The Chinese air force is estimated to have 180 fourth-generation fighters at bases close to the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, as opposed to 20 for Japan. The islands could be a flash point for a future military conflict between the two nations. | CFP/GETTY/KYODO
David Axe, War Is Boring: Why a Chinese blitzkrieg would seriously mess up the U.S. Air Force
In 2017, immediately defeating a surge of Chinese warplanes attacking Taiwan will require around 2,200 combat-ready U.S. fighter jets — a full two-thirds of all fighters in the American inventory. That's the main conclusion of a new briefing paper from RAND, a California think tank.
RAND points out that the Pentagon has more and better fighters than China — and superior pilots, too. But over Taiwan, geography favors the People's Liberation Army. "China does not need to catch up fully to the United States to challenge the U.S. ability to conduct effective military operations near the Chinese mainland."
WNU Editor: The U.S. appears to be very confident that they would be able to handle China's air force. Maybe .... and maybe not.