US Air Force flags China's military modernisation; calls for urgent power upgrades

Claiming that China is rapidly modernising its military with the intention of coercing its neighbours and reshaping the international order, the US Air Force highlighted the importance of maintaining air power dominance to safeguard the country's security, deter aggression, and prevail in the event of a conflict.

 

While testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee during a posture hearing in Washington, senior leaders from the Department of the Air Force outlined their key priorities, including modernisation, battle readiness and maintaining strategic superiority in air and space.

 

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said the Department of the Air Force is at an inflection point, and observed that they are "engaging in a fast-paced race for technological superiority against a well-resourced, strategic opponent."

 

The senior leaders highlighted the importance of developing F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter jets, and upgrading existing platforms like the F-35 Lightning II and F-15 Eagle fighters.

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"On the topic of nuclear modernisation, Meink and (Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David) Allvin emphasised the priority of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system, the B-21 Raider long-range strike bomber and revitalization of the B-52 Stratofortress fleet, essential to strategic deterrence," a statement from the US department of defence said.

 

It was also pointed out that older aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon achieved only 62 per cent of mission readiness, which is below the ideal level.

 

Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman noted that despite dramatic rises in threats and increasing importance, the Space Force experienced shrinking resources, and said this is posing a risk to the nation.

Defence