How good is the Chinese military?
The PLA’s ground force has traditionally been China’s foundation for asserting power in the region. Within its ranks, there are more than 915,000 active-duty troops in its ranks, dwarfing the US, which has about 486,000 active soldiers, according to the latest Pentagon China Military Power Report.
Is the Chinese military weak?
Beijing’s forces are high-tech, low experience. The Chinese military has almost no combat experience, analyst Timothy Heath wrote for the California think-tank RAND. But that inexperience might not matter very much, Heath explained.
What is China’s most advanced fighter jet?
J-20
The J-20 is a two-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
How many fighter jets does China have?
The People’s Liberation Army Air Force operates a large and varied fleet of some 3,010+ aircraft, of which around 2,100 are combat aircraft (fighter, attack and bombers).
Does China need fighter pilots to counter the US Air Force?
That seems to be a problem–until now. China has the third largest air force in the world and may surpass the United States within the next 15 years. But in an aerial shooting war with the U.S. Air Force, Beijing will need more than aircraft — also fighter pilots with well-honed skills capable of facing off with some of the best jocks in the world.
Why is China using artificial intelligence to hone fighter pilots’ skills?
China is using artificial intelligence to hone fighter pilots’ skills. China has been pitting pilots against AI-driven aircraft in training simulations. A commander told the PLA Daily that the AI aircraft were “sharpening the sword” for Chinese pilots. The AI was also learning, highlighting the potential for AI systems in China’s armed forces.
Why is China’s Air Force developing its own flight plans?
Details are few, but RAND notes that the Chinese air force is making its pilots develop their own flight plans while giving them “full autonomy over their sorties, from starting their engines to changing navigation routes and flying tactics in the air,” RAND noted. Beijing is even shuffling pilots between different air bases to mix up the terrain.
What happened to Chinese fighter pilots in Thailand?
Despite flying a modern fighter type, Chinese fighter pilots in Thailand were vulnerable to long-range attacks and slow to react to aggressive tactics. Exercise Falcon Strike 2015, which ran at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base for two weeks in mid-November 2015, was the first-ever joint exercise between the Chinese and Thai air forces.