Armée Chinoise / People's Liberation Army (PLA)

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Wolf 4x4 light armoured vehicle personnel carrier Datasheet

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China’s Djibouti Base is First Step
April 12, 2016



A research report drafted by the National Defense University (NDU) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was submitted to China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) in 2013. The report proposed that China should build a military base in Djibouti.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also chairman of the CMC, approved the report. From that moment on, Djibouti, a small African country unheard of by the majority of Chinese people, was marked down in history for China’s first overseas military base.

Why China needs an overseas military base?

According to public reports, front-line troops of the PLA are in urgent demand for overseas base. This is definitely an important reason why China decided to build overseas base.

The Chinese PLA Navy conducted escort missions in the Gulf of Aden for the first time since May, 2009. The PLA Navy had never encountered such long duty cycles before. Many problems never existed in previous domestic and offshore exercises were exposed. Among them, the lack of supply from the ashore bases was very protruding.

“Very tough! Very tough!” said Captain Liu Jianzhong in an interview when recalling his experience as the then political commissar of the guided-missile destroyer Haikou with China’s first escort taskforce to the Gulf of Aden. “At that time, we had been at sea for six months in a row! For six months, we hadn’t reached the shore and a lot of sailors had gotten physical and psychological problems,” Liu added.

According to a mental health survey of 172 officers and sailors assigned to the 4th Chinese escort taskforce, 52 suffered from mild depression disorder, 27 suffered from moderate depression disorder and 4 suffered from severe depression disorder.

It needs to know that the officers and sailors of the 4th escort taskforce had received some psychological protection education based on previous escort experiences and they had been able to take short breaks in the port of Djibouti. Therefore, we can imagine how hard life was for the first escort taskforce of the Chinese PLA Navy.

Zheng Wenhao, a sailor who has participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) and has had in-depth exchanges with his U.S. counterparts, said that it is impossible for U.S. sailors not to go ashore for over six months.

“Although the U.S. Navy has global deployment, they will arrange rests at ports during the voyage,” Zheng Wenhao continued, “In the RIMPAC exercise, sailors of the international navies were very excited when their ships arrived in the port. Port is necessary for sailors executing high-sea operations. If you are not in front-line troops, you do not know how urgent the demand for overseas naval bases is!”

The personnel need shore bases, so do materials and supplies. The PLA Navy’s escort taskforce is consisted of two destroyers or frigates plus a supply ship. The supply ship is responsible for replenishment-at-sea for combat ships.

Although this can meet the logistical needs of the taskforce, the supply ship itself also consumes supplies. All the materials are shipped from Chinese domestic bases more than ten thousand kilometers away and it is very costly to do so. Construction of China’s own supply base near the Gulf of Aden is the urgent demand of the Chinese PLA Navy.



What does the base mean to China?

Spokespersons for China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) never used the phrase “overseas military base.” Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s MND, said on November 26, 2015 that China and Djibouti is negotiating on the construction of overseas support facilities.

Wu Qian also expressed on February 25, 2016 that “Through friendly consultations between China and Djibouti, the two sides have reached consensus on China’s building support facilities in Djibouti. Currently, construction of infrastructure for the support facilities has started. “

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used the term “logistical support facilities” on March 8, 2016, when answering a question concerning the base in Djibouti. What information does this official term reveal?

Military bases can be divided into different types depending on the functions. The U.S. military has Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the comprehensive base in Diego Garcia of the Indian Ocean and the naval base in Yokosuka in Japan.

China’s base in Djibouti aims to provide logistical supply for China’s escort taskforces in the Gulf of Aden and thus it is a logistics base, and is not responsible for combat operations. This is also essentially different compared with bases of other countries in Djibouti as the rest all have operational functions.

Well, what does the base mean to China? Is it just to provide supplies for China’s escort taskforces in the Gulf of Aden?

Reporter with Phoenix Satellite TV asked questions to Wang Yi on the Djibouti base and expanding of China’s overseas interests at the press conference of the fourth session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress.

Wang Yi replied, “You mentioned China’s growing overseas interests. I think it is the key to understanding the matter. Like any major country that is growing, China’s overseas interests are expanding. At present, there are 30,000 Chinese enterprises all over the world and several million Chinese are working and living in all corners of the world. Last year, China’s non-financial outbound direct investment reached 118 billion U.S. dollars and the stock of China’s overseas assets reached several trillion U.S. dollars. So it has become a pressing task for China’s diplomacy to better protect our ever-growing overseas interests.”

