Rusty Ships and Unused Aircraft Carriers: The Other Side of Asia’s Militaries

Bloomberg

02 June 2016

As China spends billions to upgrade and reorganize the People’s Liberation Army, the deficiencies in competing Asia-Pacific militaries are coming into focus. And even some of China’s much heralded military advances are drawing attention for their shortcomings. Here is a snapshot of some of Asia’s less illustrious military kit.

… The Philippine Navy frigate is a former destroyer with the U.S. navy, launched in 1943. Her weapons systems are of World War II origin and have barely been upgraded, according to Wu Shang-Su, a research fellow in the Military Studies Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

… China’s WS-10 Taihang jet engine is considered to be its best, yet it still disappoints, according to Richard Bitzinger, coordinator of the Military Transformations Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. It is underpowered and reportedly lasts only 30 hours before it needs an overhaul, he says. Consequently, most modern aircraft in the People’s Liberation Army are powered by engines mostly from Russia or Ukraine.

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Last updated on 07/06/2016