Every summer the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducts a major air defense exercise at its western theater command’s air force experimental training base. The anti-aircraft brigade of the 79th group army was the main participant in this year’s drill, on August 22.
The exercise evaluated the unit’s radar system, command and control network, intercept capabilities, electronic and cyber warfare abilities, mobility and logistics. The batteries engaged a variety of aircraft, including the J-10, J-11, Mil Mi-171, Harbin Z-9 and an assortment of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
Reporting, Chinese state media gave particular attention to the Hongqi-16 (HQ-16), one of the PLA’s most prized surface-to-air missiles.
Earlier this month, video and photographic evidence surfaced online that shows China moving trainloads of HQ-16 and HQ-17 missiles to Tibet as the standoff with India at Doklam continues.
The HQ-16 is a third-generation medium-range air defense missile system. Inspired by the Russian Buk, the HQ-16 has a 40 km maximum range of fire. Cold-launched vertically, it takes 13 minutes for a moving HQ-16 to load and fire missiles armed with 70kg warheads.
The transporting of HQ missiles to Tibet shows the PLA is reinforcing its layered air defense arrangement in anticipation of Indian air power
The HQ-16 can lock-on eight targets and engage four simultaneously. Its missile has a claimed maximum flight speed of Mach 2.8, with a single-hit probability rate of between 70% and 98%. In 2016, an upgraded version known as the HQ-16B was unveiled with a greater range of fire at 70 km.
A battery of HQ-16 consists of four launch vehicles, a target searching radar vehicle, a tracking and guidance radar vehicle, a command and control vehicle, missile transport and reloading vehicles and power supply trucks. The HQ-16 is generally used to defend stationary assets.
The HQ-17, however, is highly mobile. Sitting on an all-terrain tracked chassis, the HQ-17 usually accompanies fast-moving armored units. An improved version of the Russian Tor-M1, the HQ-17 has a 12 km range of fire.
Like the HQ-16, the HQ-17 uses vertical cold launchers against enemy jets, helicopters, smart bombs, cruise missiles and UAVs. But unlike the former, one HQ-17 vehicle combines all functions of an HQ-16 battery, empowering it with greater mobility. It takes ten seconds for a moving HQ-17 to engage an enemy. Carrying eight 9M331 missiles with a maximum flight speed of Mach 2.3, an HQ-17 can engage two targets simultaneously.
The HQ-17’s claimed hit probability against cruise missiles is between 56% and 99%; against fighter jets it’s between 45% and 93%; and against helicopters 82% and 98%.
The transporting of HQ missiles to Tibet shows the PLA is reinforcing its layered air defense arrangement in anticipation of Indian air power. The systems’ suitability for operating on the high plateau was confirmed at an exercise, in May, in Tibet’s Tanggula Mountains.
When reflecting on the 1962 war with China, Indian generals often blame their country’s defeat on its misuse of air power. Many believe the war’s outcome would have been quite different had India’s air force participated in an offensive role.
A recent Vayu Aerospace study concluded that the PLA air force would be at a disadvantage in a future war due to Tibet’s extreme climate, which would will limit the payload and combat radius of Chinese aircraft.
Last year, India deployed supersonic BrahMos missiles to Arunachal Pradesh near Tibet. In June, the Indian army announced its plans to send a squadron of HAL Dhruv helicopters to the Chinese border. More recently, the Indian defense ministry approved a deal to purchase six US-made AH-64 Apache attack helicopters for the army aviation corps and announced that it is looking to procure 234 naval helicopters, at a cost of US$5 billion. On August 24, the Indian air force added six C-130J Super Hercules strategic aircraft to its Arjan Singh base in Panagarh, 470 km from Doklam.
The Chinese high command understands India’s assumption of achieving air supremacy in the next war. However the PLA is quietly putting together a neat little surprise for India’s flyboys.
Follow the author on Twitter @MrZiYang.
China citing Sino-British Treaty of 1890 on Doklam stand off with India is null & void
Sino-British Treaty of 1890 was invalid, rejected by Government of sovereign & independent Tibet
Tibet refused to recognise the validity of the Anglo-Chinese conventions of 1890 and 1893 meant that it was futile on their part to sign yet another convention. Neither the British, nor the Manchus (Qing Dynasty) had any authority to modify the 1904 convention between Tibet and Great Britain. It was against international law for the Manchus and Britain to change this convention. The Manchu attempt to tamper with this agreement was nothing more than a case of self-deception and self-consolation. The reality is that the conventions of 1890 and 1893 did not carry any weight, because the Tibetan government refused to accept them.
Manchu Ambans (Qing Envoy) had absolutely no say in Tibetan affairs, although they lived in Lhasa.
