It's never simple...

[Sandman_SBM]

The Chinese F-8 that collided with our EP-3 carried Python air-to-air missiles.

Oh... by the way... Python missiles are made and sold by Israel, an ally of the United States.

Not only that, Israels military sales to China have amounted to over $50 million annually in recent years.

------------------
cheers,
sand
screamin blue messiahs
The SBM's are hiring!

[Ripsnort]

I read sometime back that the U.S. is number 2 for weapons exported...no?

[Sandman_SBM]

Oh no... We are #1.  

[Ripsnort]

 

[Dowding]

$50 million in arms sales? Not really that much in real terms. If it had been counted in the billions, that would be significant.

At the end of the day there is no such thing as an ethical arms dealer, they sell whatever they can to whoever they can, and sail as close to the wind of legitimacy as possible. Have to maximise those profit margins, I guess.

Sad but true.

[Sandman_SBM]

Granted... $50 million annually is no big deal... I think Taiwan wants $20 Billion worth of U.S. equipment.

Oh... and to put things in perspective... we spend about $11 Billion per year for the U.S. Marines alone.

[This message has been edited by Sandman_SBM (edited 04-16-2001).]

[Animal]

we spend $3 Billion on each B2 (plane cost and mainteinance)

and its only a propaganda weapon.

[Sandman_SBM]

Propaganda... some in the new administration advocate killing the F22 and/or JSF for more B2 bombers.

[StSanta]

JSF and F-22 will ensure American air superiority in the years to come. Killing it would be an extremely bad move, especially killing it to buy more b2's, which are largely useless.

Don't ya have enough b2's to accomplish a nuclear mission already?

------------------
Von Santa
Staffelkapitän 9./JG 54 "Grünherz"
"If you return from a mission with a victory, but without your Rottenflieger, you have lost your battle."
- D. Hrabak, JG 54 "Grünherz"

[Sandman_SBM]

Hehe... don't ask me... I just work here.  

[Mk10=Ravens]

It still blows my mind to think the B-2 flies all the way from Whiteman AFB to its target, and then back.

Oh well, I guess at least you get to go back home after the long flight, and watch cable TV.

Mk

[Ripsnort]

I worked on jig fixtures (one was for setting up composite laminations for the wing) for the B2 in 1981 and didn't even know it..we suspected a secret stealth plane due to the loft lines we worked with, but never had confirmation on it.