Chinese helicopters being assembled for military combat

Japan Daily Press

In what will surely add fuel to an already tense situation, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), through the state-run Xinhua news agency, is planning to change the training strategy of its army aviation unit from logistic missions to combat operations. This comes to light as more armed helicopters have joined the service.

The PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the organization, has said that they are shifting their training “from building the capacity for non-war military actions to core military actions”. Among missions that they will be conducting are long-distance tasks, large-scale offshore operations, attack coordination with other units, large-scale airborne operations plus boosting the IT technology for its operations.

This move may have been caused by news of Japan conducting military drills on its army helicopters, probably in preparation for defending the country, particularly the much disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands from enemy raids. That was the latest in a chain reaction as both countries have started beefing up their security measures and military training. China’s military exercises are reported to involve ships and aircraft that will focus on taking the islands and retaining them. Naval ships from both sides are increasing their maritime patrolling and surveillance, while both country’s aircraft have been scrambling back to intercept surveillance planes.

“The General Staff Headquarters of PLA has pledged to stage more military drills that simulate real combat, urging commanders and soldiers to strengthen their readiness for possible war”, the PLA Daily reported.

[ via Jagran Post ]