[superiorslots]

Iran bought 12: means that's all they could afford and because they can't copy them.

China bought 6: means they bought 4 for immediate testing to see how they can improve upon them, and 2 sent off the bootleg labs.

You underestimate the chinese. They will have thousands of improved versions of these in 2-3 years.

[Spktyr]

I said a while. I was addressing the impression that they were going to have 100,000 out by next Tuesday.

China's been working on LACMs for a while. I expect them to have initial operational capability on something like an AS-15 in two years, tops.

[TChris]

So, has "bootleg" recently acquired a new definition = "reverse engineer"? The definition of the word has nothing to do with reproducing anything.

(Dictionary.com)

boot·leg
v.

1. To make, sell, or transport (alcoholic liquor) for sale illegally.
2. To produce, distribute, or sell without permission or illegally: a clandestine outfit that bootlegs compact discs and tapes.