NationStates Jolt Archive

(A RP within the AMW RPing group)

Xinhua - 8pm

Military spending sharply cut

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In an unprecedented and drastic move, China will cut more than 30% off her military spending over the next five years. The news was announced at yesterday's budget by Premier Li Mei.

"Lowering military spending from what was essentially war-time spending will give China a current account surplus and boost economic growth." Li says.

The economy had contracted by 8.5% in the previous year, due to the recent war and high interest rates caused by the account deficit. A recovery is predicted in the next year along with 6% per annum growth. China is projected to become the largest economy in the world in two decades.

Minister of Defence Chang delivered planned military reforms. The significant reforms were :


Reduction of PLA forces from 800,000 to 400,000
Premature retirement of five aircraft carriers out of eleven actives
Retirement of former Xiannese air force
Retirement of all last-generation aircraft types
Accelerated development of alternative naval force projection platforms
Cancellation of manned space program
Retirement of 65 unused military facilities


"In short, the military will become a leaner and fitter machine." Chang says.

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An invitation was sent out, encouraging prospective buyers to meet with Chang and discuss any purchases of older aircraft.

An invite was sent to the Apostles, granting them preferential status.

The government of United Earthlings is proud to see that it is not the only nation interested in peace. Our government too when through a drastic cut in military spending for the better, as now are citizens enjoy even more rights and opportunes then they had years before all thanks to cutting the defense budget from 26% of our GDP to 3% of our GDP. Even at 3% we still have enough funds to maintain a large force for defense and to develop and test new weapon systems.

The government wishes you luck with your reforms, we too met much opposition to this plan, but with time and patience everything worked out better.

Sincerely, Winston Spearhead (Governor-Gerneral of United Earthlings)

Exactly What sort of aircraft would be covered by the "last generation" descriptions, early model J-7s? or other stuff?

The Quinntonian government is definately taking a keen interest in these goings ons, and will continue to do so. There is even some overtures by various Quinntonian embassies in China to start to test the waters for greater diplomatic ties with China.
WWJD
Amen.

OOC: Definite TG on this one! Busy now, but I will be sure to buy up some stuff, especially air force stuff and light ground assault vehicles...Some tanks too, but I need to work out a budget for the Apostles...

A further notice containing technical details of the actual reforms are found on the 19th page of the newpapers, also listing a contact detail.

OOC: Last generation in this case is referring to...

Xiaguo's J-10s, J-11/Mig 31, Su-27, J-8, Mig 21
Sino's Su-30MKK, J-12 (Eurofighter equivalent, not really for sale, maybe some covert dealings required)
Taiwan's IDF, F-5Es.

In Lyong, where he and his most loyal Kurosites had spent months teaching both on Drapoel history, culture, and ideologies, and on the current strategic state of affairs, Hotan's thoughts have turned to counter-revolution. The threat of Chinese intervention in Korea seems to be ever declining since the abortive Xiannese invasion attempt.

He now read that the PLA was to contract to about a third the size of the UPA of his day... though it was impossible to know exactly how many men the Neo-Suloists now had under arms.

On the streets of Lyong a series of abductions was taking place. The Hotanites -many of them Banat agents responsible in part for the over-throw of Kurosian II, others educated in Quinntonia, still more veteran of espionage in South Korea, China, and Japan- were desperately keen to recover control of men like the tireless inventor Taka Oamarii-Il and others arrived aboard the damaged Beddgelen aircraft carrier from Dra-pol.

The last Kurosite Director intended to hire-out the services of his nation's best to convince the Spyrians that it was worth supporting his intention to raise a small army and to return home to join the Kuro Student Defence League and others fighting against the Neo-Suloists. By waiting-out the horrors of Suloism and associated conflict he hoped to return with an unspoiled reputation and to save the day. Acquiring used Chinese arms through the Lyongians and with money from the narcotics exported to Japan and other markets, he hoped, would leave him sufficiently well armed, given his unusual knowledge of Dra-pol and the unusual circumstance of civil war.

Of course, this did entail the establishment of drugs labs on Lyongian soil, but Hotan was trying to secure premises for the continuation of the essential work of what he considered a government in exile. Perhaps, he thought, he could even get his exiled government regarded positively in the wider world when compared against the Neo-Suloist alternative, and end up using diplomatic pouches for smuggling purposes.