This is the meaning of the Djibouti base for China. The PLA’s responsibilities today have gone beyond the scale of guarding the Chinese territories. The PLA must protect China’s interests anywhere in the world. Overseas military bases will provide cutting-edge support for China to guard its growing overseas interests.

Of course, as China’s first overseas military base, the Djibouti base has more important meanings. A Navy commander said that Djibouti will provide China with experience of building overseas military bases. After all, China has not had any such bases before. Djibouti is just the first step.

TAGSAFRICAAFRICA DEFENCEAFRICAN DEFENSEAFRICAN MILITARYDJIBOUTI



http://www.african-defense.com/defense-news/chinas-djibouti-base-is-first-step/

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IL-78 tanker plane from Ukraine ready for delivery to China
Apr 15, 2016 0 357




Ilyushin Il-78 (c) spotters.net.ua


The third IL-78 tanker plane from Ukraine ready for delivery to China for People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

Ilyushin Il-78 are painted in PLANAF tactical camouflage was spotted in Nikolayev (Ukraine) in April 2016. The plane after is expected to be delivered in May to China.

China ordered totally three refurbished IL-78 air-refueling planes from Ukraine in 2011.

Besides, it was also reported that China ordered 34 IL-76MD transport planes and four IL-78 refueling planes from Russia in 2005, but the plan ran aground later.

The Ilyushin IL-78 air-to-air refuelling tanker aircraft is a four-engine tanker principally used for in-flight refuelling. It was designed and developed on the basis of a similar predecessor, the IL-76, and has the Nato reporting name Midas. The maiden flight of IL-78 took place on 26 June 1983 and the aircraft entered into service in 1984. About 53 aircraft are currently operational worldwide.

http://defence-blog.com/news/il-78-tanker-plane-from-ukraine-ready-for-delivery-to-china.html

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Friday, 15 April 2016
China's PLAN Upgrading its Project 956E Destroyers with VLS and YJ-12A Anti-Ship Missiles
Recent images from China are showing two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Project 956E Sovremennyy destroyers undergoing major refit and upgrade. It appears that the PLAN is upgrading its class of four destroyers (two 956E followed by two improved 956EM) acquired from Russia with domestic systems.


http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2016/04/chinas-plan-upgrading-its-project-956e.html?m=1

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Monday, 18 April 2016
China's military aircraft made first public landing on South China Sea disputed island
According to Reuters, a Chinese military aircraft has for the first time publicly landed at a new airport on an island China has built in the disputed South China Sea, state media said on Monday, raising the prospect that China could base fighter jets there.

http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2016/04/chinas-military-aircraft-made-first.html?m=1

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China's female pilots China's female pilots to fly JH-7 light bomber aircraft for the first timeto fly JH-7 light bomber aircraft for the first time
Female pilots will fly the Chinese Air Force's Xian JH-7 bombers for the first time, according to the PLA Daily on Wednesday April 20. Until now, the cockpit has been occupied only by male pilots. The Air Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLAAF) has decided to modify the jet's cockpit to better accommodate female pilots.






http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/

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China Tests New Multiple-Warhead Missile, Raising Concerns in Washington

By Sputnik -April 21, 2016






China has reportedly tested its newest intercontinental ballistic missile Dongfeng-41 (DF-41), which is the world’s longest-range missile.

The Dongfeng-41 is a Chinese nuclear solid-fueled road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile that can fire six to 10 nuclear multiple independently targetable warheads at a distance of more than 10 thousand kilometers.

The test of the DF- 41 overlapped with the visit of both the Chinese and US military leaders to the South China Sea, according to the US-based Washington Free Beacon, citing a source in the Pentagon.

The missile test also coincided with US Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s visit to the aircraft carrier USS Stennis, which was sailing in the South China Sea last week, the publication further noted.

The launch of the Chinese missile was registered by American satellite tracking systems. The source did not specify from where the launch was made this time.

Earlier the publication reported, “US intelligence agencies estimate the DF-41 when deployed will carry up to 10 MIRVs-vastly increasing Beijing’s current warhead stockpile, which is based on single-warhead missiles, and currently estimated to include around 300 warheads.”

Earlier Kanwa Asian Defense Journal published the information stating that, China will put the ‘world’s longest-range missile’ into service by 2016.

