China establishes 'air-defence zone' over East China Sea

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

"If the U.S. is truly committed to lowering tensions in the region, it must first stop acquiescing to Tokyo's dangerous brinkmanship. It must stop emboldening belligerent Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to constantly push the envelope of Japan's encroachments and provocations."
[/size]
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/04/us-japan-china-usa-idUSBRE9B303220131204




Ppffffffftttttttt. They have no honor.

[BanzaiCat]

[GDS_Starfury]

y'all are going to love this spin:

"Smog may affect people's health and daily lives ... but on the battlefield, it can serve as a defensive advantage in military operations," said an article on the website of Global Times, a nationalist newspaper affiliated to the Communist Party's mouthpiece the People's Daily.
"Missile guidance that relies on human sight, infrared rays and lasers could be affected by smog in varying degrees, the article said. It explained that tiny particles in the air contributing to air pollution could hinder missile guidance systems.
"The article said that during the Kosovo war, soldiers of the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia used smoke from burning tires to hamper Nato air strikes. The smoke reduced visibility, hindering reconnaissance efforts, the article said.
"...The article also said that during the first Gulf war, sand storms reduced the identification distances of thermal imaging equipment on US tanks from 2,500 metres to 800 metres, while optical detection of Iraqi tanks was reduced to almost nil."

http://www.businessinsider.com/nationalist-newspaper-puts-positive-spin-on-chinas-smog-problem-2013-12?IR=C

[Staggerwing]

Yeah because we all know that things like FLIR and thermal imaging technology haven't changed an iota in over 20 years...  ::)

[LongBlade]

Looks like the Chinese army-navy needs to learn how to properly steer a vessel. They're not quite ready for prime time.

The guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens, which recently took part in disaster relief operations in the Philippines, was confronted by Chinese warships in the South China Sea near Beijing's new aircraft carrier Liaoning, according to officials familiar with the incident.

"On December 5th, while lawfully operating in international waters in the South China Sea, USS Cowpens and a PLA Navy vessel had an encounter that required maneuvering to avoid a collision," a Navy official said.

"This incident underscores the need to ensure the highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap."

source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/13/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-us-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

[GDS_Starfury]

sounds like a play from the Soviet seamanship manual circa 1980.

[mirth]

They tried to stop a U.S. Navy cruiser in international waters? Seriously? Shit like that makes me wish the Cowpens had sunk the entire ChiComm battlegroup and continued on her way.

[BanzaiCat]

"This incident underscores the need to ensure the highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap."

...GrogHeads Translate...

Bitch best step off and not be frontin' again or next time we'll send a...a strongly-worded letter.

[GDS_Starfury]

heres a more complete article with other naval events listed:

http://freebeacon.com/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-u-s-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

sounds like a play from the Soviet seamanship manual circa 1980.

That would be the "Our hulls are cheaper to repair than your hulls" win.

[mirth]

heres a more complete article with other naval events listed:

http://freebeacon.com/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-u-s-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

It'd be a shame if one of those ChiComm LSTs had a mishap in the form of a Mark 48.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

They tried to stop a U.S. Navy cruiser in international waters? Seriously? Shit like that makes me wish the Cowpens had sunk the entire ChiComm battlegroup and continued on her way.

Funny, I had a dream a couple nights ago that I was watching a US China furball over the ocean. All the Chinese planes were splashed easily.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

heres a more complete article with other naval events listed:

http://freebeacon.com/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-u-s-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

It'd be a shame if one of those ChiComm LSTs had a mishap in the form of a Mark 48.

Would you like to buy some Canadian ice breakers for your South China Sea tours? ;-)

[Windigo]

heres a more complete article with other naval events listed:

http://freebeacon.com/chinese-naval-vessel-tries-to-force-u-s-warship-to-stop-in-international-waters/

It'd be a shame if one of those ChiComm LSTs had a mishap in the form of a Mark 48.

Would you like to buy some Canadian ice breakers for your South China Sea tours? ;-)

We are gonna need bigger boats

[besilarius]

Vietnam has made a move.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-help-train-Vietnam-in-submarine-operations/articleshow/9987596.cms?intenttarget=no

They are buying six KILO subs from Russia and have entered a training program with India. 
Have to wonder how the Chinese are taking all of this pushback.  They have forced all their neighbors to work out mutual defense arrangements and beguj an arms race.  It will be interesting to see what develops.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131213/DEFREG01/312130010/Germany-Christens-First-New-Frigate-Class?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp

Also, Germany has begun a new class of frigates that are designed for use in the tropics.  Not since WWI has that country specifically designed vessels for use outside of Europe.  They are not saying China, but one must wonder.