Frank Kendall, the US Secretary of the Air Force, has solemnly warned that in the event of an air war with China, the West could suffer huge losses. His remarks were mainly about China's growing air-to-air missile technology, especially the excellent performance of the Thunderbolt-15 missile, and the possible future launch of the Thunderbolt-17 missile, which has a range of more than 500 kilometers.
In modern air combat, long-range strike capabilities are especially important. During World War II, due to the immaturity of air-to-air missile technology, fighter jets mainly relied on machine guns in hand-to-hand combat. However, the appearance of the American Sidewinder missile, with infrared guidance, changed the landscape of air combat. The missile was sold to the Kuomintang shortly after it was developed in the United States, and was captured by China in an air battle, and the Soviet Union studied and shared some of the results with China, opening a new era of air-to-air missiles for China.
Today, the United States seems to be a little weak in the development of air-to-air missiles. Its AIM-120 air-to-air missiles in service have a range of more than 100 kilometers and are widely equipped with fifth-generation fighters in the United States. The foreign trade version of the Thunderbolt 15 exported by China to Pakistan has a range of about 140 kilometers, and the PLA Air Force's own version has a range of more than 200 kilometers.
In recent history, the Western powers have opened the gates of China with advanced artillery, and Chinese artillery cannot reach each other. Today, the situation has been reversed, and China's Thunderbolt-15 air-to-air missile has become the world's best, with unprecedented overall performance. And the range of the Thunderbolt-17 is expected to be between 400 and 500 kilometers, and it is even capable of attacking AWACS aircraft.
AWACS aircraft are equivalent to a "nanny" and "iron wall" in the air, providing effective information and assisting in evading enemy attacks. But once its "golden body" is broken, the aircraft formation will lose early warning protection and be in a very passive state. Taking into account future combat needs, China is developing a new Air Police 600, which may have an early warning range of up to 700 kilometers, which can perfectly match the Thunderbolt-17 missile.
The United States, aware of China's significant progress in the field of air-to-air missiles, has begun to actively develop new missiles AIM-260, which are a direct response to China's Thunderbolt-15 and Thunderbolt-17 missiles. The AIM-260 is designed to have a range of 200 to 300 kilometers and is widely considered to be the American version of the Thunderbolt 15. However, compared to China's Thunderbolt-15 and upcoming Thunderbolt-17 missiles, this attempt by the United States seems to be behind the times. This technological gap has raised widespread concerns in Western countries, especially about the possibility of China gaining air superiority through advanced missiles. If China does have air superiority, this could lead to a fundamental change in the pattern of international air warfare.
Russia's performance in the conflict in Ukraine, especially the ability to use Su-57 fighters with R-37M long-range missiles, has demonstrated the power of long-range air strikes. This show of power not only demonstrates Russia's military capabilities, but also provides inspiration for other countries to develop similar technologies. China's progress in this area has been particularly significant, with its growing air strike power foreshadowing a future in which Western countries may face missile strikes from longer ranges. China's military strategy and technological development is becoming more and more diversified and advanced, which is a challenge that cannot be ignored by any potential adversary.
China's vast industrial capacity provides a strong backing for its military modernization. This means that China is not only able to develop advanced ** systems, but also to produce them in large quantities, ensuring that the army has sufficient stocks. In the course of the confrontation with the Chinese Air Force, this strong production capacity and technological superiority make it difficult for any country to ensure a complete victory. Even a superpower like the United States could face enormous challenges and losses in a potential air war with China. This rise of the Chinese military has changed the traditional view of many countries on the international military balance.
Despite this, China has always stressed the importance of peaceful dialogue and remains open to diplomatic settlement of disputes. This stance not only reflects China's commitment to the peaceful development of international relations, but also shows that it meets the universal expectations of the international community. While emphasizing its own national defense capabilities, China has not forgotten the importance of maintaining peace and stability. This balance is particularly important in the international arena, since peace and dialogue are always the best way to resolve international conflicts and promote global stability. China's progress in military technology, accompanied by its insistence on international responsibility for peace and solutions, constitutes an important part of its comprehensive national strength.