Q&A ยท 2:35:16-2:35:56

A 1997 Chinese air force in 1950 faces sustainment limits

The counterfactual separates superior aircraft capability from the basing and sustainment needed to generate operations.

Question

Could the 1997 People's Liberation Army Air Force, transferred to China in 1950, destroy American forces in Korea?

Short answer

It would have the capability in this scenario, but basing, sustainment, and force-generation problems make success doubtful.

Notes

Moving the 1997 People's Liberation Army Air Force to China in 1950 would supply the capability to destroy American forces in Korea in this counterfactual. Having that capability would not guarantee that the force could deliver it. Sustaining the force and generating operations would present major difficulties. Where the aircraft were based and what they operated from lead to a judgment that the proposed destruction probably would not be achieved.