Chinese Military. Bundeswehr/NATO. MA Pol Sci/History. Cats, dogs, motorcycles. Überbringer schlechter Nachrichten. Analysis@ NavalNews.com. Contributor@ hartpunkt.de. Previous articles at FPRI.org.
Alex Luck
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This dog is ridiculous.
"...a condition known as nozzle binding caused by what the Air Force formally classifies as a Category 1 deficiency in the KC-46A’s boom telescope being too stiff while in contact with a receiver aircraft, was present and applicable to this accident."
defence-blog.com/boeing-kc-46...
Finally, the assertion that PLAN utilises newer combatants more heavily than older ones does not correlate with my own observations. Eg Type 052C DDG consistently appear in ETC activities.
Glossy PLA PR may prefer to show newer hulls for obvious reasons, but reports featuring older units exist. /end
The other notable aspect is that the report focuses on carriers, cruisers & DDG (plus SSK). It omits frigates, despite the Type 054/A series being the present textbook case for maintenance dynamics, due to age and delivery timeframes. A closer look at 054A could further clarify practice development.
While Sovremenny is being noted, the entire dynamic of greatly modernising a significant number of older surface combatant types (051B, 051C, 052B, 054) requires more attention in gauging maintenance & overhaul competency, including where this work takes place (PLAN bases vs yards etc).
Its good to see more consistent use of Chinese language sources outside dedicated places such as CIMSEC etc. That said, writing appearing in PLA- & other official publications requires careful weighing of authors intent, targeted audience & official stance for publishing. Its an academic minefield.
A new report on maintenance practices of PLAN by RAND. A few notes after skimming through the writing.
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
Type 075 LHD 31 Hainan has finally left the Hudong legacy yard on the Huangpu river in Shanghai. Her stay lasted ca 6 months, incl drydocking in April. While there, the vessel received containerised payloads on the flightdeck.
Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/SDF
The PLA(N)’s Approach to Maintenance Management
Looking forward to reading RAND’s report. Building ships is one thing, maintaining them another, although the two are clearly linked.
@sonarrow.bsky.social, @covertshores.bsky.social, @alxluck.bsky.social
www.rand.org/pubs/researc...
As expected Congress wants to keep DDGX alive for the inevitable time when the Trump battleship keels over under its own weight of self-delusion.
news.usni.org/2026/06/18/s...
