Chinese military says it has a strategic air force – experts disagree
- PLA Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke has said that the description now applies to China
- But the country lacks the bombers and transport aircraft needed to have true long-range assault capability, experts say
Their assessment followed Chinese air force spokesman Shen Jinke’s assertion on Tuesday that, with advanced warplanes such as the J-20 and Y-20 entering service, China passed the threshold for having a strategic air force.
Shen’s statement was an indication of the Chinese military’s own assessment of its progress, having described itself only as “becoming more strategic” six years ago, but “strategic” status has various requirements.
Shen made the statement at a press conference previewing the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai – China’s biggest air show – to be held later this month. There are expectations that China may unveil its next generation stealth bombers, such as the H-20, at the show.
Over the years, China has launched advanced aircraft, such as its H6 bombers. In July, China said it had tested an experimental spacecraft, laying the foundation for development of a reusable hypersonic space plane.
But Ridzwan Rahmat, principal defence analyst at military publisher Janes, said China still lacked core abilities in comparison with major powers including its main rival the United States.
01:50
China’s most advanced amphibious assault ship likely to be deployed in disputed South China Sea
“Being a strategic air power allows a country to achieve specific political results via the deployment of its aircraft,” Rahmat said. “To achieve such an outcome, the air force must be able to conduct the full spectrum of operations in modern warfare, including carrier strike group operations.