BEIJING -- China may well have tested Russian AA-12 missiles, but these have long been expected as part of a package of Su-30 fighter jets and are unlikely to accelerate an arms race with Taiwan, defense analysts said Thursday. While they would enhance China's dogfighting ability, Taiwan would maintain air superiority for the next few years as it already had indigenous and French air-to-air missiles and more than twice as many modern fighters as the mainland.
It is interesting what a difference eight years can make. There was a time Taiwan had air-superiority against China. Just 8 years ago.
Care to surmise what the 'status' of the USA's superiority will be in next eight years?
During the late 1990's, DOD operations and maintenance funding profiles were cut 10% across the board to pay for Clinton/Gore 'agendas. Now with the advent of a double dip recesssion, the potential onslaught of a depression...want to take an educated guess where the 'bandits' in Washington will be looking (robbing Peter) for funds to pay off the voters (pay Paul)?
This was inevitable for a host of reasons. ‘Sanctions’ against Taiwan and the ROC’s stupid procurement and R & D policies and China’s growing financial technological prowess.
Weapons alone do not make air superiority.