Chinese Sikorsky Boeing “Defiant”?
As part of China's ongoing pursuit of a high-speed helicopter solution, a new 'Compound Helicopter with Pusher Propeller' technology demonstrator has taken to the skies, complementing its existing tiltrotor development efforts noted in the two entries below.
"The wide-body 'L' variant of the Z-8 helicopter family outfitted with specialized sensors and long-range terrain-following radar for low-altitude insertion missions has now appeared in PLAN colors. No surprise there, given its Army counterpart (LH variant) is already in active service.
Different Z-8 variants below:
Army (LH) Z-8L
China, alongside only a select few nations, is actively investing in civilian tiltrotor aircraft programs—both manned and unmanned. This dual-track approach reflects a growing interest in versatile, high-speed VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) platforms for regional transport.
Currently, two known civilian tiltrotor prototypes are undergoing testing, each designed to accommodate between 6 to 10 passengers. Given the vast distances between Chinese provinces - especially remote and geographically challenging areas like Tibet, Xinjiang, and the South China Sea - developing aircraft capable of VTOL operations makes strategic sense. These regions often lack conventional infrastructure, making tiltrotors an attractive solution for rapid, point-to-point connectivity.
Unmanned UATARI UR6000
In the unmanned segment, there is the UATAIR UR6000. First unveiled in Singapore in February 2024, this civilian tiltrotor is currently undergoing testing and is capable of transporting 7 to 10 passengers. According to UATAIR's website: https://www.uatair.com/product/info/69.html the UR6000 combines the agility of helicopters with the speed and range of fixed-wing aircraft, targeting urban air mobility, logistics, and emergency response use cases.
Dual-Use Potential
If China deems its tiltrotor platforms "safe and reliable" enough for civilian deployment, it’s likely they will be adapted for military use as well.
Finally, Chinese light cavalry thunders over the Mongolian steppe, a sight not witnessed since the Battle of Buir Lake in 1388 of the Ming Dynasty.
Jokes aside — it’s 2025, so naturally the drill comes with FPV and robotic ‘dog’ drones in tow
After reviewing the modern Chinese heavy shield infantry and Phalanx / Mandarin
Duck formations, next up is the mysterious PLA Light Cavalry. The PLA
Light Cavalry, like other Light Cavalries such as the legendary
Mongolian equivalent, is trained as swift scouts and battlefield
raiders. As a result, they traded heavy armor for speed and mobility,
allowing them to perform critical missions such as performing
reconnaissance, quick raids against the enemy's rear, and protecting the
flanks of the main army. At least in principle. In actuality, as
evidenced by the photographs below, they are not properly armed for
modern combat of 2024. While it is understandable that they are not
protected with plate armor, they are also not wearing mail shirts for
little protection against arrows or melee warfare.
As
several famous PLA professional analysts have properly pointed out, the
PLA has not performed a massive cavalry charge since the mid Qing
dynasty, 200 years ago, thus it is understandable that they will not
know how to handle modern combat. They are untested. Additionally,
they appear to be equipped just with a saber and a composited bow, with
neither shield or lance to be found. Furthermore, crucial two-way
communication technology such as Ram Horn is not available at the
squadron level; as some well-known PLA professional analysts have
pointed out, corruption at the top levels is to blame for not equipping Ram Horn to each troop.
Recent imagery circulating on Chinese defense forums suggests the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is moving ahead with deployment of a 155 mm naval gun system. In concept and role similar that of US Navy’s Advanced Gun System (AGS), optimized for delivering sustained, precision fire in support of amphibious and coastal operations.
Looking at the following photos below indicates the weapon is likely to be integrated into an upcoming guided‑missile destroyer (DDG) class. Of course, there's no surprise that PLAN intent to enhance long‑range naval gunfire support (NGFS) capabilities, leveraging larger‑caliber munitions for improved reach, payload flexibility, and shore bombardment effectiveness to an island somewhere east of China.
The adoption of 155 mm naval artillery could:
Reassured, we will be seeing it onboard of a PLAN vessel soon
As of today, the heaviest naval combatant under the PLAN command is the Type055 DDG, sporting a H/PJ-38 130mm naval gun, the same H/PJ-38 also found on the type Type 052D. Reading the plaque, this new "155 mm Naval Guided Missile Gun" was freshly minted in March 2025 (this month) by the State Factory 447 weighting in 21800 Kg.
The next logical set of questions are:
1) Retrofiring the Type055 from 130mm to this new 155mm?
2) A new class of PLAN "heavy" is under consideration?
Both 1 and 2?
Rehearsal for the 80th anniversary of the triumph of the Anti-Japanese War parade has begun as the following photos suggest. The Japanese army in China formally surrendered to the Chinese government on September 3, 1945. The day was appointed the national commemoration day of victory over the Japanese invaders. For this year's parade, it will take place on September 3 as well.
H-6N in formation.