OOC: Don't suppose one of those aircraft carriers would be up for sale? Mitsubishi want it for a floating casino apparently......

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IC:

The news of the Chinese downsizing is greeted with relief in Tokyo; one of the biggest potential threats to Japan has been reduced with the death of Liu and the new reforms. Feelers are sent out to the Chinese regarding renewed trade links and improved relations between the two nations.

A further notice containing technical details of the actual reforms are found on the 19th page of the newpapers, also listing a contact detail.

OOC: Last generation in this case is referring to...

Xiaguo's J-10s, J-11/Mig 31, Su-27, J-8, Mig 21
Sino's Su-30MKK, J-12 (Eurofighter equivalent, not really for sale, maybe some covert dealings required)
Taiwan's IDF, F-5Es.

OOC:
Oh some very nice stuff there if onloy the SADF was in the market for new planes. Although while the SADF isn't, a certain very black section of the Strathdonian Special Services ahve been on the look out for 2 MiG-25s and 2 MiG-31s might just be a worthwhile alternative.

IC: general Chang will receive communication from 2 different Strathdonian companies, the first: Blantyre Aviation disposal and servicing is basiclaly a second and third hand used aircraft dealer that is attempting to set up its own "aircraft boneyard" outside of Blantyre, it isn't particularly interested in fighters but will happily take soem if the price is right, it is most likely looking at the MiG-21s, F-5Es, IDFs and possibly the J-8s as it can see a possible amrket for them with some of the less well off nations of Africa. The Second Andersons Aircraft Contractors is basically a brokerage that serves the Mercenary, collector and museum avaition communties as well as providing a number of "Experience Flight" holiday packages in famous jets from its base on the outskirts of Falkirk field, they are interested in aquring small numbers of msot aircraft on the list but if they can only buy soem types in bulk then they may be able to make arrangements for these purchases.

With the numbers of Mig-21s, F-5Es, IDFs, and J-8s numbering in the hundreds and soon to become a maintenance nightmare, Chang is happy to offer a low price for the aircraft to the Blantryre Aviation disposal corp. Sub-industry prices are also offered to Anderson's Aircraft Contractors for all listed aircraft barring the J-12.

(OOC: I'm quite unfamiliar with the actual prices of most non-US aircraft, so just suppose they are on the low end of the scale.)

Chang also reiterates China's intention to sell off five aircraft carriers and around a hundred cruisers/destroyers/frigates, hinting at Mitsubishi.

The Chinese government is sent a formal communique from Mitsubishi, signed by company President Hamano Taiki. The corporation inquires about the pricing of the aircraft carriers, stating that they are interested in one and maybe more of them. Mitsubishi also states that they will be willing to explain their interest if the Chinese government wishes to know what the company plans to do with the vessels if acquired.

Parliament cringes when it hears about Chinese plans for disposing of such a monstrous amount of military hardware. To have aircraft like the J-10 and J-11 in North Pakistan, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh would be a nightmare to say the least, not to mention the veritable cascade of J-7s and the like.

But with a budget the likes of what Parliament has to work with, not much can be done about it.

Hindustani consternation spills easily across the Commonwealth border, but here it is not met with any more ability to react directly. The Igovians haven't much more spare cash than the Hindustanis, such is the nature of their economy. They do have productive potential, but the choice to remain largely outside of the world market leaves little room for buying up masses of modern military hardware from abroad.

The obvious suggestions are two fold: Do nothing, as say a lot of ordinary people; and blow them up as soon as they leave Chinese possesion and enter that of any weaker regressives, increasing our own production of new-model weapons if needs must, as suggested by certain individuals whose stars may lately have begun rising in the Commonwealth sky.

Still, the reduction of Chinese forces is welcome, as almost everybody thinks it is rather more extreme than expected or than is necessary to support any kind of interventionalism given the recent instability at home.

The Chinese government is prepared to sell the Nimitz-sized carriers for a price of $100 million...

"So what's this for?"
"A floating casino."
"Oh, alright."

Rarely featuring at a high level on the international scene, the Brown Party government of the Incorporated States of Andaman and Nicobar was jolted into action by the sound of falling prices.

The tiny nation, richest per capita on earth but normally worried by Chinese reform (the importance of cheap Chinese labour to the Nicobarese economy had been traditionally impossible to overstate, and economic improvements there worried Liberation no end), was rather enthusiastic about the off-loading of modern hardware.

