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Is the F-16 with its dainty nose gear rough strip capable? Maybe the Gripen with its twin nose wheel is more apt for roads and makeshift airfields?But the Ukraine AF is constantly rotating their FOBs - so there is no one single fixed location.
This has been one of the UAF's saving graces since day one.
Is the F-16 with its dainty nose gear rough strip capable? Maybe the Gripen with its twin nose wheel is more apt for roads and makeshift airfields?
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The Gripen above has nose gear more like the rough and tumble MiG-29.
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Ukraine had intended to buy the Gripen.I think the Gripen would be the better choice. Having the air intake on the bottom of an aircraft operating from rough runways would be a disaster waiting to happen.
Well, on the other hand, Ruzzia will be out of missiles. Now, can you guys head to Ukraine and start building dummy F-35s? Don't waste time getting squadron markings right.I feel like a single F-35 squadron, along with the sustainment that needs to be in place to support it, would probably end up as the world's greatest magnet for PGMs.
If Ukraine did get a squadron and then the Russians learnt what base of operations they were using, I could see every cruise missile and long range drone remaining in the Russian inventory heading that way in very short order.
While I could be wrong, I would assume those would be kept in tip-top shape even if most of the conventional arsenal was disintegrating.As far as Russia's nuclear arsenal is concerned, what shape are the missiles in? Judging how their equipment has performed so poorly in combat, I imagine their nukes are in a comparable state of fitness.
From what I recall the whole idea of MAD was that even if one side knocked out 90% of the nuclear capability of the other side, the remaining 10% would be enough to bomb the other off the face of the Earth.And those 10 percent have to make it through the wall of interceptors situated around North America, the Atlantic and Pacific.
I'm leery to even touch this one, but wouldn't that have to be proven to have been intentional for a sovereign nation to be held to account?One political comment here is now inserted "Except for the Release of Covid-19" which was the greatest Ever destroyer of free economy and prosperity across the globe for a non-kinetic weapon. China has not been held accountable by Any Nationstate.
Has any of this been done?1. Take NATO acceptance off the table and make it clear to Zelensky that we are NOT going (intentionally) to full blown war on Ukraine behalf. BTW we may get there anyway because not very many Western leaders are dealing with a full deck.
2. Engage China, Turkey and France to meet with Russia (not just Putin) to fully understand the hard red lines outside of NATO membership. I say engage China and France and Turkey- but not US, because I truly believe we have fucked this up beyond repair across at least four Presidents.
3. Under ZERO circumstances support any cross border activity from NATO military into Ukraine.
4. Be prepared with a de-escalation plan when Russia shuts down the grid and attacks all inbound shipments from NATO countries.
5. Make it clear to Russia that not only will we continue to arm Ukraine until a settlement is obtained, but also make it clear to Ukraine that they cannot use NATO as a negotiating lever to blugeon Russia.
The Ukraine military is not known for shelling random civilian targets, they tend to be more conservative with their supply of munitions and save them for legimate targets.
When I was stationed in Germany in the early Sixties there was an accident at Graffenwoehr (sp?). An artillery unit was training on the range and a round landed short or long (I can't remember which) and landed in a bivouac area, killing quite a few US troops. It happens.It could also have been an effup in adjusting the arty coords, too. That the rounds fell short near a bus station is a horrible result of incompetence (no matter which side screwed up).
If there's any nation I want in NATO, a democratic, West-leaning nation that's both on the front line with autocratic/expansionist Russia and demonstrably capable of kicking its ass, it's Ukraine.1. Take NATO acceptance off the table
If you are thinking of things such as the T-50 family remember that they still incorporate significant quantities of US ITAR controlled material.South Korea, probably. I wish Ukraine to strengthen its military cooperation with the East. With the "western" East... Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore - there is a lot to share and to learn from each other.