● Ukrainian President thanks Britain for its continued support ● Asks Britain for modern fighter aircraft ● Modern fighter jets would blunt any new Russian offensive ● U.K. announces Ukrainian jet pilot training initiative
U.K. Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle examines a Ukrainian pilot’s helmet (Stefan Rousseau/pool photo via AP)
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, fresh and clearly energized by the promise of Main Battle Tanks by NATO and the United States, has forcefully reiterated his plea for modern fighter jets during an address to the U.K. Parliament.
During the address (which received rapturous applause), Zelenskyy once again thanked the British people for their continued support as the war between Ukraine and Russia enters its second year. The Ukrainian President’s surprise visit to the U.K. , and the appeal for more advanced weapons may be the result of reliable intelligence regarding Russia’s intention to recommit itself to offensive operations in Ukraine. However, it is almost certainly also aimed at bolstering Ukrainian forces as they prepare to retake further territory from Moscow’s forces.
The United Kingdom has, in the past balked at the supply of jets to Ukraine, citing reasons including the complexity of flying the jets, and for fear of escalating the conflict. However, the stance of the U’K. government may be subtly changing. On the same day as Zelenskyy’s address to parliament the U.K. announced it would begin training Ukrainian pilots on ‘NATO Standard’ jets.
Zelenskyy will round out his whirlwind European tour with a visit to Paris where he and German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz will be hosted by the French President. It is almost certain that increased arms shipments of advanced weaponry and ammunition will be discussed.
Opinion Poll: Should the U.K. send modern jet aircraft to Ukraine?
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We walk a fine line on this one. We should give us much support as we can without looking like we are to be tacitly involved. Fighter jets are expensive, less effective (without major training or flying them ourselves [tacitly involved],) and what we have provided (in the billions of dollars worth) has been hugely successful already. He’s in a position that he needs to ask for what he asks for, but we are in a position where we must be cautious unless we truly want a World War III.
On this issue... But the Russian Embassy in London was quick to respond, issuing a statement warning the British government that a decision to provide the warplanes would be "on London's conscience" because of the "bloodshed, next round of escalation, and subsequent military and political ramifications for the European continent and the entire globe".
I'm sure the English have had enough of it! This planet is nothing to cling to. Getting it over with sounds fine,-. Like Brexit. We're certainly not going to stop you or the USA! Booooom.
Not so much protecting cities,Ukraine will need to have air superiority over parts of the battlefield,it plans to use its new tanks,which i presume they will mass into one huge brigade,and blow all that Russian crap up they find. One things all tanks are vulnerable to is air strike.The Russian SU 25(used by Ukraine too)is a specific tank destroyer aircraft,and Ukraine will need to protect its armoured forces from air attack.
I think it's unlikely the Ukrainians will put all their eggs in one basket - given the tactics of how they destroyed the convoy of tanks on the road to Kyiv
@ArtieKat Well,the Ukrainians arent the inept Russians.In the intial part of the invasion,a lot of the Russian armoured units were left to run dry of fuel,and were immobile along forested roads where Ukraine troops were able to simply slip through the forest,picking them off with NLAW and Javelins..Tanks are offensive units,German Gen Guderian wrote the book on tank use,"Achtung-Panzer!"in which he basically worked out that tanks are best used en masse,with infantry,artillery and air attack-he conceived the idea of "Blitzkrieg"..Better to have 100 poor tanks in one formation than 100 good tanks spread out in 2s and 3s.The Russian infantry have never yet been attacked by these huge beasts,they will flee,when they see their own tanks going up in the air,maybe they will use them in smaller company units,of 15-20,but i reckon they will form one or two large battalions.
@wonkywinky Im no military ex general or anything,i do know a lot of WW2 history etc,and we are now in a similar war,so i guess you can kind of work out that what didnt work then,is unlikely to work now etc.