1) The Tibetans decided many matters independently and without any Manchu interference. They include the census reports of the Iron Tiger and Wood Lamb Years, military actions against Powo and Nyarong, deposing of Tsemonling from the post of regency, appointment of Shetra as ruler after a struggle between Reting and the monks of Gaden and Drepung, etc. The only function of the Manchus was to offer congratulatory gifts once the Tibetans had acted on something. To cite one example, when Reting was deposed, he went to the emperor for aid; but the emperor was powerless to help him. Instead, he gave the title of Nomin Khan to Shetra. This shows that the Manchus did not have power even to support their own allies.
2) In terms of external affairs, in 1853, when Sherab Dakpa created problems on the Tibet-India borders, Shetra Wangchuk Gyalpo went to Tezpur and signed two treaties with the British. In 1852, following a dispute over Ladakh’s refusal to provide horse transport to the Tibetan government’s trade agent, Kalsang Gyurmey, a treaty was signed between the governor of Ngari on the one hand and the Kashmir and Ladakh plenipotentiaries on the other. The Tibetans conducted these foreign relations without any consultation with the Manchus.
3) The Manchu attempts to interfere in Tibet’s external relations failed. For example, in 1858 and 1876 the Manchus signed conventions with the British, giving the latter the right to travel to Tibet. But when the British officials arrived in the Gampa district, the Tibetan government, refusing to accept the validity of these treaties, sent them back.
4) In terms of military affairs, Tibetans fought and signed peace treaties with the Sikh invaders of 1842 and the Gorkha invaders of 1855. Article 2 of the Tibet-Gorkha Treaty states: “Gorkha and Tibet have been regarding the Great Emperor with respect. Tibet being a country of monasteries, hermits, and celibates devoted to religion, the Gorkha Government has agreed to henceforth afford help and protection to it as far as it can, if any foreign country attacks it.” The protector role, previously played by the Manchus, was now to be assumed by the Gorkhas. The Manchus were powerless to object to this.
5) [Not given here due to retrospect]
6) The question may arise that although the Manchus did not interfere actively in Tibetan affairs, would not the bestowal of titles and Yasas to the Dalai Lamas and regents of Tibet make Tibet part of the Manchu empire? The answer is no. The Manchus gave titles and Yasas to all the political and spiritual leaders of the neighbouring countries. The gift of titles and Yasas was to propagate the greatness of the emperor and to win the friendship of neighbouring countries. It had no other significance. As a matter of fact, the Yasas and titles said that the emperor ruled all the earth under the sky and they praised those who performed good deeds. It is obvious to all that the emperor did not rule all the earth under the sky. From this, it is easy to surmise how much clout these Yasas and titles had.
There are several reasons why the Manchus could not exercise any influence over Tibet’s internal, external and military affairs in that period. Firstly, the successors of Qianlong had no faith in Buddhism, as a result of which the Teacher-patron relationship between Tibet and the Manchus became defunct. Secondly, the Manchus no longer felt threatened by the Mongols. Thus their reliance on the Dalai Lama came to an end. Thirdly, the Western powers had encroached on Chinese territory and the Manchu power was weakening like a waning moon. To sum up, the Manchus had no interest in supporting Tibet since the latter was not part of its empire.
Source link:
http://tibet.net/2001/01/tibet-and-manchu-an-assessment-of-tibet-manchu-relations-in-five-phase-of-historical-development/
Jing Wang it’s the Coward’s who slangs, & make false propogandas. Lies, come face to face to meet the challenge what you boast about? Now crying for peace! Not before the communist Chinese are eliminated to free Tibet,singian province, to allow uiger Muslims to practice there religion, & the rest of China embrace democracy.
Was wondering how the Chinese HQ 16 and 17 missile system would cope with waves of cheap drones seems like a simple strategy to waste and exhaust their expensive missiles.
Hmmm,
Wonder why no Indians have the ball to challenge Wangcha on his site ??
Could it be they’ve been lying thru their nose ?
hehehehe
I only wish there’r more Indians like you.
Most sound like war mongers ! 🙁
As if chinese culture of stealing & robbing is so good for vietnam.It is a culture they will be very eager to learn for their daily life.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. This is geetin Boring. Neither India and China will Get it War. Both Know Collateral Damage will heavy. The media wants attention..
Why’s India so sensitive on its ‘precious’ NorthEast ?
Well,
India had a dirty little family secret it has kept for over 70 yrs now.
The NE consist of seven states, collectively known as the ‘seven sisters’.
That metaphor is rather ironic.
Behind the NE’s exquisitle scenery lies a very tragic story.
