Ever see “The Wizard of Oz?” That’s Washington DC - everything is PR and spin from the man behind the curtain. I doubt anyone even got close to asking the serious questions you are asking.
It is a multi-role fighter that has substantial air-to-ground capabilities.
Moot point. The larger question is why this matter appears to be now obscured by smokescreen (or a smokescreen itself).
It makes little sense that the Poles would directly provoke Putin and the public diplomatic gymnastics in the wake of the supposed ‘offer’ - coupled with the curious drive by Republicans to push for almost direct intervention - frames either incompetence, neocon interference or propaganda.
AEWC systems are really meant to warn allied forces of incoming threats and to track their movements for interception. Ukraine needs tactical fighters to deliver bombs to ground targets primarily (like hitting that miles long convoy) and to deter air threats secondarily. I am sure Ukraine has all kind of ground based AEWC systems, however it’s likely Russia has already neutralized those for the most part so some AWACS would be helpful, however they contain top secret technology that we would rather not let into Russia’s hands, so giving those to Ukraine ain’t happening.
I'm neither military or former military, but more aircraft for the Ukrainians would allow more potential aircraft strikes on Russian ground targets - there seems to plenty of ground targets on Ukrainian soil. No need to go into heavily defended Russia.
Of course, attacking ground targets anywhere is risky business, especially since the Ukrainians do not have air superiority. But this may be the risks Ukrainians pilots are willing to take since their backs are against the wall.
Putin promised Biden 15% to kill it
Ukranians are probably trained to fly the MIGs. Not so much F16s. But I bet that an F16 is a better fighter than a MIG so it is an upgrade.
Will the MIGs get all of the weaponry and maintenance equipment?
These aircraft would be shot down if they got close to the Belarus or Russian borders. The Russian SAMs would tear them apart.
Both sides have some types of AA systems leaving both sides vulnerable to AA fire, which is one reason why both sides seem to fly low. The MiG 29s would probably used against low-flying Russian aircraft, especially Su25 ground attack planes, and helicopters.
Since no one wants WWIII and the Polish MIG-29’s represent an escalation and intervention by a NATO member country, why don’t we do what the Turks (also NATO) already did? Send them drones operated from far Western Ukraine in air-to-ground roles. Drones won’t be shoot down Russian MIGs, but they can raise holy hell on columns of armor.
Just my 2 cents...
AWACs flying in eastern Poland can see just about over Kiev.
A larger concern I would have if Mig-29s were put into service by Ukraine...
They seem to be passing out stingers and shoulder fired anti-aircraft like candy. I would be concerned with friendly fire incidents. The citizen soldiers firing on “friendly” air power that is pretty similar to what the enemy is flying.
What you do when you've had/done everything money can buy?
What you do when you've had/done every kind of perverted?
...and now need something else to keep life interesting?
...play G_d.
Supposedly, Ukraine has a degraded but still functioning air force and air defense system that can take in and make use of additional aircraft. It is unclear whether Ukraine has AWACS or is limited to ground control. Apparently, the intended missions for the Migs and Sukhois are ground attack against Russian forces in Ukraine and air defense missions in the air space above, the sort of missions that the remaining Ukrainian Air Force is still capable of.
Think “flying artillery”. The Israeli AF in 1948 were flying aircraft in from Europe during their first war Czech S199 (an altered Me-109G) and later on Spitfires. They used ‘volunteer’ ferry pilots. I knew a businessman down in Philadelphia, Phil Marmestein, who was a ferry pilot after getting done flying dive bombers for the USN.
https://www.101squadron.com/101/101.html
Small territory, use Command & Control outside of Ukraine? I know a whole other can of worms that would open..... Asking for my friend who likes to solve problems and does not think of implications...
Re Wild Weasel - I would assume they have something of the sort, but doubt it’s deployable and survivable under the current circumstances.
Poland wants the U.S. to serve as a middleman in the transaction.
* Poland sends 28 MiG 29s (built in the 80s) to a U.S. airbase in Germany.
* In exchange U.S. sends modern F-16s to Poland.
* Somehow, U.S. allows Ukrainian pilots to take possession of the MiGs. The Ukrainian pilots are already trained to fly the MiGs.
In Poland’s mind this allows them to avoid direct accountability, and avoid the wrath of Russia.
How much this would help Ukraine is debatable. They would be no match for the Russian air force in a direct confrontation. However, I suppose they could be useful in bombing runs, assuming they have the necessary munitions, airfields, fuel, etc.
With pilots willing to take the risk, they could raise hell with a static column before being shot down.
Say what one wants about the NWO, ‘deep state’, or other nefarious powers that some consider to be the real villains (as opposed to Putin)- but the Ukrainian people are heroic and inspirational, as well as giving the Russians tit-for-tat at the propaganda/social media aspect of this war.
For starters, a MiG-29 isn’t stealthy, and every inch of Ukraine is well within the range of S-400 missiles. We specialized in world beating aircraft and the ability to project power. The Russians have the problem of defending a giant airspace and have developed truly dangerous SAMs. This one flies at Mach 3.5 and can hit a target moving at Mach 14.
So basically, you’ll get pilots jumping into a plane, a variant of which they have never flown, going straight into a very hot environment. Then they have to land somewhere. Whatever base they choose will be seen and blasted with Iskander missiles. They would all be destroyed in a couple of days.
The only way to prevent that is to hit the SAM sites in Russia and Belarus. This mission is beyond the Ukes and would have to be NATO.
So they aren’t getting these planes unless there is a cease fire agreement. And since Russia has determined that the Ukes _are- going to be demilitarized or they aren’t stopping, sending in 29s right after an agreement won’t work.
So as I see it, the only way you will see “Ukrainian” MiG-29s is for us to form a Ukrainian Air Force in exile in Poland, where they will remain. It would look like the Polish Air Force in England during WWII. They will fly no missions in the country because that would be an attack launching from NATO territory and that means WWIII. So there will be a ton of stories in the news, photos of MiG-29s with Uke colors, flyovers, etc...One may intercept a Russian plane over the Baltic along with NATO. And all prepping for the big day they return. DC and NATO get to spend money and look like they are making a stand but not actually provoke WWIII.
It’s going nowhere.