Sending Typhoons or more advanced F-35 Lightning fighter jets to Ukraine could pose a security risk if they are shot down, military experts say.
The US-built F-35 is an advanced fighter jet, and experts say it would be a major setback if Russia gets its hands on its technology by claiming the wreckage.
Although the Typhoon, a European aircraft extremely capable of taking on Russian aircraft and ground forces, is older, losing its technological secrets will still be problematic.
The UK is considering handing over fighter jets to Ukraine after Volodymyr Zelensky urged the West to “inspire freedom”.
Downing Street reported that the prime minister had asked Defense Secretary Ben Wallace to look into what aircraft could be kept to give Kyiv air superiority over Russia. However, No. 10 later stated that the government would not send fighter jets to Ukraine if it would jeopardize UK security.
There are fears that the UK simply does not have enough planes to transfer, or that they could be sent in time to help Ukraine in the war. But, as with the Challenger tank unveiled last month, its real power may lie in the symbolism that encourages other countries to follow suit.
The softening of its position regarding fighter assistance to Kyiv came after the UK promised to train pilots of the Ukrainian Air Force.
What planes does Britain have?
The RAF has two types of active combat aircraft.
The Typhoon FGR4 is a fourth-generation versatile jet fighter, described by the RAF as a “high-performance and extremely agile multi-role fighter”. Its top speed is Mach 1.8 – an aircraft flying at Mach 1 flies at the speed of sound – and it can fly up to 55,000 feet. The Typhoon can carry a 27mm Mauser cannon, air-to-air missiles, precision bombs, and air-to-surface missiles.
It was produced in three batches of increasing power. There were 137 typhoons in the UK in 2022, of which 102 were deployed. Most come from later parts. About 30 of the first tranche, early models, will be decommissioned in 2025.
The F-35B Lightning, a fifth-generation fighter, is capable of simultaneously conducting air-to-surface combat, electronic warfare, intelligence gathering and air-to-air missions. With a top speed of Mach 1.6 and an altitude of 50,000 feet, the F-35 typically carries two air-to-air missiles and two bombs. An optional 25-mm artillery mount can be installed on an American-made aircraft.
The UK had 26 F-35s in 2022 and all are operational, according to a DoD inventory.
How many planes could Britain give?
It is highly unlikely that the UK will seriously consider phasing out any F-35s – it is just starting to build its capabilities with them.
This was stated by Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, who served 36 years in the Royal Air Force. I: “We will never give it, never in a million years.
“We don’t have enough of them, they are brand new, very advanced and very complex. And America will never, never agree [donating them to Ukraine] Since this is an American aircraft, you cannot resell it to anyone without permission.”
He added that the F-35 donation would raise serious safety concerns if the model was shot down during the war. “If you lose it, you will give away sensitive data and information – this is probably too big a step for the West. The next best thing is a typhoon.”
Air Marshal Bagwell said the UK could hand over its older Typhoon models to Kyiv as they would be decommissioned anyway. Donations are subject to the approval of Italy, Spain and Germany, who took part in its development.
Air Marshal Bagwell, a member of the defense think tank at the Royal Combined Arms Institute and an RAF volunteer pilot, said some of them could be “cannibalized” to produce spare parts, which likely means Ukraine has at least 20 combat planes that can do it.
Sending Typhoons to Ukraine comes at a risk to the UK as “any information you can get from foreign aircraft or systems is always valuable, so any aircraft will be considered,” he said.
“This is not a bar, but a factor… I think we are talking about piloting this aircraft in Ukraine so that it does not fall into the hands of Russia.”
It normally takes an experienced military pilot about six months to fly a Typhoon on a normal flight schedule, but Air Marshal Bagwell said he thinks Ukrainian pilots can learn it in eight weeks at most because “time is of the essence.” The ground crew can be trained in about six months.
It took up to four years to learn to fly the Taifun right after graduating from flight school.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he expected other countries to agree to the export request, but Germany had previously been reluctant to supply large weapons to Ukraine.
Dr. Martin Smith, lecturer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, suggested that the UK could donate a squadron of 12–15 Typhoons.
“Fears of a possible escalation faded over time as more lethal Western equipment was donated and Russia avoided widening the conflict. Leading the way in support of Ukrainian demands, such as the decision to supply Challenger tanks, strengthens the UK’s position as a leading security power in Europe as it faces defense budget pressure and Brexit-related marginalization. ”
But Air Commodore Dr. Andrew Curtis, who retired from the RAF in 2019 after 35 years on the job, said it was unlikely the UK would supply aircraft to Ukraine as both types of aircraft require approval from other countries.
“Besides, the RAF doesn’t have enough fast aircraft to meet its own obligations, so they won’t be happy to give anything away.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just about the Jets. Pilots and ground personnel need training, a back-up backpack and necessary weapons must be provided. It will take at least six months to provide this level of support.
Can typhoons affect the war?
A few dozen typhoons alone won’t change Ukraine’s ability to fight Russia. Air Marshal Bagwell said 100 to 200 aircraft would be needed, so other countries would have to provide the rest, possibly other models.
Air Marshal Bagwell added: “This will give Ukraine courage … knowing that the West is backing you and ready to use some of its most advanced aircraft to protect you should boost morale a bit.” If you’re a Russian soldier or pilot, right now you’re thinking, “I’m about to face a pretty terrible plane.”
He added: “It will change the dynamic.”
The Russian Embassy in London warned the UK not to provide fighter jets.
The UK is responsible “for the new escalation and the resulting military and political consequences for the European continent and the whole world.”
How effective is a typhoon?
Air Marshal Bagwell piloted the Typhoon and referred to it as a “rocket ship”.
“I flew F-18s and F-16s for several years. Typhoon is a very powerful and maneuverable aircraft. He goes high, he goes fast, he carries long-range weapons, he lasts. This is cool.”
However, since the UK cannot donate them in bulk, Mr Bagwell believes it would be better to send the F-16 Fighting Falcons to Ukraine. About 4600 models are scattered across 25 countries, more than 3000 are in operation.
Mr Bagwell said: “I would say the typhoon is likely to pass [over the F-16] In one-on-one combat, the Typhoon is slightly better, but not by much. The F-16 has the advantage of being smaller, so it only has one engine. [requires] less maintenance, it’s relatively easy to use, and can be donated by multiple countries.”
The US rules out sending F-16s to Ukraine.
Source: I News
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