China could destroy or neutralize US and allied airpower in a war with fewer shots than the other way around, a new report argues.
China has prioritized hardening and expanding its airfields in the region at a faster rate than the US and its allies.
ADThis imbalance means it would take China far fewer missiles or airstrikes to neutralize US and allied airfields than it would the other way around, Shugart and Walton write.
"China could initiate a conflict if it sees an opportunity to nullify adversary airpower on the ramp."
The US' current approach to its airpower in the Pacific could spell trouble in a conflict with China.
Persons:
Thomas Shugart, Timothy Walton, Walton, Liu Mingsong, Shugart, Audree Campbell, Hudson
Organizations:
Hudson Institute, Defense, Getty Images, The Air Force, China . U.S . Air Force, Pentagon
Locations:
China, Taiwan, Xinhua, South Korea, Philippines, Shugart, Beijing, China . U.S, Pacific, Washington, Ukraine