U.S. Questions Turkey's miltary exercise with China

This story is now being picked up by the mainstream US aviation news sites:
Chinese Su-27s Fly Mock Combat in Turkey

Washington has been unhappy with Turkey's warming ties with Iran, as well as with their changing attitudes towards Israel. Have to wonder how long Turkey is going to stay a participant in the F-35 program.

Already discussed on the Chinese Flankers thread. I suggest a merge.

Originally Posted by siegecrossbow

Already discussed on the Chinese Flankers thread. I suggest a merge.

I agree as i didn't feel the flankers thread was appropriate.

It has been reported that Iran allowed China to use their airspace en route to Turkey.I did wonder what route they took.Now what was the exact route,via Pakistan? - too long . Afghanistan? - then the US would have known all along.What about one of the other 'stans'? Or maybe there is international airspace route? can anyone offer a suggestion? just curious that's all.

PressTV - Iran opens airspace to China warplanes

Originally Posted by zoom

I agree as i didn't feel the flankers thread was appropriate.

It has been reported that Iran allowed China to use their airspace en route to Turkey.I did wonder what route they took.Now what was the exact route,via Pakistan? - too long . Afghanistan? - then the US would have known all along.What about one of the other 'stans'? Or maybe there is international airspace route? can anyone offer a suggestion? just curious that's all.

PressTV - Iran opens airspace to China warplanes

I wager 90% on Pakistan since Pakistan is an all weather ally of both China and Turkey and a participant in the Anatolian Eagles (Turkish wargame). It is only fitting that they allow China to fly the planes over their airspace. I think the U.S. would've gotten to know what happened ahead of the times but I think all parties decided to keep low profiles about this event, the U.S. included.

I wouldn't rule out one of the Stans giving China access due to their membership in the SCO. I, however, don't know how close the Stans are, politically, to Turkey.

I think the U.S. would've gotten to know what happened ahead of the times but I think all parties decided to keep low profiles about this event, the U.S. included.

If this was the case then surely they would have taken the more direct route over Afghanistan airspace unless they favoured or needed a stop-over ,in which case Pakistan would be the preferred choice ,but the total distance must be around 3000 miles.Doesn't this mean if they chose to get there by IFR ,then the tankers would need to enter foreign airspace too?

Originally Posted by zoom

If this was the case then surely they would have taken the more direct route over Afghanistan airspace unless they favoured or needed a stop-over ,in which case Pakistan would be the preferred choice ,but the total distance must be around 3000 miles.Doesn't this mean if they chose to get there by IFR ,then the tankers would need to enter foreign airspace too?

I'm not sure whether China could obtain the permission from the Afghanis government as fast as she could from the Pakistani government. It is totally possible that tankers went sent since China has demonstrated this capability in Peace Mission 2010.

I'm getting the feeling the seriousness of this exercise is increasing ,or at least some people want us to believe so.Maybe it's due to the natural human instinct to exaggerate a story the more you tell it or just maybe this will potentially end up a full-blown row.

Turkey invited China to join NATO air exercise

Turkey invited China to join NATO air exercise
ANKARA — China was secretly allowed to participate in a Turkish-sponsored combat air exercise reserved for NATO allies.

Turkish sources said the Chinese Air Force sent several Russian-origin Su-27 fighter-jets to participate in the semi-annual Anatolian Eagle air combat exercise. They said the Chinese were invited after the United States and other NATO members had turned down an invitation to participate in Anatolian Eagle in the late summer of 2010.

"The United States immediately expressed its displeasure in private," a Turkish source said.

On Sept. 30, the Turkish daily Taraf reported the Chinese participation in Anatolian Eagle, based in the Turkish air base in Konya. Taraf said Washington monitored the Chinese air maneuvers and demanded an explanation from the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan.

Taraf did not identify the Chinese aircraft that flew in the exercise, which was first held in 2001 with Israel and the United States participating. The sources said this marked the first time that Chinese warplanes were allowed to participate in an exercise designed for NATO.

In 2009, Turkey banned Israel from participating in Anatolian Eagle. Later, the United States and several NATO allies decided to reduce participation in the exercise.

The sources said China and Turkey have sought to expand military cooperation. The two countries have been engaged in rocket production, including WS-1, a 302mm weapon with a range of 150 kilometers. Turkey's state-owned Roketsan renamed the rocket TR-300 Kasirga, later acquired by the Turkish Army.

Originally Posted by zoom

U.S. questions Turkey's military exercise with China | Atlantic Council

From Zaman: Turkish and Chinese militaries recently conducted a joint aerial exercise in central Anatolia, the first such exercise involving the air forces of NATO member Turkey and China.

The joint exercise was part of Turkey’s Anatolian Eagle maneuvers, which have so far been carried out jointly with US, other NATO countries and Israel. They took place sometime this month in the central Anatolian province of Konya, where Anatolian Eagle maneuvers traditionally take place, Today’s Zaman has learned. Turkish F-16s and Chinese SU-27s and Russian-made MIG-29s took part in the joint exercise, staging a mock dogfight in central Anatolian airspace. The exercise comes ahead of a planned visit by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Turkey next month, which officials say will boost relations to a new level.

From Hurriyet: The Turkish and Chinese air forces secretly participated in a military drill in Konya as part of the “Anatolian Eagle” war games, prompting a reaction from Washington, daily Taraf reported Thursday. ...

The U.S. administration reportedly contacted the Turkish foreign and defense ministries and asked why the drill was conducted and what kind of maneuvers were practiced. (photo: Rupeenews)

how can China sent Mig-29 to Turky?

The report didn't say MiG-29 was sent by China; however, people make mistake especially those amateurs. If you read Wikipedia, it states that the RD-33 of the MiG-29 is a turbojet engine. So, don't take it word by word.

Originally Posted by maozedong

how can China sent Mig-29 to Turky?

There is some speculation that the Hungarians are participating in this exercise as well.

The USAF is probably going to sit down and compare notes with Turkey after this exercise, if it is true.

Rumors are coming in regarding the identity of the flankers being sent. Some people are claiming that J-11Bs were sent to the exercise but I think it is highly unlikely for China to send the most high-tech plane in her arsenal over. I am inclined to think that upgraded J-11As were used in the exercises.

Originally Posted by Skywatcher

The USAF is probably going to sit down and compare notes with Turkey after this exercise, if it is true.

That's why flankers were sent, and not J-10's.

Ok guys I need assistance dispelling a vicious rumor about the military exercise. Here are the latest updates:

1) No F-16s were used by the Turkish side. F-4s were used instead.
2) Turkey promised the U.S. that no sensitive NATO information would be leaked as a result of the exercise.

Source proving that I wasn't b.s.ing.

PressTV - Sino-Turkish military drill worries West

Now here is the "fun" part. There is a rumor running on the Chinese BBS that the Turkish side was able to achieve 8-0 kill ratio against Chinese flankers, with F-4s!!! This is extraordinary to say the least. Could anyone find reliable sources of info either proving or disproving this? Thnx.