From: anthony@cs.uq.oz.au (Anthony Lee)
Subject: Chinese fighters gain mid-air refuelling facility
Organization: NCR Corporation - Law Department
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 16:35:34 GMT


From anthony@cs.uq.oz.au (Anthony Lee)


I receive this article form a mailing list:

The interesting thing is, with mid-air refueling China doesn't need
an aircraft carrier anymore.

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China Obtains Technology for Aerial Refueling of Jets ............... 54
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From: Viet-Anh V Nguyen <v-nguyen@cis.ohio-state.edu>
Source: NYT 8/23/92
By: Nicholas D. Kristof

BEIJING -- The Chinese Air Force has obtained the technology to refuel its
jet fighters in midair, an ability that will allow it to extend its power
beyond China's borders and is likely to alarm neighboring countries,
diplomats and military experts say.

It will probably take several years of rigorous preparation and training
before the air force can use its new technology effectively, the experts
say. But some add that by the end of the 1990's, in-flight refueling could
significantly enhance the armed forces' clout.

China has never acknowledged obtaining the refueling technology. Asked to
confirm or deny the acquisition of the technology, the Foreign Ministry
took two days before providing this terse response, "The reports you raise
are inconsistent with reality."

But diplomats and military specialists are virtually certain that Beijing
has acquired the technology. They say China apparently intends to use
aerial refueling to enforce its claims to territories in the South China
Sea, which extends 800 miles south of the nearest populated Chinese
territory.

A senior Chinese official said in an interview that the nation's military
technology would never be used for aggression. But some countries are
nervous, noting that a few months ago China reportedly pledged its full
military force to back petroleum exploration in the disputed area.

China is also building a new generation of destroyers and frigates that
will significantly increase its navy's abilities. And military leaders are
said to be considering the purchase of an aircraft carrier from Ukraine.

Most military experts believe that China obtained the refueling technology
from Iran. Some believe that Pakistan and Israel may have also helped.

China appears to have learned how to use aerial refueling only in the last
year or so and faces enormous obstacles in fully incorporating it.

One problem is that China's F-7 fighter cannot be adapted to in-flight
refueling. And it is uncertain if the longer-range F-8-2 is adaptable.

But China is taking delivery of 24 Russian-made Su-27 fighters this year,
which can be refueled in flight. And China's H-6 bomber can apparently be
adapted for aerial refueling.

The air force is believed to have converted a Yun-8 transport plane into
an aerial fuel tanker, and it may also have similarly converted an H-6.

"With the Su-27's and a tanker, it's possible to have a normal operation
over the South China Sea or over South Korea or anywhere," a Western
diplomat said.

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--
Anthony Lee (Time Lord Doctor) (These are my opinions !)
email: anthony@cs.uq.oz.au	voice:+(61)-7-3651204 FAX:+(61)-7-3651999
SNAIL: Department Computer Science, The University of Qld, 
       St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia

Newsgroups: sci.military