"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (1 Viewer)

[Thumpalumpacus]

How long does it take to train an experienced MiG-29 or SU-25 pilot to fly and fight a F-16?

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From the above to the below has to take some learnings.

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For example...

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It does take a long time -- we've discussed this earlier in the thread (in case it's slipped your mind). Unless they're been training in secret, it'll be a year before any hypothetical F-16s see duty in UKR, even if the process were started today.

 

[Admiral Beez]

It does take a long time -- we've discussed this earlier in the thread (in case it's slipped your mind).

I remember. I assume the Dutch and others considering to offer F-16s realize this nulls any immediate opportunities, unless it's ignorant politicians shooting off their mouths.

If we want to help the Ukrainian air force immediately with strike aircraft I think we need to find more MiGs and Sukhois, plus expedite retrofits for HARMs and JDAMs. Did Poland ever send those MiG-29s that made the news in March 2022? What else is out there for the right price? How about Peru's MiG-29s?

US Pushing Central, South American Countries to Give Ukraine Quick Military Boost

US military officials are trying to persuade six countries with Russian-made equipment, including air defense and armored vehicles, to send it to Kyiv for American-made replacements

www.voanews.com

I though Slovakia had already given its MiG-29s, but apparently not.

Slovakia ready to discuss transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine

Slovakia is ready to discuss the transfer of its MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine.

www.pravda.com.ua

 

[Snowman]

It's a good idea: to beat Soviets with their own hammers and sickles!

 

[Admiral Beez]

It's a good idea: to beat Soviets with their own hammers and sickles!

Agreed. After all, Mikhail Gurevich was Ukrainian. The MiG-29 was after his time, but Gurevich's last direct project, the MiG-25 remains among the fastest military aircraft ever to enter service.

 

[GrauGeist]

Sikorsky was also a native Ukrainian.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Sikorsky was also a native Ukrainian.

My Ukrainian-Canadian wife's Baba's cat was named Sikorsky. He used to jump up to the ceiling fan and pull the chord to start it spinning. Clearly a rotary fan.

 

[SaparotRob]

How long does it take to train an experienced MiG-29 or SU-25 pilot to fly and fight a F-16?

View attachment 704013

From the above to the below has to take some learnings.

View attachment 704014

For example...

View attachment 704015

I read somewhere that an eastern bloc pilot, when training on the differences commented "Western pilots think the world revolves around them."

 

[GTX]

Just a personal thought, but if there is one country which seems to be coming out of the Ukraine conflict (apart from Ukraine), with an enhanced reputation, I would suggest it's Poland.

Yes and no - as highlighted in previous posts, Poland has been playing some games.

 

[GTX]

It's a good idea: to beat Soviets with their own hammers and sickles!

Except this is a war with Russia not the USSR (of which Ukraine was a part).

 

[GTX]

I wonder if there is a chance that the Ukrainian Abrams could be spun out of this order and Poland get's backfilled?

Poland – M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks | Defense Security Cooperation Agency

www.dsca.mil

 

[GTX]

I wonder when the final F-16 will roll off the plant. It's nothing but upwards for the F-16 into the 2020s.

A few years to go yet given deals like this still underway:

Jordan inks deal for 12 Block 70 F-16s from Lockheed Martin - Breaking Defense

The US State Department approved the deal in February, saying the planes and associated equipment would cost some $4.21 billion.

breakingdefense.com

 

[GTX]

Ukraine forces pull back from Soledar, exposing supply lines to possible Russian attack

After months of heavy clashes and little movement on the front lines in the industrial Donetsk region, Russian forces take control of the town where Wagner mercenaries are active.

www.abc.net.au

 

[GTX]

 

[GrauGeist]

Except this is a war with Russia not the USSR (of which Ukraine was a part).

However, Russia is acting like the former Soviet Union and has been getting it's ass kicked with former Soviet equipment.

 

[Greg Boeser]

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Replace the word democracy with sovereignty.

 

[GTX]

 

[GrauGeist]

Oopsie...

Two Turkish-owned ships hit in Russian attack on Kherson

Helping Maritime Professionals Make Informed Decisions

www.marinelog.com

 

[GTX]

Ukraine now has a 'tank coalition'. This is what its new battlefield line-up looks like

Kyiv has a new "tank coalition", with an array of powerful Western-made heavy weapons finally being sent to Ukraine after months of refusal. This is what its new battlefield line-up looks like.

www.abc.net.au

 

[AAIR]

On those Polish MiG-29s... this is showing up in a number of news sources:
Poland sent several MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine under the guise of spare parts
Most articles attribute the news to Dziennik Gazeta Prawna edition

Poland alleged to have covertly sent MiG-29s to Ukraine last spring

Poland provided Ukraine with a

english.nv.ua

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Ukraine now has a 'tank coalition'. This is what its new battlefield line-up looks like

Kyiv has a new "tank coalition", with an array of powerful Western-made heavy weapons finally being sent to Ukraine after months of refusal. This is what its new battlefield line-up looks like.

www.abc.net.au

They keep writing that it runs on jet fuel. The Abrams actually carries a multi-fuel engine.