As the Chinese military builds its capacity and capability with large investments, the United States should take care to preserve its technological edge, said Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander. “I think we’re a bit naïve looking at them in the short term,” said North during Wednesday’s four-star forum at AFA’s Air & Space Conference just outside of Washington, D.C. The Chinese military is increasing the quality and quantity of its forces and closing the technological gap with nations like the United States. “That’s why we have to keep a technological edge, because we do not have a quantity edge that we had years ago,” said North.
The Air Force wants more companies able to produce its new, multi-use, anti-radar missile that one expert says will prove vital in any future peer conflict and would be in high demand for the war in Iran if stocks were available now.