• popcap200@lemmy.ml
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    6 months ago

    Let’s pretend for a minute that it is actually better. Russia doesn’t field the J-17, so it doesn’t matter.

    • ours@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      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.

    • nekandro@lemmy.ml
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      6 months ago

      China recognizes that the J-17 is outclassed by the Su-34, so it sort of does matter…