# China military
Latest news and articles about China military
Total: 6 articles found
Four Legs, One Rhythm: China Puts Cavalry Drill on Display to Showcase Military Discipline
Footage released by a Chinese military outlet shows cavalry horses moving in tightly synchronized formations, a ceremonial display that highlights the PLA’s emphasis on discipline, tradition and carefully managed public messaging. While horses have limited battlefield utility today, mounted units remain useful for certain terrains and for projecting an image of military order, not as an indicator of doctrinal change.
China’s New 300 km Air-to-Air Missile Sharpens J-20’s Reach and Shifts BVR Calculus
A leaked paper outlines the PL-16, a compact Chinese air‑to‑air missile with an asserted 300 km range designed for internal carriage on fifth‑generation fighters. By trading extreme size for fit and firepower density, the PL-16 promises to extend the J‑20’s BVR reach and complicate regional air‑defense and coalition targeting strategies.
China’s Rocket Force Sharpens Night-time Mobility and Resilience in Realistic Launch Drills
A PLA Rocket Force unit held a realistic night exercise to test the autonomous combat capabilities of dispersed launch teams under drone surveillance and simulated harassment. The drill emphasised rapid concealment, quick emplacement, integrated logistics and simulated launches to improve resilience and complicate adversary targeting.
China Marks 13 Years of the Y-20
China celebrated the 13th anniversary of the Y-20 "Kunpeng" heavy transport’s first flight, highlighting its transition from prototype to an operational platform used for parades, disaster relief and long‑range missions. State media framed the aircraft as evidence of growing strategic airlift capacity that strengthens the PLAAF’s reach and supports both practical operations and national prestige.
China’s New 054B Frigate Marks First Year of Operational Integration for a More Networked Navy
The PLA Navy’s first 054B frigate, Luohe (545), has completed its first year of service after commissioning in January 2025, conducting repeated live-fire drills and routine at-sea training. The class is intended to enhance early warning, information processing and integrated combat functions, making it a force-multiplier within fleet networks rather than a standalone game-changer.
China's Southern Air Brigade Steps Up Day‑and‑Night Flight Drills as Training Tempo Intensifies
A Southern Theater Command air brigade staged multi‑batch, full‑element day‑and‑night flight drills to sharpen all‑weather combat capabilities, state media reported. The exercises underscore the PLA’s emphasis on sustained, integrated training and signal increased operational readiness in a strategically sensitive region.