Air defence package for Ukraine could work alongside F-16s to halt Putin's attacks | Jim Townsend

Further US air defence systems for Ukraine and Nato drills will be key to sending a message that Nato is committed to halting Putin's invasion, Jim Townsend tells Frontline on #timesradio
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[@a705fay]

Let Ukraine use the full power of himars 300k in Russia to take out the storage facilities for missiles and armaments. Russia should not be out of bounds. If Ukraine was out of bounds to the Russians in the same way, we wouldn't have a war at all. I don't understand why they cannot strike back. Its ludicrous.

[@user-pz6ls4uk8k]

Тогда будут русские атаки по городам Европы и США

[@walterbenja7052]

Black misery is spreading in Russia, the Russian minimum wage is less than 160 euros, i.e. less than in 10 African countries, and food prices are skyrocketing: butter is a delirious 1,000 rubles a kg, i.e. a tenth of the salary of many Russians. So immense anger is rising against the Putin dictator. Putin-ceaucescu could fall any day now in a palace revolution. Putin has ruined Russia. The fortunes of the oligarchs are being seized all over the world, even in Dubai, and now they're being transferred to Ukraine to pay for Putin's destruction. This is unprecedented in history. Hundreds of billions of Russian funds will be paid to Ukraine.... and it's no doubt the ruined oligarchs who will precipitate the fall of the dictator Putin, hoping to recover part of their fortune in the process. The signal for the end of Putin will be the destruction of the Crimean bridge. The Russians will then be certain that Putin has lost his absurd war: isolated, Crimea will fall by atrition like Kherson, with no ammunition, no oil, no supplies and even no drinking water - all Crimean drinking water comes via the bridge or the very long and fragile railroad line, which is easy to cut. The Russian generals will hand Putin over to the ICC. The Russian generals will put the weight of the defeat and the army's crimes on his back. It's a classic ending to a dictatorship: the Russians will say they had to obey putin. ...... ......... ..........

[@livingtribunal4110]

You don´t understand because you don´t know anything about the conflict...

[@walterbenja7052]

@@a705fay butter is at 1000 rubles my friend it is the end id criminal dictator putin

[@mattisafool]

the only conclusion that can be drawn is america are just keeping ukr on life support to attrit russian forces for as long as possible. if america really wanted them to win they could provide the means to do so.

[@Ibelieve218]

We need to insure that Ukraine can do what ever means to defend its self with no restraints

[@ClubofInfo-Circulation]

in other words, you failed to do that for two years. You live in despair supporting a regime that fails in every war it tries to be involved. it wasn't enough that you failed in Syria with Assad and in Afghanistan to the Taliban, you want to be stepped on by Putin as well

[@viking722nj]

Great interview!

[@raymondg7565]

Allow the Ukrainians to DEFEND themselves from Russian Imperialist aggression.

[@daydays12]

YES at last!!

[@gleestruwe1818]

Oh pls , they just dying and u and NATO are shouting protection,with no troops on the ground , cause they would never leave 🤕

[@kevinmolloy9134]

Who started it ​@@gleestruwe1818

[@ClubofInfo-Circulation]

what do you think happened for the last two years and why is Ukraine still struggling to defend itself?

[@Kayzef2003]

China and Russia need to also arm and allow the Syrians to defend themselves from American imperialist aggression in northern Syria.

[@joshuachapman247]

You know it is getting serious when the Americans are talking conscription.

[@tomfurmby88]

trump is like: Nato? Scrap that, costs too much. Education? scrap that. We'll save so much money. Medical care for disabled veterans? Definetely scrap that, waste of money. Pensions? Cut all of that. Conscription? No way. In his head that is the way to make America great. It's such a genious plan I don't know why nobody else has thought to do all donald wants to scrap.

