Maybe not the reserves, but pretty sure the Army, Marines, and National Guard.For every single soldier and marine in every single unit including Reserves and National Guards (yes that includes non-combat support units)?
New Type98/99 MBT thread
- Thread starter Dongfeng
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plawolf
Lieutenant General
That's one badass tankie.
And good to see they finally started replacing those WWII era padded leather hats (can't really be called the helmet).
This is something I find weird regarding the parade: while the tank and APC crews have China's newest generation of body armor (same as the PAP Snow Leopard ones), the regular infantry on have goggles and tactical vests.
1999...NATO-style tanks hats
Again, NATO armies style tank hat during the 2009 parade.
However, I have never seen them in live firing exercises or other types of training.
Even during the Peace-Mission 2014, the ZTZ-99A2 crews still use the old Russian leather hats. I bought one when I was in Ukraine. It is quite comfortable when I wore it during a paintball match under the cold London rain (fits my mask, too). Maybe the NATO-style tank helmets are just for show (or export). Keep in mind that FACE is very important for Chinese, so I wouldn't be surprised if both the helmets and body armors are purely for show.
He's on the gunner position, and I don't want that guys's 125 on me. As with the tank hats, the Chinese has NATO-type helmets during almost every parade, but I don't recall that they use it during actual live-firing exercises.
1999...NATO-style tanks hats
Again, NATO armies style tank hat during the 2009 parade.
However, I have never seen them in live firing exercises or other types of training.
Even during the Peace-Mission 2014, the ZTZ-99A2 crews still use the old Russian leather hats. I bought one when I was in Ukraine. It is quite comfortable when I wore it during a paintball match under the cold London rain (fits my mask, too). Maybe the NATO-style tank helmets are just for show (or export). Keep in mind that FACE is very important for Chinese, so I wouldn't be surprised if both the helmets and body armors are purely for show.
I think I better adjust my statement here. I have seen NATO-style helmets worn by Chinese tank crews in the 1999, 2009 parades, but the helmet in this year's parade look slightly different.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Interesting, had not noticed that before! Good catch.
As for using them, well I don't think the PLA bought the new style helmets just for show.
I think they keep them until units are operationally deployed, and don't issue the newest gear for exercises where there is zero chance of incoming fire.
You don't see PLA infantry with body armour much during exercises, but the units deployed on anti-piracy patrols and the battalion recently sent to Sudan were all issued with top quality armour.
If there is ever a need to deploy Chinese armour for potential combat missions, that is when you will see them donning all their latest and best gear.
The only other time they will bring those toys out is for parades.
In effect, I think we can see these parades as the PLA displaying what their real life combat deployments will be like, minus the dress uniforms of course (which is also why they never parade prototype kit, only operationally deployed gear).
That's why I do not think the J20 will be making a surprise appearance sadly.
I think this has more to do with those helmets being more uncomfortable than the soft tanker-caps (that are used by the German Army to this day, btw.).
Same as body-armor.
Most soldiers usually chose comfortable clothes and equipment over protection - especially in peacetime. The question is now whether the PLA would do that in wartime as well - as doing that in war-time is a clear signature of bad discipline and a lack of training.
Same as body-armor.
Most soldiers usually chose comfortable clothes and equipment over protection - especially in peacetime. The question is now whether the PLA would do that in wartime as well - as doing that in war-time is a clear signature of bad discipline and a lack of training.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
The PLA is no soft touch.
Their military training and discipline levels are extremely strict.
There is simply no option to opt out of standard issue uniform and equipment. If you are issued with an uncomfortable helmet, you are expected to suck it up and wear it until your head changes shape to fit the helmet if needs be (only slightly joking).
The only concerns the PLA might take into consideration are practical, where something is affecting trooper and unit effectiveness.
Uncomfortable shoes, they will do something about, as that could slow a soldier down, or cause him to suffer an unnecessary injury. Body armour and helmets, not so much.
The author was not interested in the length of an engine's life but in "can you trust your engine to keep working during the next operation or battle".
how stro
why china didn't implement tungsten in their tank? is that hard to manufacture?
yes....how strong ceramic actually is? more stronger than all metal? how about tungsten? many say tungsten more stronger than titanium... is it true?
why china didn't implement tungsten in their tank? is that hard to manufacture?
Well...tungsten are usually too heavy to be used as infantry body armor, so you need light (but strong) materials like Kevlar and ceramic (but their are not as strong as metals). With regards to tank armor, the US and UK use depleted uranium as "special armor." However, other countries use composite armor, and I don't know about the material used in these composite armors. Tungsten are widely used (including China and Germany) as APFSDS anti-armor kinetic penetrators. Again, however, most of the US and UK APFSDS are made of depleted uranium. Russia and China also use depleted uranium APFSDS, but Tungsten is cheaper in these two countries.