The budget usually allowed for outlays up to a maximum of US$200million on new military hardware, but releasing it was usually difficult. There had to be scare-stories about the communists under normal circumstances. But, when in ISAN, bargains were as good as invasions.

The Incorporated States Air Force required eight high performance multi-role jets. These would have to be in good condition with long lives left ahead of them, for the funds did not come-up for purchase every year! They would be used, of course, to protect the Incorporation against the threat of Igovian annexation: after all, Portmeirion had already expressed its desire to join the islands to the Commonwealth (of course it was just an offer that the islanders rejected, but the government that formed instead now presents it as a long-standing threat, like China's claims on Taiwan in the past).

It was hoped that eight aircraft could be acquired from China for US$200million or less, and that they would be capable of aerial interception and superiority, and maritime strike (other land attack capacity was desired, but not as important, especially if a good deal was available without it).

On a different note, FBCo., the massive multi-billion dollar corporation in the majority control of national president Eustace Brown, along with the government (as always), was expressing interest in having one of the proposed floating casinos moored off the Andamans... perhaps two, a second serving as a hotel! This, it is proposed, would be done in some manner of partnership with Mitsubishi and would take advantage of ISAN's tax and gambling laws... or its relative lack of them.

A small island needing advanced arms to face off against a larger neighbour bent on annexation. Sounds familiar, Chang thought. The IDF immediately came to mind.

At the original cost of $24 million and after a decade of depreciation and ageing, each IDF would be nominally valued at $16 million each, bringing the cost of the total deal to $128m. Taken from the 1999 production lot, they were fairly new, with approximately 7,000 airframe hours left.

Chang also offered an upgrade package. For an extra $3m per aircraft, a radar upgrade was offered allowing it to fire Amraam equivalents.

The Chinese government is sent a videomail by Mitsubishi President Hamano Taiki, stating that the corporation will be most pleased to take all five carriers off their hands for $500 million. The carriers will be collected by skeleton crews from their berths in China and taken to Mitsubishi's shipyards across Japan for refitting to allow them to function in their new roles.

Mitsubishi also contacts FBCo. regarding the proposed location of two 'marine entertainment complexes' moored off the Andamans. FBCo. are informed that Mitsubishi are extremely interested in such a scheme and will contact FBCo. at a later date when the refit is near completion.

Liberation is pleased to confirm an order for eight examples of the Indigenous Defense Fighter.

There is an interest in the radar upgrade and new weapons, but a hesitation on confirmation is evident. A division of FBCo concerned with defence technologies (usually upgrading cast-off equipment or updating old designs, notably having acquired the AR-15 patents at one point during their otherwise unproductive wander around the world) has developed surface to air missiles with air-launched derivatives. Called Foo Fighter, the weapons exist in two range categories, so-called medium range example (1.6-26km stated range) is a high agility weapon akin to ASRAAM projects but having radar guidance, while the long-range model (3.2-80km range) is a semi-active radar guided weapon meant as an interceptor, and is judged of relatively little value as the Soviets have no bombers and the Chinese appear to be moving into relative friendship with the Nicobarese.

There is a hope that it might be possible to outfit Nicobarese IDFs to launch the native medium-range Foo Fighter for dogfighting and a foreign AMRAAM-type weapon -presumably the Tien Chien-II?- for BVR engagement. This is bearing in mind that some millions of dollars remain available in the Nicobarese budget (and that getting FBC's short range missiles on to the fighters is more important than the state's interests!).

It is made apparent that Liberation is keen to see these deals as the start of close alignment of ISAN to the new Chinese power.

Likewise, potential co-operation with Mitsubishi is intended to put the nation in the Japanese consciousness, attract wealthy tourists, and by raising the nation's profile to provide it with protectors against manipulation or conquest by one individual power.

Having disposed on all five carriers surprisingly quickly, Chang begins to focus on other machinery that would perhaps be suitable for civilian use. There were still a few dozen cruisers, destroyers, and frigates that may be able to be converted for non-military use.

Technical advisors from AIDC, the developers of the IDF, have confirmed the arrangement proposed by the Nicobarese is indeed possible and will add no extra costs. Chang also mentions that the TC-2 is available for sale at second-hand prices.

Hoping to follow up on the momentum generated by the arms deals, Chang invites the Nicobarese ambassador to Beijing (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=456202).

Pleased with progress on the defence deal, Liberation promises to dispatch a delegation to Beijing in short order.

