BALANCE OF POWER:A report estimated the response time of the US Air Force in gaining control of Taiwan’s airspace in the event of a Chinese attack at three weeks

Taipei Times
Date: Nov 20, 2015
By: William Lowther  /  Staff reporter in WASHINGTON

The US continues to maintain unparalleled fighter aircraft capabilities and would eventually control the skies over Taiwan in the case of an attempted Chinese invasion, but it would take much longer than previously thought, the Rand Corp said in a new report.

Defeating China in a Taiwan-based scenario is becoming increasingly difficult, said the report, titled Rand Project Air Force.

“The United States could improve its results and reduce force requirements by attacking Chinese air bases, thereby reducing the number of adversary aircraft that can reach the fight,” the report said.

However, the decision to launch such attacks would require executive approval and, depending on the circumstances, permission might not be forthcoming, it said.     [FULL  STORY]