Even more precarious. Check my post #298
Using route 3 and 4 also meant that the PLAN must have broken the US air, naval and missile ring in the first Island chain or have secured Taiwan/Luzon in the Phillippines.
Because if NOT. The PLAN task force sailing in those route will be at the mercy of US fast jets sortieing from Guam and the Philippines.
Whatever survived the aerial onslaught will be sailing straight into the path of RAAF Darwin, where American + Australian jets will also be waiting.
RAAF Darwin is large enough to host this year's Pitch Black 24 which hosted 140 jets from 20 countries.
And beyond that is RAAF Christmas Island. Also a military airport run by the RAAF where American + allied jets will be sortieng.
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