Final confirmation on the fighter deal indicates a desire to see eight IDFs, which will be called AF-4 Ching-Kuo at least until somebody suggests an alternate name, with radar upgrade, armed with Nicobarese Foo-Fighter short-range missiles, Chinese TC-2 BVR missiles, and Nicobarese 25mm rotary cannon.

Apropriate technology transfer from FBCo Defence and the Nicobarese state (in respect of weapons system integration) and the earmarking and transfering of funds in the order of US$152million are presently being arranged.

President Brown is already mentioning in public his plans for a military review off Great Nicobar to celebrate the strength of the national defence forces and the new era of co-operation with wider East Asia, in which the Chinese fighters will take pride of place.

In a statement today by the PLAN, the first Yang class missile cruiser has been completed. It was unusual of the PLAN to release details of military procurements at such an early stage.

With the cancellation of the arsenal ship programme and the battleship programme, the Yang class cruiser is a true multi-role platform taking over the roles of the cancelled programmes. The development of the Yang class Cruiser has been accelerated and the first of the 30 cruisers has just been completed, replacing the obselete Xiannese cruisers and entering service over four years. Developed by Beijing Shipyard to compete against Simincorp for a carrier alternative, a prototype was completed in 1997 but it lost out against Simincorp's arsenal ship concept. Development work started again in 2003 with military reforms.

The missile cruiser will fill the roles of air defence, anti-submarine duties, surface combat, and shore bombardment with less personel requirements, leading to significantly lower costs.

Crew
125 enlisted
25 officers

Powerplant and Propulsion
Six Nuclear reactors
Fourteen waterjets
Cruise speed of 30 knots
Maximum speed of 38 knots

Armament
150 Vertical Launch System Cells
Twenty RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) launchers
Twelve MLRS/ATACMS launchers
Sixteen Brave Wind 5 missile launchers
Four ASW helicopters
Four 30mm cannons
Four ASW Mortars

Systems
LPI Air search radars
Surface Search Radar
IRST Sentry Systems
ECM/ECCM suite
Chaff launchers
Hull Sonar
Towed Array Sonar

Armor
Made from composite layers with RHA of 5 to 1.

Side Hull belt (14 degrees inclined): 4 inches (100mm)
Main Hull belt (12 degrees inclined): 3 inches (75mm)
Superstructure : 1 inchs (25mm)
Main deck : 3 inches (75mm)
Bulkheads : 6 inches (150mm)

Costs
$1.8 billion construction cost
$40m annual maintenance
$8m human resource costs

OOC: What multirole (with a focus on air-to-ground) fighters does China have? And does it have any Bradley equivalents? Or Humvee ones?

OOC: The majority of APCs left in PLA service are of the Type 90B variant, which are generally equivalent to M2 Bradley. The Sinoese army was never really a fan of humvee type transports, which it considers too vulnerable to guerilla warfare against the Communists.

The multi-role fighter in use by the PLAAF is the J-14 which has a limited strike ability and can only carry fairly small munitions (<3,000lbs). The PLAAF makes use of the J-16, a dedicated fighter-bomber for strike missions.

The J-14B is believed to have capabilities similar to the American F-22, but with inferior stealth capabilities and a RCS of 0.05m^2, fifty times larger than the F-22 but a huge improvement on the Eurofighter's 0.5m^2. The J-14C may improve on this to match the F-22 and is currently entering service with a projected order of 1,250.

Programme Cost : $US27.5 billion (1995 dollars)
Manufacturer : Aircraft Industrial Development Corp (AIDC), Taipei
Function: Air Superiority
Length: 20.5m
Wingspan: 17.3m
Max Weight : 120,000 lbs
Thrust: Twin Engine @ 35,000lbs each (J-14B)
Propulsion: 2D thrust-vectored turbofans
Speed: Mach 1.4 Cruise - Mach 1.9 Max
Combat radius: 630nm
Ceiling: 65,000 feet
Armaments:
Air Superiority configuration :
Internal - 6 mid range AAM, 2 short range AAM
External – 4 mid range AAM
Cost: $50 million

J-16
http://i.timeinc.net/popsci/images/space/space0702smarterbombers_A.gif
Radar capabilities: LPI, 250km surface search, 320km air search, track targets moving on/close to surface at up to 500 knots.

