North Asia

North Asia, which i take as the Koreas, Japan and China, is going to become a VERY interesting part of the world over the 21st century. Currently holding the number 2 and 3 nations (in terms of size of economy) in the world, and with a combined Korea of 70 million possibly being another economic powerhouse (of course, Sth Korea on it’s own is getting there in terms of world influence), we could see a major shift in world power from Washington to Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. Currently of course, China posseses the world’s largest, if most ill-equipped and ineptly trained airforce, Sth Korea posseses one of the world’s best airforces, and Japan too possesses one the of the world’s best airforces, with both Sth Korea and Japan having excellent training programs in contrast to China’s approach (throw planes, planes, and more planes, we have enough pilots to last us a century).

The following is a list equipment in the airforces of the region. We all know China has a HUGE airforce (numerically), but only the J-11/Su-27s are any REAL danger to potential opponents (although i spose 1000 or so J-6s isn’t a good prospect either), and training is simply not up to scratch at the moment. However, as China’s economy grows, and more money is able to be spent on training, we could see a major shift in power withing the region itself from Tokyo to Beijing. Would China threaten it’s main rival? I don’t know, but it makes for interesting times…

Replublic of Korea Air Force

Combat types:
64 F-4D
59 F-4E
140+ F-16C/D
39 F-16A
197 F-5E/F
47 F-5A/B
27 A-37B
18 RF-4C
8 P-3C
24 S-2A/E
Training types:
94 T-50 (on order???)
38 T-33A
42 T-37
20 T-28D
20 T-41B

People’s Republic of Korea Air Force (I’m not sure about that name)

Combat types:
30+ Mig-29 Fulcrum
60 Mig-23 Flogger
155 Mig-21PF/PFMA
40 A-5
120 F-6
30 Su-7
22 Su-25
80 H-5
Training types:
35 Mig-15UTI
15 L-59
100+ CJ-5/CJ-6
12 Yak-11

People’s Liberation Army Air Force

Combat Types:
1800+ J-6
60 J-11 (soon to be closer to 200???)
60 Su-30MKK (can this order be confirmed?)
700 J-7/J-7E/J-7MG
400 J-8/J-8II/J-8IIM
600+ Q-5 Fantan
400 J-5
150+ H-6
150 H-5
4 SH-5
6 Y-8X
12 Be-6
Training types:
250+ H-5
500 JJ-5
50 JJ-7
350 J-4
150 JJ-6
1500 CJ-6
200 K-8 (not too sure about this one)
(please note, numbers on China are approximate, i mean, who knows what the exact figures are???)

Japan Air Self Defense Force

Combat types:
190 F-15J/DJ
111 F-4EJ
62 F-1
83 F-2 (not yet in service obviously)
100 P-3C
12 RF-4E
13 E-2C
4 EP-3
6 US-1A
4 E-767
Training types:
62 T-2
158 T-4
54 T-1
50 T-33

So, what do you guys think? Take into account future procurements (Japan is a possible F-22 taker, they seem to be able to afford them anyway, Sth Korea a probable Typhoon/Rafale customer, China’s in for more Flankers, and J-10s (maybe?)).

MinMiester