12-20-2016, 06:50 PM
(12-19-2016, 12:54 PM)X_4AD_84 Wrote: > The PLAAF bombers are ones whose designs were Soviet/Russian
> licensed. They are modernized versions of the Tu-16 Badger. While
> lacking the range and capacity of Tu-95s, they are nonetheless a
> potent threat. Armed with the Chinese version of Kh-55 (or later)
> cruise missiles, and supported by tankers, they can wreak havoc
> not only in Taiwan but world wide. One dire scenario is for such
> bombers to cruise in a tight pattern over some friendly airspace
> such as Cambodia or Pakistan. From such a safe place (e.g. NATO /
> the US won't shoot them down when they are not in International or
> US / allied air space) they can launch cruise missiles in a
> surprise attack, turning Diego Garcia into glass. Think it can't
> happen? Some idiots said similar things about Billy Mitchell's
> warnings.
Recall that when Osama bin Laden, sitting in a cave in the "friendly"
country of Afghanistan, launched terrorist attacks in the 90's and
00's, the US did not hesitate to attack that country, with missiles
and with war.
I don't think that either Pakistan or Cambodia, friendly though they
are with China, would give permission to China to launch cruise
missiles from their airspace. If they did, there would be no
hesitation to strike back, or even turn some parts of the
China-friendly country to glass. Of course, as you suggest, if it's a
surprise attack then that may be too late.
