An interesting article on China's defense modernization:
The essential points made by this article can be summarized as follows:
Taken in sum, I'd have to take many of the article's assertions with a grain of salt. I did find the claim that Italy's Agusta had been involved in troubleshooting the design of the Z10, however, most interesting.
The essential points made by this article can be summarized as follows:
- China has fielded two new Type 94 ballistic missile submarines in the past year, bringing the total number for this class to three. However, the first of the three is reportedly back in dock for repairs - leaving only two operational at the present time.
- According to this article, the PLAN has been dissatisfied with the performance of the Type 94. Sea trials of the ballistic missile that was expected to arm the submarine - the JL-2 - were only partially successful, and the missile has not yet been approved for active service. This means that the Type 94 is currently an empty shell, useful only for field trials. The PLAN is also reported to be unhappy with how loud the Type 94 is, and how easily it can be tracked and intercepted.
- Also according to the article, production of the Z10 assault helicopter has been halted, due to suspended deliveries of the Canadian-produced engine. The Canadian manufacturer was reportedly misled regarding the eventual use of the engines supplied, and has halted further deliveries at the request of the US government.
- The article also claims that the development of the Z10 was aided by the Italian helicopter manufacturer Agusta/Westland. If true, this would signal a major breakdown in US efforts to maintain the European arms embargo against China.
- Finally, the article sites ongoing problems in China's development of an alternative to Russian-supplied AL-31F engines, to equip Chinese J-10 and J-11 fighters. According to this author, "The WS-10A has not been successful and is difficult to maintain."
Taken in sum, I'd have to take many of the article's assertions with a grain of salt. I did find the claim that Italy's Agusta had been involved in troubleshooting the design of the Z10, however, most interesting.