Originally Posted by
melmothtw
True, though both the MiG and the Sukhoi have intake gates that can be closed when taxiing to protect against FOD ingestion. That said, I think the underslung intake position of both the F-16 and Eurofighter is being oversold as an inhibitor of austere operations. As has been pointed out elsewhere on Twitter, the F-16 has been used off base by the Norwegians and Singaporeans with no problems, and the Eurofighter's intakes are as high off the ground as the Gripen's.
https://twitter.com/GarethJennings3/...74584733024267 It seems that everyone is too concerned with looking for reason why an aircraft type can't be sent to Ukraine. They don't need a 100% solution - they need a fieldable capability and they need it now. The can work out the details as to how best to employ whichever aircraft type they receive just fine.
No country in Europe has the capability gap to donate aircraft anywhere. Those being retired at present have to have a manufacturer's agreement to send them anywhere. Retired F16s, Tranche 1 Typhoons etc are going nowhere.Why he asked the UK for aircraft is beyond me. It can barely defend itself and that will only get worse. He obviously did not like the feedback when he asked the same question of the USA, they are the only country remotely capable of supplying free aircraft, that would arrive as ever, with there own agenda.