Will Putin invade ?

[Tubbylew]

Jeez....


But the Pentagon appeared to reject the proposal, saying it was not “tenable”.

In a statement, the US Department of Defense said the prospect of the jets departing from the base “to fly into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire Nato alliance”.

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“We will continue to consult with Poland and our other Nato allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland’s proposal is a tenable one,” John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said.

Poland is thought to have 28 of the Soviet-era warplanes, and had been in negotiation with the Biden administration on a three-way deal in which Warsaw would gave the planes to Ukraine, on condition that the US would provide the Polish air force with newer US fighters.

“Poland requests the United States to provide us with used aircraft with corresponding operational capabilities,” Rau said in a statement on his ministry’s website. “Poland is ready to immediately establish the conditions of purchase of the planes.”

Rau requested other Nato allies with MiG-29 jets – a reference to Slovakia and Bulgaria – “act in the same vein”.

By handing them to the US, Poland is hoping to mitigate the risk of direct retaliation from Russia.

However, the US under secretary of state for political affairs, Victoria Nuland, said the Polish announcement had taken Washington unawares, calling it a “surprise move by the Poles”.

“To my knowledge, it wasn’t pre-consulted with us that they plan to give these planes to us,” Nuland told Congress. “I look forward when this hearing is over to getting back to my desk and seeing how we will respond to this proposal of theirs to give the planes to us.”

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The idea of donating old warplanes to Ukraine was raised on 27 February by the EU foreign and security policy chief, Josep Borrell, who declared: “We are going to provide even fighter jets.” That announcement annoyed Polish officials, who said Warsaw was not properly consulted over a move that could expose the country to risk.

The Russian defence ministry did not address the issue directly but warned that any country that provided air fields for Ukrainian warplanes that were later used against Russians would be considered by Moscow as being involved in the conflict. Polish thinking is that when the planes are delivered to Ukrainian pilots, they will be taking off from an air base in Germany as US assets.

Should of just pushed them over the border and got a few farmers to find them. I suppose its the airbases being the biggest problem. I personally don't see the difference between javelins and jets, apart from the possible tactical advantage it may present.

 

[Tubbylew]

From what I've read, that's what was supposed to happen. But one windbag politicians told another windbag politician and next thing everyones in front of microphones.

Feckin politicians always looking for a photo op.

 

[serf]

They're not laughing now

Don't suppose we will see that gem played back on mainstream anytime soon ....

No thought not , should have got a dem to tell them exactly he same thing , they would have listed then

Ah well bit of schadenfreuder for em ....

 

[JohnGalway]

Another fascinating read

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1501360272442896388

 

[Foxcover]

First time I’ve seen USAF F16’s in this country.

 

[bobk]

Russia to default on it's debt next week

War in Ukraine: Russia soon unable to pay its debts, warns agency

Russia will soon be in a position where it is unable to pay its debts, says Fitch Ratings.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Hindsight]

First time I’ve seen USAF F16’s in this country.

View attachment 1021697

Flew over fields i was walking near spilsby. low, fast, loaded up with armaments underwing. About 12.30. There were typhoons with the american planes.

 

[Danllan]

Russia to default on it's debt next week

War in Ukraine: Russia soon unable to pay its debts, warns agency

Russia will soon be in a position where it is unable to pay its debts, says Fitch Ratings.

www.bbc.co.uk

Can't be true, they've loads of money, we have been told this so it must be true.

 

[Cowabunga]

Russia to default on it's debt next week

War in Ukraine: Russia soon unable to pay its debts, warns agency

Russia will soon be in a position where it is unable to pay its debts, says Fitch Ratings.

www.bbc.co.uk

They haven’t started to retaliate yet. It may well get rather ‘interesting’ in unpredictable ways for all concerned.

 

[Wuffler]

Flew over fields i was walking near spilsby. low, fast, loaded up with armaments underwing. About 12.30. There were typhoons with the american planes.

