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http://chinese-military-aviation.blogsp ... .html#J-20

The first batch of J-20 stealth fighter is entering the service with PLAAF by the end of 2016.

Serialnumbers identified; 78271, 78272 (and possibly 78273 too) - those could signify the 21st, 22nd and 23rd J-20 produced (albeit, only 3 might be introduced to service now)

UN chief appoints Chinese general as force commander of UN mission in Western Sahara

http://english.chinamil.com.cn/view/201 ... 399547.htm

I just spent two days at sea aboard the French Navy air defense frigate Chevalier Paul. It was awesome!
A first for me and a rare experience that I won't forget anytime soon (from the Sea State 5 overnight... to the "simulated anti air engagement" that the Captain was nice enough to organize around 11 PM for our video needs... with part of the CIC operators at "action stations" wearing their hood and googles and shouting orders left and right )
A lot of it looks and feels like CMANO... except there are many more factors (speed & direction of wind, tilting of the hull etc...)

And then they released a Mk 39 EMATT and I could watch the ASW Officers practicing their skills

Our video should be ready sometime this coming week or next

Nice scenario idea:

The Hunt for Med October: US Navy searching for Russian 'carrier killer' submarines feared to have been sent after NATO warships in the Mediterranean

NATO planes and ships are said to be on the look out for Russian submarines
One or two subs are believed to be operating near a French aircraft carrier
Incident has echoes of the Cold War book and film The Hunt For Red October


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z4SSa0Dhjx

NH-90 Sea Lion for Bundesmarine.
http://www.slideshare.net/robbinlaird/n ... -june-2016

How far China is willing to go over Taiwan? If the USA legitimize the RoC, there's a high degree of probability the PRC may attempt to take Taiwan by force. There's also a high likelihood China's already moving ballistic missiles towards the eastern and southern coastlines after Trump's statements. The PRC won't tolerate a legitimized Taiwan, saying before that using military force isn't quite off the table.

A Chinese invasion of Taiwan could thrust the US and NATO (at least bits of it) into a skirmish (or full blown war) in the Pacific. This would mean for the first time in history, two nuclear powers would be in direct conflict. It's uncharted territory for sure at that point, and at this point, is probably the most "realistic" scenario involving the use of nuclear weapons.

Of course, none of this could happen as well. What is your opinion?

Well the good news is that nobody wants to fight over Taiwan, or if one does break out, all sides will have an interest in keeping it contained. Mainland China doesn't want to alienate the islanders by destroying their productive infrastructure, but if they have to bomb Taiwan, they will try to keep it an "internal affair" and limit collateral damage because they don't want to reunify the hostile populace of a smoking ruin. Certainly nobody wants to see nuclear weapons used - anyway China's nuclear triad isn't a robust enough deterrent for it to enjoy strategic escalation dominance that way, though they'd enjoy a significant home team advantage in conventional conflict and political will to fight.

If the US were to legitimize Taiwan, some form of military coercion is a distinct possibility. Trump's statements alone won't lead to war, but it is dangerous and destabilizing talk to be sure. If you want to know what I think a realistic conflict scenario might look like, you can check out 'Breaking the Chain, 2020' in Mods & Scenarios forum! =P

It's a news thread, though. Any ideas are welcome, but at least comes with a source for us to see first.

Anyway, will CMANO works for the mobile dry dock in the future? It's an underrated support vessel until the Zumwalt's malfunction. US is keep buying more Chinese dry docks for their shipyards:

http://fox5sandiego.com/2016/12/08/huge ... rom-china/

Previous report: http://breakingdefense.com/2016/09/us-n ... -drydocks/

I registered less than 7 days ago so I can't post a link but he's referring to comments by Donald Trump about dumping the One-China policy, which is causing quite a stir in China as you might imagine

ORIGINAL: jmax

I registered less than 7 days ago so I can't post a link but he's referring to comments by Donald Trump about dumping the One-China policy, which is causing quite a stir in China as you might imagine

There's a backdrop:

http://taipeitimes.com/News/front/archi ... 2003661043

Several Chinese aircraft, reportedly Su-30 fighter jets, two Xian H-6K bombers, a Tupolev Tu-154 surveillance aircraft and a Shaanxi Y-8 tactical transport aircraft, passed over the Miyako Strait near Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and circled the international airspace surrounding Taiwan.
The Chinese exercise was the second one in as many weeks.
While the Chinese military said the flight was a routine offshore training exercise, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force scrambled some of its F-15 jets.

Also interesting, reported that China may be deploying S-400s to the South China Sea. Not unexpected, and probably too soon to be a reaction to Trump's Taiwan comments. Still, those comments are unlikely to slow down fortification of the islands. Figure the U.S. is unlikely to respond forcefuly to any but the most provocative actions between now and Jan 20. How much ground truth can China change in 39 days?

Before you call someone's bluff, best to be sure you know who's bluffing.

I'm too new to post links, but Fox and the Daily Mail have reported on the SA-21/S-400 deployments.

Pictures: US Navy F/A-18C Hornet Fighters Crossing Decks with French Navy Aircraft Carrier CDG

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... r-cdg.html

Pictures: French Navy Rafale M Fighters Crossing Decks with US Navy Aircraft Carrier "Ike" CVN 69

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.ph ... vn-69.html

Great photos of the Chevalier Paul. I'm a little surprised to see the Dauphin taking off (?) backwards.

ORIGINAL: hellfish6

Great photos of the Chevalier Paul. I'm a little surprised to see the Dauphin taking off (?) backwards.

It actually landed that way... "6 O'Clock landing maneuver"...
I was just as surprised... first time I ever saw such a thing.
Crew told me it is easier in heavy seas/wind situations (it was sea state 4 at the time) because the helicopter doesn't feel the turbulence as much.

You'll see it soon landing this way in our video

CHINA’S NEW SPRATLY ISLAND DEFENSES

https://amti.csis.org/chinas-new-spratl ... -defenses/

Any speculation on specific composition of the defenses?

ORIGINAL: orca

CHINA’S NEW SPRATLY ISLAND DEFENSES

https://amti.csis.org/chinas-new-spratl ... -defenses/

Any speculation on specific composition of the defenses?

When I was working on Spratly Spat I did some research at at the time sources thought many of the naval guns being mounted on the builds are actually the PJ series of guns being mounted on warships.

My sense is a this point the infrastructure is being built up anything could go there at will. Be interesting to see if they build permanent sites or just revetments to slide and shift systems as needed.

Mike

From previous photos we have seen PJ-26 (AK-176) guns installed there, along with their associated FCR.
CIWS are possibly Type 1130 or 730 guns.

I wonder if SAM or at least PDMS are also installed as well...

Examples of the defensive weapons on those island fortifications: PJ-26 and Type 1130 CIWS (with off-board sensors)

Is it just me or do those hexagonal gun positions seem like great target indicators? They just pop right out to the eye, don't they? Real accommodating of the designers to set them apart from the other architecture that way.

December 12 at Zhukovsky flew preproduction MiG-35
http://djoker-lj.livejournal.com/271446.html