# PLAN
Latest news and articles about PLAN
Total: 60 articles found
Deepening the 'No Limits' Pact: China and Russia Assemble Elite Fleet for Joint Sea-2026
The 'Joint Sea-2026' naval exercises have officially commenced with over ten elite Chinese and Russian warships assembling to demonstrate advanced maritime integration. The drills signal a significant evolution in the Sino-Russian military partnership, emphasizing operational interoperability and collective power projection in the Pacific.
Shadows Over the Strait: Beijing Asserts Naval Dominance as Sino-Russian Drills Loom
Chinese naval activity near Japan reached a fever pitch in late June 2026, featuring the debut of the newly commissioned Type 055 destroyer Dongguan. As Beijing normalizes these transits through strategic straits, the arrival of Russian forces for joint exercises signals a deepening maritime alliance aimed at countering Tokyo and Washington.
China’s Flat-Top Revolution: The Type 076 ‘Sichuan’ and the Dawn of Drone-Centric Power Projection
China is finalizing the Type 076 Sichuan, a 40,000-ton amphibious assault ship equipped with electromagnetic catapults and a dual-island design. This vessel significantly enhances the PLAN's ability to project air power via fixed-wing drones and aircraft, marking a strategic shift in naval aviation.
The Invisible Fleet-Killer: Why the B-2’s New Stealth Missile Role Rattles the Pacific
The U.S. Air Force has revealed a 'double stealth' anti-ship capability pairing B-2 bombers with AGM-158C missiles, specifically designed to penetrate modern naval air defenses. China is countering this threat by focusing on anti-satellite warfare, electronic disruption, and advanced early warning systems to break the American targeting chain.
The Mountain Sentinels of China’s Blue-Water Ambitions
This report examines the critical but hidden role of the PLAN’s munitions specialists stationed in remote mountain locations, highlighting their transition toward high-tech, data-driven logistics. Through the stories of veteran and junior soldiers, it illustrates how technical precision and operational speed in the hinterlands are essential to China's maritime strike readiness.
Sharper Fins: The J-15T Upgrade and the Evolution of Chinese Naval Aviation
The Chinese Navy has significantly enhanced the combat power of the Liaoning aircraft carrier by deploying the J-15T, a modernized fighter featuring AESA radar and advanced missile systems. This upgrade serves as a technological bridge between China's older carrier fleet and its next generation of catapult-equipped vessels.
The Zunyi: A Floating Monument to China’s Deep-Blue Naval Ambitions
The Zunyi, a Type 055 destroyer, represents the intersection of China’s revolutionary heritage and its modern ambition to dominate the high seas. As one of the world's most advanced warships, its deployment underscores the PLAN's rapid shift toward long-range power projection and sophisticated blue-water operations.
China’s ‘Flying Shark’ Evolution: How the J-15T Transforms the Liaoning’s Combat Reach
China has upgraded its J-15 carrier-based fighter to the J-15T variant, featuring AESA radar and catapult compatibility. These improvements significantly boost the combat effectiveness of the aircraft carrier Liaoning and bridge the gap toward China's next-generation catapult-equipped carriers.
The Empty Deck: Deciphering the CNS Fujian’s Strategic Transit to the South China Sea
The CNS Fujian's transit through the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea marks a critical phase in China's pursuit of a world-class blue-water navy. This deployment aims to test advanced electromagnetic catapult systems and new-generation carrier aircraft amidst heightened regional tensions.
Beyond the First Island Chain: The Liaoning’s 40-Day Power Projection in the Western Pacific
The Liaoning aircraft carrier group has concluded a 40-day combat-readiness mission in the South China Sea and Western Pacific. This deployment underscores China's increasing capability to project naval power and sustain long-term operations beyond its coastal waters.
Tactical Inversion: How Beijing Turns Japanese Surveillance into Carrier Combat Drills
Chinese military experts are framing Japanese surveillance of PLAN carrier groups as a valuable 'real-combat' training opportunity. These reports also claim that Japan's detection of Chinese fleet movements is becoming increasingly delayed, suggesting a shift in the regional maritime balance of power.
Tensions Surge in the First Island Chain: China’s Liaoning Carrier Group Squares Off Against Japanese Surveillance
China's Liaoning carrier strike group has reportedly conducted multiple operations to intercept and counter Japanese military surveillance during recent drills in the Western Pacific. These incidents highlight the growing tactical friction between Beijing and Tokyo as the PLAN seeks to project power beyond the First Island Chain.