Latest news with #PLA
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US Air Force sounds alarm on China's missile arsenal and 'Kill Web' threat
US Air Force leaders are alarmed by China's growing missile capabilities and its development of a sophisticated "kill web" for targeting US forces. Experts suggest a full-scale invasion of Taiwan is unlikely due to high risks. Instead, China might opt for coercive measures like blockades and political warfare to achieve its objectives, according to a Stimson Center seminar. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Leaders in the US Air Force have expressed worries regarding the missile capabilities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and its development of a " kill web ," noting that the forthcoming budget request from the US Department of Defense emphasizes enhancing defenses in the Indo-Pacific due to the escalating threat from China, as reported by the Taipei in the US believe that a full-scale invasion by China is both risky and improbable, suggesting that Beijing is more likely to adopt coercive measures such as political warfare or blockades to achieve its objectives. High-ranking officers from the Air Force and the US Space Force, including US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman, participated in a Senate subcommittee hearing to discuss the defence budget for the upcoming Meink and Saltzman remarked that the PLA is making progress in its ballistic missile capabilities . They noted that China possesses over 900 short-range missiles capable of targeting Taiwan, along with 400 land-based missiles that can reach the first island chain. In addition, they highlighted China's arsenal of 1,300 medium-range ballistic missiles that can strike the second island chain, 500 intermediate-range ballistic missiles that can reach parts of Alaska and Australia, and more than 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear payloads globally, according to the Taipei Times expressed his greatest concern regarding China's "kill web," which allows the PLA to monitor US joint forces and operations from significant distances. He mentioned last March that China had already deployed over 470 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites, which contribute information to a sophisticated sensor-to-shooter kill web. This type of "kill web," which connects sensors directly to strike units, speeds up attack execution through data sharing and automation, facilitating strikes to be carried out within another development, the Stimson Center, a think tank based in Washington, hosted a seminar titled "The Realities of an Invasion of Taiwan," in which senior fellow Dan Grazier, fellow James Siebens, and research associate MacKenna Rawlins examined the strategic, political, economic, and military considerations that China may factor into its invasion plans for from research that included field investigations in Taiwan, Grazier and his team concluded that attempting an amphibious assault on the island would involve significant risks, such as the threat of nuclear escalation , political instability, and economic fallout, with a low likelihood of success. Grazier indicated that the potential risks involved in invading Taiwan far surpass any possible benefits, while Siebens noted that China has various military strategies that could be more viable and simpler to execute, including a blockade, emphasizing that China is pursuing unification through political warfare and coercive tactics, as cited by the Taipei Times report.
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
China removes senior general, naval chief & top scientist in military
The purge of China's powerful defence and security establishment continued as top military officials, including a senior general, chief of navy and a nuclear scientist, were expelled from the national legislature on Friday. General Miao Hua along with Vice Admiral Li Hanjun, chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), and Liu Shipeng, deputy chief engineer of China National Nuclear Corporation, have been removed from the National People's Congress (NPC), the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Li is the latest of a string of PLA generals and a handful of defence industry executives to have been implicated in a sweeping crackdown in the military, the Post reported. Both have been stripped of their membership of the legislature, the report said. State-run Xinhua news agency reported that the standing committee of the NPC, which concluded its session here on Friday, also voted to remove top General Miao Hua from his position as a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the Chinese military, headed by President Xi Jinping. Miao, the youngest general in the Chinese military hierarchy, has been under probe for serious violations of discipline since November last year. He was dismissed from the NPC in April this year. Miao was also director of the Political Work Department of the CMC, a role critical in managing Communist Party ideology and personnel changes within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). His career advanced significantly after Xi assumed power, leading to roles in the Chinese Navy as a political commissar and eventually becoming the PLA's youngest admiral. The defence ministry said Miao was being investigated for suspected serious violations of discipline, a phrase used as a euphemism for corruption. Since he took over power towards the end of 2012, 72-year-old Xi has carried out massive purges in the country's over two-million-strong military, removing or punishing dozens of senior generals for corruption and indiscipline. Those who were punished included two defence ministers as Xi consolidated his hold on the armed forces and the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). Xi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of party loyalty among PLA officials to strengthen ideological control and support China's goal of becoming a military superpower. Miao is the second CMC member to be removed from his position since the current leadership took office in 2022.
