China Thread

#2,952
#2,952
We need a president with a long term plan and the character and charisma to lead us and convince the world. China has shrewd, long term big picture leaders.

America has weak, ineffective leadership and has for some time. I'm afraid we are going to find out very soon how good we really had it when the dollar is supplanted by other currency in trading oil. It's literally the only thing keeping our standard of living where it is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Megatron88, marcusluvsvols, davethevol and 1 other person
#2,953
#2,953
KB5252 said:
We need a president with a long term plan and the character and charisma to lead us and convince the world. China has shrewd, long term big picture leaders.

America has weak, ineffective leadership and has for some time. I'm afraid we are going to find out very soon how good we really had it when the dollar is supplanted by other currency in trading oil. It's literally the only thing keeping our standard of living where it is.
Click to expand...
The US govt is simply not set up for long term thinking. Look at most major foreign policy decisions in the past 70yrs and it's a pretty clear pattern
 
  • Like
Reactions: BreatheUT, LouderVol, Megatron88 and 5 others
#2,954
#2,954
Orangeburst said:
F-15E Strike Eagle Fleet To Be Slashed By Over Half: Report

So first the F-22 and now F-15E's?
Click to expand...

Starting to look like an implosion. A combination putting all the eggs in the F-35 basket which is probably going to blow up in somebody's face, and getting to the point that we failed to balance cost and complexity vs common damn sense in developing military hardware. Got a feeling when we go to war with China, we are about to learn that "quality and complexity" over quantity was a huge blunder. The only saving grace is still going to be that China is over there and not Mexico or Canada if we get our butts kicked for not understanding logistics, availability, and numbers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Megatron88, Matt2496, Orangeburst and 1 other person
#2,955
#2,955
#2,956
#2,956
Rasputin_Vol said:
WOW... four drones really cost that much?

Taiwan agrees to buy four American-made naval surveillance drones for $555 million



2025??? The Iranians or Chinese could have them sent out next week at a fraction of the price.
Click to expand...

There's a world of difference between the Iranian and Chinese drones you hear about over Ukraine vs Reapers that orbit for what seems like almost a day at 55K ft over the Black Sea. There's also a world of difference in the technology and intelligence gathering capability ... and size. But as you say our big drones cost a lot. Reapers and derivatives apparently also work very well in uncontested airspace, but are no doubt simply sitting ducks or slim pickin's for any enemy with a real air force. I'm beginning to think we might actually be the first country to make wars too financially expensive to fight because military hardware development and acquisition is governed by people who can't seem to grasp that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. I also have a strong feeling China is going to teach us militarily that quantity means more than "quality" (as our military development and procurement sees it).

This article is also very worthwhile reading. In fact, I'd agree that we have a whole lot of micromanagement in the US that goes well beyond the Air Force and the military in general ... and a lot of it is driven by "career advancement" and doing things according to "peerless leaders" rather than common sense and awareness. A lot of the nonsensical military development is very likely driven by micromanagement and failure to think outside the accepted box.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2023/0...s-dont-always-think-the-usaf-is-the-greatest/
 
  • Like
Reactions: EasternVol and marcusluvsvols
#2,958
#2,958
AM64 said:
Starting to look like an implosion. A combination putting all the eggs in the F-35 basket which is probably going to blow up in somebody's face, and getting to the point that we failed to balance cost and complexity vs common damn sense in developing military hardware. Got a feeling when we go to war with China, we are about to learn that "quality and complexity" over quantity was a huge blunder. The only saving grace is still going to be that China is over there and not Mexico or Canada if we get our butts kicked for not understanding logistics, availability, and numbers.
Click to expand...
I agree with this. Also, a big problem with the F35 is that it's a jack of all trades, master of none type of aircraft. I'm sure we could make it work, but it's never going to be as effective at BVR and dog-fighting as an F22. Same thing with the F15E, which is designed as a very long range dual-role aircraft. It has a much longer range than an F35.

Might I add that they're also wanting to get rid of the A-10, which is absurd. There is no other plane in our arsenal that can do what that plane does.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marcusluvsvols and AM64
#2,961
#2,961
hog88 said:
I watched that. The interviews with the CNO and Commander west pac didn't give me much confidence in our Navy. Sounded like a couple politicians or bureaucrats toeing the party line.
Click to expand...

The best part was the CCP POV when they turned the map sideways. Really gave me some geographical perspective of how hemmed in the CCP with Taiwan the open door to the Pacific.
 
#2,962
#2,962
hog88 said:
I watched that. The interviews with the CNO and Commander west pac didn't give me much confidence in our Navy. Sounded like a couple politicians or bureaucrats toeing the party line.
Click to expand...

and the CCP said by 2026. had not heard that. Perilous times man.
 
  • Like
Reactions: davethevol
#2,964
#2,964
davethevol said:
It’s coming, and we can’t stop it.
Click to expand...

Our nation is in the gutter. War and ROW, All this spending, debt, inflation, wars, our cities are in homeless crisis mode, wide open border, drug use, filthy culture, broken gov and a hell bent leadership doubling down of everything. And the real scary part..they say we are strong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AM64 and davethevol
#2,966
#2,966
headhunter15 said:


Well, it’s going to be Western Civilization vs. Eastern Civilization.

Where is our Winston Churchill? It’s not Biden, Trump, Trudeau, Macron or Sunak. China wants to reimagine the world in their image, Russia wants the Soviet Union back.
Click to expand...


I nominate Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And maybe Elon Musk as his Vice Prez. Or Arnold Schwarzenegger for Prez, and Model T-1000 as Vice Prez.
 
#2,968
#2,968
Hearing some rumblings about the Chinese going after a couple US based companies offices in China. Apparently they are just arresting the Chinese nationals, but not allowing the Americans to leave or work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LittleVol and AM64
#2,969
#2,969
LouderVol said:
Hearing some rumblings about the Chinese going after a couple US based companies offices in China. Apparently they are just arresting the Chinese nationals, but not allowing the Americans to leave or work.
Click to expand...

I've been hoping the Chinese would grab/nationalize at least a couple of US based companies and create an exodus. I cannot understand how supposedly sane people go into a totalitarian country, build plants, import what should be understood as trade secrets and intellectual property, and believe it all safe and secure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marcusluvsvols, Orangeburst, davethevol and 2 others
#2,971
#2,971
KB5252 said:
If what was posted above is true we should confiscate any and every Chinese held property in US immediately.
Click to expand...

Absolutely; and twice on Sunday. I know we allow China to buy US property; I wonder if the Chinese allow our companies to buy the land used for US plants, or if any other foreign nationals can buy real property in China.
 
  • Like
Reactions: marcusluvsvols
#2,972
#2,972
AM64 said:
I've been hoping the Chinese would grab/nationalize at least a couple of US based companies and create an exodus. I cannot understand how supposedly sane people go into a totalitarian country, build plants, import what should be understood as trade secrets and intellectual property, and believe it all safe and secure.
Click to expand...
It would be a very naive person to think it's all safe and secure. Greed for profit can override wisdom for sure.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: marcusluvsvols and AM64
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top