J-10 Thread IV

[CannedFish]

"Free" is outrageous, but surely we can come to alternative arrangements. How many J-10s would you trade for a naval base in the Mediterranean?

Firstly, what sort of benefits would this give China? Or to be more blunt, why would China even need a naval base in the Mediterranean?

Secondly, Djibouti already exists at the mouth of the Red Sea.

Thirdly, that's a lot of money in terms of planes and military equipment being given away, for what would most likely be an empty plot of desert. Only to then drag even more money into building, supplying and operating a base that in all honest opinion, China doesn't need.

Fourthly, I can already hear the all propaganda about "another land grab by China" yada yada.

I can understand there are things Egypt could trade for J-10Cs but your suggestion/example is just absurd.

 

[Tomboy]

Firstly, what sort of benefits would this give China? Or to be more blunt, why would China even need a naval base in the Mediterranean?

For military presence in Europe? Also could serve as a resupply base for future Freedom of Navigation missions along with true blue water capability. If PLAN wants true blue water capability it is going to need bases everywhere like the USN.

Secondly, Djibouti already exists at the mouth of the Red Sea.

You mean the one that's surrounded by like a dozen bases from less-than-friendly if not openly hostile powers? Also, it doesn't even come with an airfield.

Thirdly, that's a lot of money in terms of planes and military equipment being given away, for what would most likely be an empty plot of desert. Only to then drag even more money into building, supplying and operating a base that in all honest opinion, China doesn't need.

China has given away far more money than this as long as Chinese leadership think its worth it.

Fourthly, I can already hear the all propaganda about "another land grab by China" yada yada.

Literally noone cares, western media will turn anything China do bad so why bother. Increasing your influence and military present is far more important than caring about what some guy on Reddit thinks.

 

[4Tran]

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Rumor from famous Chinese aircraft photographer that Egyptians want free J-10C China to provide US style military aid.

This would make sense if China was interested in building a power bloc and wanted to project power into the Mediteranean. The problem for Egypt is that China doesn't believe in power blocs or spheres of influence or even in military alliances. I see no chance of China giving any real military aid to Egypt. The most they can expect is a couple of sampler aircraft to sweeten the deal for a big purchase.

Firstly, what sort of benefits would this give China? Or to be more blunt, why would China even need a naval base in the Mediterranean?

The only reason for building a naval base so far away is to be better at fighting expeditionary wars. Too bad China doesn't believe in expeditionary wars either so there's not a whole lot of incentive there.

For military presence in Europe? Also could serve as a resupply base for future Freedom of Navigation missions along with true blue water capability. If PLAN wants true blue water capability it is going to need bases everywhere like the USN.

You mean the one that's surrounded by like a dozen bases from less-than-friendly if not openly hostile powers? Also, it doesn't even come with an airfield.

There's a reason why the Chinese base at Djibouti is so limited. It's meant for supporting anti-piracy missions, and China probably doesn't see any value in expanding that. Also, Freedom of Navigation missions is something that the Americans invented as an excuse for pushing other powers around. Even if it were a real thing, it'd be completely unnecessary in the Mediterranean because every power in the region is already invested in the free transit of ships there.

 

[Tomboy]

There's a reason why the Chinese base at Djibouti is so limited. It's meant for supporting anti-piracy missions, and China probably doesn't see any value in expanding that. Also, Freedom of Navigation missions is something that the Americans invented as an excuse for pushing other powers around. Even if it were a real thing, it'd be completely unnecessary in the Mediterranean because every power in the region is already invested in the free transit of ships there.

We'll see, PLAN is heavily moving toward true blue water ops. It'll be very difficult to sustain high tempo operations without friendly foreign ports which is very rare or non-existent for China unlike the US who has friendly ports just about everywhere along with bases.

 

[4Tran]

We'll see, PLAN is heavily moving toward true blue water ops. It'll be very difficult to sustain high tempo operations without friendly foreign ports which is very rare or non-existent for China unlike the US who has friendly ports just about everywhere along with bases.

I don't think the PLAN has any interests in putting a carrier battlegroup in the Indian Ocean. And if they were, they'd probably prefer setting it up in Gwadar rather than Djibouti. This kind of thing just isn't China's style so they're not going to move in this direction unless India was to make noises about closing down the Strait of Malacca.

 

[Tomboy]

I don't think the PLAN has any interests in putting a carrier battlegroup in the Indian Ocean. And if they were, they'd probably prefer setting it up in Gwadar rather than Djibouti. This kind of thing just isn't China's style so they're not going to move in this direction unless India was to make noises about closing down the Strait of Malacca.

Why is everything about India? PLAN is going for global power projection from the looks, it's meant to protect Chinese ships and assets anywhere anytime against anyone. Peacetime power projection is still very useful IMO.