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Wall Street Journal: Big Spending on Warplanes Spurs Aerial Arms Race
Russia, China seek to challenge Western superiority in the sky with stealthy, next-generation jets
For more than two decades, combat aircraft flown by the U.S. and its European allies have pretty much owned the sky. Now, Russia and China are spending lavishly on new weapons that could challenge that superiority, spurring a new arms race.
Some of the hardware, both planes and antiaircraft capabilities, is expected to roll out in the next few years. The upgrades come as Moscow flexes its muscles in hot spots such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Beijing does so in the South China Sea—heightening urgency among Western military brass to push for their own, next-generation combat planes. (See interactive graphic: Comparing the World’s Fighter Jets)
“The most pressing challenge for the United States Air Force is the rise of peer competitors with advanced military capabilities rivaling our own,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein told lawmakers in June, days before being confirmed in the job.
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WNU Editor: Russia's production of the T-50 will not be large enough to threaten U.S. dominance. The Chinese have the means to become a threat to U.S. dominance, but what exactly are their future plans is still unknown.
Update: Special: F-35 vs China J-31 & Russia PAK-FA (Scout Warrior).