Information on the development of new third-generation ballistic missiles by China first time appeared in press back in July 2014, when the United States published a report on “trends in military and security spheres.”

The report said that China is improving its level of armaments and intensifying its military training, which is seen as a threat to Washington.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/china-tests-new-multiple-warhead-missile-raising-concerns-in-washington-67309/#ixzz46RpoYR3o

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Threat of Nuclear Terrorism Growing - Chinese Defense Minister




The threat of nuclear terrorism in the world is increasing, China's defense minister said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The threat of nuclear terrorism is growing in the world, which means particular attention must be paid to terrorists returning to their homelands from abroad, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said Wednesday.

“The threat of nuclear terrorism is currently growing, which forces us to pay particular attention to the return of militants from abroad,” Chang said.



Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160427/1038686349/nuclear-terrorism-china.html#ixzz471DvSpgM

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L’aviation japonaise confrontée à une intensification de l’activité aérienne chinoise
Posté dans Asie-Pacifique, Forces aériennes par Laurent Lagneau Le 27-04-2016



Le 27 novembre dernier, la force aérienne d’autodéfense japonaise a dû faire décoller en urgence une patrouille de F-15 pour intercepter une formation de 11 avions chinois (8 bombardiers H-6K et 3 appareils de reconnaissance) entre Miyako et Okinawa, à la limite de l’espace aérien nippon. Du jamais vu.

Cet incident n’est que l’un des 873 de ce type constatés en 2015 par l’aviation japonaise. Cette dernière doit faire face à une intensification de l’activité chinoise à proximité de l’espace aérien dont elle assure la surveillance.

Par rapport à 2014, le nombre de sorties pour intercepter un appareil (ou plusieurs) s’approchant d’un peu trop près du territoire nippon est moins élevé (873 contre 943). En revanche, les « incidents » avec des appareils chinois évoluant vers Okinawa et l’archipel des Senkaku ont été nettement plus nombreux (571 contre 469).

Dans le même temps, les sorties de l’aviation de chasse japonaise pour aller à la rencontre d’avions russes a diminué significativement (288 contre 473 en 2014). Le ministère nippon de la Défense explique que l’intérêt de la Russie pour la région « semble décliner ».

Cette intensification de l’activité aérienne chinoise près de territoires contestés (comme le sont les îles Senkaku, revendiquées par Pékin) a déjà conduit la Force aérienne d’autodéfense japonaise à muscler son dispositif à Okinawa, en portant à 40 le nombre de ses avions F-15 basés à Naha.

« C’est la ligne de front même de notre défense nationale », avait commenté, en janvier, Kenji Wakamiya, le vice-ministre de la Défense japonais. Le renforcement des capacités aériennes à Okinawa a en effet pour but de mieux assurer la protection des îles Senkaku.



http://www.opex360.com/2016/04/27/laviation-japonaise-confrontee-intensification-de-lactivite-aerienne-chinoise/

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Le contrat des sous-marins australiens préoccupe la Chine
Posté dans Asie-Pacifique, Forces navales par Laurent Lagneau Le 27-04-2016


Ainsi, l’Australie a choisi le groupe français DCNS pour livrer à sa marine, dès 2027, 12 sous-marins Barracuda Shortfin Block1A à propulsion classique. Pour la Royal Australian Navy (RAN), ce contrat lui permettra de renforcer significativement ses capacités dans ce domaine, à la fois quantitativement et qualitativement.

En effet, la marine australienne compte actuellement 6 sous-marins de la classe Collins qui n’ont pas toujours donné pleinement satisfaction. Dérivé du sous-marin nucléaire d’attaque (SNA) de la classe Suffren, le Barracuda Shortfin Block1A lui offrira, selon Marie-Pierre de Bailliencourt, la directrice générale en charge du développement de DCNS, les « meilleures capacités opérationnelles », notamment au niveau de la discrétion acoustique. Il va « garantir aux Australiens la meilleure autonomie et la meilleure endurance à la mer, c’est-à-dire sa capacité à mener de longues patrouilles », a-t-elle ajouté.

