The above photo is floating around the internet and I have no idea where it came from. The usual Chinese websites that I frequent haven't made a fuss and all and I haven't seen it on them.
What is interesting is that they have a concept out. If they follow usual practice we should see the real thing in about 6 months or so after they release the image to Chinese bloggers.
If China is developing a first rate air force that rivals or is even superior to our own, then US Army and Marine Corps planners are going to have to plan for an eventuality they haven't faced since before WW2.
Having to win a fight against armored infantry forces that are qualitatively equal, and numerically superior without the benefit of air support.
That should chill the bones of every analyst in every think tank in Washington.
Note: All it will take for the Chinese to gain "quality" equality with US ground forces is a much improved Main Battle Tank. Whether they steal the tech, buy it or develop it, once they do that then all bets are off in a sustained ground campaign...especially if they commit all available forces to the fight. As it now stands, I seriously doubt that the US could prevent China from taking Taiwan...and I'm sure we couldn't take it back if they dug in.
And yet we are told that the Military can have its budget hacked and slashed without any ramifications on our position in the world. The last president we had who seemed to be actively causing our nations decline was Jimmy Carter, well now we have Obama, and he's a hell of a lot smarter than Carter. And you know the worst part? If his weakening of our military ever blows up in this country's face, he won't get the blame, the media will just blame Bush.
ReplyDeletesorry. that guy is a self promoting prick. i don't read his shit and in about 5 min i'm gonna delete your post because i don't want his site advertised on my blog.
ReplyDelete"and I'm sure we couldn't take it back if they dug in."
ReplyDeleteI constantly tell UK bloggers that a war FOR the falklands need not be fought ON the falklands.
I wrote a long series of posts on how the UK could completely ignore the islands and attack the Argentine Mainland.
Substitute Taiwan for Falklands and it still applies.
China could possibly seize the islands and dig in a few hundred thousand men, but if the US response is to sink every cargo ship that docks in China, the cost of holding them will be beyond what China could afford to pay.
It couldnt break the US blockade, and without trade, its now unemployed populace would topple the government.
Throw in invasions of Heilongnang, North Korea and Tibet, and China is faced with a simple choice, what does it want more, Taiwan, or a third of its territory?
Its hardly a new idea, India has won three wars against Pakistan
By allowing Pakistan gains,
Going on the defensive and blocking further gains
Opening up another theater of conflict and seizing more than Pakistan did.
Negotiating from strength during peace talks.
the Falklands is UK territory. Taiwan isn't US territory. India lost territory to Pakistan. if Taiwan is lost we just lose another ally.
Deletean ally that is in a remarkably weak position on the map strategically. an ally that is claimed by an enemy with historical truth behind it. in essence, you are suggesting a wider war with China over what can logically be claimed to be a civil war between China and a breakaway republic.
would i vote for that war? no way. i couldn't justify spilling American blood for Taiwan. it might sound harsh but its true. Japan? yes. Australia? yes. even Singapore. but Taiwan? no.
Wow, Sol, that's just...wow. What a great way to improve our international reputation and standing amongst our "allies". If you're stuck in a tough spot don't expect us to come and help you out.
DeleteBaltic republics: "Sorry, tough shit."
Georgia: "You're so far away...."
Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman: "You're in a remarkably weak position so therefore we can't and won't help you at all."
If you throw Taiwan under the bus you basically tell all of our allies (and potential allies) if they get into a tough spot they can forget all of our decades of cooperation, treaty agreements, spoken and written promises and the belief that the United States will be there for them in their time of need. Sounds outstanding.
Taiwan is in a remarkably weak position but Singapore, an island smaller than Los Angeles, located in an inland sea, surrounded by nations that aren't TOO friendly with us and basically in China's backyard is perfectly alright. Really? I wonder how Israel looks to you.
What's your barometer for helping allies? You know, those guys we have signed treaties with, cooperated with for decades, stood shoulder to shoulder with for decades and promised to be there for in their time of need.
Anyone can make an argument that Australia and Japan just isn't worth the bloodshed, treasure, time and effort to defend. Or Poland. Or Romania. Or the Czech Republic. Or Germany. Or Italy. Or France. Or the UK. So who can we defend? Canada?
You can't just throw an ally under the bus like that and expect to come up smelling like roses.
A breakaway republic? I imagine this being said the day before Taiwan is invaded: "Taiwan is the branch that must be returned to the tree." That sounds somewhat familiar.
sorry if you don't like it but facts are facts. why should the US spill blood for Taiwan? it makes no sense militarily or even on an economic level. its a few miles away from the Chinese mainland.
Deletedo you think that the US could prevent the Chinese from seizing those islands? if you do you're on crack. and once they're there do you think that it would be in the US' strategic interests to bleed itself silly trying to take them back?
i don't. tell me why it DOES make sense. last but not least, China has been sounding the breakaway republic for the last half century.
ElPort
DeleteWhat, you mean like those Radar sites Russia Vetoed in eastern Europe?
TrT,
DeleteWhich radar sites are you talking about? I presume they belong to NATO but without you being specific I can't put forth an opinion. If you're talking about the land based ABMs and radar sites that Obama axed then I don't agree with the Administration's decision. I'm in favor of both land and sea based NATO ABM assets, generally speaking. Screw what Russia thinks about the ABM sites and their radars; they're are no threat to them.
Its funny to see a country trying to build a stealth bomber when they dont have the tech to build fighter engines...
ReplyDeleteThe more money they spend on this stuff the safer the US are...
Now if they start spending money in stuff that really works(like submarines,cruise missiles,fighter aircraft,aircraft carriers)thats what we should worrie about...
This is a strike aircraft courtesy of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is not the H-X project, which is undertaken by Xian Aircraft Corporation and is a wing-shaped craft. Here is a photo of the production manager of the J-15 inspecting a prototype or mockup:
ReplyDeletehttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y1MO3XKTDE/UPMs28JkMkI/AAAAAAAADuY/55GhM_lsqpE/s1600/J-X.jpg
not quite sure i agree they could take taiwan right now, even if we stayed out. they have very few landing craft compared to what they would need, and given the proliferation of missiles that can be easily moved Taiwan would wreak havoc on the landing beaches. also they would need to commit a significant portion of their airforce, navy and ground units to do this, this wouldnt go unnoticed by our satellites. They would also have the problem of committing a substantial portion of their military to their south east while having active border disputes (i.e. india). i think the biggest worry is more south, china isnt looking at taiwan it seems, they are looking to the S. China Sea, aircraft like this would make a great long range strike aircraft to destroy enemy fleets, ports, etc to secure and maintain naval dominance.
ReplyDeletethis also makes more sense than taiwan, while ego wise taiwan is important the communist party isnt stupid, invading taiwan has no long term benefits, they may benefit from taiwans good economy but that would take alot of time to recover, the S. China sea though may give access to immense amount of oil and gas (if its true there are major stores down there).
I think USA have become too lazy, after main rival -- USSR -- selfdestructed. Now no one could challenge US world dominance, no reason to push science (say hello to space program), social improvements, increasing military funding.
ReplyDeleteIt seems China is uplifted by USA intentionally to create worthy adversary to compete with. To avoid decomposing under the burden of homoperverts rights.