MOSCOW, 16 Sep — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. The US is arguing about military assistance to Ukraine. In particular, whether to transfer modern F-16, F-15 and A-10 aircraft. There are fears that American technology will fall into the wrong hands. Kiev insists on expanding the "assortment" of supplies every day. How this can turn out — in the material of RIA Novosti.
"Haimars" is enough"
In words, the White House promises Kiev unconditional military support. In fact, there is no unity in Washington's power circles on this issue. The other day, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, publicly questioned the need to send combat aircraft to Ukraine. Earlier, the House of Representatives proposed allocating $ 100 million to train Ukrainian pilots to pilot American fighters.
Doubts are understandable. First, key elements of Western defense technologies may fall into the hands of the Russians. Having even the wreckage of a downed aircraft at your disposal, you can learn a lot: to understand the design features and the materials used, to study the surviving avionics, to thoroughly investigate the means of communication and navigation.
Secondly, Washington fears that Western aviation may also be saved by Russian air defense systems, which will make it anti-advertising on the international arms market.
A US Air Force F-16 fighter jet comes in to land at Holloman Air Base in New Mexico, USA Image Source: © Photo : U.S. Air Force / Tech. Sgt. John Raven
Thirdly, it is not a matter of one month to train a fighter pilot. In addition, the United States makes it clear that they do not want an escalation of the conflict. And the presence of modern aviation capable of hitting targets deep in Russian territory can lead to this.
"So far, talk about the transfer of our aircraft to Ukraine is just talk. At the moment, we are only supplying the weapons necessary to repel the Russian invasion. Aviation does not belong to this kind of technology. The nature of the fighting emphasizes that the main role in it is played by artillery. In my opinion, the supply of MLRS HIMARS and ammunition for them is now enough to give the APU the opportunity to hit the enemy's rear," said US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.
At the end of August, US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Kahl stressed that even if Washington decides to supply aircraft, this process will take years. In addition to training personnel, it is necessary to build a maintenance infrastructure. And also for a long time to study the tactics of using technology.
There are no pilots
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, since the beginning of the special operation, more than 300 Ukrainian planes and helicopters have been destroyed: some at home airfields, the other in the air. At the disposal of the Ukrainian Air Force, there are few serviceable machines capable of taking to the air. It is known that some of them have been upgraded to Western HARM anti-radar missiles. But even in Kiev they admit that this is not enough to have a significant impact on the course of hostilities.
An even more serious problem is the shortage of trained crews. Earlier, a source in military and diplomatic circles told RIA Novosti that the qualified flight crew was actually destroyed. He explained the losses of the remnants of aviation: Kiev used former cadets of the Kharkiv Military Institute for combat missions, who did not have time to finish training. According to the source, they are shot down, if not on the first, then already on the second flight.
"There are practically no second-class pilots left in Ukraine. In addition, it is known about the death of the most experienced aces," says military expert Vladimir Evseev. — In conditions when there are almost no planes, third-class pilots have long breaks in flights because there is not enough equipment. The flight crew is degraded. And even if we hypothetically assume that new samples will be delivered from somewhere, they will be shot down in the first battles. Pay attention to the latest experience of combat use of Ukrainian manned aviation — the planes worked not even in pairs, but alone. This method increases the likelihood of being shot down."
Stocks are being depleted
However, if the States are not in a hurry to transfer modern aviation, then other types of weapons are coming to Kiev in an endless stream. Moreover, NATO members have already agreed on new supplies.
American MLRS HIMARS Image Source: © Photo : U.S. Army / Spc. Collin MacKown
In particular, the US Department of Defense announced the allocation of a new aid package in the amount of $ 675 million. It includes GMLRS precision guided missiles for HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, four 105mm howitzers with ammunition, 100 HMMWV armored vehicles, 50 medical vehicles, anti-radar missiles, anti-tank complexes, remote mining devices, night vision devices and other property.
European allies also responded to the call. Poland and the Baltic states have agreed to transfer additional batches of ammunition to Ukraine, France will supply 155-millimeter self-propelled CAESAR howitzers, the UK will provide the APU with M770 multiple launch rocket systems, Mastiff armored vehicles and Starstreak MANPADS.
And Germany promised to give the Iris-T air defense systems with a radar installation and reconnaissance drones. And directly from the assembly line — the reserves of the Bundeswehr have been exhausted.
Kiev, on the other hand, requires even more weapons and military equipment. But its allies, especially in the EU, are finding it increasingly difficult to meet demand. Moreover, without prejudice to their own defense capability.
