PRC Peoples Liberation Army Navy

There doesn’t appear to be any aircraft elevator fitted that I can see.

Could it be used as an aviation training ship? Something like how RFA Argus was originally used?

Look carefully between the first and second island closer to the second island.

There appears to be (pending more photos) elevator.

The role and ownership is very unclear at the moment. It appears to be owned by CSSC for now.

PLAN seems continues refitting their first carrier Liaoning for commonality and suitability as full operational carrier. As previously China Media few years back assign Liaoning as trial/training carrier.

Type 76 LHD (Sichuan) launched today 27 December 2024.

Add video on the launch of Sichuan LHD. It is interesting the add on EMALS on the LHD. Is this for UCAV, or this type of LHD being prepared as Light Carrier type to supplement their CV (Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian, plus new design).

If as this Chinese media, come through, will this be back up carrier to operate at least 1 sq of J-31 and not just UCAV? Personally China should collaborate more with Russia to revive their VTOL project. LHD with CATOBAR capabilities, not something that personally I see as really make sense move, but more desperation move to increase the number of available carriers ASAP.

Did this a cutting corner move to provide their Amphibious forces with Air Coverage? Well Taiwanese media seems believe on that.

Does the PLAN operate any of its helicopters in the Anti-Surface Warfare role, and if so, what type of Air to Surface missiles are launched from PLAN helicopters?

Chinese online forums and Weibos so far shown YJ-9 is the SSM that being mate with Z-9 ASW helikopter in PLAN inventory. However China churning new Missile types faster then anyone else. Whether they already have newer Missile for their helicopters fleet, can't be ruled out. After all YJ-9 being introduce more then a decade ago.


PLAN Helicopter carrier more likely being speculate going to be equipped with Z-20 Helicopter then Z-9. Z-20 is larger and in similar class with USN Romeo SH-60, thus potentially it could also using larger missile then YJ-9.

New Type 54B is basically new design compare to previous 54A. It is not a simple evolution, but provide different set up systems and dimension. Question remain whether this is new mass produce design or transition one remain if looking on the trend.

Type 54 only being build 2 example, while 54A already more then 40 example. Thus it is possible 54B can be trial ones design of 2, until China more confidence on new systems to provide more definitive design. However considering also it is already significant enlargement then 54A, the dimension of 54B could also be shown the direction of new Frigate class later on.

Another new submarine design from China. Probably unmanned and it is several times larger than the USN’s Orca.

ADF imagery of the PLAN task group currently sailing off the coast of Australia - Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu :

DDG38 said:

ADF imagery of the PLAN task group currently sailing off the coast of Australia - Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu :

Click to expand...

Great images. Thank you for sharing. Next on the target list for a photo is the reportedly accompanying nuclear powered (Shang Class?) submarine please.

StevoJH said:

There doesn’t appear to be any aircraft elevator fitted that I can see.

Could it be used as an aviation training ship? Something like how RFA Argus was originally used?

Click to expand...

The lack of any defensive weapon systems seems to suggest that this is either training or trials purpose. Given that Navies are experimenting with flying fleets of drones for naval applications, would make sense to have such a platform.

This site X account id somePLAosint shown how many PLA ships that already commision and in process to be commision this year. Seems the calculation quite legit.




What change is in my opinion how PLA now focus more on larger assets. Last decade can shown much of commisioning still in smaller assets that more classified as Green Water ones. More Blue Water assets now entering.

Ananda said:

This site X account id somePLAosint shown how many PLA ships that already commision and in process to be commision this year. Seems the calculation quite legit.

https://x.com/someplaosint/status/1937705262346805471?s=19

View attachment 53091

What change is in my opinion how PLA now focus more on larger assets. Last decade can shown much of commisioning still in smaller assets that more classified as Green Water ones. More Blue Water assets now entering.

Click to expand...

I wonder why the PLAN would waste resources on a SSGN,, surely a SSBN is a higher priority?

Type 93 (Shang class) is PLAN answer to Virginia class. Basically it is their SSN. Being classified as SSGN by some due to their VLS capabilities. As such Virginia can also classified as SSGN.

They do need more SSN to cover their SSBN and their CBG.

A Chinese assessment of the PLAN's submarine situation, pros and cons along with suggestion s for improvement. I look forward to comments from members with a better understanding of submarine operations.

Exposed Undersea: PLA Navy Officer Reflections on China’s Not-So-Silent Service | Center for International Maritime Security

New J-15T already operational aboard Shandong. This type asside digital avionics, AESA radar, also already equiped to operate from EMALS carrier like Fujian and next gen Chinese carrier. In sense it has capabilities to operate from both STOBAR and CATOBAR.

Add video on J-15T changes on landing gear. Especially the changes on front gear that now using similar method that US and French carrier planes use. So far they shown only shown adjustment on the landing gear for J-15T, not on their Stealth J-35 or KJ-600 AEW&C.

Thus despite J-35 and KJ-600 being prepare also for EMALS carrier like Fujian, only J-15T that seems ready to operate from Fujian. Seems later on we can see trials on Fujian for J-15T. Trials that also test both the plane and the EMALS.

Add:
This is the same facility that prepare J-35, and at 0:22 you can see one J-35 on the background being prepare. Still the trial with Fujian seems will be done using J-15T first, as this plana that already ready.

Chinese competitor for E2-D Hawkeye already operational. Seems it will be soon integrate toward Fujian (CV 18) airwing.

In the last few days an incident occurred where a Chinese destroyer collided with a Chinese coast guard ship, while both were harrassing a filipino fishing boat and a filipino coast guard ship. After the collision, the PH CG ship offered medical assistance to the Chinese ships, with no reply.

What I want to point out though is the damage to the destroyer......is consisted of a few scratches and a dent. The Chinese CG ship's bow was completely crushed, in contrast. you can google search this easily.

There have been several high profile collisions in the last few years involving western ships, most of which show major damage and several being declared non salvageable.

The point is- western ships have thin steel shells and it looks like China has possibly decided to improve survivability with thicker/stronger ships.