[GK3]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-wes...40486.html

I agree that the West is usually about a year late in deciding to provide new weapons systems. We don't at all understand the "speed of war". FWIW, Ukraine is still complaining about the slow delivery of promised aid, particularly Patriot missiles. To be fair, Ukraine hasn't always got out in front of the issues either, but they are better at it than we are. It is "interesting" that Ukraine now is openly saying they need 100-150 F-16s to actually do what is needed. Yes, they need an air force. They don't really have one now, and that is a very big problem. The 50 or so "slightly used" F-16s they may get (not in one "bunch") are going to be inadequate to meet the expanding threat. A year ago, it would arguably been "enough". Russia is finally actually using their air force, and despite Ukraine's successes against the Mainstays, things will just get worse until Ukraine can make it too expensive for the VKS to operate. Patriot missiles aren't going to do that. There are too few missiles and way too few launchers.

I understand the reality that politics makes actually making a decision and getting through Congress is a project that could try the souls of many men. What makes no sense is why one of the pols hasn't told the Sec Def that if the bill gets signed we want you ready to go, so go make that happen. To borrow the title of a book that touches on this kind of issue, what happened is a "Dereliction of Duty".
How many Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained, somewhere, anywhere?  Not a good situation.

[GK3]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-wes...40486.html

I agree that the West is usually about a year late in deciding to provide new weapons systems. We don't at all understand the "speed of war". FWIW, Ukraine is still complaining about the slow delivery of promised aid, particularly Patriot missiles. To be fair, Ukraine hasn't always got out in front of the issues either, but they are better at it than we are. It is "interesting" that Ukraine now is openly saying they need 100-150 F-16s to actually do what is needed. Yes, they need an air force. They don't really have one now, and that is a very big problem. The 50 or so "slightly used" F-16s they may get (not in one "bunch") are going to be inadequate to meet the expanding threat. A year ago, it would arguably been "enough". Russia is finally actually using their air force, and despite Ukraine's successes against the Mainstays, things will just get worse until Ukraine can make it too expensive for the VKS to operate. Patriot missiles aren't going to do that. There are too few missiles and way too few launchers.

I understand the reality that politics makes actually making a decision and getting through Congress is a project that could try the souls of many men. What makes no sense is why one of the pols hasn't told the Sec Def that if the bill gets signed we want you ready to go, so go make that happen. To borrow the title of a book that touches on this kind of issue, what happened is a "Dereliction of Duty".
How many Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained, somewhere, anywhere?  Not a good situation.