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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(108,479 posts) Sun Apr 28, 2024, 02:49 PM Apr 28

US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says

The US has acquired 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan, the Kyiv Post reported.

-snip-

The declared sale value was one billion Kazakhstani tenge, or $2.26 million, said the Post.

The US purchased 81 of the aged warplanes, said the Ukrainian Telegram channel Insider UA, per the Post.

The motive behind the US purchase remains undisclosed, said the Post, but it raised the possibility of their potential use in Ukraine, where similar aircraft are in service.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-buys-81-soviet-era-combat-aircraft-from-russia-s-ally-costing-on-average-less-than-20-000-each-report-says/ar-AA1nOohL

12 replies

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US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 28 OP

Seems like a solid move Afrocat Apr 28 #1

Ukrainian pilots already know how to fly these. The Unmitigated Gall Apr 28 #2

All except the MIG-31. Only Russia and Kazakhan have those. Angleae Apr 28 #9

Would be superbly ironic if we give them to Ukraine...nt Wounded Bear Apr 28 #3

they'd cost MANY millions each to be air worthy... WarGamer Apr 28 #4

The way Russia is going, it at least keeps them from returning some to service Model35mech Apr 28 #5

If they can be kept airworthy, Aristus Apr 28 #6

Read an article that they aren't flyable Kaleva Apr 28 #12

Time to bring back COL Mustard Apr 28 #7

The article mentioned that Ukraine could Mr.Bill Apr 28 #8

US may have bought them to keep Russia from getting them IronLionZion Apr 28 #10

load em up with high explosives and turn them into drones. harumph Apr 28 #11

Afrocat

(2,771 posts)

1. Seems like a solid move

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 02:53 PM

Apr 28

It's cheaper than fielding newer stuff and deprives Russia of a source of surplus to rely on while strengthening Ukraine if they send them there.

The Unmitigated Gall

(3,838 posts)

2. Ukrainian pilots already know how to fly these.

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 03:18 PM

Apr 28

They can slug it out with Russians flying the same aircraft, while the F-16 gets some cover.

Angleae

(4,503 posts)

9. All except the MIG-31. Only Russia and Kazakhan have those.

Reply to The Unmitigated Gall (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 06:23 PM

Apr 28

Wounded Bear

(58,792 posts)

3. Would be superbly ironic if we give them to Ukraine...nt

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 05:08 PM

Apr 28

WarGamer

(12,512 posts)

4. they'd cost MANY millions each to be air worthy...

Reply to Wounded Bear (Reply #3)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 05:16 PM

Apr 28

MiG-27 and 29 from the 1970's.

And even then I'd doubt their utility.

Model35mech

(1,596 posts)

5. The way Russia is going, it at least keeps them from returning some to service

Reply to WarGamer (Reply #4)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 05:21 PM

Apr 28

and using them against Ukraine.

Aristus

(66,530 posts)

6. If they can be kept airworthy,

Reply to Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin (Original post)

Sun Apr 28, 2024, 05:28 PM

Apr 28

they would seriously improve Air Force OPFOR training, in which American pilots train against “enemy” aircraft using enemy air tactics.

Usually, Russian/Soviet hardware being difficult to acquire and maintain, they have to use replicas or suitable substitutes.