Taiwan Revives Advanced Frigate Program for Enhanced Defense in Taiwan Strait

 

Taiwan's military has decided to revive its "New Generation Frigate" program, driven by the defense needs of the Taiwan Strait. This decision was reported by local media LTN on May 25, 2024, citing a high-level government official. The new frigates are expected to have a displacement of 6,000 tons and will feature U.S.-made AN/SPY-7 active phased array radar. The official mentioned that the Taiwanese navy initially aimed to develop a 4,500-ton vessel with capabilities comparable to larger ships, but this proved overly optimistic.

According to another local source, UP MEDIA, the navy realized that a 4,500-ton vessel could not accommodate all the necessary weapon systems and equipment for modern warfare, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations. The New Generation Frigate program was originally part of a 12-item force building plan announced by the Republic of China (ROC) Navy in 2016. At the 2017 TADTE defense exhibition, a scale model of the frigate was displayed, highlighting its enhanced joint operational capabilities and resilience against heavy attacks. However, there was confusion regarding whether the frigate would feature the Aegis Combat System, as the term was used inconsistently in various descriptions.

The U.S. has not confirmed if it will sell the Aegis Combat System to Taiwan, and the Taiwanese navy’s definition of “Aegis” remains unclear. For instance, in a 2018 parliamentary session, a deputy head of NCSIST explained that an “Aegis ship” refers to a warship equipped with an electronic scanning array (ESA).

China Warns Taiwan Independence Supporters of 'Self-Destruction' at Shangri-La Dialogue

 

After meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, China’s new defense minister, Adm. Dong Jun, appeared amicable, even sharing tips on the best places to see pandas in China. However, his tone shifted dramatically two days later during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, a prominent defense summit.

In a stern speech, Dong warned that those supporting Taiwan's independence would face "self-destruction" and stated that the likelihood of "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan was diminishing. His speech reflected China's dual strategy at the summit: reassuring other nations of its responsible behavior while firmly asserting its stance on Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at Australian National University, described Dong's address as the "most consistently intimidating speech" from China at the summit. A U.S. official echoed this sentiment, calling the speech "tone deaf" and highlighting global concerns about China's coercive activities in the region.

China's recent actions include military activities around the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, where Chinese Coast Guard vessels have harassed Philippine resupply missions. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has warned that any Filipino deaths resulting from such actions would be considered an act of war, potentially drawing the U.S. into the conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines.

During the conference, other leaders also criticized China. U.S. Defense Secretary Austin reiterated that conflict is neither "imminent nor unavoidable," while Australia's Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized that China's growing power would attract greater scrutiny.

Despite resuming military talks with the U.S. after a two-year hiatus, China's actions around Taiwan remain aggressive. Dong cited "external interfering forces," referring to the U.S. and its allies, for escalating tensions in the region. During a Q&A session, Dong defended China's actions, claiming those seeking Taiwanese independence were testing China's "red lines."

Dong's speech concluded with a mix of defiance and humor, highlighting the charged atmosphere at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Russia Issues Nuclear Threats if NATO-Backed F-16s Strike Within Its Borders

 

As NATO's support for Ukraine grows, Russia has issued a stark warning to "small countries with dense populations" about the potential for nuclear retaliation if F-16 jets hit targets inside Russia. This follows comments from the Dutch Foreign Minister suggesting that F-16 fighters from the Netherlands could be used for such strikes.

On May 31, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot stated that the Netherlands would not object if Ukraine used the supplied F-16 fighter jets to strike Russian targets in self-defense. "If you have the right to self-defense, there are no borders for the use of weapons. This is a general principle," Bruins Slot said during an informal NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Prague.

Denmark has taken a similar stance, with Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen noting that it is fair for Ukraine to use Danish-supplied F-16s to target military objectives within Russia. Rasmussen emphasized that Ukraine was not given carte blanche to invade Russia but to target military installations strategically.

Ukraine is set to receive F-16s from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium, with the United States approving the transfer. However, Washington's approval may be needed for combat operations targeting Russian territory, as these fighters were originally sold by the US.

