PLAN invited to participate in RIMPAC for first the time (2014)
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Melbourne participated in the very first RIMPAC in 1971, and then participated in '72, '73, '75, '77, '78 and her last at RIMPAC 1980.
antiterror13
Brigadier
When the US Navy Tico cruiser and the PLAN Type 054A FFG and DDG-113 docked together recently, apparently they did a little more than that as well. Perhaps a foreshadow of RIMPAC 2014 off of Hawaii.
This may present a sort of "dry run," for the PLAN involvement in RIMPAC 2014, where they will attend and participate in SAR activities...just like this.
These 2 PLAN ships are in NZ water now (Fri 11 Oct) until Tuesday next week, unfortunately they are in Auckland, roughly 700 km away from me. If it was in Wellington, definitely I would go, to have a look as my office is only 5-7 minutes away from Wellington harbour.
I'll be checking them out tomorrow, so I'll post any pics if it interests people, but if they let people on board they obviously won't let us into sensitive areas which we all want to see like the CIC.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Bltizo ... you live in Auckland ?
Looking very forward to any pics or videos you may be able to get Bltizo...that will be outstanding!
antiterror13
Brigadier
Looks like only 113 is open to visitors
And the line to the ship is crazy long too fml
Understandable ... 054A perhaps too advanced to be shown to public
Please take some photos of the queue
Well only 113 was open to the public, and only the outside was open, no access to corridors, bridge, never mind the CIC lol.
Most of the photos don't show anything new, but here they are anyway heh:
Queue was crazy long. Total wait time from falling in line and borading was an hour and a half D:
Was a sad panda when realized we couldn't go aboard 054A. I think they chose 113 for an open day because A: it was bigger, and most people think big ships are more impressive than a smaller (albiet more capable) vessel, and B: 054A's hull is moer difficult for people to board. I doubt it had anything to do with 054A being "more advanced" because they've been open to visitors at other cities before. Oh well.
113 sensor mast close up.
Onboard. Look at that line! The whole of Auckland's chinese population must have turned out for the ships
ASW rocket launcher
Side by side. 054A really is quite a bit lower.
The bow was very crowded. Classic china.
054A AK-176
Being aboard 113 made for some nice shots of 054A's VLS
Dat Type 730
054A mast and YJ-83 launchers
054A's enclosed davit
Most of the photos don't show anything new, but here they are anyway heh:
Queue was crazy long. Total wait time from falling in line and borading was an hour and a half D:
Was a sad panda when realized we couldn't go aboard 054A. I think they chose 113 for an open day because A: it was bigger, and most people think big ships are more impressive than a smaller (albiet more capable) vessel, and B: 054A's hull is moer difficult for people to board. I doubt it had anything to do with 054A being "more advanced" because they've been open to visitors at other cities before. Oh well.
113 sensor mast close up.
Onboard. Look at that line! The whole of Auckland's chinese population must have turned out for the ships
ASW rocket launcher
Side by side. 054A really is quite a bit lower.
The bow was very crowded. Classic china.
054A AK-176
Being aboard 113 made for some nice shots of 054A's VLS
Dat Type 730
054A mast and YJ-83 launchers
054A's enclosed davit