The Turks have some 300 F-16s, the Russians considerably fewer fighter aircraft in the region.
While the Russians could call in more aircraft and eventually win any war of attrition with the Turks (provided no one else steps in), in individual engagements as things currently stand, the Turks could engage with sufficient numbers to overcome the technical advantages of superior Russian armament in limited numbers.
That’s IF its dawn patrol over the western front. More likely the Turks would face a SAM threat like no other. That S300 and 400 are downright spooky and extremely long ranged.
The Russians excel at SAM and missile warfare.
Some say they even have the capability to launch astronauts into space. (and btw,,,,how did I wind up back in 1959?)
All good points. I guess the real question is, would Putin and his people be up for an extended conflict in the theater.
There’s no doubt if the people back him and he commits that more resources would be allocated.
Why does Turkey want to take out Russia? Why are they not allied with Russia against terrorism? I suspect it is Obama somehow stirring that pot. He was just in Turkey. Shooting down that plane was a bold move and it is hard to imagine they did not check with anyone else before doing it. Obama is claiming he knows the reason was at least in part because of Russia’s attacks on the anti-Assad rebels. How does Obama know? And if that is the reason, it is Turkey instigating a war and not Russia violating an airspace.