Un avis évidemment partagé par le Premier ministre australien, Malcom Turnbull, pour qui ces 12 sous-marins seront « les vaisseaux les plus sophistiqués construits dans le monde. »

Au-delà des retombées économiques et des aspects technologiques, ce contrat a des conséquences géopolitiques. Car, l’acquisition de ces sous-marins se fera dans le cadre d’un « plan de modernisation de la marine [australienne] qui est le plus ambitieux de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale », comme l’a souligné la ministre australienne Maryse Payne, en introduction du dernier Livre blanc sur la défense publié par Canberra.

Outre les sous-marins, l’Australie compte en effet moderniser sa flotte de surface avec l’achat de nouvelles frégates (programme SEA 5000) destinées à remplacer celles de la classe Anzac et la mise en service de trois destroyers de type Hobart (programme SEA 4000). Et c’est sans compter sur le renouvellement des patrouilleurs de la RAN.

Pour l’Australie, il s’agit ainsi de faire face à la militarisation croissante de la région Asie-Pacifique, qui, d’ici 20 ans, concentrera la moité des sous-marins et des avions de combat opérationnels dans le monde, motivée par des conflits territoriaux qui risquent de menacer sa stabilité.

« Nous serions préoccupés si la course à l’influence et la croissance des capacités militaires devait générer de l’instabilité et menacer les intérêts australiens, que ce soit en mer de Chine méridionale, sur la péninsule coréenne ou ailleurs », avait expliqué M. Turnbull à l’occasion de la publication du Livre blanc sur la Défense.

Justement, Canberra s’oppose à la main-mise de Pékin sur la quasi-totalité de la mer de Chine méridionale, région stratégique en raison de ses ressources en hydrocarbures supposées et de sa position géographique, qui en fait le carrefour des principales routes commerciales maritimes.

Aussi, il n’est guère étonnant que la Chine réagisse négativement au renforcement significatif des capacités de la Royal Australian Navy dans le domaine des sous-marins.

Dans un éditorial, le quotidien Global Times, proche du Parti communiste chinois, a critiqué l’achat de sous-marins français par l’Australie, en se réjouissant, au passage, de l’échec de l’offre japonaise, ce qui ne mange pas de pain.

« Canberra doit savoir que son programme de sous-marins (…) fait partie du jeu géopolitique en Asie-Pacifique et qu’il sera utilisé comme monnaie d’échange dans la lutte stratégique régionale », prévient ainsi le Global Times.

« Si (les sous-marins australiens) contribuent à renforcer la pression militaire sur la Chine, elle sera contrainte de développer de plus fortes capacités de contre-offensive, ce qui au final irait à l’encontre des intérêts nationaux de l’Australie », ajoute le quotidien, qui ne manque pas de souligner que Pékin st le premier partenaire commercial de Canberra.

Cela étant, le Global Times a beau jeu de s’inquiéter du renforcement des capacités sous-marines australiennes car la Chine n’est pas en reste dans ce domaine, avec la mise en chantier de nouveaux submersibles, comme les sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d’engins (SNLE) des classes Jin (type 094) et Tang (type 096), ou encore les sous-marins nucléaires d’attaque (SNA) de type 095 ou Shang/type 093. Et c’est sans compter sur les sous-marins à propulsion classique en service au sein de la composante navale de l’Armée populaire de libération (APL).

Encore récemment, les nouveaux sous-marins nucléaires chinois passaient pour avoir de piètres qualités. Ce qu’avait souligné l’U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Intelligence, qui, dans un rapport édité en 2009 [.pdf], avait estimé que ce type de submersible était aussi bruyant que les modèles soviétiques mis au point dans les années 1970. Mais, depuis, les ingénieurs chinois ont apporté des améliorations, avec une version améliorée du Shang (type 093G).

En effet, à en croire l’amiral Bernard Rogel, le chef d’état-major de la Marine nationale (CEMM), la Chine aurait fait des progrès importants, les SNA de type Shang étant ainsi « crédités d’un remarquable niveau de discrétion acoustique » selon lui.

