Japan's Self-Defense Forces F-15 fighter jets (top and bottom) conduct an air exercise with U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flying from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in the skies above the East China Sea, Japan, in this photo released by the Air Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan September 9, 2017. Air Staff Office of the Defense Ministry of Japan/HANDOUT via REUTERS
Christine Kim & David Brunnstrom, Reuters: North Korea's bark may be worse than bite in threat to shoot down U.S. bombers
SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea has threatened to shoot down U.S. bombers flying near the Korean peninsula, but it would have difficulty matching its words with action given aging air defense systems mostly dating to the Cold War, military experts said.
In intensifying rhetoric between the United States and North Korea during the past week, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would “destroy” the country if it threatened the U.S. or its allies. Pyongyang’s foreign minister Ri Yong Ho responded that Trump had “declared war” and North Korea reserved the right to take countermeasures, including shooting down U.S. bombers, even if they were not in its air space.
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Update: Could North Korea Really Shoot Down a U.S. F-15 or B-1 Bomber? (Dave Majumdar, National Interest).
WNU Editor: The North Koreans have done it before .... The Last Time North Korea Shot Down A U.S. Military Plane It Almost Led To Nuclear War. But that incident happened over 45 years ago .... we live in a very different military age today. How different .... I am sure that if a North Korean fighter approaches a U.S./Japanese/South Korean military plane today .... it will probably be met with lethal force before it is even in range. So will North Korean try anyway .... and create sn incident .... I would not put that past them.
NoKo has already threaten to fire 4 missiles "close" to Guam. It didn't. I think it will be the same for the bomber.
ReplyDeleteMost of the countries surrounding Korea are capable of air defence. We are talking about a country that is actively investing in its missile technology. North Korea's biggest asset is the fact its so secluded and with its biggest neighbours known to run black projects, how can anyone be certain of their capabilities. Hell he could said 20-50 jets into the sky and kamakazi the bomber, bets them blowing up on the ground!
ReplyDeletehttp://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/if-donald-trump-attacks-north-korea-beware-kims-air-defense-20207
ReplyDeleteI'd say yes they can via Sam's not miss.
They are gambling that Kim can shoot one down, save face domestically and say he taught the u.s a lesson.
He has seen the lack of response to the last u.s incident, he's seen Russia's lack of reply to Turkey, and he was proven correct when his sun sunk the South Korean Corvette.
He may be right that the loss of a plane or ship is not worth the cost of retaliation but he's not dealing with an administration that he can manipulate like past years.
Not in your wildest dreams
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