Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: pierrem15

Nope,

Far more than Patriot. And the Patriots were handing to Ukraine are older (the US Army is getting the newer stuff), but still capable.

Just Starlink alone (critical for Ukraine): https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64579267. Basically the backbone of their communications and used by their drones which are fairly significant for them.

And no, the Euros do not have anything even remotely close to the capabilities we have.

We were looking inside of aircraft hangers with open doors 30+ years ago, bouncing it off the concrete before the hanger or as the satellite goes to the horizon and gets a frontal view. Our IC capabilities (collection but also offensive) are beyond what anyone of our allies have. They are “literally” 20 years behind us and then with only very limited mass/quantity.

You see, it’s not just about having a cool toy like a javelin missile or even certain satellites, you also need the “mass” in these systems to really make a difference, and when you can hand someone 10,000 javelin missiles like we did with Ukraine, you fundamentally change the battle space. Truth is, Iraq 2003 had the Kornet (and our tanks did take hits and were penetrated), but a handful of systems aren’t going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things.

But yes, The Euros have stepped up to the plate and are providing the bulk of the help at this point. But they do not have some of the critical systems and capabilities Ukraine needs.


70 posted on 02/19/2026 7:35:04 AM PST by Red6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies ]


To: Red6
I don't deny that our capabilities are more significant in both quantity and quality. But almost none of them are being used in Ukraine. But they are not necessary to fight Russia in Ukraine, and our better equipment has the disability of a longer and more complex logistics train.

The one exception would be Starlink. I would assume the Ukrainians are aware of that and we can see what effect cutting the pirated Russian terminals is having on Russian forces right now, which will be made worse when Putin cuts off Telegram. If the US cuts off Starlink for Ukraine the Europeans will take that as the US openly siding with Russia, and will increase their assistance.

71 posted on 02/19/2026 8:16:39 AM PST by pierrem15 ("Massacrez-les, car le seigneur connait les siens" )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson