships in the event of conflict, but analysts question Beijing’s ability to provide effective targeting information to such a weapon. An autonomous vehicle, however, would theoretically be capable of guiding itself during the crucial last stage of the weapon’s flight.

The yet-to-be-tested DF-21D has gained notoriety as an “aircraft carrier killer,” but Chinese military thinkers appear to see it engaging a range of warship types, including cruisers and destroyers. What is more, the ASBM would not necessarily need to make a direct hit to be effective, because an air burst of bomblets above an enemy warship could degrade the target’s capabilities, perhaps resulting in a mission kill.

The mere threat of such a weapon would prove sufficient to force American naval assets to keep a good distance from mainland China in the event of a war.

http://www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

L’équipementier Honeywell a fourni des capteurs d’origine chinoise utilisés par l’avion de combat F-35

L’équipementier Honeywell fait actuellement l’objet d’une enquête ouverte par les autorités américaines pour avoir utilisé des composants électroniques d’origine chinoise afin de livrer des capteurs utilisé par l’avion de combat F-35, actuellement en cours de développement chez Lockheed-Martin.
“Les capteurs font partie du système de gestion d’énergie thermique que Honeywell construit pour refroidir les moteurs du F-35 et pressuriser sa cabine”, a précisé Joe DellaVedova, porte-parole de bureau chargé du programme F-35 au Pentagone. “Il s’agit de pièces simples qui ne sont pas programmables”, a-t-il ajouté, en soulignant qu’il n’y avait aucun risque à les utiliser. Toutefois, a-t-il poursuivi, il seront quand même remplacés… e
“Il s’agit d’un capteur électrique commun trouvé sur une carte de circuit qui est largement disponible dans les applications commerciales dans le monde entier”, a de son côté, expliqué un porte-parole d’Honeywell, qui a assure que l’industriel “coopère pleinement” avec les autorités américaines.
Le même a également indiqué qu’Honeywell n’a “produit ce composant en Chine que pendant une courte période, avant de décidé de relocaliser la production vers un établissement américain après consultation avec le Pentagone” et ses “partenaires”. Et d’ajouter : “Nous croyons que nous avons suivi toutes les lois et réglementations américaines applicables relatives à la fabrication de composants liés à la défense en Chine”.
Pour fabriquer ce capteur en Chine, l’équipementier aurait normalement dû recevoir une autorisation de la part des autorités américaines, conformément à la Loi sur l’exportation et le contrôle des armements (Arms Control Export Act ), pour communiquer éventuellement des spécifications techniques au site de production chinois. La procédure en cours concerne donc ce point précis.
La décision de produire ces composants en Chine a été prise sur la base de considérations économiques. En clair, cela coûtait moins cher… Cette pratique n’est pas un cas isolé. Comme l’a souligné Reuters, cette affaire “jette une lumière sur la dépendance à l’égard de la Chine des entreprises américaines”, y compris pour des éléments sensibles. “Au cours des 20 dernières années, beaucoup de productions ont été délocalisées hors des États-Unis pour des raisons de coût”, ajoute l’agence de presse.
Cette tendance inquiète d’ailleurs les parlementaires américains, qui ont demandé au Government Accountability Office (GAO) de se pencher dessus, en disant craindre que des armes américains “pourraient devenir dépendantes de pièces fabriquées par un futur adversaire potentiel”.

http://www.opex360.com/2014/01/18/lequipementier-honeywell-a-fourni-des-capteurs-dorigine-chinoise-utilises-par-lavion-de-combat-f-35/

Citation :

China developing world's most accurate cruise missiles: report

China has begun developing the world's most accurate cruise missiles with the ability to hit targets in Japan as well as US military bases, according to a recent report published by the Washington-based Project 2049 Institute.

In the article titled China's Evolving Reconnaissance-Strike Capabilities, author Ian Easton claims that after many years of efforts, China has acquired a considerable amount of cruise missile systems, including the PLA Second Artillery Force's ground-launched Changjian-10 or Long Sword (CJ-10) land attack cruise missiles (LACMs), the PLA Navy's ground- and ship-launched Yingji-62 "Eagle Strike" anti-ship cruise missile, and the PLA Air Force's Yingji-63 and CJ-20 LACMs.

With up to 500 missiles deployed on 40-55 road-mobile, tri-canister launchers in the Second Artillery Force, China's strategic CJ-10 LACM may be of particular concern to US and Japanese defense planners, the report said, as the missile's range of over 1,500 kilometers can theoretically place all of Japan's main islands under threat.

The report added that the PLA Navy's 100 JH-7 fighter bombers and 30 H-6M maritime bombers are armed with anti-ship cruise missiles which also have a strike radius of more than 1,500km, while the PLA Air Force has a small number of H-6K bombers that could strike as far as the US territory of Guam.

The advanced missiles have significant tactical and strategic meaning, the report said, as cruise missiles are technologically challenging to defend against compared to ballistic missiles because they can strike from any angle and fly at low altitudes.

China would have a geographic advantage over the US if it engages in a military conflict with Taiwan or Japan, and its long-range missiles could strike American vessels and air bases before they would be able to project power into the region, the report added.

"Initially, the only theater ballistic missile in the PLA arsenal that could reach Japan was the medium-range Dongfeng-21C (DF-21C)," the report said, but according to Taiwanese intelligence officials the PLA has also begun deploying the DF-16, a new medium-range ballistic missile for "counter-intervention" missions.

According to the report, the US Department of Defense assessed that the PLA is developing intermediate-range ballistic missiles with ranges of up to 5,000 km, meaning they could eventually threaten Guam, the Marianas, Palau, northern Australia, Alaska and US bases in the Middle East. If the Chinese program is successful, even Hawaii and the west coast of the US could be threatened by ICBMs by the early-to-mid 2020s, the report said.

http://www.wantchinatimes.com

Citation :

China Confident in Export Potential of Targeting Pod



TAIPEI — China is confident enough with its fighter jet targeting pods to start pushing them for export at defense trade shows.

At February’s Singapore Airshow, the WMD-7 Targeting Pod was once again presented as an export product at China’s pavilion for its national aviation export agency, the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp. (CATIC).

CATIC displayed the WMD-7 at the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow, and mock-ups have appeared at the 2013 Dubai Airshow and the 2010 and 2012 Farnborough shows.

Another Chinese product beginning to make an appearance on the export market is the Type OC2 laser/infrared-targeting pod produced by the Norinco Group/Harbin Jiancheng Group. The OC2 made its first appearance at the 2012 Zhuhai Airshow.

“That China can market two basically similar optical/infrared targeting pods is a result of their 1998 defense logistics reform decision to invest in a broadly redundant but competitive military production sector,” said Richard Fisher, a senior fellow of Asian military affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center.

This means that China will have a “better chance of offering the lowest price when it competes with Russian and Western systems,” he said. “We have seen this work for the Chinese in Turkey’s recent surface-to-air missile competition.”

Brochures and CATIC officials do not identify the manufacturing origin of the WMD-7, but Fisher said he thinks the pod is the product of the Luoyang Optoelectric Technology Development Center (LOEC) in Henan province.

LOEC became famous after Google Earth revealed images in 2011 of a full-scale mock-up of the now-retired F-117 stealth fighter.

Also known as the 612 Institute, LOEC is well known for its air-to-air missiles and precision-guided bomb systems, including the LS-6 Thunder Stone precision-guided glide bomb, the TY-90 surface-to-air and air-to-air missile system, and the PL-5, PL-9 and PL-12 (SD-10) air-to-air missiles.

The WMD-7 is outfitted on the Pakistani JF-17 Thunder fighter, codeveloped with China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corp. and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

The WMD-7 has also been spotted on the Nanchang Q-5 ground-attack aircraft, but there have been no confirmed exports outside of Pakistan.

CATIC officials indicated the pod used an integrated system of infrared and TV cameras and laser sensors that allow it to search for, identify, track and designate targets on the ground or sea surface.

The Norinco OC2 uses a midwave front-look infrared targeting system with a range of 20 kilometers and an illuminating range of 15 kilometers.

Less is known about the OC2, but Fisher said the pod is a derivative of a “number of Norinco optics and targeting lines.

“Luoyang and Norinco both market competing families of precision air-to-ground laser- and satellite-guided munitions and their associated targeting pods,” he said. “Both targeting pods are subsidized by their being used by the People’s Liberation Army.”

Earlier variants of both pods have been seen on the Xian-built JH-7 fighter-bomber and the Q-5. ■

http://www.defensenews.com