Tag: FIGHTER JETS

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-Top News Europe

No fighter jets for Ukraine, says Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.(photo:instagram)

The decision to send German tanks to Ukraine was accompanied by a similar choice by the United States to supply the Ukrainian army with American-made Abrams tanks…reports Asian Lite News

Germany will not send fighter jets to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed on Sunday, as Kyiv calls on the West for even more weapons to counter the Russian invasion.

After several weeks of hesitation, Berlin decided on Wednesday to send 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and to allow other countries to do the same.

In an interview on Sunday with the Tagesspiegel newspaper about his reaction to a request from kyiv to receive fighter planes, Olaf Scholz said, “The question of fighter planes does not even arise. I can only advise against get into a constant bidding war when it comes to weapon systems”.

“As soon as a decision (on the tanks) is taken, a new debate starts in Germany” on something else, “that is not serious and undermines the confidence of the citizens in the decisions of the government”, he added.

The decision to send German tanks to Ukraine was accompanied by a similar choice by the United States to supply the Ukrainian army with American-made Abrams tanks.

While thanking Berlin and Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately called for more, including fighter planes and long-range missiles.

In his interview, Olaf Scholz again warns against the “risk of escalation” with Moscow. “There is no war between NATO and Russia. We will not allow such an escalation,” he said.

According to him, it is “necessary” to continue talking with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Their last meeting dates back to the beginning of December. “I’m going to talk to Putin on the phone again,” he says, without specifying a deadline.

“But of course it is also clear that as long as Russia continues to wage war by relentlessly attacking (Ukraine), the current situation will not change,” he said.

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-Top News Europe USA

US mulls supplying fighter jets to Ukraine

This move would expand US involvement in war and risk significant escalation with Russia.

As the Ukraine-Russia war is set to enter its fifth month, the US is mulling increasing its military aid to the Eastern European country and in the latest announcement by the White House, Pentagon is now considering providing Ukrainian forces with fighter jets, media reports said.

On Friday, John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said that the Pentagon “is making some preliminary explorations into the feasibility of potentially providing fighter aircraft to the Ukrainians,” adding, “But it’s not something that they’re going to be able to execute immediately or even in the short term.”

 This move would expand US involvement in war and risk significant escalation with Russia, reported Wall Street Journal.

The comments from a senior White House national security spokesman are the latest sign of the Biden administration’s growing assertiveness on arms supply for Kyiv.

It suggests an increasing willingness to provide advanced weaponry in an effort to help turn the tide of the war however the outcome is hard to predict as the war prolongs.

Poland, in March, proposed transferring MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine however the Pentagon rejected the offer, calling it “high risk.”

Ukraine war (Photo@zelenskiy.official) (IANS)

The US intelligence community assessed that transferring the Russian-made aircraft would risk a response from Moscow that could result in a direct military conflict with NATO.

Kirby while addressing reporters during a briefing said that the issues that must be addressed before the US is to give Ukrainians training on the jet’s maintenance, and providing spare parts.

However, he did not say anything about the kind of aircraft the US was considering or when the administration would make a decision.

A former Pentagon official said F-15 and F-16 fighter jets have been discussed as options for Ukraine, though both aircraft require significant training and maintenance.

The Pentagon declined to provide details about what it is assessing. “We are certainly engaged in a large discussion with the Ukrainians about their future force needs,” a senior defense official told reporters during a briefing, as per the media portal. (ANI)

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-Top News USA

US sending warship, fighter jets to support UAE

On Wednesday, the UAE air defence had intercepted three drones with hostile intent and destroyed those objects which penetrated the country’s airspace…reports Asian Lite News        

The United States is sending its guided missile destroyer USS Cole and fighter jets to partner with the UAE Navy in the wake of the recent Houthi attacks against the country.

In a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin spoke reviewed a range of actions the Department of Defence is taking to support the UAE.

These include continuing to provide early warning intelligence, collaborating on air defense, and sending USS Cole to the region.

USS Cole is the same missile destroyer that was attacked by Al Qaeda militants on October 12, 2000 – a precursor to 9/11 – during a port call in Aden, resulting in the death of 17 US Navy sailors, Khaleej Times reported.

Austin informed the Crown Prince of his decision to deploy 5th Generation Fighter aircraft to assist the UAE against the current threat and as a clear signal that the United States stands with the UAE as a long-standing strategic partner, the Pentagon said in a press release.

Austin and Sheikh Mohamed also discussed the recent Houthi attacks against the UAE that caused civilian casualties and also threatened US and Emirati armed forces stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base.  Secretary Austin reiterated his strong condemnation of these attacks, and his commitment to U.S.-UAE strategic partnership. 

On Wednesday, the UAE air defence had intercepted three drones with hostile intent and destroyed those objects which penetrated the country’s airspace.            

“The Ministry of Defence (MOD) announces interception and destruction, away from populated areas, of three hostile drones that penetrated UAE airspace at dawn today, 2/2/2022,” said the UAE’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday (local time).

“MOD confirms it is ready to deal with any threats and is taking all necessary measures to protect the state and its territory,” the Ministry added.

This was the fourth attack against the UAE since the start of January.

On Monday, the UAE air defence systems have intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement from Yemen, the UAE Defense Ministry informed.

Last Monday, the UAE air defence intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis, the remains of the missiles fell in the Abu Dhabi area.

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