Programme Cost : $US20 Billion
Manufacturer : Sino Combat Aircraft Corp (SCAC), Guangzhou
Function: Stealth Fighter-Bomber
Length: 33m
Wingspan: 30m
Max Weight : 270,000lbs
Thrust: Four Engines @ 35,000lbs
Propulsion: 2D thrust-vectored turbofans with reheat
Speed: Mach 1.4 Cruise - Mach 1.8 Max
Combat radius: 1,000nm on internal fuel, 2,000nm with external tanks
Armaments: Up to 60,000lb of ordinance in internal bays.
Cost: $142 million

OOC: sorry for the delay in actually getting some details on the various comerical bids.
IC:
Blantyre Aviation Disposal and Servicing
BADS make have finally decided on purchasing the following:
24 Mig-21s, 50 F-5Es, 24 IDFs, 36 J-10s and 50 J-8s, a substantial spares package is also on the order. In addition BADS are making enquiries concerning the possibility of acting as disposal agents for the Chinese Government and acting as an active sales force in areas the Government might either be unwilling or unable to operate (i.e. is it OK if they act as agents to sell some of your surplus equipment to various 3rd world nations that China may not want to appear to be supporting, probably a bit unlikely but they feel its worth a shot).

Andersons Aircraft Contractors
Andersons’ order sheet is as follows:
5 J-11/MiG31s, 2 J-10s, 6 MiG-21s, 4 J-8s, 2 Su-27s and 4 F-5Es

In a separate communication the Strathdonian government make an offer in principle for 2 frigates with the possibility of 2 additional options. The offer is only in principle and any agreement would have to await the end of the current economic down turn within Strathdonia so that funds for such a purchase could be available.

A small electronic signal stretched out of a grimy Russian internet cafe and into the computers of the Chinese government. It bore a simple note with a complex series of digits that would activate several Cape Vanaudu bank accounts upon the transaction's completion, along with orders for ten J-14s, ten J-16s, and the military equipment equivalent to that of an armored cavalry regiment. An address indicated that they should be delivered to an obscure warehouse near the Russo-Chinese border, and a short, handwritten note followed.

Thank you,
THE APOSTLES

OOC: Sorry I didn't make this clear AC, but the J-14 and J-16 aren't for sale. The newest aircraft which are being sold are the J-12(Eurofighter equivalent) and the Su-27. Should I assume that the Apostles want to buy a similar quantity of J-12s?

IC:

The government response enthusiastically to both the BADS and Anderson's requests and arranges everything accordingly. BADS's request to be the disposal agent is accepted, although the news is delivered by a civilian shell company.

In response to strathdonia's official request for two frigates, the Chinese government states that payment in goods is also acceptable.

OOC: Mmmmm...Alright, but I expect cheaper prices. And do the Apostles get a discount for their previously rendered services?

OOC: Mmmmm...Alright, but I expect cheaper prices. And do the Apostles get a discount for their previously rendered services?

Most definitely. Chang will announced a $5 million dollar write-down on each J-12, making the cost $30m each.

OOC: Excellent! Any time China needs something done that requires military might but doesn't want its fingerprints on the affair...You know who to call. ;)

20,000+ nuclear weapons to go?

Chinese authorities have indicated that the current stockpile of 22,000 nuclear weapons may be greatly reduced in size after a preliminary report indicated nuclear weaponary is becoming increasingly expensive and dangerous to maintain. Much of the reduction will come from small tactical nuclear weapons such as the thousands of shells and short range missiles aimed at the Indian subcontinent during Liu's reign. The DF-31 ICBM programme is expected to be culled down to a token force of 10-50. SLBM numbers will remain constant.

New submarine pens spotted

Enthusiasts have reported a jump in demand in submarine pen specific components. Work is going on in Hong Kong and Fujian. Jong Pi, editor of think-tank china-security.org says the move appears to indicate an end to the cost-cutting, and estimates of the number of new submarine procurements is anywhere from 60-140.

"Beijng will likely announce a slight rise in military funding, the first rise in four years." Jong says.

Expect to see MAL Morrigan long-range UAVs loitering close to Chinese waters in increased numbers as a result, say any number of Commonwealth web pages. With just forty-five submarines on the books of the Commonwealth Oceanic Guard in restructuring plans already well advanced, there is talk in the Soviets of keeping-on a number of older Hound (II) Class D/E patrol/attack submarines under the nominal authority of the COG Auxiliary.

