Dear Sirs:
While there may be some utility left in such obsolete (and expensive!)platforms such as the Tu-22's (Backfire class) bombers, there is simply not enough reason (or threat) to China and the PLA/PLAN/PLAAF from Japan to field them.
Continued production of China's domestic H-6's (admittedly even more obsolete!) carrying new generations of domestic Chinese long-range cruise missiles and guided (precision?) stand-off weapons (as displayed in Zhuhai 2006) are more than sufficient for the moment.
Clearly the higher military leadership in China feel the same as that is exactly what they seem to be doing at the moment. China's money and techincal effort are better spent in modernizing their own military-industrial complex, and upgrading legacy systems with more modern weapons, than in attempting to acquire and absorb old and retired, ex-USSR systems.
If I were asked, I would like to see the materials, engines and aerodynamics of the BlackJack, but not acquire it as a weapons' system, there is simply no need, though I doubt the Russians would oblige me without me forking over a kings' ransom.
Best Regards,
Dusky Lim
While there may be some utility left in such obsolete (and expensive!)platforms such as the Tu-22's (Backfire class) bombers, there is simply not enough reason (or threat) to China and the PLA/PLAN/PLAAF from Japan to field them.
Continued production of China's domestic H-6's (admittedly even more obsolete!) carrying new generations of domestic Chinese long-range cruise missiles and guided (precision?) stand-off weapons (as displayed in Zhuhai 2006) are more than sufficient for the moment.
Clearly the higher military leadership in China feel the same as that is exactly what they seem to be doing at the moment. China's money and techincal effort are better spent in modernizing their own military-industrial complex, and upgrading legacy systems with more modern weapons, than in attempting to acquire and absorb old and retired, ex-USSR systems.
If I were asked, I would like to see the materials, engines and aerodynamics of the BlackJack, but not acquire it as a weapons' system, there is simply no need, though I doubt the Russians would oblige me without me forking over a kings' ransom.
Best Regards,
Dusky Lim
