DefenceTalkSince our last publication in 2009, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA(N)) has made significant strides in operationalizing as well as modernizing its force. Although the PLA(N)’s primary focus remains in the East Asia region, where China faces multiple disputes over the sovereignty of various maritime features and associated maritime rights, in recent years, the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-pla-navy-new-capabilities-and-missions-for-the-21st-century-63825/

DefenceTalkChina is building its second aircraft carrier, a senior naval officer has told media, the most explicit confirmation yet of a widely expected move that will boost Beijing’s maritime power. China’s first aircraft carrier was a 300-metre (1,000-foot) Soviet-era vessel bought from Ukraine and commissioned in September 2012 — at the time a milestone for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-building-second-aircraft-carrier-pla-63509/

DefenceTalkNamibia and China are discussing plans for a Chinese naval base in the southwest African country, the Namibian newspaper reported Tuesday, prompting an immediate denial from Beijing. The Namibian quoted a confidential letter from Namibia’s Beijing ambassador to his foreign ministry stating that a Chinese delegation would visit Windhoek for discussions “on the way forward […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-planning-naval-base-in-namibia-report-62047/

DefenceTalkThe Chinese navy has been striving to hone its combat capability through joint drills and rigorous training since the start of the year. During Joint Sea 2014, conducted in late May in the East China Sea, the Chinese and Russian navies strengthened their cooperation and capabilities in maritime operations. During the weeklong exercise, 14 ships, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/joint-drills-boost-chinese-navy-60305/

DefenceTalkAt a northern quayside China’s first aircraft carrier dwarfs nearby vessels, its take-off ramp rising higher than the top deck of the cruise ship at the next berth, symbolizing the country’s naval ambitions. Dalian, where the Liaoning was refitted and undergoes regular maintenance, looks out over the Bohai strait, gateway to the Yellow Sea, and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-aircraft-carrier-puts-naval-ambitions-on-show-60271/

DefenceTalkQINGDAO, China: On Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first official visit to China, the Peoples’ Liberation Army allowed him, in response to a request made in January, to become the first foreign visitor to tour the sleek refitted Russian aircraft carrier — the PLA’s first — called Liaoning. China is Hagel’s third stop after multiday meetings […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-visits-chinese-aircraft-carrier-liaoning-59269/

DefenceTalkChina for the first time will likely have subs equipped with long-range nuclear missiles later this year, part of an increasingly potent submarine fleet, a top US officer said Tuesday, The head of US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear, said the latest class of Chinese subs would be armed with a new ballistic missile with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-to-have-nuclear-missiles-on-submarines-soon-us-admiral-59140/

DefenceTalkChina’s first aircraft carrier has returned from a training mission in the South China Sea, state media said, completing a 37-day deployment carried out amid mounting regional tensions. The newly-commissioned Liaoning returned to its home port of Qingdao after carrying out a series of trials with “aircraft, naval vessels and submarines”, China’s official news agency […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-aircraft-carrier-returns-from-south-china-sea-50016/

DefenceTalkChina’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, left its homeport of Qingdao in east China’s Shandong Province for the South China Sea on Tuesday on a scientific and training mission. This is the first time the carrier has conducted a cross-sea training voyage since it was commissioned into the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy last year, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-aircraft-carrier-leaves-for-sea-trials-49754/

DefenceTalkChina’s nuclear submarine fleet has had a remarkable safety record for more than 40 years and gained rich experience through rigorous training and drills, its fleet commanders said. “We are China’s first nuclear submarine force, and the 42 years since our establishment have witnessed our success in avoiding nuclear accidents,” Rear Admiral Gao Feng, commander […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-nuclear-submarine-fleet-comes-of-age-49511/