For almost a century these ‘seven sisters’ were locked in a dark room,
abused and ravished at will by the Indians.
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the NE, aka India’s Tibet. [1]
The Tibet that nobody wanna talk about !
[warning] not for the faint hearted !
https://www.quora.com/Will-Nagaland-and-Manipur-get-freedom-from-India
[1]
Most of the NE were formally Southern Tibet, robbed by the Brits .
Irene Cassandra what’s your experience?
Irene Cassandra now Chinese warship will also were burqa 🙂
Riz Sahir here. Relive something that happened when you were not even born
We did not tak. We acted as we will time and again when necessary
Yv Onne Koh . One feels sorry when China talks of international law cause it is a gross abuser. Whether in SCS or Tibet or UN
Chinese patronised north Koreans Pakistani all rogue states.
Kar Alvarez is that damn right its not china who fooled the world and went to iraq in search of WMD without the the mandate of U.N involved in an illegel war and in the process killing thousends of innocent Iraqi men women and children it was your Pitajee the U.S with his lapdog (U.K) it’s people like your mindset who made the ISIS not Islam or anyone else the west is responsible for the mess they created and now its spreading towards S.E Asia
Yv Onne Koh wish you the best. But look at the battering ram made of noodles before you start hitting at the iron wall India has built
Rajendra Kumar The problem is when they talk macho, Vietnam (which gave a bloody nose to PLA) (Now armed with 25 Brahmos), Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore are watching. If chinese loose face they will know Chinese are paper tigers.
The chinese cannot afford a war at this juncture also. Their economy is going downhill. A war may mean attacks on their industrial production centres when an already ailing industrial sector will get devastated and there will be widespread unemployment. The repressive tactics of old china will no longer work.
Having said all this, let me add these are all speculation. The truth will be known when push becomes shove. I pray it does not. I pray the chinese internal power struggle ends fast. India is graceful to give a face saving formula to Chinese. But the truth will yet be known world wide.
Theyy should not have started Doklam. It was a grave miscalculation.
Kar Alvarez half a million of indian army could not handel Kashmiri boys with stones in their hands make no mistake india will get spanked this time remember Kargil how the Pakis droped iaf like flies left n right and india as usual ran to israel for help legal advice for you BACK OFF
Jing Wang please do practice what you preach. Have a nice and peaceful day.
Irene Cassandra why not you try honey? Then China will have no cultural relics left LOL.
B.c. Quah we are not, my dear friend. We are realistic.
There will be caualities on the Indian side but we will give more than we take. We fight to the last man and last bullet. The Chinese have no stomoch for such sustained fighting. The attack may result in the surrender of Tibet. Keep that in mind. China is a dying culture with an aging population and a weak army.
One difference is Chinese cannot afford death. One soldier dead means a family name ends thanks to the One Child Policy. Do you this will endear the populace when the body bags start arriving?
We are aware of the powerstruggle in the forbidden city. We keep our powder dry. We have our Tibetan soldiers already watching the deployment of missiles and the like in Tibet.
Irene Cassandra My dear Chinese friend who is so shy about using his name or face, let me tell you some facts
Read
https://web.archive.org/web/20061207041746/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/surfacetoairmissile/hq9.asp
The chinese admit
"After China imported the S-300PMU missile from Russia in the early 1990s, the HQ-9 missile was redesigned to incorporate Russian missile rocket, aerodynamic layout, and launch system. The resulting HQ-9A is ‘cold-launched’ vertically from a S-300-style tube launcher system."
so whats red flag 9? It is just some meral enclosure from which a Russian rocket is fired LOL.
"By the time the HQ-9 was ready for operational deployment in the late 1990s, the missile was already behind foreign air-defence missiles such as U.S. PAC3 and Russian S-300PMU2 in terms of technology and performance."
So much for the celebrated HQ9 LOL – a failed obselete system. Do deploy them in Tibet please. Our Khempas would love to blow them up LOL.
We know the quality of PLA soldiers when they screamed peed, shat and run from a rag tag militia of sudanese. When Indian Army went in to rescue them, the army could not go near the chinese because they were smelling of shit. We had to send them to have a bath before we could go near even.
Read
http://postcard.news/hilarious-coward-chinese-soldiers-ran-away-from-an-united-nation-mission-when-sudans-militia-attacked-them/
What did Indian Army do? They just went in with canes and just took away the guns from the militia that they meekly surrendered.
It is this army thats going to attack us?
As for your friends the Pakis. I suggest you see pictures of the greatest single surrender ceremony in modernhistory. 800 Generals and officers above rank of Brigadier, 20000Officers and 100000 Ors.