How NATO airpower could keep Putin out of Ukraine for good | Frontline Air Power Panel

"Part of this process is achieving air superiority...then you begin to think about the surface to air missiles and then you begin to think about supporting troops on the ground."
In Frontline's air power panel, former F-16 pilot Ed Smith and former fighter pilot and military analyst Sean Bell discuss how Ukraine could use modern NATO fighters to gain air dominance over Russia.
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[@jf7243]

About time somebody decided to do a piece on AirPower. Thank you Kate, your work is appreciated.

[@jeanneknight4791]

This was an enlightening interview of two well informed and experienced men. It was BY FAR the best explanation of the F16 roles, challenges and capabilities I have seen. Kate has done a superb job! She is the best of the best!

[@pmcd6414]

That's all you got from this? Great job bot.

[@vorwaerts2424]

@@pmcd6414 Nevertheless relevant as apposed to your contribution ^^

[@pmcd6414]

@@vorwaerts2424 nevertheless it doesn't mean anything, with alot more words.

[@Cantab28]

Kate Chabot ❤

[@davidb6576]

@@pmcd6414 While you've used a sparse number to say nothing at all. We don't consider that a contribution, Boris.

[@oceanmariner]

I'm in the US and watch this channel for the excellent coverage of the Ukraine War. Like today, information from people that know. Always a thumbs up from me.

[@prasannasurange]

The Air Vice Marshal has such clear Air power doctrinal concepts laid out for commoners to understand

[@robgrey6183]

Yeah, so when the bombs are raining down on us commoners we'll understand why the elites who rule us insisted on this wider war.

[@timng883]

yes! He is a an excellent specialist

[@colinmcdonald2499]

22:41 " the harrier used to glide like a set of keys through the air"😂

[@colinmcdonald2499]

Edit: .. " sky"

[@changbeerbeer]

Love these longer format videos and always great guests! 👌🇺🇦

[@jamesrauch9103]

Frontline has turned into one of my favorite shows.. the interviews are always informative and relevant.. thank you for providing the service..

[@nightspore4850]

This was absolutely superb. If this is what journalism is capable of, wouldn’t it be nice to see it more often instead of what is routinely doled out on other channels?

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Ha ha - very funny.

[@bennyhart6874]

This is western propaganda.

[@sukhmaidickoff]

@@bennyhart6874 How is this western propaganda? What is wrong in their views on e.g. air superiority etc.? If you prefer to listen to Russian propaganda (meaning 95% of what is being reported are lies) then that just tells much more about you than you think!

[@gleestruwe1818]

Shaun the shear unk of them all , well nw u up against the real thing with Russia , no more small fry like that bulling ,the wests is in for punishment 🤕 well deserved 🤔

[@sempressfi]

Thanks from us aviation nerds who wish more news orgs would speak with experienced pilots and strategists! And have been waiting for the moment Ukraine receives more significant airpower 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@puranapuu4252]

Little different fighting Iraqi /Afghan airforce when you fight a real army with real guns and real missiles 😜

[@sempressfi]

@@puranapuu4252 good thing Ukraine is only fighting real missiles shot by an incompetent, ineffective, strategically inept military with the least secure comms I've ever jammed lol

[@quasimotto8653]

@@puranapuu4252 For the last year and a half, it has become more and more apparent that Ukraine is fighting an enemy that is closer to being like the "Iraui/Afghan airforce" as opposed to being on the level of the US Air Force, Army, Navy or Marines! 😜😜

[@xpainx5185]

​@@puranapuu4252Real army? 😂😂😂😂

[@cyberwess-007]

God bless the RAF.

[@janstageman2412]

Brilliant interview, learnt a lot and now have a much greater understanding of the difficulties for Ukraine to take on the F16s. Hope their pilots have started training ! Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@terryhoath1983]

