PLAGF brigade under Xinjiang Military Command receives new PHL-03 MRLs
10 May 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Mark Cazalet
Chinese state-owed media has revealed that an artillery brigade with the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Xinjiang Military Command has received new PHL-03 multiple rocket launchers (MRLs).
A screengrab from CCTV footage released on 8 May showing that 10 new PHL-03 MRLs, along with support vehicles, recently entered service with a unit under the PLAGF’s Xinjiang Military Command. (CCTV)
Broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) released footage on 8 May showing these MRLs, along with support vehicles, being inducted in a ceremony held recently on a plateau at an undisclosed location at an altitude of 5,200 m above sea level.
Update: CCTV shows footage of possible new ATGM for Chinese army
12 March 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez
Chinese state-owned media revealed on 8 March what is described as a new, third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with a top-attack capability meant for use by the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).
A screengrab from video footage released on 8 March showing what CCTV described as a new anti-tank guided missile. The weapon was launched from what appeared to be a modified CSK181 4×4 armoured vehicle. (CCTV)
Footage released by China Central Television’s (CCTV’s) Weihutang programme shows the ATGM being launched from what appears to be a modified CSK181 4×4 armoured vehicle. The launcher is retractable, with the footage showing one missile fitted to a rail, although more missiles could be carried based on the size of the launcher.
China clears HQ-17AE air-defence system for export
08 March 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Mark Cazalet
China has cleared for export a variant of the HQ-17A road-mobile, short-range air-defence (SHORAD) system known as the HQ-17AE, according to a 7 March report by the state-owned
Global Times
newspaper.
As with other members of the HQ-17 family, the 6×6 HQ-17AE, which was developed by the Second Academy of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), is intended to provide air defence against precision-guided munitions – such as cruise missiles, guided bombs, and air-to-surface missiles – as well as against the more traditional SHORAD target set of aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
PLAGF operating new tracked ATV for high-altitude logistics support
18 January 2021
by Gabriel Dominguez & Samuel Cranny-Evans
State-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) revealed in mid-January that the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) is operating a new tracked all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to provide logistics support to troops deployed in hard-to-reach high-altitude areas.
A screenshot from CCTV footage released on 15 January showing a new tracked ATV that recently entered service with the PLAGF. (CCTV)
In a news report published on its js7tv.cn website, CCTV said that the four-door vehicle, the designation of which was not disclosed, can be used to supply troops stationed in plateau regions at altitudes of more than 5,000 m above sea level.
EU, China sign investment treaty
Jan. 04: The European Union and China have agreed in principle an accord to facilitate greater levels of EU investment in the Asian country. Janes Analysis – “During 2020 China introduced new regulations to encourage foreign investment while also enhancing scrutiny of such proposals on national security grounds. In January China enacted the Foreign Investment Law, which encourages higher levels of foreign investment in the country, and in May it introduced new guidelines to remove discrimination from decisions on inward foreign investment in the aerospace sector.”
Beijing looks to counter US restrictions on Chinese firms
Jan. 11: Beijing has issued new guidelines to counter restrictions imposed by the US government on Chinese firms deemed to have links to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).” Janes Analysis - “The new guidelines are the second set of countermeasures that China has recently introduced in response to US guidelines aimed