[@dacheckplease]

​@@tomfurmby88- Stop posting lies. You are wrong on every assertion and implication you have made here. We all have the internet guy, and it is quite easy to find the truth about Trump's actual record and his policies instead of taking some random posters word for it. Try Ground News and even you will see. Even better, we ALL have AI now. We can find the flat truth without spin now now. For example, now all of us are reading and learning that a sovereign country named Palestine never existed just like the made up world of Fantasia. So, think before you post. Which means, stop passing lies from other randoms you just listen to. Do some research. Why don't you read what Trump has actually done instead of what someone else actually thinks about him. I am trying to save you from looking like a fool. Otherwise, please... go sell crazy somewhere else.

[@dacheckplease]

If America needs to move towards conscription it will be another example of how Democrats (Leftists) policies just utterly fail, or are specifically implemented to destroy the country.

[@gilbertmondia5060]

Let Ukraine use the weapons it is given to defend itself. Why do we continue to provide long range weapons if it will be restricted to only certain areas and distances to strike an aggressor who doesn’t discriminate on who they target.

[@RudolphoAqui]

Supporting Ukraine’s success is Europe’s best security

[@Josh-ew1le]

Fascinating discussion

[@TEKANNON-bz9fm]

What about Warthog ground support fighters? It has been said that they are the most feared weapon enemy troops have ever encountered.

[@s0ycapitan]

Only usable in a permissive environment, like third rate powers such as Iraq.

[@raftguy1376]

Pre-requisite is air superiority. Those are just how you kick teeth in after that is established. Ukraine airspace is contested. When F-16s can target Russian SAMs, they can push them back. When those are pushed back, they can counter SU/MIGs away from the combat zones. Then you could add in the A-10. But there’s a lot of handheld SAMe now, so they are still vulnerable.

[@jimgraham6722]

The A10s huge potential advantage in this situation is as a stable launch platform, available in numbers. They have excellent payload performance. They can return the ruzz favour in kind by standing off at a safe distance and showering the enemy with glide bombs and JASSMs. For this role it may also be possible to operate them in drone mode. Once air superiority is achieved they can then be swung to CAS.

[@Withnail1969]

Useless against a country with air defences.

[@Withnail1969]

@@raftguy1376 The F16s cant target Russian SAMs. They have been using HARM missiles in Ukraine since 2022 but they haven't worked.

[@boink800]

Keep those hospitals protected like Fort Knox, as they aim for hospitals

[@ClubofInfo-Circulation]

oddly enough, that just means less for the front line and more casualties for Ukrainian troops

[@boink800]

@@ClubofInfo-Circulation So Russia will attack more hospitals?

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

@@boink800 go beg for money

[@QuinnCloudz]

This was a wonderful interview. I appreciate the candor & wealth of information about how military stuff actually works (like the details us civilians dont even begin to think about). Thanks!!!

[@kralikkral5560]

People complain that F-16 did not come earlier. But it needed some additional airdefence units first to be able to protect the positions of the F-16s - all has to be done coordinated, no in separate steps. Also Swedish Awacs jets need to be integrated into this.

[@whitebelliedsea]

I agree but NATO have been slow in everything. Ukraine from the first days said they needed to have their air space closed, we did not do this, so we are now where we are. This children’s hospital would not have been hit, if we had been quicker to defend Ukrainian Sky’s. It’s been 2.5 years and we are just getting there. Every bit of help had been a problem and we would not do it then some months later we do it. Why oh why is this the case. How many lives could have been saved if we had jumped to it when needed.

[@saeed7099]

@@whitebelliedseaclosing the airspace means war against Russia

[@billytheweasel]

Understood. BUT if this was America it it would take 4 minutes - so it seems frustrating.

[@DARDA360]

NATO = No Action Talk Only has been a going joke among military officers for decades

[@ClubofInfo-Circulation]

the air fields are being pummeled like never before and at both day and night now. No progress has been made to make any area safe for the F-16. You people live in a fantasy as the Ukrainians suffer record losses and fail more dramatically than ever in the war so far

[@captainhadd0ck]

Слава Україні! 💙💛

[@judd442009]

"Soon be inbound"? How soon? These F-16s should have been in Ukraine already.

