Causes.com
| 3.14.22

NATO Considers Sending Ukraine More Air-Defense Systems to Defend Against Russian Airstrikes

Should NATO send Ukraine more air-defense systems to defend against Russian airstrikes?

What’s the story?

  • While the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) remains opposed to enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine to protect against Russian airstrikes, the U.S. and its NATO allies are considering other options for transferring weaponry that would help Ukraine continue to put up a tough defense of its airspace, which remains contested more than two weeks into the Russian invasion.
  • Defensive aid to Ukraine will likely be a key topic of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s meetings at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday, in addition to his visits to NATO allies Slovakia and Bulgaria later in the week.

What could the aid include?

  • The most practical option appears to be supplying Ukraine with types of Soviet-era surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems that Ukraine already uses, which will make it easier for the Ukrainian military to operate and maintain them. In particular, SAM systems that have a longer range and can hit targets at higher altitudes would complement the shoulder-fired man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) that NATO has provided Ukraine which are effective at shorter-range and lower altitudes.
  • Several such systems remain in use by NATO countries, the most advanced being the S-300 mobile SAM system which can be used to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles. Three NATO countries operate the S-300 ― Bulgaria reportedly has 10 S-300 launchers, Greece has 32 launchers, and Slovakia has one system.
  • Reuters reported that Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger said on Sunday that sending his country’s S-300 to Ukraine will likely be discussed with Austin but noted that “you cannot hand over any equipment if you don’t have your own defense secured.”
  • If any of those countries are willing and able to send some or all of their S-300 air defense systems to Ukraine, the U.S. and NATO may be asked to backfill that air defense capacity by repositioning existing assets within the alliance’s territory or producing more air defense systems for deployment in the near future.

What won’t the aid include?

  • Two of the more prominent types of military aid that Ukraine has asked for ― MiG fighter jets that are in the inventory of several NATO air forces and U.S.-made Patriot missile systems ― have been ruled out at this time. 
  • After Poland offered to transfer its MiG-29 fighter jets (a type which Ukraine’s air force also operates) into U.S. possession at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany so that they could be provided by NATO to Ukraine, the U.S. and other allies expressed concern such a plan could bring NATO into direct conflict with Russia. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that transferring combat aircraft like the MiGs to Ukraine “could be mistaken by Mr. Putin and the Russians as an escalatory step.”
  • U.S.-made Patriot missile systems have been deemed a non-starter for Ukraine at this time because such systems aren’t in the inventory of Ukraine’s military, so Ukrainian personnel would have to be trained to operate and maintain them in the field which would prove a time-consuming process. The U.S. recently deployed American-crewed Patriot missiles systems to a base in Poland located near the Ukrainian border that is serving as a logistical hub for NATO’s aid to Ukraine.


— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: EllsworthSK via Wikimedia / Creative Commons)

  • 1,186
    Dennis
    04/03/2022

    Putin must be destroyed. Put down like a dog with rabies.

  • 285
    Julia
    04/01/2022

    That’s what they need ASAP!

  • 68
    Dusty
    03/28/2022

    For God’s Sake let us help defend them against these Russ Monsters!

  • 1,186
    Dennis
    03/26/2022

    Ukraine has to bomb the Russian invaders equipment, All of it, There can be no truce or terms of peace, Ukraine needs to bomb Russia out from its borders, Sanctions must put Russia in a strangle hold choking the country to Cubas economic level. Communist china is studying all tactics, Putin must be humiliated and seen as a weak Hitler. NATO has to come up with the Friends of NATO for protection.

  • 3,490
    Surender
    03/24/2022

    China has shown its true colors The west must defang it and stop enabling them economically Let them buddy up with russia and trade between themselves and their close african partners Lets see how quickly their economy shrinks Its now or never

  • 1,186
    Dennis
    03/24/2022

    Sanction Russia so bad they hand over Putin

  • 1,013
    Harry
    03/22/2022

    Send Ukraine the air defence systems they requested as assembly parts. They have trained technicians and can use parts and spares to make new systems or repair battle damaged equipment. Same goes for the Migs, remember an airplane is just a bunch of parts flying in close formation! You would be sending repair parts, Ukrainians can assemble them into flyable jets.

  • 37
    Sam
    03/21/2022

    More air defense systems are clearly needed to help the people of Ukraine, and everything should be done to help them check Russian air power.

  • 7,716
    DaveS
    03/20/2022

    In Florida I understand there are many Russia oligarchs,

  • 7,716
    DaveS
    03/19/2022

    Eight House Republicans voted against ending Russia's special trade status on Thursday. Some are Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado), Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) and Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), who were just so happens to be among the eight, listen as Attorney General Merrick Garland testifies before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on October 21, 2021, in Washington, D.C. other are Matt Gaetz of Florida, Chip Roy of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin and Dan Bishop of North Carolina. Putin call’s them “useful moron idiots”, I might call them that, plus more. You can understand where they are coming from, look at the states and counties that voted for them. You got to understand, they support communist authoritarian fascist dictatorship, as long as it is them! The difference between trump rallies and authoritarian fascist dictatorship; Viadimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un is Trump pay $$$ and lies to his audience to show up and where authoritarian fascist dictatorship force and lie to get them show up. They applaud on demand !!!!!!! Journalist taking to the crowd of the people are “embarrassed and ashamed”.

  • 33
    JD
    03/19/2022

    More weapons for Ukraine. If Ukraine was admitted to NATO, would Russia leave them alone?

  • 430
    Robert
    03/18/2022

    Ukrainian needs help and anyone capable of helping should. Putin is a criminal he must be stopped and he should be charged with war crimes and jailed

  • 204
    Bluewitsend
    03/18/2022

    Putin’s war with the Ukrainian people is illegal and immoral. It’s an atrocity against humanity.

  • 102
    Ryan
    03/18/2022

    NATO IS CORRUPT!! Biden’s laptop is real! They were in bed with Burisma/Ukraine!!

  • 674
    Azrael
    03/18/2022

    Defend democracy Let’s get NATO here to protect woman’s , lgbtqia and BIPOC rights Unless you’re prepared for unprecedented suicides and medical deaths this is all on our representatives to stop it.

  • 276
    Mark
    03/18/2022

    Hell yes!!!!

  • 378
    Jim
    03/18/2022

    Send the Ukrainian people whatever they need. They are fighting for their lives and freedom. Something we have forgotten. They are truly inspiring.

  • 21
    Emory
    03/16/2022

    If we send support we are aiding the deep state and the globalist.

  • 1,020
    JoeandPeggy
    03/17/2022

    These people deserve to have their freedom! We should try and help in any way we can without having an out and out war with us involved.

  • 3,405
    Adel
    03/17/2022

    Probably should start that right away.........I think there is one building left standing over there. You will forgive my sarcasm quicker than they will ever forgive us.