Defense of the Republic of the Philippines

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/new-type-05-based-amphibious-reconnaissance-vehicle-in-pla-service

21 September 2020
New Type 05-based amphibious reconnaissance vehicle in PLA service

Released on 19 September by the China Central Television 7 (CCTV 7) channel, the footage shows the tracked platform, which seems to be based on the chassis of the Type 05 family of amphibious armoured vehicles, taking part in exercises both on land and at sea.

The footage shows that the vehicle has been fitted with a telescopic mast mounting what appear to be an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, a laser-range finder, and an X-band radar.

The vehicle is also equipped with a manned weapon station mounting what seems to be a Type 88 (QJC‐88) 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.

It has also been fitted with a retractable catapult system for launching a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to augment the range of the platform’s intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.

The PLAGF’s new amphibious reconnaissance vehicle has been fitted with a telescopic mast mounting what appear to be an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, a laser-range finder, and an X-band radar. (CCTV 7)

Taiwan launches the development of land-based air defense system | Army Recognition - 31 August 2020 08:59

National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is a Taiwanese state-owned corporation, formerly part of the Republic of China Ministry of National Defense's Armaments Bureau, which is active in the development, manufacturing, support, and sustainment of various weapons systems and dual-use technologies.

The NCSIST has already integrated CIWS on a truck trailer that was previously mounted on Taiwanese Navy’s Yang Tzu-class warships. The institute mentioned it had already outfitted the Air Force’s Songshan radar station with a CIWS that had originally been mounted on a decommissioned Navy ship and that transferring the weapon onto a trailer would not be a problem.

The Taiwanese armed forces have requested a new air defense system that could be linked to the Skyguard. The Oerlikon Skyguard 1 uses two Oerlikon Twin Gun GDF007 35mm anti-aircraft cannons which can be coupled to two surface-to-air missile launchers (Sparrow, Aspide, SAHV-IR or Adats). The 35mm anti-aircraft twin-gun is the weapon that is used for short-range air defense against fighters, bombers, and helicopters.

The Centurion Weapon System is a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System with the capability of integration with other protection sensors and systems. The system is designed and manufactured by the American Company Raytheon. Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks, and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems.

See Also: ROCAF F-16

=====

https://www.janes.com/article/93224/aidc-lockheed-martin-to-set-up-f-16-maintenance-facility-in-taiwan

Quote

AIDC, Lockheed Martin to set up F-16 maintenance facility in Taiwan
16 December 2019

Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin to deepen collaboration on providing maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) capability for F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft.

AIDC said that under the "strategic alliance", which was signed in Taichung City in Taiwan on 17 December, the two companies will establish an F-16 maintenance centre in Taiwan focused on supporting the Republic of China (RoC) Air Force's expanding F-16 fleets. AIDC is also expected to look to provide similar services to other F-16 operators in the Asia Pacific.

AIDC said the agreement, through which Lockheed Martin is expected to transfer supporting technologies to Taiwan as part of wider industrial co-operation obligations, is also aligned with the government's stated objective to ensure maintenance and support activity for frontline military equipment is carried out locally. The strategy is aimed at both ensuring military capability and boosting national industrial competencies.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/images-emerge-of-chinese-tracked-amphibious-bridging-system

21 August 2020
Images emerge of Chinese tracked amphibious bridging system

Chinese state-owned media have released video footage showing what appears to be a new tracked amphibious ferry and bridging system for use by the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).

< snipped >

This is the second such system Chinese state-owned media has shown about in a little over a week. On 12 August the state-owned China Central Television 7 (CCTV 7) channel reported about a 4×4 amphibious ferry and bridging system operated by a brigade within the 78th Group Army of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

The CCTV 7 report showed the wheeled system deploying its pontoons before entering the water and ferrying what appeared to be a 21-tonne ZBL-09 armoured fighting vehicle. Later on, the system was also shown in the water being attached to a similar platform to form a pontoon bridge and provide a bridging capability, although CCTV 7 did not reveal the system’s carrying capacity.

The media outlet revealed that the wheeled vehicle can deploy its pontoons within three minutes, with the platform then becoming 13 m long and 20 m wide.

Chinese state-owned media have released video footage showing what appears to be a new tracked amphibious ferry and bridging system. (CCTV 7 via js7tv.cn)

Our heroes in health crisis
https://www.bworldonline.com/our-heroes-in-health-crisis/


During this public emergency health crisis, frontliner heroes abound, selflessly serving the primary needs of Filipinos everyday. Image taken from bworldonline.com

=====

Hail the health workers
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/04/21/hail-the-health-workers/


‘Frontliners’ Artwork by daje jr pinpiño

See also: Five Eyes intelligence alliance

=====

Japan wants de facto 'Six Eyes' intelligence status: defense chief

TOKYO -- Japan is eager to expand cooperation with the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing alliance that includes the U.S. and the U.K, Defense Minister Taro Kono told Nikkei, expressing hopes for the framework that would allow the country to obtain key classified information at an early stage.

"These countries share the same values," Kono said in an interview. "Japan can get closer [to the alliance] even to the extent of it being called the 'Six Eyes'."

The Five Eyes grouping takes its name from the number of countries that comprise it -- the U.K., the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The members share deep historical and cultural ties anchored in their common Anglo-Saxon heritage and use of the English language. Their multilateral UKUSA Agreement covers cooperation in signals intelligence, analysis and sharing of information obtained through wiretapping networks for security purposes.

Despite not being a formal member, Japan has been sharing information with the group. Kono stressed that expanding Japan's links to it will enable the country to share information at an earlier stage and also acquire highly classified intelligence.

The Five Eyes is also characterized by strong diplomatic ties on top of their intelligence-sharing and they release joint statements on issues of shared concern. "It is highly important that [the member countries] keep step in diplomacy as well as on the economy," Kono said, adding that the intelligence framework also jointly tackles issues such as climate change and space debris.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Japan-wants-de-facto-Six-Eyes-intelligence-status-defense-chief

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/image-shows-chinese-z-10-attack-helicopter-firing-possible-new-asm

03 August 2020
Image shows Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter firing possible new ASM

The image, which appears to be a screengrab from footage by the state-owned China Central Television 13 (CCTV 13) channel, shows that the weapon is somewhat similar in appearance to the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) Blue Arrow 21 (BA-21) missile that was displayed at the Airshow China 2018 defence exhibition in Zhuhai.

The BA-21 appears to be an improved export version of the AKD-10 third generation, precision-guided battlefield missile carried by the PLAGF’s Z-10 and Z-19 attack helicopters. The BA-21, of which no official information has emerged, is believed to have a range of around 18 km and be fitted with a dual-mode millimetre wave radar/semi-active laser seeker.

A screengrab from CCTV 13 footage showing what appears to be a new ASM being fired from a Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter at an undisclosed location. (CCTV 13 via Weibo)