« Les sous-marins classiques chinois actuels ne sont pas aussi avancés que leurs équivalents européens, mais ils sont efficaces dans la mission qui leur est donnée. (…) Le plus récent sous-marin à propulsion anaérobie, le Yuan, aurait des systèmes de combat modernes (…). L’attention récente portée par la Chine aux sous-marins nucléaires s’explique par sa volonté de jouer un plus grand rôle sur la scène géopolitique », faisait valoir, en octobre 2015, Bryan Clark, du Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment, un centre de recherche américain.





http://www.opex360.com/2016/04/27/le-contrat-des-marins-australiens-preoccupe-la-chine/

Citation :

Bear and Dragon: Russia, China to Intensify Joint Military Drills in 2016

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160427/1038693435/russia-china-drills.html#ixzz472C2lY2p

Citation :

Chinese Navy Kicks Off South China Sea Drills to Enhance Combat Readiness


BEIJING (Sputnik) – Three Nanhai Fleet vessels – the Hefei missile destroyer, the Sanya missile frigate and the Honghu supply ship – left a naval port in Sanya, Hainan Province earlier in the day, the Xinhua news service said.
The warships are expected to be joined by the Lanzhou and Guangzhou missile destroyers and the Yulin missile frigate, the outlet adds.
The fleet, with three helicopters and dozens of "special warfare" troops, will be separated into three groups that will sail into the South China Sea, the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific to conduct drills.

It is reported that the fleet will mobilize the naval air force and coastal units stationed in the Xisha islands (Paracel Islands) and the Nansha islands (Spratly), as well as the Beihai Fleet forces.
The military exercises are conducted against the backdrop of heightened tensions along the disputed South China Sea. The littoral nations of Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan lay claim to a number of islands and maritime areas in the sea.
Beijing considers the Xisha and Nansha its territory, maintains that activities on these islands and surrounding waters fall under Beijing’s sovereignty, and rejects US accusations of militarizing the South China Sea as groundless.



Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160504/1039081285/china-navy-drills.html#ixzz47hoOauWB

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China, Russia to Conduct First Computer-Enabled Anti-Missile Exercise

By Chinese Government News -May 5, 2016


China and Russia have decided to hold a joint computer-enabled anti-missile defense exercise in May.

This command-and-staff exercise, code-named Aerospace Security-2016, will be held at the scientific research center of Russian Aerospace Defense Forces. It is the first exercise of such kind held by the two countries.

The main purpose of the exercise is to improve the capability of the two countries in deal with accidental and provocative ballistic and cruise missile strikes on the two countries’ territories through holding such drills of joint air defense and anti-missile defense operations.

The exercise does not target any third party.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/china-russia-computer-enabled-anti-missile-exercise-67395/#ixzz47meTrwEA

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China aims to complete military reform by 2020


China aims to complete military reform and have armed forces capable of informationized warfare by 2020, according to a five-year military development plan published on Thursday.

That reported by Ministry of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China.

In the next five years, China’s armed forces will realize “a significant increase of key combat capabilities,” said the 13th five-year military development plan (2016-2020), issued by the Central Military Commission (CMC).

By 2020, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will have finished mechanization of all forces and made important progress in incorporating information and computer technology, the document said.

The next five years will lay a solid foundation for the PLA to become a world-class military force, it said.

Priorities include the strategic restructuring of different services, the development of weaponry and logistics, IT facilities, combat training and international military cooperation.

More resources will be directed to projects that enhance combat readiness, facilitate major reforms and improve benefits for servicemen and women.

Lately the PLA has undergone significant restructuring, with the CMC taking charge of overall administration, and theater commands focusing on combat. Different military branches will pursue their own development.

Measures began in December with the inauguration of the general command for the PLA, the PLA Rocket Force and the PLA Strategic Support Force.

Former military headquarters — staff, politics, logistics and armaments — were reorganized into 15 new agencies under the CMC.

In February, five PLA theater commands were established, replacing the seven military area commands.




http://defence-blog.com/army/china-aims-to-complete-military-reform-by-2020.html

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China proposes 'Underwater Great Wall' that could erode US, Russian submarine advantages

Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
17 May 2016





The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has proposed the construction of a network of ship and subsurface sensors that could significantly erode the undersea warfare advantage held by US and Russian submarines and contribute greatly to future Chinese ability to control the South China Sea (SCS).

Details of the network of sensors, called the 'Underwater Great Wall Project', were revealed in a CSSC booth at a public exhibition in China in late 2015. A translated copy of the descriptions was obtained by IHS Jane's from a government official. The text was confirmed by a source from a second government on condition of anonymity.

While some elements of this network have been known for some time, CSSC is now in effect proposing an improved Chinese version of the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) that for a time gave the US a significant advantage in countering Soviet submarines during the Cold War. The system proposed by CSSC is likely being obtained by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) but may also be offered for export.

