Defense/Military - 27. page

Global Times recently reported that Russia’s latest air defense missile system, the S-400 “Growler” (NATO name: SA-21) was a huge success and has been threatening the U.S. Patriot air defense missile’s market share even among U.S allies, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia. According to the U.S. magazine The National Interest, the efficiency of the Russian S-400 has been “a game changer in the Middle East.” The S-400 can destroy any missiles within a range of 40 to 400 kilometers. It is designed to shoot down long-range reconnaissance aircraft. With the help of special radar, an S-400 can detect stealth fighter jets as well. There is no Patriot model that can match S-400’s capabilities. China was the first country that reached a deal with Russia for a supply of the S-400 supply; not long-ago Russia delivered the first shipment of that deal. This recent delivery was enough of a supply to equip several regiments.

Sources:
1. Global Times, October 28, 2017
http://mil.huanqiu.com/observation/2017-10/11340625.html
2. The National Interest, “Russia’s S-400 Is a Game Changer in the Middle East, October 17, 2017
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/russias-s-400-game-changer-the-middle-east-america-should-22760

Global Times recently reported that the Chinese military operating at China’s first international military base, located in Djibouti, conducted its first combat exercise on September 22. This was the first time in the Chinese military’s history that a foreign-resident range was use for a live ammunition exercise. It is also considered as a warning to “those who attempt to challenge China.” The Chinese troops have been stationed at the base since August 1. The Global Times report also mentioned that Japan planned to conduct an armed evacuation exercise three days later in Japan’s Djibouti military base not far away. Japan established its base in 2011.

Source: Global Times, September 23, 2017
http://world.huanqiu.com/exclusive/2017-09/11277469.html

Two years ago, Xi Jinping restructured the Central Military Commission (CMC) by putting 15 organs under it . Since then, the top leaders of 10 organs have been changed. The two most recent appointments are Qin Shengxiang (秦生祥), former Director of the General Office of the CMC, who was appointed as the Political Commissar of the Navy and Song Puxuan (宋普选) the former Commander of the Northern Theater, who replaced Zhao Keshi (赵克石) as the head of the CMC Logistic Support Department. {Editor’s note: In the PLA system, there are two top officials per unit, one is the Commander (or Minister or Director) and one is the Political Commissar. Changes in either position means that Organ had a leadership change.}

The following are the heads of the 15 organs:

General Office: Director replacement to be announced
Joint Staff Department: Joint Chief of Staff Li Zuocheng (李作成) (New)
Political Work Department: Director Miao Hua (苗华) (New)
Logistic Support Department: Minister Song Puxuan (宋普选) (New); Political Commissar Zhang Shuguo (张书国)
Equipment Development Department: Minister Zhang Youxia (张又侠) (Unchanged); Political Commissar An Zhaoqing (安兆庆) (New)
Training and Administration Department: Minister Li Huohui (黎火辉) (New); Political Commissar replacement to be announced
National Defense Mobilization Department: Minister Sheng Bin (盛斌) (Unchanged); Political Commissar replacement to be announced
Discipline Inspection Commission: Zhang Shengmin (张升民) (New)
Politics and Law Commission: Li Xiaofeng (李晓峰) (Unchanged)
Science and Technology Commission: Liu Guozhi (刘国治) (Unchanged)
Office for Strategic Planning: Wang Huiqing (王辉青) (Unchanged)
Office for Reform and Organizational Structure: Replacement to be announced
Office for International Military Cooperation: Hu Changming (胡昌明) (New)
Audit Office: Guo Chunfu (郭春富) (Unchanged)
Agency for Offices Administration: Liu Zhiming (刘志明) (Unchanged)

Source: 163.com, September 13, 2017
http://news.163.com/17/0913/16/CU7R9DSE0001899N.html

Xinhua recently published an article about the restructuring of the Chinese military, following the directives that Xi Jinping issued. After eight months of consolidation, restructuring, and inspection work, the Central Military Commission has completed both the restructuring of the military and an inspection tour. The article stated that the military inspection team visited military sites, universities, and the armed police force. The focus of the inspection work was to determine whether the military follows the rules and political orders; whether they are loyal, whether they have the ability to execute orders, and whether the party organization and the members are performing their roles in the military.

Source: Xinhua, September 10, 2017
http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2017-09/10/c_1121639092.htm