Reply #5: China wants to purchase long range strategic bombers from Russia too

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http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=%5CForeignBureaus%5Carchive%5C200501%5CFOR20050119d.html

Russia Hints at Willingness to Sell Advanced Bombers to China

By Sergei Blagov
CNSNews.com Commentary
January 19, 2005

Moscow (CNSNews) - Russia has indicated that it may sell advanced weaponry to China, including strategic bombers that could pose a threat to U.S. aircraft carriers in the Pacific.

With China and Russia preparing to hold joint military maneuvers later this year, a top Russian military officer mentioned the possibility of selling strategic supersonic Tu-22M3 bombers, known by NATO as "Backfire," to China.

"If they've got enough money, they should buy some" of Russia's latest aircraft, Russian Air Force commander Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov said, referring to the Chinese.

In the past, Russia has refused to sell the bombers to China on the grounds that they are "too powerful." Mikhailov's statement suggested a change in Russia's position, the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency said.

Were China to acquire the Tu-22M3, armed with the latest Russian Granit cruise missiles, the bombers would be able to "threaten the Americans" in any future dispute involving Taiwan, the news agency quoted military experts as saying.

A Chinese purchase of two Tu-22M3 regiments - or up to 40 aircraft - would be enough to guarantee the destruction of a U.S. carrier group, the agency commented.

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