America’s view of China as a “pacing threat” has shaped its defence priorities as the military seeks to maintain an edge over a rapidly modernising PLA. In the second of a three-part series on how US budget tensions will affect efforts to deter China, we look at the race for air superiority.
The high-stakes race for air superiority between China and the United States will have profound implications should a conflict break out – including how a war over Taiwan would be fought.
Both militaries are developing sixth-generation fighter jets. Footage of China’s new prototype aircraft in test flights emerged on the symbolic date of December 26, the birthday of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Months later, Donald Trump revealed that the American equivalent had been named the F-47 – a clear reference to him as the 47th US president.
But in the US, opinion is divided over how to balance defence budget priorities given the substantial funding needed for the air force’s next-generation air dominance, or NGAD, programme – decisions that could have an impact on a potential conflict in the Pacific.
Taiwan war scenario
China’s rapid progress on a next-gen fighter jet that could be used in a war across the Taiwan Strait adds to US urgency to move forward with its programme.