[@B.D.E.]

The delivery of the airframes is not the issue. You have absolutely no idea how much is involved in training pilots, mission leaders such as weapons officers, and ground crew. Not to mention preparing the airfields and logistics. It's an absolutely nassive undertaking, and normally something you'd do within a ten year timeframe. It's taking exactly as long as it needs to take.

[@WarWubba]

With what pilots? With what infrastructure? You understand that there's more to this than just kicking planes off of a train onto an airfield right?

[@raftguy1376]

Once its announced, add a year for delivery.

[@noahway13]

Major General Judd, with decades of experience, has spoken.

[@dsmith2420]

@@WarWubbaare you suggesting someone can’t just hop in a 4th generation fighter and take off? I mean Tom Cruise did it

[@TonyMount-sq3hi]

Love watching times radio especially Kate chabou great interviewer 👌🏽

[@Aerialvideo-serviceDe]

I don’t understand why it’s so hard to speak out what’s really needed aside air defense: The possibility to attack as hard as possible. Air defense cant defeat Putler.

[@kellyirwin8972]

Time to quit crying about money and spend 300bn of Russian Savings Account.

[@Mpoolos]

Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@vortigern3910]

What would we do without Jim Townssend to tell our enemy's that we are weak, true or not this guy just earned the title of fool from his own mouth.🙃

[@davetedd3633]

Hopefully Captain Hindsight won't delay the 'defense review' until it's too late. So glad he wasn't in charge during COVID!!

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

Russian bot 😂😂😂 go eat your turnip soup and leave the important stuff to the adults 😂😂😂

[@billytheweasel]

wish they put delivery schedule for F-16's in opsec

[@gerryhouska2859]

The world is a wonderful place!

[@Mr-Science-Stevens]

Thanks for the continued efforts

[@lonelyavatar]

Mandatory enlistment could be very good for Canada and the US. Canada really has lost its sense of identity. So much that our current PM has gone so far to say that. This could effectively build an entire generation of youth with a sense of national identity AND create a credible military. Not to mention the fall-out benefits for those individuals and civil society as well. I like to hear that the idea is being thrown around. ✌️ 🇨🇦 ❤ 🇺🇦

[@Thor_Odinson]

At least with conscription the burden would fall on more members of our society instead of just the folks that volunteer. There were way too many "senator's sons" during Vietnam. If the upper crust were in danger of their children going in harm's way they might be more inclined to use their influence to keep us out of conflicts. But who am I kidding....we'll always have people like cadet Bone Spurs

[@GSXK4]

Britain's new Labor governments' response to Russian aggression is to propose a year-long study? Really??

[@kdubs9111]

“Could” is the most relevant word in your title

[@UnicornMeat512]

Why is he apologizing for criticizing the UKs politics? Theyve never hesitated to stick their nose in ours

[@susanyantha4074]

How wright you are

[@JaneSoole]

If I'm sick about hearing about the non existent F16s then surely Ukraine must feel utterly sick at heart. Why has the West, my West, failed so badly on this?

[@whitebelliedsea]

Here here old boy, us in the west needs to do better not only better but to excel

[@harrylloyd6955]

​@whitebelliedsea a man of wise words. Jane, I live in the UK and it annoys me when people say we're not doing enough. There's plenty of other countries remaining quiet. Where's their assistance? Helping Ukraine should be done collectively, with all parties helping. Don't blame the west

[@dsmith2420]

They aren’t non-existent. We’re asking Ukrainians to learn something in >2 years that takes a decade of training for Western pilots to master. Finding airframes is never the problem-it’s always about finding enough people capable of flying them.

[@roberthannah7983]

I dont believe F16s are the secret weapon. They will need a lot of logistical support and they can get kaboomed with a few drones or missiles like Ukraine is doing to aircraft on the Russian airfields.