Social media is abuzz with speculation that F-16s will soon strike Russia, despite no official acknowledgment from the Pentagon. Pro-Ukraine bloggers and analysts express widespread jubilation over this possibility. The statements from Dutch and Danish officials reflect a growing consensus within NATO to allow Ukraine to target Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons.

Recent indications suggest that the US may have permitted Ukraine to use American munitions to strike Russia, with President Joe Biden authorizing such strikes near Kharkiv. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed this on May 31, noting that the US would "adapt and adjust" to future Ukrainian requests for strikes within Russia.

Blinken did not specify if F-16s could be used for these strikes. The Biden Administration has so far refrained from allowing Ukraine to use long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to hit Russian targets. Other NATO allies, including France and Germany, have also authorized strikes within Russian territory, led by French President Emmanuel Macron's support for Kyiv's right to neutralize Russian military bases launching attacks into Ukraine.

These decisions come amid Ukrainian leaders' claims that restrictions on their use of weapons have allowed Russia to attack with impunity. Russia has responded with strong warnings, emphasizing its nuclear capabilities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of "serious consequences" due to the escalating situation, particularly for European countries with small territories and dense populations. During a visit to Uzbekistan, Putin highlighted the risks of such nations considering strikes deep into Russian territory.

On May 31, Andrei Kartapolov, Head of the Defense Committee in the Russian lower house, stated that Moscow would respond asymmetrically to any attacks using US-supplied weaponry. Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev also reiterated that Russia's threats of using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine are serious, cautioning that the conflict with the West could escalate into a full-scale war.

Western leaders have hesitated to supply certain weapon systems and authorize their use against Russia to avoid triggering a broader conflict between NATO and Russia. However, with Russia's ongoing aggressive actions and advances into Kharkiv, NATO states are increasingly supporting the use of long-range Western weapons to counter the Russian threat.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Continually Upgraded, New Next-Gen Aircraft Imminent

 Following displays of air power against Taiwan and India, a pilot from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) announced that the J-20 Mighty Dragon is undergoing continuous upgrades to meet its combat objectives.

The Global Times, a state-owned publication, reported that a top test pilot of the J-20 stealth fighter jet revealed that the aircraft is receiving ongoing upgrades, with a next-generation warplane expected to debut soon. Test pilot Li Gang, speaking on China Central Television (CCTV), stated, "The J-20 is constantly improving, keeping pace with the times, and continuously perfecting its mission system to achieve its expected combat objectives."

Li hinted at the imminent introduction of a new aircraft, though he did not specify its type. China is known to be developing a sixth-generation fighter, similar to the efforts of the US and Europe.

In February 2023, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) shared a concept for a sixth-generation fighter featuring diamond-shaped wings and a tailless design. However, as reported by EurAsian Times, China is still working on improving basic radar, avionics, and engine technologies.

Chinese commentators emphasized that China would not rest on the success of the J-20 while other nations, like the US, are developing next-generation fighter jets. The US is progressing with the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) system.

While a new Chinese aircraft might be years away, the J-20 has become a key asset for the PLAAF, deployed in all five military theaters. It has been stationed near the contentious border with India and has participated in military drills targeting Taiwan, demonstrating its readiness for future combat scenarios.

Chinese military aviation specialist Fu Qianshao highlighted that China's aviation technologies have advanced rapidly since the J-20's initial test flight. While some have doubted the J-20's stealth capabilities, Fu stressed that it incorporates the latest technologies, including new engines and aerodynamic, avionics, radar, software, and material modifications.

Fu compared the J-20 to the US Air Force's F-22 Raptors, noting that the F-22 has not seen significant updates since its development and is aging. He argued that the J-20 is currently the most advanced fighter jet globally.

Although the F-22 has received upgrades, particularly in the Block 30/35 versions, the J-20's continuous enhancements highlight China's commitment to advancing its stealth fighter capabilities. The J-20's upgrades include potentially increasing its missile capacity, adding thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, and installing higher-thrust WS-15 engines for supercruise capability.

