From: roten@CUBA.gsfc.nasa.gov (Charles Roten)
Subject: Re: Chinese fighters gain mid-air refuelling facility
Organization: /cuba_b/dirbe/roten/.organization
X-Newsreader: GNU Emacs 18.57.1, GNUS 3.13, NNTP 3.10
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 22:53:17 GMT

Another tidbit for the SCC crowd, this time from sci.military ...

In article <BtpCrA.M5A@lawday.DaytonOH.NCR.COM> anthony@cs.uq.oz.au 
(Anthony Lee) writes:

>Path: nsisrv!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!gatech!hubcap!ncrcae!ncrlnk!ciss!lawday!military
>From: anthony@cs.uq.oz.au (Anthony Lee)
>Newsgroups: sci.military
>Date: 28 Aug 92 16:35:34 GMT
>Sender: military@lawday.DaytonOH.NCR.COM (Sci.military account)
>Organization: NCR Corporation - Law Department
>Lines: 72
>Approved: military@lawday.daytonoh.ncr.com
>
>
>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.
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>China Obtains Technology for Aerial Refueling of Jets ............... 54
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>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.
>
>=======================================================================
>--
>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
>

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