this post was submitted on 25 Dec 2023
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Just wait till the F-16 sorties start.
You won't be able to swing a cat in here without hitting a whining tankie symp.
The same F-16s that were outclassed by the J-17 in recent military exercises?
Pakistani pilots are on record saying the F-16 is worse in basically every way compared to a design China considers to be "budget" and "outdated."
Let's pretend for a minute that it is actually better. Russia doesn't field the J-17, so it doesn't matter.
Also, there's the airframe and then there are the missiles you put on it. Depending on what these F-16 load up with can make a whole lot of difference.
I doubt they'll be doing much dogfighting. The challenge will be to get in the air, fire off missiles, and land back without getting shot down.
Edit: Oh and another thing that makes a lot of difference is radar assets. I bet those F-16s are going to get extended eyes and ears thanks to NATO AWACS flying high but within NATO borders.
China recognizes that the J-17 is outclassed by the Su-34, so it sort of does matter...