[@lizardlizardliz]

Not just patriot batteries. Many other options for destroying drones & cruise missiles.

[@user-hb6gu9bd3d]

In today's world, The F16 are similar to an F1 car driven by a novice driver of 1970 racing against today's F1 racing drivers.

[@vonries]

I don't want to say anything about British military, but... It's a hollow shell of it's former self.

[@bartojoh]

I'm sure almost everyone in the UK agrees and wishes to provide the most help we can. The will is here, the knowledge and experience are here, everything necessary is here, but who is going to pay for it? The UK population is 67 million. Mexico is twice the size. of the UK, and borders the US. If the US finds the funding, the UK is ready to help.

[@nicholasmaude6906]

Apparently there are currently a total of 250 Patriot batteries with the USA owning 90 of which 60 are operational so the US has plenty of Patriot batteries it can donate to Ukraine (Ukraine needs 12 to cover all of Ukraine).

[@thomasbernecky2078]

We in the USA, not in a war, not bleeding or dying every day, have 1200 F-16s already replaced in service by over 1300 F-35s. How many US Vipers are being given to Ukraine this summer? How many Ukrainians are ready to fly them today?

[@JesterEric]

Kier Starmer may say all the right things but the truth is the cupboard is bare and the treasury empty

[@angiehowat9057]

Okay just a few weeks ago we heard that Ukraine using old land to air missile defense and Ukraine's electronics disruptor brought down six of Russia's hypersonic missiles.

[@lizardlizardliz]

Air defense is the key. They can make Ukraine so nothing can fly in Ukrainian air space

[@lizardlizardliz]

When Putin starts loosing jets every time they fly in Ukraine air space. Is all Putin understand

[@JesterEric]

Russian jets don't fly in Ukrainian airspace

[@susanyantha4074]

Europeans surely stepped up in ammunition and support

[@robinnicholson4009]

How is Gepard performing in air defence??

[@user-dk6dh2dn6m]

After the war is finished, presumably air defense systems etc. will be returned to their donor countries? (if they aren't destroyed)

[@livingtribunal4110]

F-16s might even be a contender for ´Game-Changer Of The Month´ if The Ukraine manage to overcome the huge maintenece issues allowing them to take-off and land...

[@Travis_22]

Too little too late

[@TheRealEtaoinShrdlu]

What?! We need to INCREASE support, not give up like sad sissies!!! That is exactly what Poo-tin wants. Are you a russian bot or a free citizen with the ability to think for yourself?! Because damn, it sure looks like you love turnip soup 😂😂😂

[@joelturley4847]

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@lizardlizardliz]

A cruise missile looks like a flying telephone pole. They can be shot down with lower tech weapons

[@JesterEric]

American cruise missiles not Russian Iskander, Kinzhal or kh-101

[@whitebelliedsea]

Us Brits fight better when our backs are against the wall. Now that our nation is so diverse with other people that are not British I don’t know. But I do think when the chips are down us Brits come out fighting strong. Glory to God , glory to our armed forces. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@raftguy1376]

Yeah it concerns me watching Britain be so divided. Hope that culture still proves strong. Granted us Americans got a certified dictator trying to takeover. Somehow he’s still a candidate people really like. Our other guy is a vegetable.

[@Thor_Odinson]

@@raftguy1376 I'd still take the vegetable on his worst day than King Cheeto on his best

[@seanpreston3653]

Awacs needed to be not in Ukraine. Imho

[@jjm8337]

Hi 5 for UK government. They clearly understand putin plans and UK takes no nonsense they had and continue to do what other western countries failed or feared to do .Kenya stands with uk and ukraine

[@robinstevenson6690]

The idea of reintroducing the draft in the U.S. is patently absurd, because the people wouldn't stand for it, and it would be extremely escalatory. The armed forces far prefer an all-voluntary army. It could easily signal a startup to WWIII, and there's no need for that. NATO is much more powerful than Russia. In addition, draftees have not performed well since WWII. For example, Vietnam was a disaster.