CSSC says that, among other things, its objective is to provide customers with "a package solution in terms of underwater environment monitoring and collection, real-time location, tracing of surface and underwater targets, warning of seaquakes, tsunamis, and other disasters as well as marine scientific research".

The corporation says in the document that its "R&D and production bases in Beijing and Wuxi [have] the ability to support the whole industry chain covering fundamental research, key technology development, solution design, overall system integration, core equipment development, production, and operation service support".

The shipbuilding conglomerate says it has 10 series of products on offer that include systems relating to marine observation, oceanographic instrumentation, underwater robotics, and ship support.

Specific components of CSSC's surveillance system include surface ships, sonar systems, underwater security equipment, marine oil and gas exploration equipment, underwater unmanned equipment, and marine instrument electronic equipment.

Citation :

‘Unsafe and Unprofessional’: Chinese Intercept US Jet Over South China Sea © AP Photo/ Lolita C. Baldor
MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE
02:24 19.05.2016



According to the US Department of Defense, two Chinese military aircraft intercepted a US military reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea in an “unsafe” manner this Tuesday.

According to DoD spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza, a US reconnaissance aircraft was flying in a "routine patrol" in international airspace on May 17 when "two tactical aircraft from the People's Republic of China" intercepted the plane.

In traditional rhetoric, the DoD labeled the intercept "unsafe and unprofessional," a commonplace code-phrase used when a US military plane or ship encounters a foreign military plane at a distance of less than 50 feet.

Spokeswoman Baldanza noted in a written statement that, "Over the past year, DoD has seen improvements in PRC actions, flying in a safe and professional manner."

The incident is currently under investigation by US Pacific Command.


The incident took place over the South China Sea, a hotly-contested region through which roughly $5 trillion in trade passes annually by ship. It is almost entirely claimed by China, although portions of the sea are claimed by other countries, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
China has repeatedly claimed that the US is "militarizing" the South China Sea. Determined to enforce the "freedom of navigation" principle of international maritime law, the US military, along with allied forces from Australia and other countries, have established military naval and air patrols in the region.


Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160519/1039854406/Chinese-Intercept-US-Jet.html#ixzz495ab1nwO

IL sagit donc d'un J-11 fighters

Citation :

Chinese J-11 fighters 'intercept' US reconnaissance aircraft over South China Sea

Gabriel Dominguez, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
19 May 201



Two Chinese Shenyang J-11 ('Flanker B+') fighters intercepted a US Navy Lockheed Martin EP-3E Aries II signals intelligence aircraft flying in international airspace over the South China Sea (SCS) on 17 May, according to NBC News, citing the US Department of Defense (DoD).

DoD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza was quoted as saying that the US reconnaissance aircraft was flying on a "routine patrol" when "two tactical aircraft from the People's Republic of China" (PRC) intercepted the US patrol aircraft, flying approximately 50 ft from it.

"Initial reports characterised the incident as unsafe," Lt Col Baldanza said in a written statement to the network, adding, "Over the past year, DoD has seen improvements in PRC actions, flying in a safe and professional manner." The incident is under investigation by US Pacific Command. According to NBC News, the United States has photos of the intercept, but they remain classified.

China's Ministry of National Defense reacted by saying it had "taken notice" of the US media report, adding, "We will embark on understanding and evaluating the relevant situation," according to China Daily.

The incident is just the latest escalation of tensions in and around the disputed SCS. Only a week earlier, on 10 May, China scrambled fighters to monitor USS William P Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, as the warship was carrying out a so-called freedom-of-navigation operation (FONOP) within 12 n miles of Chinese-controlled Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands chain.

China claims most of the SCS on the grounds that it is asserting its so-called 'historic rights' to maritime resources in the area. This has prompted territorial feuds with neighbouring nations such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which lay competing claims.

Although the United States is not a claimant to any of the disputed areas in the SCS, it claims to have an interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and stability in the region.

[quote]Thailand and China marine corps start joint military exercise codenamed Blue Strike 2016.

Thai and Chinese marine corps held an opening ceremony for a joint military exercise codenamed Blue Strike 2016 here on Saturday, May 21, 2016. The opening ceremony, held at Sattahip Naval Base, Chon Buri province, was presided over by Royal Thai Navy Fleet Commander Naris Prathumsuwan and Wang Hai, deputy commander of Chinese Navy.








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