Very good ..... but it WON'T take determined Ukrainian pilots anything like as long to get to grips with the F16 as this pair of women are saying . The Ukrainian pilots are not children. They should already have the Dutch and Danish old junk. If a few Ukrainian pilots die and a few of the aircraft are lost, that is nothing compared to the ongoing daily slaughter on the front lines and in pizza restaurants in Kramatorsk. The Ukrainians could have put a stop to all of this last Summer and Autumn. They could have crippled the Russians in the west of Ukraine if they could have done last year what they are trying to do now .... strike from Zaporizhzhia area to the sea of Azov BEFORE THE RUSSIANS COULD HAVE DUG THEIR TRENCHES AND LAID MINES ALL OVER THE PLACE. Thousands of Ukrainian troops are going to die who would not have died because WE allowed the Russians time to dig in. The Ukrainians weren't able to succeed last year because I am convinced that American military policy has been to use the Ukrainians as tethered goats kept on life support to force the Russians to degrade or ideally exhaust their military arsenal. This is continuing. There is totally perverse foot dragging. Every day the Russians have less and less but the Ukrainians need the tools to finish the job. Thank you Lugubrious Yevgeny for shooting down one of the three spy planes of that particular type that the Russians have and knocking out 7 helicopters including a Ka 52 and for making the Russian behave live a scorpion under threat stinging itself (Blowing up the oils storage in Voronseh). It was Britain who was training Ukrainian soldiers years before anyone else would help. It was Boris Johnson who shamed the Americans and the Germans into doing SOMETHING because Britain, Poland and Slovakia can't do it all. Unfortunately for the Ukrainians, Boris is on the sidelines until he makes his 2028 bid for the American presidency. More should have been done earlier, the Russians could have been stopped from getting control of the Kokhovka Dam for instance if appropriate equipment had been provided last Spring.

[@govinda102000]

@@terryhoath1983 sad truth. The British indeed have done the burden to help them play catch-up which may not be enough. Only the Russian military can end this war by simply leaving.

[@pmcd6414]

@@govinda102000 or Ukrainia could admit defeat, have you heard of that happening before? Why does Ukraine get endless help? No-one else has?

[@RantTheRetort]

@@terryhoath1983 So how long before Russia rubbles their airbases, you know, where f16s spend 99% of their time. Seems like Russia has no shortage of missiles and drones.

[@spudwesth]

Radar is the arbiter.

[@ashroskell]

These are always thought provoking and insight providing interviews. Big fan of this Front Line format.

[@Jack-bs6zb]

I thought ‘front line’ was a flea treatment for dogs - but then Biden IS flea bitten.

[@Ridethebomb777]

Nothing but hot air and waffle mate.

[@ashroskell]

@@Ridethebomb777 : Yeah, but not everything is about you so, setting aside your, “hot air and waffle,” what do you think of the channel, madam?

[@Ridethebomb777]

@@ashroskellTimes Radio is part of the establishment machine. It is desperately trying to keep a dying Ukraine current and relevant to its listeners right now, while they tune in to hear about Israels plight. I know when Sean Bells on a show its going to be full of spin and 'hot air'. Nothing will save Ukraine now ..... they had their chance and didnt take it. But if you think I'm wrong please let me know what's different today than it was 6 months ago ..... does Ukraine have a new army ... NO ..... does Ukraine have new weapons .... NO ...... does Ukraine have a new disbursement of funds to embezzle and hide off shore ...... NO. Has Russia taken more ground since the counter offensive started .... YES ...... was the counter offensive a failure ....... YES. The Eastern Oblasts have gone .... there is nothing anyone can do to reverse this .... or it would have been done. Its all about the money and the U.S bit off more than it could chew ...... it has failed .... the sanctions, as written about in U.S newspapers have failed and now Ukraine is fkd for probably 2 decades. The most corrupt country in the world finally hits the end of the road.

[@MoltenLens]

Excellent interview, Thanks!

[@philipmulville8218]

Terrific interview. Thanks Times Radio.

[@alankelly3162]

Col Douglas Macgregor and Scott Ritter give great insights into the Ukrainian War

[@raynorthedge5722]

They are on the Kremlin payrole

[@ivanjulian2532]

A super informative long-form discussion. Thanks Times Radio for the great work.

[@BucurStelian]

I am sure the russians find it even more informative .The ukrainians will apreciate this so much. I mean they talk about numbers, technical stuff etc...why wouold you give away that ?

[@pmcd6414]

Nothing to add or discuss, highlight, ask? Just a big aul thanks huh,..

[@pmcd6414]

@@BucurStelian Do you know where these planes will take off from, do you know what a stray missile could cause, did you know missiles fired for Ukraine have hit at least 2 other countries, Russia not Included. You either know or have no idea exactly what you are saying.

[@BucurStelian]

@@pmcd6414Hello @pmcd6414, I'm not quite sure what to make of your reply. I was just suggesting that there might be too much information about what the Ukrainians will be trained on and how it will be used against the Russians. Could you provide more clarity on your thoughts regarding this topic?

[@pmcd6414]

@@BucurStelian you think they discuss actual information or tactics with people like you? you care more about sounding informed than you do about what is actually happening.

