According to a report from UPI news service, Tehran may be close to signing a deal with Beijing to buy 24 new Chinese J-10 fighters. The report downplays long-standing rumors that Iran would buy Russian fighters; the Islamic Republic did purchase Russian engines for some of its fighters, but reportedly not its new indigenous fighter. Beijing already has fielded the J-10, which US officials say looks like a Eurofighter, in squadron strength.
Every year, Congress and the military debate which combat assets should head to the boneyard and which have more life left in them. Lawmakers often opt to keep Air Force systems that bring jobs to their districts, which complicates matters as the service looks to modernize and ditch certain platforms.…