Chinese naval flotilla arrives in Karachi on the way from the Gulf of Aden; PLA in the process of upgrading its capabilities to handle security threats in multi-dimensional battlefields
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    • A Chinese naval flotilla returning from the Gulf of Aden arrived at Karachi port on August 5, 2009 to pay a three-day long goodwill visit. Reports noted that the Chinese and Pakistani navies were to undertake joint exercises simulating a variety of combat situations1.

    Reports noted that the PLA was in the process of upgrading its capabilities to handle security threats in multi-dimensional battlefields. Towards this end, the modernization of the Navy and the Air Force were being accorded priority2. Reports noted that the PLAAF had recruited nearly 8,000 national defense students to meet the demands of the modernization drive. The PLA is also substantially relying on civilian higher learning institutions to improve the quality of its cadres and help in the force’s strategic transformation3.

    The third batch of the Chinese peacekeeping engineering detachment to Darfur, Sudan gathered at the Jinan Military Area Command (MAC) ahead of its deployment to Darfur early next month. The regiment is expected to provide assistance in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, buildings, water source searching activities, well drilling and other infrastructure activities. The detachment consists of 315 officers and men selected from an engineering regiment and the First Red Army Company of a regiment under the Jinan MAC and a water supply regiment under the Beijing MAC4.

    In other developments, plans for the construction of a major lab where astro-dynamics studies will be conducted, was approved by the General Armaments Department (GAD) of the PLA. Reports noted that since the successful launch of China’s first man-made satellite, the GAD has focused on cutting-edge research in scientific and technological fields and has succeeded in achieving a leading position in the field of astro-dynamics5.

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