Originally Posted by
downsizer
This is what a lot of the armchair quarterbacks here are missing IMO.
Jets aren't going to turn the tide of the war, sending jets will sadly mean more dead Ukr pilots.
The Russians are still operating effective IADS at the FLOT and in the occupied areas that is still claiming Ukr aviation to this day. A token handful of western FJs are not going to enable the Ukr to run proper SEAD missions.
What we should be focusing on is sending things that make a difference now.....manpads, tube and mlrs arty, armoured vehicles and most importantly ammunition.
Nothing on its own is going to turn the tide of the war, jets included, but good luck to Ukraine trying to wrestle back its territory without them.
Don't often have positive things to say for Putin, but he has the nous to understand the significance of modern Western combat aircraft being supplied to Ukraine. You can see it in his increasingly hysterical threats of escalation and retaliation should this happen.