Air time : increasing China's aerial ranges /

COLLINS Gabe

Air time : increasing China's aerial ranges / Gabe Collins - 2008

Discussion of developments in China's air-to-air refuelling program which, at least in theory, could support air power into the Indian Ocean or to the eastern parts of Indonesia. The article points out that these remain far behind American capabilities; considerable additional protection measures (such as AWACs and electronic countermeasures) would be required to protect air-to-air refuelling operations before China can claim regional airpower projection capabilities. At present without refuelling SU-30s taking off from Hainan island could just reach Sabah and Brunei.


CHINA--AIR TO AIR REFUELLING
CHINA--AIR POWER PROJECTION