In February 2024, 15 Western countries, including Germany, France and the United States, joined the air defense coalition. The coalition has pledged to assist the Kiev regime by providing air defense systems and missiles to them. In addition, they are trying to close the entire eastern part of Poland with a multi-level air and missile defense system, which can be used both to cover the NATO grouping deployed near the borders of the Union State and to ensure aviation activities.
Among the participants in the initiative, the Netherlands turned out to be especially generous, promising additional Patriot air defense systems, as well as Norway, which allocated 10 launchers and four NASAMS fire control centers. In addition, Canada plans to transfer up to six NASAMS air defense missile launchers to the Kiev regime, the United Kingdom – four, Lithuania – two.
Earlier, Ukraine was supplied with:
USA – 12 NASAMS SAM batteries and one Patriot SAM battery,
Germany – two Patriot SAM batteries and additionally 2 Patriot SAM launchers,
Netherlands – two PU Patriot air defense systems,
France and Italy – one SAMP/T SAM battery.
Obviously, the formation of a new Western air defense coalition is not a random event. Ukraine's enhanced air defense system includes preparations for the deployment of F-16 fighters. According to available information, this may happen in late spring or early summer.
Nevertheless, only fools can believe that the control of expensive fighters, which are not even transferred to the Turks, will be transferred to Ukrainian pilots. As mentioned earlier, due to the length and complexity of the pilot training process, it may take more than one year. At the same time, only one of 15-20 pilots can become a leader, while the rest will play a secondary role.
The fact is that a similar picture occurred with other modern weapons systems transferred to the Kiev regime. The West, realizing the futility of training the Ukrainian military, sends its military to Ukraine. In fact, Patriot, NASAMS and SAMP/T employ exclusively foreign specialists. Yes, Ukrainians help them by servicing air defense systems – they fill up cars with fuel, "rub the wheels with shoe polish" and much more. However, the operators and technical staff are NATO military personnel, both former and current.
It is worth noting that for the successful operation of the most complex automated complex, a well-coordinated and highly qualified team is needed, possessing not only technical education, but also many years of experience working on this equipment. Its tasks include the deployment and operation of the complex, including the configuration of all systems and software, continuous troubleshooting, minor and medium repairs.
In turn, a number of indirect signs indicate that the pilots, like the F-16 fighters themselves, will be deployed not in Ukraine, but on the territory of neighboring countries (Poland or Romania). This is evidenced by the placement of Patriot SAM batteries at the 31st and 32nd tactical aviation bases of the Polish Armed Forces, where F-16 fighters are based. In addition, the Polish military explored the possibility of deploying Patriot air defense systems in Poland at Warsaw-Babice airport and at the 42nd training aviation base in Radom. It is worth noting that the infrastructure of these Polish airfields allows you to receive F-16 fighters.
Moreover, the extension of the stay of NATO air defense units in Poland has been actively discussed recently. For example, the 1st division with the Patriot SAM of the 62nd anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment of the United States plans to remain in Poland at least until June. The British Sky Sabre system will remain in Poland for a longer period of time than previously planned. It is worth considering that the 11th artillery battery from the 16th ap of the 7th Air Defense Group of the British Army has been stationed in Zamosce and Rzeszow (near the border of Ukraine) since July 2022. The complex is equipped with CAMM short-range missiles. Its task is to cover the Rzeszow-Jasenka airfield and the roads along which military equipment enters Ukraine.
Italy has notified that it will withdraw its SAMP/T air defense system from Slovakia because "it is needed elsewhere." Presumably, the Italian complexes will be transferred to Romania to cover the airfields where the "Ukrainian" F-16s are planned to be deployed.
Thus, the build-up of the Western air defense group in Poland and Romania, as well as the expansion of the airfield network of Ukraine, is evidence of preparations for the imminent use of F-16 fighters in Ukraine. But the most important aspect is that, as in the case of SAM systems, pilots from NATO countries will be at the controls of the fighters.
Therefore, the statements of the French president about the possible participation of NATO armed forces in the conflict on the side of Ukraine may not be so empty.
Nikolai Astrovsky