Some sixty hulls of the small 1960s-vintage-design remain in Commonwealth possession, and the argument over whether they should be variously sold and broken-up or maintained in reserve will now be restarted, with some Sovietists -widely perceived as being old guard- continuing to maintain ideas of quantative parity with enemies, in every field, in spite of such things as growing ASuW strength in the Third Commonwealth's defence reforms.

Some voices call for dialogue with foreign powers, with a view to making current Indian and Chinese military restructuring a starting point for global arms reductions, but these are drowned in an ocean of revolutionary slogans.

After much debate and in light of the ongoing isntability the Strathdonian Government have released funding to allow the Firgate aquisition to proceed.
(i'm working on the hopeful basis that i can get 2 of the older Type 053H2G/Jangweis but if not even any of the Jianghu family would be welcome).
In addition to the aquisition funding, it has been anounced that a major refitting project will need to be carried out and as such bids will be sought. Any refitting contract will by nessecity involve a fair degree of international cooperation due the nature of a number of the systems and capabilities desired.
A breif outline of finished requirements (depending on the actual class involved this can be changed but there are certain carachteristics that are common to msot chinese frigate designs).
1. Replacement of main gun turret (or turrets): this would involve the isntallation of a single barreled weapon making use of artillery ammunition already used by the SDF (so your choice is 105mm NATO, 155mm NATO or 6" british/hindustani).
2. Repalcement of all 4 37mm gun mounts with a mix of 2 fairly modern CIWS (i'm not sure how much room there is under the decks so i might be limited to phalanx or a simialr low internal impact system) and 2 6tube Sinbad SAM launchers (yes i know simbad is french but the CBS have been using it for a reasonable amount of time and i was assuming i was getting mistrals from the UK after a MDBA split)
3: Repalcement of any SSM/criuse missile launchers with launchers for Sea Eagle/Land Eagle
4 (class dependent) Isntallation of a reasonably modern medium range SAM system, SeaWolf 2 woudl be ideal and PAAMS would be a dream but i could settle for sea sparrow (and go nutty over ESSM, not quite as nutty as RAAMS but not too far off).

other thigns liek radars etc woudl depedn on the class pruchased and hwow ell any existing senors could be integrated with new equippment.

An ideal bid would be the INU as lead partner/integrator with work carried out in thier yards with China, Elias, the UK and Quintonia all providing parts.

The disappointment caused by Strathdonia's descision not to buy the Chhattisgarh Class patrol vessel offered by UTS is completely erased from memory by Lilongwe's choice of UTS as systems integrator for its new frigates.

Mumbai also commends the Chinese efforts towards nuclear disarmament, the thought being that any reduction in the number of such dangerous weapons is a good thing.

Great wall nears operational status
The Great Wall over-the-horizon radar system is nearing completion according to an announcement by the PLAAF, giving the PLA the ability to react to events as far away as the Phillipines.

Comprising of 18 one-mile long antennae hidden amongst dozens of fakes (both visually and electromagnetically), the Great Wall will be very difficult to destroy.

"Our system dwarfs JORN in coverage." a spokesman replied.

PLA to begin recruitment drive (Xinhua news)

The PLA has begun a concerted recruitment drive, with advertising on TV, radio, and internet in order to increase the size of the army and air force as to counter emerging security threats. Many reservists have had training time doubled, and those on leave have been recalled.

Questions put by Xinhua on what "emerging security threat" meant was dodged by the PLA spokesman, but many analysts believe that increased anti-piracy movements near the Spratlys indicate that General Chang's patience with subversive communist activities may be coming to an end.

The new target for PLA Army recruitment - up to 3.5 million. The navy has also been substantially restructured, with a new doctrine emphasising mobility and area denial. 120 new submarines (no designation was mentioned) will enter service of the next few months, one year ahead of schedule.

FC-2 scrapped, FC-3 begins in earnest

The successor to the FC-1 has been scrapped. The news was revealed by the PLAAF yesterday as several Chengu aircraft companies linked with the project announced profit warnings due to the cancellation of the project. Analysts say that rapidly improving computer technology means that the FC-2 would have been doing missions that were more suited for UAVs, and would have been outdated in less than a decade.

At the same time, the PLAAF reported that FC-2 successor's, the FC-3, had reached wind tunnel stage. No further information of the FC-3 has been released, although most military analysts believe it will be China's first UCAV.