The willingness of China to provide Al Qaeda the full range of weaponry is something I fear we will learn about after the fact. Some have stated that due to air sampling of the atmospheric tests we would be able to prove China had provided the weaponry. I note the vast majority of nuclear tests over the last twenty years have been under ground with no fallout to sample. Things change over time.
Stay well - stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
Also, I doubt that China will want to give Al-Qaeda nukes, because the problem comes up--what happens when Al-Qaeda decides that Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism cannot coexist with Islam?
Would you give a person you KNOW to be a complete psychotic fruitcake a deadly weapon and say, "oh, just use it on those people over there?"
How hard would it be for China to muddy up the mix that is put into a nuke? So that the radiation signature would be unique and identifiable with no one! If the ChiComs are smart enough to go asymmetrical they are smart enough to do the above.
At this point Osama Bin Laden is the champion in asymmetrical warfare. For a total investment of 2 million tops he is causing us to spend half a trillion on fighting wars, enhanced security at home, destruction to lower Manhattan and Pentagon, bailing out airlines and others. Add in the damage to the economy, damage to stock prices, and I think half a billion worth of damage was done by the Bin Laden mafia.
How that for a leveraged investment. 2 million causes your enemy 500 million in damages. How much economic fallout would come from a few small nukes set off in a few downtowns...Downtown Seattle, New York City, Chicago?
Air defense capability
(1) Concerning interception capability for air defense, to respond to the future trends of science and technology and to utilize the existing fighter-interceptors (F-15) in the future, implement a test modification program for their modernization.
(2) Concerning anti-air artillery to defend vital and other areas, continue to improve capability of the existing surface-to-air guided missile (Patriot) as well as acquire equipment and material for improvement of the surface-to-air guided missile (Hawk).
In addition, acquire equipment and material for improvement of the short-range surface-to-air guided missiles, and close-range surface-to-air guided missiles, anti-air guns and other systems.
Capability to defend surrounding waters and secure the safety of maritime traffic
(1) Concerning vessels, build destroyers, submarines, mine-sweepers, missile craft and other ships. In constructing destroyers, replacement and modernization shall be promoted while paying attention to the overall efficiency of the escort ship units.
(2) Concerning aircraft, continue to acquire the patrol helicopters (SH-60J). To respond to the future trends of science and technology and to utilize the existing fixed-wing patrol aircraft (P-3O in the future, implement a modification program for necessary upgrading of its capability. In addition, with regard to the follow-on aircraft to the fixed-wing patrol aircraft (P-3O, take necessary measures after conducting a study.
Capability to counter airborne and amphibious landing invasion
(1) Concerning such capability as to destroy enemy in the outer seas and coastal waters, acquire new fighter-support (F-2) as the follow-on aircraft to the existing fighter-support (F-1) as well as continue to acquire the surface-to-ship guided missiles (SSM-1).
(2) Concerning fire power, armored mobility and anti-tank artillery, with the emphasis upon replacement and modernization of the obsolete equipment, acquire such systems as guns, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, armored vehicles and anti-tank artillery including the multi-purpose guided missile systems. To improve airborne fire power, continue to acquire anti-tank helicopters (AH-IS).
Transportation capability and mobility
Concerning transportation capability and mobility, continue to acquire such systems as the transportation helicopter (CH-47) and the transportation ship. In addition, with regard to the follow-on aircraft to the existing transport aircraft (C-1), take necessary measures after conducting a study.
Conduct a study on in-flight refueling function about such points as performance and operational concepts of tanker aircraft, reach a conclusion and deal with this.
Intelligence, command, control and communication capability (1) Concerning such capability as warning and surveillance, continue to upgrade the fixed type three-dimensional radar systems and transportable warning and surveillance radar systems. Achieve initial operational capability of the AWACS aircraft and improve the posture for surveillance of the surrounding waters and airspace by vessels, aircraft and other systems. In addition, take necessary measures to enhance rationalization and efficiency of the aircraft control and warning units.
