Richard Aboulafia

Richard Aboulafia is a managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, an aerospace and defense industry management consultancy. He has followed the industry as an analyst and consultant since 1988.

Articles by Richard Aboulafia
A man in a military uniform is blurred with motion as he walks in front of a large poster depicting a gray F-35 stealth fighter jet as it flies over the streets of Berlin on a cloudy day.
A man in a military uniform is blurred with motion as he walks in front of a large poster depicting a gray F-35 stealth fighter jet as it flies over the streets of Berlin on a cloudy day.

The Fighter Jet Market Enters Its Multipolar Era

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
A COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner on display during the 2021 China Aviation Industry Conference And Nanchang Air Show on October 30, 2021 in Nanchang, China.
A COMAC C919 narrow-body airliner on display during the 2021 China Aviation Industry Conference And Nanchang Air Show on October 30, 2021 in Nanchang, China.

If China Arms Russia, the U.S. Should Kill China’s Aircraft Industry

Argument
Richard Aboulafia

Insider Is America’s China Policy Too Hawkish? By Ravi Agrawal

Planes fly in the sky, followed by streaks of color, in front of a Chinese flag.
Planes fly in the sky, followed by streaks of color, in front of a Chinese flag.

China Has Nothing to Gain From an Aerospace Alliance With Russia

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
Three fighter jets are shown; one is landing.
Three fighter jets are shown; one is landing.

Why a Franco-German Fighter Jet Is a Bad Idea

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
U.S. soldiers offload from a helicopter in Afghanistan.
U.S. soldiers offload from a helicopter in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Military Isn’t Ready to Confront China

Analysis
Richard Aboulafia
An aerial display of J-10 fighter jets of China’s People’s Liberation.
An aerial display of J-10 fighter jets of China’s People’s Liberation.

The World Doesn’t Want Beijing’s Fighter Jets

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
An airport worker walks along Daxing International Airport in Beijing on Feb. 8.
An airport worker walks along Daxing International Airport in Beijing on Feb. 8.

China’s Potemkin Aviation Can’t Survive Without Washington’s Help

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
China's first self-developed large passenger jetliner, the C919, rolls off the production line on Nov. 2, 2015.
China's first self-developed large passenger jetliner, the C919, rolls off the production line on Nov. 2, 2015.

Are China and the West Headed for a Cold War in the Skies?

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
Three Boeing 737 Max 8 planes from Shanghai Airlines parked at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on March 11, 2019.
Three Boeing 737 Max 8 planes from Shanghai Airlines parked at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on March 11, 2019.

Boeing’s Crisis Strengthens Beijing’s Hand

Argument
Richard Aboulafia
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