[@Thor_Odinson]

Blaming draftees for the goat rodeo that was Vietnam misses the mark

[@robinstevenson6690]

@@Thor_Odinson Who blamed the draftees? I certainly didn't. I wrote that the Army brass prefers a voluntary army, which is correct.

[@APW-ry2ok]

Time for the free world to up its game and let NATO join Ukraine who have the worlds best warriors.

[@themcgeachys]

Times radio giving Russian's a heads up

[@daviddunnmusic8323]

it's amazing that trump was vilified for telling nato nations to pay up and now they all talk about paying more 🤦‍♂️

[@REDLION0044]

Pretty sure the UK doesn't have Patriot.

[@patrickbelou4527]

sauf que le pub c''est bien mais lol !

[@dacheckplease]

You lost me at Obama.

[@rocketdrone.martel]

I am Canadian innovation NATO needs "Rocket propelled drones" ISR-UHAV Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance-Unmanned Hydrodynamic Aerodynamic Vehicle U.S. patent US20210031913A1

[@patrickbelou4527]

les anglais n'y sont pour rien évidemment

[@Sidicas]

EU: We spend on our military like we are the princess in the tower waiting to be rescued by her knight in shining armor.

[@r200ti]

LOL @ time radio. For the naive viewers here, have a look back at times radio articles and how badly they have aged. This is all top shelf cope.

[@davidbrock2450]

Why no talk about Ukraine getting A-10 Warthogs to better support the soldiers on the lines and to take out Armor. Plus quite a few other weapon options have since been added to the A10?

[@AnthonyCarroll-ue3uv]

Because

[@MoonBerryShrimp]

A10 is only relevant against goat farmers without AA. Russia has lots of AA.

[@davidbrock2450]

@@MoonBerryShrimp Sorry, google is your friend. the A-10 is probably the most difficult plane to shoot down ever built, due to its extreme maneuverability, electronic countermeasures, self-sealing fuel tanks, widely separated jet engines, twin tails, manual backup flight control system and redundant wing spars. Plus the fact the USA is still updating it with tests this year for more updates.

[@patrickbelou4527]

vous êtes des menteurs 3000 abrams en stock 7200 bradleys en une fois la guerre est fini !

[@RyanBrown-nx8dw]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@bogtrottername7001]

Reinstate the draft in the US. ( Another advantage would be to ensure a mix of political views among the rank & file. )

[@timrobertson8436]

The UK likes to talk loudly about international conflicts but it has a very small stick for military capability, because it relies on the US and NATO for its defense. Consequently. the UK has spent an inadequate amount on its military for many years - like 1.5% of GDP. When will the Brits put their money where their mouth is?

[@TheCoolhead27]

So boring...

[@cyzuri]

B.S Ukraine needs to stand alone

[@V_Litty]

Times radio the past few days has been short on news or something, having great analysts on, only to ask the such simple and rhetorical questions… all just to spam peoples feeds and get those watch hours pumped up… Despicable, shameful.

[@augustocosta7887]

Why is just this old people want war

[@PrinceMonty153]

They don't want war that's why they want to strengthen the military, The stronger NATO is, the less likely there is to be a war and the more likely there is to a be a stalemate like the cold war.

[@NEVS-yo2gp]

Slava Pytin🇷🇺

[@Bryankips]

Yes' Putin ❤

[@Thor_Odinson]

Hey it's awesome that you love Putin.......you should be his food taster

[@QuercusQuest]

Putler

[@franzehnert392]

❤❤❤ ask yourself. how many patriot systems has Ukraine already lost. and how many will they get. first graders mathematics ❤❤❤

[@tonyhickman9026]

Jim Townsend believes that he will solve all the Ukrainian problems immediately. Laughable. 😂

[@davidkorewha5713]

Putin will smash everything 1:41