Courtesy of this Japanese media report we have a previously (publicly) unseen satellite image of the Type 09X in Jiangnan, when it was launched beginning of June. The boat is still on the launch barge, which moved it from the assembly hall to the fitting out berth. www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...

How low can you go? Twenty years ago (18/07/06) an RAAF RF-111C performed an emergency wheels up landing at RAAF Amberley. No injuries, though the aircraft was a write-off. Images via Air Force Association - SA Division FB account.

Courtesy of @twz.com we have a new image of the large new PLAN fleet replenishment ship launched a few days ago at COMEC Guangzhou. RAS gantries have a similar, but not identical setup vs Type 901 Interestingly, the propulsion arrangement also seems similar, ie likely CODAD.

Of additional interest is the presumed trimaran submarine originally produced by Huangpu. The fact that the hull is now moored at Bohai may underscore relevance of the effort for PLAN. This further reinforces impression that no less than four PRC yards actively pursue submarine production.

New satellite imagery of Bohai submarine shipyard, courtesy of @type36512.bsky.social. Of immediate interest is side by side comparison of recently produced SSN, ie Type 095/09V and the newer Type 09X/New SSN. I increasingly lean towards the new boat being, effectively, an 095A.

Apart from points above I also worry about overemphasis of the argument here. Too often "individual platform performance isnt decisive" is used as a foil to curtail spending & coherent focus on particular assets. This is why NGF turned out to be the biggest nail in the coffin for FCAS.

This is not a realistic idea. Sounds great in theory. But the reality of development across platforms makes integration challenging even for single operators like the US. Similar pitches let FCAS limp on as "system of systems" long past its industrial shelf life. www.challenges.fr/entreprise/d...

New(ish) image of the amphibious/surface effect aircraft at Gangmen, Sanya. Via 撒手锏_/Wb.

Interesting images of PLAN vessels in Guangzhou. In particular because the Type 071 LPD and Type 680 cadet training ship (83 Qui Jiguang) are moored at the Nansha cruise/ferry terminal. But also because some of the new amphibious barges sit in the same location. Via 撒手锏_/Wb.

First flight for the first "Quadriga" (Tranche 4) Eurofighter on order for Luftwaffe. Germany is procuring 38 T4 and 20 T5 standard Eurofighters replacing older T1 airframes, partially covering retirement of Tornado fleet & maintaining production. Images Bundeswehr/Airbus.

Pleased to have made it into a FP article, together with the usual suspects. 😉 foreignpolicy.com/2026/07/10/c...

The plan now appears to be to install a demonstrator onboard a Berlin-class AOR by 2029. Once deemed satisfactory, BMVg may request a budget for series production & fielding. The budget committee also urges development of a land-based DEW, presumably with comparable capability.

The CSSC "carrier" at berth. The location is Nanshan on Hainan. Via @chaoyinsukandao/X, satellite shot via Copernicus.

Imagery update from Huangpu. The Type 054B FFG is slowly making its way towards launch. There's also a PCU Type 054AG in the water on the left. Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/SDF, originally Wb.

While a drastic revision on defence as a national policy priority is of course welcome, Germany continues to have an abysmal track record in actual planning and implementation. Add to this decreasing accountability on spending and there are a few things to be concerned about.

Incidentally, you will probably read a lot of coverage of this event describing Type 212CD as a further improved Type 212A. The moniker is quite misleading, however. This is effectively a cleansheet design, based on expertise from the previous effort. It's really a new boat.

New images of Type 075 LHD 31 Hainan returning to Shanghai/Hudong after trial. The ship appears to evaluate some distinct equipment placed forward and astern on the flight deck, the purpose of which remains speculative. Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/SDF, originally Wb.

German minehunter FGS Fulda (M1058) in Djibouti. The vessel together with tender FGS Mosel (A1512) remains on location waiting for a notional deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. However, recent comments by Berlin indicate an abortive return to Germany within weeks. Image German Navy/WA channel.

New image of the new (presumed, though likely) nuclear powered submarine produced by Jiangnan, Changxing Island/Shanghai. Via @WZZWJ/X.

Hudong is the exclusive builder of the entire existing Type 071 LPD (1) and Type 075 LHD (2)-fleet. Additionally the yard recently completed the first Type 076 catapult-equipped LHD (3), now undergoing sea trials with PLAN. Eight Type 071 and four Type 075 are presently active with PLAN.

Some interesting developments afoot at Chinese naval shipbuilder Hudong in Shanghai. The new facility on Changxing Island now appears to assemble not one, but two Type 071 LPD in the same dock. This facility also appears to have launched one of two new Type 054B FFG. Image originally @Tumoduss/X.

I see frequent excitement & bold forecasts by various Australian commentators on AUKUS, especially in terms of what will "definitely" not happen. So its interesting to note a seemingly complete silence on the British DIP revelation how SSN AUKUS will cut first steel next year. 🤔

USAF F-15EX with MQ-28 Ghost Bat at Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. Image via USAF Pacific Air Forces Facebook account.

An entire article ripped off original writing by HI Sutton for @navalnews.com, naturally without any reference, linking or other credit given, on "InterestingEngineering.com" (look it up through the main page, I am hesitant to reward link-clicks).Not sure whether Sujita Sinha is even a real person.

For comparison a recent image of what is suspected to be the Type 071 LPD at Hudong, in the second drydock. Note how the drydock itself is also being extended from its original configuration seen in the GE snapshot above. Image via "Tomboy"/SDF.

Hudong appears to be in the process of constructing two new amphibious ships simultaneously in separate drydocks. Image 1 shows the presumed Type 075 LHD located in a more recently completed facility (red). Hudong also assembles what may be a Type 071 LPD (yellow). Image credit @type36512/X.

Not bad for a boy from the Neubaublocks in Leipzig-Grünau.

Such work of course has precedent. Apart from the second submarine base at Longpo the most obvious example is the drastic expansion of facilities for the NTC surface fleet, incl aircraft carriers, at Yuchi (first image 2003, second late 2024), which is ongoing.

Beginning around March (1), additional vessels, seemingly various work barges, appear, and over the next two months increase in numbers (2: late April, 3: mid-May), outlining the presumed area for the new facility (4).