The Royal Air Force (RAF) has once again dispatched Typhoon fighter jets to Estonia, enforcing the air policing of NATO’s Eastern border, with the ongoing Ukrainian conflict as a significant backdrop.
Operation Azotize, initiated in March 2023, marks the second deployment of RAF Typhoons to Eastern Europe following Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
A year ago, in March 2022, the RAF launched Operation Biloxi, deploying to Romania to safeguard the southern section of NATO’s Eastern border.
Both deployments were arranged well in advance of Russia’s incursion, manifesting NATO’s longstanding commitment to providing air policing across its Eastern front.
The 2022 Typhoon detachment to Romania not only ensured constant air cover in the region but also participated in diverse exercises.
These included a multinational tank drill involving 250 armoured vehicles, a large-scale training effort led by the US based in North Macedonia that spanned Eastern Europe and involved 17 countries, and a trip to Turkey to test pilot skills with the Turkish, Pakistani, Jordanian, and Azerbaijani air forces.
In Exercise Swift Response 2022, approximately 9000 military personnel from 17 NATO and partner countries convened to conduct joint training across the Arctic, Baltic States, and the Balkans. RAF Typhoons were deployed to North Macedonia, until recently the newest NATO member, where they assisted ground forces in quelling a simulated foe.
Meanwhile, RAF C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft delivered British and Italian paratroopers through both high altitude low opening (HALO) and traditional parachute jumps. Chinook helicopters were also involved, landing troops and heavy weaponry.
Hear Romania are retiring there Mig 21s ,what’s the replacement F16s ?
Yes. It’s ordered a bunch of ex Norwegian aircraft (32 possibly) to go with the (14?) ex Portuguese ones it has already.
They have requested some F35s for the end of the decade.
Not sure what upgrades if any the F16s have.
All to the latest M3 standard I think….
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All MLU so good aircraft. Some Dutch are high on hours though but should fill the gap.
Can they not be cycled back through Falcon up structural refit again if necessary?
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I was told once that the F16 airframe can potentially go through the airframe upgrades three times.
Certainly an F16 with a well trained pilot, the latest software and hardware upgrades, plus AMRAAM and Aim9X (probably M model though) will start killing Russian fast jets.
The Russians might claim high stand off ranges, numerous modes and high general capability for their ASAR on the Su35 ( personally I doubt it’s that hot), but they still have to see the F16 before they can lock and launch.
Thats were the F16 has the definite advantage as it’s got a much lower Radar frontal cross section than the Su35 (or any of Flanker family) with its large engine compressor fronts clearly visible to radar and looking like an apartment block coming over the horizon to the F16.
The chances are, even if the Su35 has the more capable radar, the F16 will still close to launch range before the Flanker can get a solid firing solution and launch.
If it’s inside AMRAAM’s no escape zone , it’s a dead Flanker, little hope of evading it…
Ivan won’t be able to sustain the losses in aircraft for long.
It is a better use of old F16’s than quietly degrading in a warehouse somewhere.
It considerably enhances NATO security.
Can be “recycled” but is it economical? New ones are still being made after all. The MIC do not like upgrades as it undermines new sales. Typhoon is an example. I agree on your other points, it really is a cracking little aircraft. Given the most up to date AAM’s it will still perform wonders in the right hands. Any user faces the problems all do with US equipment, you need their “permission” to do anything with the stuff you have bought and paid for. I would argue that the Ukraine would be better off long term with Gripen. Dispersed ops, conscript servicing/turn around built in from year zero. As for Flanker? It has proved wanting in many areas. The Indians discovered that when up against Typhoon in exercise, Russians have just proved it in actual combat.
Totally agree re Gripen, an even lower frontal radar signature than F16 and easy to operate.
The rub is, it’s just not available in numbers needed.
Eventually, Ukraine will want a fleet of 80-90 machines to police their airspace post war.
Both are perfectly capable of downing any of the Flanker family with their enoumous radar returns…
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