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First Post
5 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
China expels PLA general, navy chief and nuclear scientist in sweeping anti-corruption purge
The purge of China's powerful defence and security establishment continued as top military officials, including a senior general, chief of navy and a nuclear scientist, were expelled from the national legislature on Friday. read more China's crackdown on its defence and security establishment intensified on Friday with the expulsion of several top military figures, including a senior general, the navy's chief of staff, and a nuclear industry official from the national legislature. According to the South China Morning Post, General Miao Hua, Vice Admiral Li Hanjun, chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Liu Shipeng and deputy chief engineer at China National Nuclear Corporation were removed from the National People's Congress (NPC). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Li is the most recent among several PLA generals and defence industry leaders to be caught up in the ongoing purge, the report said. The report also noted that both officials have lost their positions in the legislature. Separately, state news agency Xinhua reported that the NPC's standing committee, which wrapped up its session on Friday, voted to strip General Miao Hua of his membership in the Central Military Commission (CMC), the top command body of China's military, led by President Xi Jinping. Miao, the youngest general in the Chinese military hierarchy, has been under probe for serious violations of discipline since November last year. He was dismissed from the NPC in April this year. Miao was also director of the Political Work Department of the CMC, a role critical in managing Communist Party ideology and personnel changes within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). His career advanced significantly after Xi assumed power, leading to roles in the Chinese Navy as a political commissar and eventually becoming the PLA's youngest admiral. The defence ministry said Miao was being investigated for suspected serious violations of discipline, a phrase used as a euphemism for corruption. Since he took over power towards the end of 2012, 72-year-old Xi has carried out massive purges in the country's over two-million-strong military, removing or punishing dozens of senior generals for corruption and indiscipline. Those who were punished included two defence ministers as Xi consolidated his hold on the armed forces and the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Xi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of party loyalty among PLA officials to strengthen ideological control and support China's goal of becoming a military superpower. Miao is the second CMC member to be removed from his position since the current leadership took office in 2022. With inputs from agencies
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
3 Insurgents Arrested For Extortion, Firearms Recovered In Manipur
Imphal: Security forces have arrested three militants, including a woman, belonging to various proscribed outfits in Manipur, police said on Friday. A woman cadre of the banned Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) was arrested from Haobam Marak area in Imphal West district on Thursday, a senior officer said. She was allegedly involved in extortion and had threatened officials and courier service operators in Imphal, he said. One active cadre of the outlawed Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) was arrested from Samurou in Imphal West district on Thursday for allegedly being involved in extortion in valley areas. A pistol was recovered from him, the officer said. On 25.06.2025, security forces arrested 01 (one) active cadre of PREPAK(PRO), namely, Thangjam Puremba Singh (26) @ Thapanba of Khurai Thangjam Leikai, under Porompat-PS, Imphal East District from his residence. From his possession, 01(one) Mobile Phone and 01(one) Aadhaar Card... — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 27, 2025 A cadre of the proscribed Prepak (Pro) was also arrested from his house in Khurai Thangjam Leikai area in Imphal East district on Wednesday. A person, who had allegedly threatened people, using firearms, was arrested from the Mayang Imphal Bengoon Maning area in the Imphal West district. One pistol, along with ammunition, was seized from his possession, the officer said. On 26.06.2025, security forces arrested 01 (one) active cadre woman of RPF/PLA, namely, Loukrakpam Premi Devi (43) of Sayang Konthoujam Leikai, Lamphel-PS, Imphal West District from Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai area under Singjamei-PS, Imphal West District. She had served monetary... — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 27, 2025 Security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination exercises in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki tribes since May 2023. The Centre on February 13 imposed President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
India.com
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
China in panic after witnessing destruction caused by US' B-2 bombers; experts say Beijing, Xi Jinping must...
The B-2 stealth bomber is the world's most expensive warplane. (File) B-2 stealth bomber: Earlier this month, the United States decimated Iranian nuclear sites as they used the B-2 stealth bombers to drop the massive 30,000lbs (13.6 tonne) GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), aka the bunker buster bombs, on Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow nuclear facilities, which purportedly 'completely obliterated' these locations, according to US President Donald Trump. The US' use of the B-2 stealth bomber in Iran has become a hot topic of discussion among global strategic circles, and has sparked panic among Washington's rivals, including China, who have been stunned at the destructive effectiveness of the sixth-generation bomber jet, especially its ability to fly long distances. Chinese experts in awe of B-2 stealth bomber The B-2's performance has impressed Chinese experts, who are now calling upon Beijing to develop a similar bomber jet to maintain strategic parity with the United States. According to Song Zhongping, a military analyst and former instructor in China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), nothing, not even a latest 6th-generation fighter jet, can replace strategic bomber, even in an era where long-range attack missiles exist, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. Zhongping notes that strategic bombers have the capability to carry both nuclear and conventional attack, which makes it strategic weapon that could turn the tide in favor of any army. How B-2 stealth bomber destroyed Iranian nuclear sites On June 22, the US military launched Operation Midnight Hammer, under which seven B-2 stealth bombers breached Iranian airspace and dropped its heavy GBU-57 bunker busting bombs on the country's top nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. The bomber took off from the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and flew for nearly 37 hours, taking the trans-Atlantic route via the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, and entered Iran's airspace from the west or southwest. This was the the longest mission for the B-2 bomber since 2001. After bombing Iranian nuclear facilities with impunity, the B-2 stealth bomber fleet left the Iranian airspace and returned without any resistance, a feat that has stunned Chinese experts, who now believe that strategic bombers are very important for the Chinese army due to their utility in attacking anywhere in the world and establishing nuclear deterrence. What makes the B-2 stealth bomber special? The Northrop B-2 Spirit, commonly known as the B-2 stealth bomber, is a heavy strategic bomber with low-observable stealth technology designed to evade dense anti-aircraft defenses. The B-2 bomber has a special radar-absorbent coating on its body, which absorbs radar signals and prevent them bouncing off the aircraft, significantly reducing detection chances by enemy radars. This unique technology also increases the B-2's speed, and its sleek body is designed in manner that drastically reduces the plane's radar cross-section. The B-2 stealth bomber is especially designed to carry heavy bombs, including the GBU-57 bunker buster, which it reportedly dropped on Iran's underground Fordow nuclear site during Sunday's attack. The heavy bomber can also carry nuclear bombs. Additionally, the B-2 has a range of more than 10,000 kilometers, making it capable of carrying out intercontinental strikes. China is currently flight-testing two different sixth-generation aircraft, the J-36 and J-50, however, even the most advanced 6th-gen stealth fighters are no match for a strategic bomber, due its long-flight capability, and the sheer volume of explosives it can carry, as per analysts.