(2) Concerning intelligence, improve the function by creation of a new central intelligence organization to enhance such points as a structure comprehensively capable of high-level gathering and analysis of intelligence including strategic intelligence, and establish an efficient structure of the intelligence units. In addition, acquire various measures of intelligence gathering and retain highly able intelligence specialists.
(3) Concerning command, control and communication, to ensure command and control structures by which the central authority can send timely and appropriate directives from joint and integrated point of view, when the headquarter building of the Defense Agency is relocated, build up a New Central Command System (NCCS). In addition, continue to promote various measures such as establishment of the Integrated Defense Digital Network (IDDN), improvement of command and control capability and utilization of communication via satellite.
Sustainability and invulnerability
Concerning sustainability and reduction of vulnerability, continue to take various measures including ammunition stockpiling.
Education and training scheme
To enhance the fulfillment, efficiency and rationalization of the scheme for education and training, retain in education and training sections the same systems as those deployed to the front line units. As a part of these efforts acquire the fighter-interceptors (F-15DJ) and the new fighter-supports (F-2).
In addition, acquire such aircraft as intermediate level jet trainer (T-4), a training support ship and various equipment for education and training, as well as improve environments for education and training such as facilities for training.
Search and rescue structure
To enhance the structure for search and rescue and its efficiency, continue to acquire such systems as the rescue flying boat (US-IA), the rescue helicopters (UH-60J) and the search and rescue aircraft (U-125A).
Personnel, and medical and sanitary affairs
To retain personnel with high morale and capability and broad perspective, promote such various measures in personnel administration and medical and sanitary affairs as improvement of treatment of the personnel, and interchanges of personnel with the other ministries and agencies and the private sector.
At the same time, to improve the living and working conditions of the personnel, while paying attention to such factors as the climate and the job characteristics, and transition to the new organizational structure, continue to promote construction and improvement of barracks and quarters as well as provision and fulfillment of welfare facilities.
Facilities
(1) Promote reconstruction of old ramshackle buildings and provide facilities required for such purposes as acquisition of equipment and for organization of the units. Construct and improve facilities for ammunition storage and training.
(2) To achieve greater harmony with the local communities, continue to promote measures for the areas surrounding bases.
Technological research and development
Promote research and development of such system and equipment as various kinds of guided missiles including a new medium-range surface-to-air guided missile and a rescue flying boat (improved US-IA) while paying due attention to holding down the total life-cycle costs. In addition, enhance scheme for technological research and development. Taking the trend of technological progress into sufficient consideration, conduct various researches including those for technological demonstration to contribute to establish advanced technologies.
Measures to enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements
(1) Promote exchange of information and policy consultation. (2) Establish an effective posture for cooperation in operational areas including joint studies, exercises and training as well as enhancement of mutual support in those areas.
(3) Make efforts to enhance broad mutual exchange in the areas of equipment and technology such as Japan-U.S. joint research.
(4) Continue to promote host nation support and measures to facilitate smooth and effective stationing of the U.S. forces in Japan including consolidation, realignment and reduction of the facilities and areas in Okinawa.
Disaster relief and other activities
Take various measures to provide timely and appropriate disaster relief and other activities in large-scale disasters and various other situations which require the protection of lives or assets.
Contribution to creation of a more stable security environment
(1) Take various measures to fulfill in timely and appropriate way such missions as international peace cooperation assignments.
(2) Continue to promote security dialogues and exchanges among defense authorities to enhance mutual confidence with countries including neighboring states.
(3) Cooperate with efforts of the United Nations and other international organizations in the areas of arms control and disarmament.
Others
(1) Concerning ballistic missile defense, a conclusion shall be reached after conducting from comprehensive point of view a sufficient study on such aspects as its usefulness, cost-effectiveness.
(2) To hold down procurement prices and other costs, while responding to the trend toward information-oriented society, make efforts to establish an efficient scheme for procurement and supply
This seems to be focused at China, primarily....