The Bear, the Swan and the Crouching Dragon

... low-signature PAK DA planes, more geared towards local conflicts, looks very attractive. In that case delaying the PAK DA in order to set up production of the Tu-160M2 could be explained by the country’s nuclear forces’ traditional priority of strategic aviation before conventional forces. 81.cn H-6K In lieu of a postscript China’s ambitions can also not be disregarded. At one time it got its long-range aircraft from the USSR. In 1953, 25 Tu-4 bombers were transferred to the PRC, and in 1957 it obtained a licence for the Tu-16. The rapid deterioration of relations ...