Thursday, May 27, 2010

China Air Force Won’t Rule The Skies Any Time Soon


China Won’t Rule The Skies -- The Diplomat

One of the persistent characteristics of the F-22 Raptor fighter programme over its 25-year history has been the propensity of supposed experts to misjudge the plane’s capabilities. Accounts periodically appear about how this or that new radar has ‘unmasked’ the stealthy aircraft—and all of them have been wrong.

Other reports wrongly describe the performance features, mission potential and maintenance costs of on-board equipment. And then there are the stories concerning how soon potential adversaries of the United States such as Russia or China will field their own ‘fifth generation’ fighters.

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My Comment:I have the advantage of being a regular visitor to China since the mid 1980s. I have seen the country change from a rural and backward society into what it is today .... a fast and growing super power that believes anything is possible.

Has this culture permeated the Chinese military .... including the air force. I would be surprised if it has not. Everyone in China is engulfed in the belief that the future is theirs, and that planning and hard work will achieve this. The Chinese air force may be a minor and insignificant player in today's world .... but they do not see it that way. Their view is long term .... and what they are looking at is developing an air force that will be a major player in 20 years or more. With this view .... I give them excellent odds that they will be successful.

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