Posted on 05/19/2023 8:00:51 AM PDT by Timber Rattler
The Biden administration has signaled to European allies in recent weeks that the US would allow them to export F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, sources familiar with the discussions said, as the White House comes under increasing pressure from members of Congress and allies to help Ukraine procure the planes amid intensifying Russian aerial attacks.
Administration officials are not aware, however, of any formal requests by any allies to export F-16s, and State Department officials who would normally be tasked with the paperwork to approve such third-party transfers have not been told to get to work, officials said.
A handful of European countries have a supply of the US-made F-16s, including the Netherlands, which has signaled a willingness to export some of them to Ukraine. But the US would have to approve that third party transfer because of the jets’ sensitive US technology.
While the US remains reluctant to send any of its own F-16s to Kyiv, US officials told CNN that the administration is prepared to approve the export of the jets to Ukraine if that is what allies decide to do with their supply.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
And I suppose the U.S. will also provide “advisors,” “private contractors,” or “volunteers” to fly these planes?
“And I suppose the U.S. will also provide “advisors,” “private contractors,” or “volunteers” to fly these planes?”
They better be better than the ones operating the Patriots in Kiev!
A. There are plenty of experienced European operators to recruit. No need for US personnel.
B. They can be maintained in Poland, Romania, etc. Many Eastern Euro countries are already operating F16’s.
The one solution to avoiding WWIII:
1. Ukraine loses
2. Ukraine is divided
Kiev go Boomie?
The F-16s without the best avionics and missiles? Why not go to the bone yard and send some F-4s. How long before we send a few decommissioned minutemen?? Or Pershing IIs?
Won’t need the A-10 Warthogs. Russia’s lost 2k of them already.
Tanks appear t be obsolete. Need a lot of infantry to work in sync. What country threatens their neighbor with the same-Norks?
US Military Colonel Says Government Lied About Ukraine War - Colonel Douglas Macgregor
So ponder this, say a number of Euro-Weenie nations ship F-16s to Ukraine. Once in Ukraine they become legitimate targets for the Russians. Now, if these F-16s are damaged and sent to say Poland, Romania or any other Euro-Weenie nation for repair, are they still considered Legitimate Targets for the Russians?
What better way to invite WWIII by shipping weapons (used against the Russians) in and out of Euro-Weenie countries and Ukraine. We saw this run away and regenerate strength in North Korea/China, Vietnam/Cambodia, Afghanistan/Pakistan and now potentially being repeated in Europe.
Why would the Russians NOT attack the maintenance depots? They know full well that once fixed, the F-16s will be back in Ukraine and killing Russians? The US is the only country that does not attack safe haven countries. WE have that track record. I’m not so sure the Russians will play by those rules.
Already happening with all sorts of military equipment. In many cases Ukrainian tanks, artillery and aircraft are being serviced and repaired in Poland, etc.
Just one case -
2019 Ukrainian Presidential election
here’s a better, more realistic solution:
- de-militarize Russia
- break it up into smaller states
- throw Putin and his cronies in jail permanently on War Crimes convictions
voila, instant peace!
(this way, both Europe AND Russia win)
Why would they not attack things in Poland?
Because they would certainly suffer the consequences of such an escalation.
The rules (treaties) are maintained by fear, not ink.
Wow! Victoria Nuland you doxxed yourself!!
That isn’t happening, so not likely.
“Might as well send the Ukrainians the A-10 Warthogs that the USAF are retiring too!”
Agreed! Let Ukraine get some more use out of them!
“The one solution to avoiding WWIII:”
Or Russia can end their stupid war and go home. That would work too.
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