Russian analysts have revealed that a Squadron of 24 F-16s has been deployed to Ukrainian air bases, putting Russia-NATO relations at an extreme tipping point.
Mikhail Zvinchuk, head of the Russian Rybar think tank, reported that F-16s likely with NATO pilots (mercenary and non-mercenary for the guys) are flying in southwestern Ukraine performing various exercises.
"It is safe to say that the F-16s are already in Ukrainian skies and becoming a legitimate target for the Russian Aerospace Forces," Mikhail Zvinchuk said in his briefing.
According to other Russian sources, “ 12 F-16 fighters were sent to Ukraine by rail and road in early November. Ukraine now has possibly 24 F-16s.
They are scattered and dismantled in warehouses in populated areas around air bases. Starokonstantinov, Dolgintsevo airfields and the Kiev bases could not be used, as they were frequently attacked. There is information that some of them have already been destroyed.
Air early warning and control aircraft flying in Romania, Poland and the northern Black Sea are tasked with identifying targets and "caging" them by radar.
Once that happens, the F-16s will attempt to shoot down the Russian fighters by firing AIM-120 air-to-air missiles from low altitudes. Through the Link 16 data exchange system, the early warning and control aircraft will direct the missile to shoot down the Russian aircraft.
It is envisaged that some of the aircraft will remain in Ukraine and at least 36 aircraft will remain in NATO countries and will be used to attack Russian targets and quickly return to NATO borders.
In the first stage, attacks through Ukraine will be tried, but if this does not work, the attack tactics will be radically changed through NATO bases.
Russia has said that if that happens, it will hit the bases, risking triggering NATO's Article 5. The alliance wants to go ahead with the last but most dangerous tactic to undermine Russia's air superiority.
They will push Russia to a very breaking point. For Russia, the risk of conflict with NATO will increase enormously.
The place where Ukraine would benefit most from NATO intelligence is the Black Sea coast. The Ukrainian Air Force can receive information from ground bases and AWACS from the Danube Delta and northern Turkey.
Attacks from northern Ukraine could be launched by aircraft into Poland.
The Ukrainian Air Force could attempt a direct strike against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine," the Russians conclude.
For this reason, the production of the Su-57 is increasing.
"The Russian Aerospace Forces received the next batch of fifth-generation Su-57 fighters," the press service of the United Aircraft Corporation reported.
The number of aircraft is not disclosed, but UAC emphasizes that this year's production program is closed, all aircraft under the contract have been delivered. This applies to both Su-57 and Su-35S.
It is noted that the aircraft were built on a new production line in conditions of increasing volume of serial production.
Today we are increasing production. Already in 2024, some facilities will be put into operation as part of the implementation of promising technical re-equipment projects within the framework of the state program for the development of the defense industry for the serial production of the Su-57 aircraft,” said the head of the UAC Yuriy Slyushar.
Yuri Slyusar, General Director of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec) emphasized that in 2023, the production of Su-57 fighters will be doubled. In 2024, the order will be even more impressive.
No comments:
Post a Comment