Russian minister warns NATO any aggression will be met with a 'decisive response'
While Russia does not intend to attack Europe, its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has not ruled out action against NATO aggression.
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So, what do we think this weapon Zelenskyy is asking for is? Could it be the AGM-158 JASSM? The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile seems unlikely as Ukraine has no launch platform. What about something to crack the Surokin Line so that Ukraine's tanks can get to Crimea? In the end, I think Zelenskyy was speaking metaphorically, and he means US forces in Ukraine as a post-armistice security guarantee.
IDK, I don't trust the Turks, Hungarians, Bulgaria and maybe the Italians to step into the fight on day one. As for the rest of us non-US members of NATO, we're rather under equipped. The RAF has all of about one hundred fast jets (plus half as many if we take the RN's co-shared F-35Bs), the RCAF about eighty. If things do go to sh#t, NATO had better use its significant technological advantages to hit very hard at the start to demolish Russia's fighting, command, logistics and communications abilities, as we don't have the staying power.You know, part of me does hope that Russia provokes artical 5, just so the Kremlin could witness first hand, just exavtly what NATO aggression actually looks like.
IDK, I don't trust the Turks, Hungarians, Bulgaria and maybe the Italians to step into the fight on day one. As for the rest of us non-US members of NATO, we're rather under equipped. The RAF has all of about one hundred fast jets, the RCAF about eighty. If things do go to sh#t, NATO had better hit very hard at the start to demolish Russia's fighting, command, logistics and communications abilities, as we don't have the staying power.
They may be terrible at offense, but I am talking about those Russian elements and capabilities that more than three years on, despite Ukraine fielding some of the West's most advanced weaponry and enjoying massive NATO financial backing, have still managed to hold the line, keep territory, and blunt nearly every Ukrainian offensive. For a nearly bankrupt nation of just 146 million people, with a poverty-level gdp of $14k per capita, that is no small feat.What is this "Russia's fighting, command, logistics and communications" you speak of?
True. I wouldn't expect anyone at the Russian Air command to be chafing at the bit to find and take on half a dozen F-35's, let aloneOn the otherhand, little Ukraine has held a world super power at bay with second-hand western weapons and a fraction of the manpower.
I can assure you that Russia, in it's current state, cannon afford to engage front line NATO troops and top-shelf weaponry at the moment.
| Aircraft Type | Total Count (Approx.) | Type Generation | Primary Operating European NATO Countries (Approximate Active Fleet) |
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | ~460 | 4th Gen | Turkey (Largest Operator), Greece, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Romania |
| Eurofighter Typhoon | ~470 | 4.5 Gen | UK (~160), Germany (~143), Italy (~96), Spain (~73) |
| F-35 Lightning II | ~190 | 5th Gen | Norway (~52), Netherlands (~49), UK (~37), Italy (~37), Denmark (~15) |
| Dassault Rafale | ~136 | 4.5 Gen | France (~136), Croatia (Acquiring) |
| Saab JAS-39 Gripen | ~99 | 4/4.5 Gen | Sweden (~75 C/D/E models), Czechia (~12), Hungary (~14-18) |
| Panavia Tornado | ~120 | 3.5 Gen | Germany (~80), Italy (~40) |
| F/A-18 Hornet | ~81 | 4th Gen | Spain (~81, EF-18A/B) |
| MiG-29 Fulcrum | ~24 | 4th Gen | Poland (~11-14), Bulgaria (~10-13) |
| McDonnell Douglas F-4 | ~36 | 3rd Gen | Greece (~17), Turkey (~19, Terminator 2020) |
| Total Operational Fleet | ~1,690+ |
That could serve up a nasty punch in the face.That is what I got, but maybe not all F-35 are operational yet and some of the older types may not be fully operational anymore.
Aircraft Type Total Count (Approx.) Type Generation Primary Operating European NATO Countries (Approximate Active Fleet) F-16 Fighting Falcon ~460 4th Gen Turkey (Largest Operator), Greece, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Romania Eurofighter Typhoon ~470 4.5 Gen UK (~160), Germany (~143), Italy (~96), Spain (~73) F-35 Lightning II ~190 5th Gen Norway (~52), Netherlands (~49), UK (~37), Italy (~37), Denmark (~15) Dassault Rafale ~136 4.5 Gen France (~136), Croatia (Acquiring) Saab JAS-39 Gripen ~99 4/4.5 Gen Sweden (~75 C/D/E models), Czechia (~12), Hungary (~14-18) Panavia Tornado ~120 3.5 Gen Germany (~80), Italy (~40) F/A-18 Hornet ~81 4th Gen Spain (~81, EF-18A/B) MiG-29 Fulcrum ~24 4th Gen Poland (~11-14), Bulgaria (~10-13) McDonnell Douglas F-4 ~36 3rd Gen Greece (~17), Turkey (~19, Terminator 2020) Total Operational Fleet ~1,690+
But anyway it's a lot of air power.
True, but I did my best to answer your question.On the otherhand,..
That was always my faint hope. If China ever wanted to liberate Yongmingcheng, aka Vladivostok, 2022-onwards was their chance. The popular sentiment is definitely there.On the other hand China might well be tempted to get control of parts of Eastern Russia, either by military or 'political' methods. By that I mean the I will make you an offer you cannot refuse kind of political method.
I know you're looking at Euros, but as the only non-US NATO member outside of Europe I suggest that we include Canada's CF-18s. If there's an action in Europe, the RCAF will deploy much of the fleet to participate.That is what I got, but maybe not all F-35 are operational yet and some of the older types may not be fully operational anymore.
Aircraft Type Total Count (Approx.) Type Generation Primary Operating European NATO Countries (Approximate Active Fleet) F-16 Fighting Falcon ~460 4th Gen Turkey (Largest Operator), Greece, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, Romania Eurofighter Typhoon ~470 4.5 Gen UK (~160), Germany (~143), Italy (~96), Spain (~73) F-35 Lightning II ~190 5th Gen Norway (~52), Netherlands (~49), UK (~37), Italy (~37), Denmark (~15) Dassault Rafale ~136 4.5 Gen France (~136), Croatia (Acquiring) Saab JAS-39 Gripen ~99 4/4.5 Gen Sweden (~75 C/D/E models), Czechia (~12), Hungary (~14-18) Panavia Tornado ~120 3.5 Gen Germany (~80), Italy (~40) F/A-18 Hornet ~81 4th Gen Spain (~81, EF-18A/B) MiG-29 Fulcrum ~24 4th Gen Poland (~11-14), Bulgaria (~10-13) McDonnell Douglas F-4 ~36 3rd Gen Greece (~17), Turkey (~19, Terminator 2020) Total Operational Fleet ~1,690+
But anyway it's a lot of air power.
You know, part of me does hope that Russia provokes artical 5, just so the Kremlin could witness first hand, just exavtly what NATO aggression actually looks like.
I can think of a couple of options:So, what do we think this weapon Zelenskyy is asking for is? Could it be the AGM-158 JASSM? The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile seems unlikely as Ukraine has no launch platform. What about something to crack the Surokin Line so that Ukraine's tanks can get to Crimea? In the end, I think Zelenskyy was speaking metaphorically, and he means US forces in Ukraine as a post-armistice security guarantee.