GIVE THEM THE DAMNED PLANES!

[Calista241]

18. Poland is the only NATO country that has planes the Ukrainians could field effectively.

The Poles have some leftover Mig-29's, that they are supposedly providing to the Ukrainians, but I don't think this has been actually confirmed. The aircraft are only available because the Poles are switching over to NATO military technology. They already field several squadrons of F16s, and have purchased, but not taken delivery of, some F35s.

Giving them US attack aircraft is simply not an option. First, we can't risk that technology falling into the hands of the Russians, which it would if we gave them airframes. Second, the ramp time for a new pilot to even learn how to operate a plane takes a year. Learning how the plane operates in combat conditions would take even longer. There's a reason the military requires 10 years of service for pilots they train, as opposed to normal 4 year commitments for other MOS obligations.

Ukraine is going to lose this army on army conflict. They're outnumbered and outgunned, and while the Russian Army has been less than impressive, the Ukrainians simply don't have the equipment, air power, numbers or arms to fight back long term.

If I was a member of their armed forces, I would be hiding away as much armament as I could for the insurgency period that is going to set in after Ukraine surrenders. NLAWS, Javelins, sniper rifles, mortars, ammunition, food, water; all of that equipment will be invaluable and in high demand in the coming years. Keep in mind that as long as the Russian Army is fighting an insurgency in Ukraine, the less they're going to be able to intimidate the Balkan states and Poland, which are presumed to be Putin's next targets.