Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces boss, observed Nov. 20 at AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in California that the Pacific region includes five of the world’s largest militaries—China, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and India. He said, one (not named, but clearly China) is investing heavily in advanced fighters and missiles. Another (Russia) has recently doubled military spending, exports weaponry around the world, and has resumed Cold War-style bomber flights over the Pacific. A third nation (North Korea) has developed nuclear weapons and long-range missiles “while its population starves.” He asserted, “The Pacific is not a theater that is at war, but it’s not a theater that is completely at peace either.” And, he added, “Our high-end competition is good and getting better,” which means PACAF cannot let its capabilities or partnership effort slip. (China is closer to fifth-generation fighters than thought.)
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by 2029.
