China's Military Enhances Capabilities with High-Speed Trains and Air Transport

China's People's Liberation Army is using high-speed trains to transport troops during its annual tactical military exercise, "Stride-2009," showcasing the country's military capabilities. The exercise involves 50,000 troops moving thousands of miles, and the use of high-speed trains will enhance long-distance mobility. The PLA will also coordinate with civilian airlines to use passenger and cargo flights to complement Air Force transport.

Key Takeaways:

• The PLA will use high-speed trains capable of speeds up to 350 km/h to transport troops during the exercise, marking the first time the military has used such trains for tactical purposes.
• The exercise will involve one army division from each of the military commands of Shenyang, Lanzhou, Jinan, and Guangzhou, with troops moving thousands of miles to test PLA's long distance mobility.
• The use of high-speed trains and civilian air transport will enhance the PLA's logistic capacities and coordination for joint operations and long-range force projection.
• The exercise will include live-fire drills, and troops will be transported to unfamiliar areas far from their garrison training bases using civilian rail and air transport.
• The division from northeast Shenyang Military Command will be transported to northwest Lanzhou Military Command, while troops from east Jinan Military Command and south Guangzhou Military Command will be exchanged.
• The exercise, which began on Tuesday, will last two months, and its military capabilities will be enhanced once the ongoing program of building 13,000 km of high-speed rail tracks is completed by 2012.

Statistics:

• 50,000: The number of troops participating in the exercise.
• 350 km/h: The maximum speed of the high-speed trains used to transport troops.
• 13,000 km: The total length of high-speed rail tracks to be built as part of the ongoing program.

Sources:

• Xinhua news agency
• Times News Network