Additionally, a twin-seater J-20 model, possibly for autonomous escort control, is in development. This model might also serve as a tactical electronic jammer and advanced early warning aircraft.

Reports suggest that the J-20 could have an edge over the F-22 due to its ability to carry multiple missiles like the PL-15, which may have a longer range than the US AIM-120 AMRAAM.

As tensions rise between the US and China, the J-20 poses a significant challenge to US air superiority. With around 200 J-20 fighters in service and more in production, the J-20 represents a formidable threat to the US and its allies.

China's Innovative 'Shark Skin' Jet Engine Could Surpass US Technology

 

China has announced a revolutionary development in aviation technology: a "shark skin"-inspired structure embedded within a turbofan engine. According to Chinese claims, this innovation could significantly reduce drag and enhance engine efficiency, potentially propelling China ahead in next-generation engine technology.

Chinese researchers have meticulously crafted this new "shark skin" structure from a high-strength titanium alloy using precision 3D printing. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that this advanced technology could reduce drag by up to 10%, marking a substantial improvement in engine performance.

The innovation centers on an engine component known as the intermediate casing. This crucial part, over a meter in diameter, features bionic grooves 15 to 35 micrometers deep—finer than a human hair. Previously, manufacturing such a large, precise component with a 3D printer was not possible. However, Chinese researchers have overcome this challenge with advanced 3D printing techniques and commercial software.

The intermediate casing, a vital structural element in aviation engines, connects various engine components and transmits thrust to the aircraft fuselage. Despite its slender profile—only 3mm at its thinnest point—the casing is remarkably strong, able to withstand loads over 10 tonnes. Laboratory tests have confirmed that the prototype meets stringent mechanical requirements and achieves a 25% weight reduction compared to traditional castings without compromising structural integrity.

This breakthrough holds immense promise for the aviation industry, heralding a new era of lighter, more efficient engine designs. Researchers also envision future developments where hollow fan blades, free from conventional structural constraints, incorporate advanced internal skeletons and lattice structures, substantially enhancing impact resistance.

Chinese experts believe this innovative leap could position Beijing to catch up with—and potentially surpass—the United States and its allies in modern engine development, a field in which China has historically lagged. For years, Chinese military aircraft relied on jet engines imported from Russia, which often suffered from reliability issues and subpar performance. This dependency prompted China to ramp up its investment in indigenous engine development.

The 2016 inclusion of jet engine performance improvement in China’s 13th Five-Year Plan marked a strategic shift towards advancing the aerospace industry. Since then, China’s efforts have borne fruit, with the country now equipping its premier J-20 stealth fighter jets with domestically produced Xi’an-built Woshan-15 (WS-15) “Emei” engines.

This progress has not gone unnoticed internationally. John R. Sneden, propulsion director for the US Air Force’s Life Cycle Management Center, acknowledged China’s significant investments in propulsion technologies and warned that the US was losing its propulsion lead to China. Although Beijing’s technological prowess in engine development may not yet rival the United States, Chinese media claim that this latest shark skin tech could propel China to a competitive position. The next generation of engines requires reduced fuel consumption for increased thrust, which presents numerous challenges.

China’s advancements come at a time when the US is reevaluating its approach to next-generation fighter engines. The US Air Force recently announced plans to abandon the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) in favor of upgrading existing engines, highlighting the challenges faced in developing new propulsion systems.

Brazil-based defense expert Patricia Marins noted that while military jets primarily use turbojet engines, not turbofans, this innovation has transformative potential, particularly for cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

China’s shark skin technology represents a significant advancement. Similar innovations are being explored globally, such as Lufthansa Group's AeroSHARK, a film-like coating with ribbed textures designed to reduce friction and improve fuel efficiency.

China’s latest breakthrough could significantly impact aviation's future, offering a pathway to more efficient and environmentally friendly engine designs. With continued investment and innovation, Beijing is well-positioned to challenge traditional aerospace leaders like the USA.