American Aircraft for Ukraine: Desires and Unresolved Problems
Fighter F-16 from the US Air Force
Having suffered heavy losses, Ukraine is trying to restore its combat Aviation. In this case, she has to rely on foreign assistance, but not all foreign partners are ready to provide the desired samples and products. So, for several months, the Kyiv regime has been trying to beg for American-made combat aircraft - and so far has not succeeded in this matter. Despite all the statements and promises, the supply of equipment has not begun and is not even expected.
Desires and reality
The Kyiv regime began to ask for foreign aviation equipment already in February-March, almost immediately after the start of its forced demilitarization. Its various representatives spoke about the need to supply certain combat aircraft, both Soviet and NATO models.
In particular, a desire was expressed to obtain American F-15 and F-16 fighters. It was argued that the Ukrainian army has experienced pilots who could master such equipment in just a few weeks and start serving. However, such requests remained unanswered. Moreover, foreign experts rightly noted that the training of pilots and infrastructure for foreign technology will require much more time and effort.
A-10 attack aircraft
Also in the spring there were rumors about sending Ukrainian cadet pilots to the United States or other foreign countries for retraining and training on new technology. However, this information was not subsequently confirmed.
Moreover, real events have refuted it. So, in June, in the draft US military budget for FY2023. made an amendment on the allocation of funding for the retraining of Ukrainian pilots. If adopted, the process of retraining of personnel could begin after October 1, 2022. Accordingly, no measures were taken before this date.
To date, foreign countries have managed to transfer to Ukraine several dozen obsolete Soviet-made aircraft, not always in good condition. Deliveries of NATO equipment have not yet begun and are probably not even planned at the moment. This option of military-technical assistance is stuck at the stage of negotiations and is not moving forward.
Stormtroopers not received
In the context of assistance to Ukraine, the American A-10C attack aircraft was mentioned several times. For several years, there have been disputes in the United States about the need to remove such equipment from service. This year, in this context, a new proposal appeared: if the Air Force starts to write off such equipment, then it should be transferred to the Ukrainian army. However, this idea has not yet received official approval, and its prospects are questionable.
So, in March, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said that there were no plans to transfer the A-10C to the Ukrainian side. There is not even a discussion of such deliveries. After this, statements about attack aircraft were forgotten for a while.
However, in mid-July, the minister was again asked about the possibility of transferring decommissioned aircraft. This time, F. Kendall spoke differently. He noted that the American side is ready to discuss the supply of equipment, incl. decommissioned attack aircraft. Everything depends on the needs and wishes of the Kyiv regime. At the same time, no real negotiations on the A-10C were reported.
Around the same time, the Kyiv regime boasted that it had begun self-training pilots for the A-10C. However, the training was carried out not on simulators with special software, but with the help of ordinary personal computers and a popular flight simulator. The effectiveness of such "training" is questionable.
Secret negotiations
Another "dream" of the Ukrainian army is the American F-16 fighter. The need for such equipment was regularly mentioned by various persons, but it has not yet been possible to obtain aircraft - or at least guarantees of their delivery. At the same time, in recent weeks, such fighters have practically not been remembered. The American publication Politico managed to find out why this happened.
On September 16, Politico reported that Ukraine continues to show interest in F-16 aircraft, drones MQ-1C and Patriot air defense systems, and some efforts are being made to get them as soon as possible. Now, however, the Kiev regime is trying not to talk about such desires openly. From high-profile statements moved to quiet behind-the-scenes negotiations.
From its sources, Politico learned that advisers to the Ukrainian president and their partners in Washington, including those close to the US president, have developed a new strategy. In particular, the Ukrainian leadership is advised to focus on the current needs of their armed forces, as well as refrain from loud statements and announcements.
Such an organizational approach does not interfere with the receipt of military-technical assistance, but reduces possible risks. In particular, the American side, wanting to help an ally, does not want to provoke Moscow once again. Loud statements at the stage of negotiations or preparation of a deal can lead to certain negative consequences.
Objective difficulties
Thus, by now, a specific situation has developed. Ukraine demands to provide it with American or other foreign combat aircraft as soon as possible. Its main ally, the United States, is considering the possibility of providing such assistance, but is in no hurry. Discussions and negotiations have been going on for several months, and it is not clear how long they will continue and where they will lead.
The only real measure at the moment is a Congressional proposal to train Ukrainian pilots. However, this amendment has yet to be included in the final version of the military budget. In addition, training will be able to start only at the beginning of next year, and the preparation of a sufficient number of flight personnel will take a lot of time.
There are other objective limitations as well. So, for the full operation of the new equipment of the Ukrainian army, a certain foreign-style infrastructure will be needed. Its creation and maintenance in the current conditions is, at least, an extremely difficult task. At the same time, the built and deployed stationary facilities, as well as new aircraft, will be subject to a constant risk of destruction.
Politico notes organizational difficulties. F-16 planes and other military equipment are wanted not only by Ukraine, but also by NATO countries. At the same time, the production of such products is faced with problems of logistics and supply of components. For example, in 2023, the United States planned to transfer 14 F-16 fighters to the Slovak Air Force. But due to current difficulties, the delivery has been postponed to 2024. The same is probably waiting for a number of other contracts.
Under such conditions, it will be quite difficult to find "free" fighters or other weapons to transfer to the Kyiv regime. The US could change the schedule of deliveries and the order of recipient countries, but this will lead to political problems. It is unlikely that the states that have lost their place in the queue will be satisfied and retain their loyalty to Ukraine.
Uncertain Future
Recent months have shown that the United States and its NATO allies are willing and able to provide Ukraine with military-technical assistance. At the same time, they are ready to send far from the entire range of existing weapons and equipment. This is especially evident in the field of combat aviation. The Kyiv regime received a number of Soviet-style planes and helicopters from Eastern Europe. At the same time, the supply of NATO / American equipment is at least postponed indefinitely.
It turned out that there are significant difficulties and problems in the field of combat aircraft. Some of them cannot be overcome in a few months, while others cannot be solved in principle in the current situation. In addition, the United States takes into account its military, political and economic interests, and is not going to help Ukraine to the detriment of itself or its closest allies.
How it is planned to get out of this situation is unclear. However, the preliminary results are already clear - over the past seven months, the Kyiv regime has not received the desired A-10C attack aircraft, F-16 fighters or heavy UAVs. Moreover, he was not even promised to supply such equipment or other complex and necessary weapons. Whether this situation will change in the future is a big question.
- Ryabov Kirill
- The US Department of Defense
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