[Stonewall Jackson]

I just read a frightening article over at GlobalSecurity. Apparently, our wonderful friend, Putin, has authorized the sale of TU-22M Backfire bombers to the Chinese.

When you add these to the mix of advanced surface warships and attack submarines that have recently been entering the Chinese arsenal, you have a triple threat the likes of which the US Navy has not seen since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/tu-22m.htm

[Jeff Head]

I've been following that...it would be a significant development, particularly in the confined spaces and waters of the China Sea.

That was a 2004 report, but there has been no mention or notice of the Backfires in China yet. Many wonder if it an actual deal or just the Russians talking at this point.

Time will tell.