How long does it take for a RDU to build an airport?

How long does it take for a rapid deployment unit to build an offensive military airport and where can you see its progress?

12 hours.
if it survives for 12 hours and not destroyed by anyone, it should be done.

If you have a problem with it, please mail the gamemaster

The game says that it should be instant when fighting a C3 but I've been waiting 5 hrs and there is still no airport to airlift units to. Is it always 12 hrs and the text needs updated?

I honestly don't test this since it rarely has practical use. If you are fighting a c3, you can simply declare war on a path of countries towards your target and drive through them at will. If you are fighting a player and waiting on an airlift, you are already doomed.

The only time I airlift, is to position interceptor and helicopter wings. In which case you can build a remote depot in any federation or empire country without the use of a RDU.

Ok I'm new to the war game aspect of Simcountry. Lets say I'm going to war against another player that is not connected to me through C3 or federation countries. How do I get troops to him without RDUs?

I was wondering about that 12hr wait. An RDU doesn't look too durable and in 12hrs it seems to be plenty of time for it to get run over by tanks.

Against a player you would take a nearby country. That was the reason I suggested, and it was implemented, the ability to take a country at war level 3 if your war level happens to be higher than that. To launch attacks, you often don't need to be right by the country. The important thing is often to be just close enough that your interceptors and helicopters can cover the target. Then you have the ability to protect the special forces you airdrop to paint.

Ok I see what you mean. RDUs are basically broken so you just use the closest C3 country to avoid having to build an airbase at all.

Slight detour from this thread's topic, but since you mentioned them, Special Forces seem rather weak compared to tanks & stuff. I take it they are just for painting while the Air Force blows stuff up?

Yes, special forces are only to paint. I am not saying RDUs are broken. Some players use them. I am just saying it should not normally be a key part of your strategy and there are often better alternatives.

Other weapons have range other than air forces. The most powerful ground weapons use missiles and can shoot from a fair distance as well. Check ranges for weapons such as offensive anti-air batteries, mid-range batteries, and land-based cruise. Having access to a strong air force and a strong ground component keeps a potential PvP opponent guessing as to the make-up of any attack you may launch. This keeps them honest when they choose defenses between interceptors or helicopters and even mobile air defense and mobile missile defense units.