Probably on an exercise up to my neck of the woods.
I'm on the flight path for practice bombing up at Otterburn military ranges which is 20 miles north of me.
There was quite a bit of F-16 action yesterday.
Then again I see them quite often...

 

[Foxcover]

Probably on an exercise up to my neck of the woods.
I'm on the flight path for practice bombing up at Otterburn military ranges which is 20 miles north of me.
There was quite a bit of F-16 action yesterday.
Then again I see them quite often...

You won’t see F16’s very often at all.
Do you mean F15’s?

 

[Wuffler]

You won’t see F16’s very often at all.
Do you mean F15’s?

Apologies.
Yes F-15's!

 

[Wellytrack]

A-10 warthog is still awesome. Nearly 50 years old and still nothing better at doing what it was made to.

A plane built around its gun. 100lbs of depleted uranium per second, delivered at 3300FPS, what’s not to like?

 

[TheTallGuy]

A-10 warthog is still awesome. Nearly 50 years old and still nothing better at doing what it was made to.

A plane built around its gun. 100lbs of depleted uranium per second, delivered at 3300FPS, what’s not to like?

View attachment 1021989View attachment 1021990View attachment 1021991View attachment 1021992View attachment 1021993

Also a fan of the AC130 series of gunships based on the venerable Hurcules airframe.

 

[ollie989898]

DU is out- I think they have done away with them, there is a tungsten cored round that isn't quite as effective but it's plenty good enough. The main weapon for tanks was always the maverick anyway- a weapon so big there isn't a chance in hell of a modern tank withstanding it- imagine comparing this thing to a shoulder fired Javelin?

 

[Wellytrack]

Also a fan of the AC130 series of gunships based on the venerable Hurcules airframe.

B-52 is my other crush. 70 years old and still ‘delivering’.

 

[robs1]

A-10 warthog is still awesome. Nearly 50 years old and still nothing better at doing what it was made to.

A plane built around its gun. 100lbs of depleted uranium per second, delivered at 3300FPS, what’s not to like?

View attachment 1021989View attachment 1021990View attachment 1021991View attachment 1021992View attachment 1021993

Being on the edge of Salisbury plain we used to have them flying round us all the time, not seen one in years thought they had been retired, it's amazing how slow they can fly and stay in the air, and the whine they used to make from their engines, even had them line up the tractor as a target on occasions, always hoped they didnt fire by mistake, was quite strange seeing them fly round you several times as you drove up the field.

 

[Wellytrack]

Being on the edge of Salisbury plain we used to have them flying round us all the time, not seen one in years thought they had been retired, it's amazing how slow they can fly and stay in the air, and the whine they used to make from their engines, even had them line up the tractor as a target on occasions, always hoped they didnt fire by mistake, was quite strange seeing them fly round you several times as you drove up the field.

Yea, the Tornado and its various incarnations of it were also good at slow low altitude fly passes too but still very different from the A-10s.
The United States have been working on a replacement for a long time but it’s still not here.

 

[robs1]

Yea, the Tornado and its various incarnations of it were also good at slow low altitude fly passes too but still very different from the A-10s.
The United States have been working on a replacement for a long time but it’s still not here.

Used to see the occasional tornado, usually in pairs, not sure I've ever seen any euro fighters here though. Did have four fast jets earlier in the week but it was pretty cloudy and couldnt identity them, saw 2 B52s last week how they stay up is a miracle rarely get the Hercules these days since they moved from lyneham they dont use keevil airfield much for dropping practice

 

[TheTallGuy]

Yea, the Tornado and its various incarnations of it were also good at slow low altitude fly passes too but still very different from the A-10s.
The United States have been working on a replacement for a long time but it’s still not here.

Official policy is that the F35 takes over from the Hog & the reality is that Apaches and drones are able to cover the role whilst being more flexible so I doubt we'll see a true replacement.