China’s mandatory technology-transfer policy is having a deleterious effect on its aerospace development strategy.

l“Trade wars are good and easy to win.” Thus tweeted President Donald Trump in early March. But for the jetliner industry, trade wars are a potentially toxic exogenous shock. Jetliners are uniquely vulnerable to retaliation, particularly from China.

Increased operational flexibility and greater ability to track targets over larger areas are draws for air forces that have fewer aircraft.