https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-shoots-down-polish-attempt-to-send-fighter-jets-to-ukraine/
The handover of Poland’s 28 Soviet-made MiG-29s would signal Western resolve to do more to deter Russia. Militarily, it would be unlikely to be a game-changer. The number of aircraft is relatively small. The MiG-29s also are inferior to more sophisticated Russian aircraft and could be easy prey for Russian pilots and missiles.
Russia has warned that supporting Ukraine’s air force would be seen in Moscow as participating in the conflict and open up suppliers to possible retaliation.
It would also weaken Poland’s own air force at a time of heightened danger in Eastern Europe.
It is part of the shadow negotiations between East and West - there are rules of conflict. Supplying fighter jets during the war can be contrued to be an act of war. Supplying missiles which shoot down helicopters and jets, as well as tanks, is not the same level - and this was done in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteThere is another aspect of this war - military powers actually need to have some kind of war every few years, to test their own capabilities, logistics, and give their military leaders real battlefield experience. If there are generals who have never had real war experience, then fighting a war can be much more difficult for them.
Israel , probably through no choice of its own, does this every few years. Moshe dayan, Ariel Sharon, Rabin etc are all gone. Lebanon war was 40 years ago, the generals are all dead or retired. Nowadays it is just the occasional gaza incursion.