Chinese Naval Special Forces - projects and capabilities

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Hi ... I was asked by a member from the Secret-Projects team to ask here around for this very special topic:

I am wondering what your view is on Chinese seaborne special forces? My understanding is that, overall, China does not prioritize this capability but that over the years certain capabilities have grown up, particularly the SF divers themselves. But the first SDV I am aware of is the illustration of the new SSN.

The SF (I don't know the unit names) have Russian diver propulsion devices, and would have access to copies of western DPVs if they wanted them.

There's also the 20m midget submarine with twin torpedo tubes but that appears out of service?
Any hints would be greatly appreciated

H

His attempt at covering the topic can be found here:
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Deino
 

rhino123

Pencil Pusher
VIP Professional
Interesting research. However, what I am confuse about was the use of 'yellow' oxygen tank, lime green google, etc. I know they are commercially available, but wouldn't that make hiding very difficult... and stealth is a very important aspect in SF.

I do hope that the Chinese change their tanks to black and non-glossy and threw their bright lime green googles for something that don't reflect light that much. I would think that they would do it in time of war, but shouldn't they do that even during practicing?

Cn_frogmen_bright.jpg


vs, western frogmen,

6c4f2739013774a011cd98a689654148.jpg


german_sof_ks_03.jpg
 
Interesting research. However, what I am confuse about was the use of 'yellow' oxygen tank, lime green google, etc. I know they are commercially available, but wouldn't that make hiding very difficult... and stealth is a very important aspect in SF.

I do hope that the Chinese change their tanks to black and non-glossy and threw their bright lime green googles for something that don't reflect light that much. I would think that they would do it in time of war, but shouldn't they do that even during practicing?

Same with the rainbow assortment of parachute colors the PLA airborne troops are often photographed using.
 

Verum

Junior Member
Interesting research. However, what I am confuse about was the use of 'yellow' oxygen tank, lime green google, etc. I know they are commercially available, but wouldn't that make hiding very difficult... and stealth is a very important aspect in SF.

I do hope that the Chinese change their tanks to black and non-glossy and threw their bright lime green googles for something that don't reflect light that much. I would think that they would do it in time of war, but shouldn't they do that even during practicing?

I have noticed the same thing. When watching clips of PLA frogmen, they all seem to use off the shelf equipment, all bright and noticeable enough to be spotted from a mile away.....even in pitch dark......

At this stage, I think PLA is doing more early stage training and building an infrastructure for future amphibious operations, instead of actually preparing for missions. PLAN has always lacked capabilities in this area compared to the West, especially that of the USN. Now since Taiwan situation is cooling down and seem to be no war any time soon, there is really no need for amphibious assaults and especially special forces operation in the near future.

Instead, they're more exploring and validating for future operations. So I guess we can cut them a bit slack for few more years.
 

Verum

Junior Member
Same with the rainbow assortment of parachute colors the PLA airborne troops are often photographed using.

I think the ones you saw weren't active paratroopers, they are the "August 1st" aka 81 demonstration team. They are technically competitive athletes, competing in various international events and also do parachuting demos on regular basis. They're just like the USN's Blue Angels, strictly just for show.

The actual paratroppers use dark olive or white coloured parachutes.
 

Daniel707

Junior Member
Registered Member
Interesting research. However, what I am confuse about was the use of 'yellow' oxygen tank, lime green google, etc. I know they are commercially available, but wouldn't that make hiding very difficult... and stealth is a very important aspect in SF.

I do hope that the Chinese change their tanks to black and non-glossy and threw their bright lime green googles for something that don't reflect light that much. I would think that they would do it in time of war, but shouldn't they do that even during practicing?

Cn_frogmen_bright.jpg


vs, western frogmen,

6c4f2739013774a011cd98a689654148.jpg


german_sof_ks_03.jpg


I think that's just special case and not daily case.


From what I see, China's Naval Special Forces that they send and Operate in Red sea and Hindian ocean for years until now is using non-glossy googles just like their western counterpart.


China's Naval Special Forces in Red sea and Hindian Ocean Combat Operations
IMG_4371.JPG
IMG_4370.JPG
IMG_4372.JPG
IMG_4373.JPG

 
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plawolf

Lieutenant General
Do people really think the Chinese military couldn’t spray paint those air canisters black if they wanted them black?!

All those shots are taken from training exercises, and being training exercises, they probably deliberately chose high-vis air canisters so that instructors could easier keep track of where the guys are as a safety measure to avoid needless peacetime training mishaps and casualties.

The PLA logistics department is also loathe to break out the shinny new operations kit for regular training, but when PLA units deploy on actual missions, they are always issued proper kit, often things that had not been publically shown in training pictures and videos before.
 
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