[@kelvinpell4571]

The West are not serious. Ukraine should have had F16's, F18's and Gryphons LAST YEAR; ready to go for the summer offensive. They should have had 800 tanks and more mutinions than they could handle. Instead, they have drip-fed just enough to stall the Russians; but nowhere near enough to mount an offensive. But I imagine Raytheon, BAE and Lockheed-Martin's shares are doing just great.

[@bcanuck]

Keep in mind the supply side of this equation. Nations are trying to build their own defences as well as those of Ukraine.

[@carolwilliams8511]

I think if Ukraine had not managed to fight the invaders out of Kyiv in those first days without any Western aid, and if Zelensky were not such a charismatic and courageous leader, support for Ukraine would not have been a fraction of what it is now. Ukraine has a phenomenal fighting spirit. They will never give up with or without Western support. We risk such a lot by failing to give them all they need to drive out the aggressors.

[@soeppoes8949]

Going by your comment, you live in a black and white world where everything is straightforward and simple. I think you're the one who isn't be serious.

[@2mallikharjuna]

Why only F16 ask them for f35, Rafle and other super fighter jets

[@tat381]

​@@2mallikharjunaF35 would never be given turkey was kicked out of the program due to them buying S400 from Russia and the states had worries about the information Russia could gain from it that's why they would never get it

[@iggzistentialism8458]

An excellent interview. Well explained, and perfect questions.

[@utrian4148]

I miss the topic of volunter pilots. There were several ones offering to join and Ukraine openly established a volunter pilot program. While training Ukrainians on these jets is important, using experienced pilots would accelarte the deployment of the operative capabilty in this war massively.

[@robgrey6183]

Yeah, let's just jump right into this war in a corrupt eastern European s***hole which has nothing to do with us in the United States. Let's give the Russians every reason to use nuclear weapons on us here in Wyoming.

[@FlyingEagle41]

We did it during WW2 why cant we do it again today?

[@timmccarthy982]

Ok Barron von Richthofen fly your way into WW3 and nuclear Armageddon however you want but it would be great if you could leave me and my family out of it. You may have given up on life to protect your ego from seeing Russia win and regain territory from Ukraine that used to be part of Russia but I know they want to live. Some towns in Eastern Ukraine have been in four different countries in the last 100 years. Let's all die for that! There could be no better end for humanity. A third world war born in eastern Europe.

[@jordanconnolly1046]

@@timmccarthy982 there are already volunteer solders from NATO countries on the ground what's the difference. This fear of a ww3 scenario is over blown. Russia has no troops left in reserve to fight nato countries conventionally and unless you believe they have a death wish they simply aren't going to use nukes MAD is still firmly in place.

[@FishandHunt]

@@timmccarthy982 Russia - can not win a conventional war against their smaller, non-nuclear, neighbour so threatens them and the rest of the world with nuclear strike. How desperate and pathetic 😂

[@andersgrassman6583]

Very interesting discussion. Especially the last part of beeing able to communicate in between different simulators for fighter jets, tanks and other assets during training. And of course the part about some common communication capabilities in between countries in a coalition. (I'm non military, so these things are new to me.)

[@alicanarslan2655]

That is one of the most enlighting and full informative interviews I have ever watched for many years. Thank you

[@jeannettejordan7104]

Excellent and very informative interview. We civilians are helped in our understanding of why delivering f-16’s is not just sent immediately.

[@timng883]

It is very heartbreaking to see many Ukrainian best and brave soldiers wounded or dying in fighting back without air superority. We cannot just send in jets but the whole system. We must have faith in Ukrainians and just say goodbye to our money. The whole system and our full support to Ukrain worth it.

[@larsrons7937]

Very informative indeed. To add to it I thought: Who knows what could be going on behind curtains? I think of groundcrew and pilots wanting to volunteer, getting ready for when the equipment arrives?

[@Slavic_Goblin]

@@timng883 And all of that gear is going to be based where?

[@jfm148]

Absolutely great interview with two great military pilots. Thank you. Really enjoyed and learned a lot

[@chrisbarclay4547]

Simply fantastic conversation and even the host knew what she was doing.

[@BNRmatt]

It's so refreshing to watch an interview where no one is dumbing down the questions or answers.

[@pacificostudios]

This interview reminds me of how much respect my father, U.S. Navy (1953-1973) had for the professionalism of U.K. crew. I think he always wanted to have been born British so he could have been in the Royal Navy. He would talk about it often.

[@VladimirStevanoviclennon33]

Did he won any war?

[@pacificostudios]

@@VladimirStevanoviclennon33 - