Russia’s air force is hollowing itself out. More air defense can help. | Opinion

6 comments

1. Should be renamed to: “Russian Air Farce”

2. What do you mean – so far their own air defence has been their air force’s worst enemy.

3. Their numbers mean the VKS have enough planes-resourse to wage this war for about 10 years even without using overhauls, and they are calling it “hollowing itself out”. Doesn’t look serious and professional. Though, it’s not unusual for Rand tankies.

4. With the large mobilization under way, and the transportation of combat vehicles and equipment towards the front, it seems that Russia is looking to replicate Avdiivka on a larger scale. And I meant replicate the successful advancement, not the loss of hundreds of armored vehicles and thousands of mobiks.

   Maybe they feel they have the formula down. First probes to check for weakness in the Ukrainian lines. Then several meat waves of mobiks to identify firing positions. Then the artillery barrage and increasingly glide bombs. I don’t know much about them, but I assume that they rely on inertial navigation. With the improved wings, range is up. Pin point accuracy isn’t as important with the size of the bomb and the numbers they seem capable of producing. The jury is out on whether the 3,300 pound version is a real threat. There have been comments about reduced range, but I am not sure. In theory, extra weight should not reduce glide ratio. I will go out on a limb to suggest they may actually drop more than a token number. The psychological impact on morale the Ukrainian could be significant. As WW1 showed, even battle hardened troops reach their limit, especially if not rotated.

   Regardless of the largest glide bombs, there WILL be plenty of still very powerful 500 kg bombs that will collapse the deepest bunkers.

   I hope Ukraine will have solutions for this. Long range drone attacks harrassing the airfields. GMLRS and GLSDB attacks on depots and staging areas. Risking more Patriots by bringing them near the front. Fall back lines with well protected bunkers. Dense mine fields, as well as ample supply of RAAM shells for remote mining when under assault (and to cut off retreat). And drones of course, every kind. And finally, more shells. Cluster and airburst included.

5. As much as I want this to be true, it seems sensationalized. Yes there is increased maintenance, and increased repairs on these aircraft, but I highly doubt they are inoperable, especially that these aircraft are not dogfighting, but delivering bombs at a distance.

   It’s good news, but find it hard to believe there is much of an impact. Hope I’m wrong here.

6. As that one Ukrainian once said: there’s a lot of Russian sausage to chew through. But if Ukraine keeps at it, they will get through it.

   We who live in allied countries just need to make sure that Ukraine has all the knives and forks it needs.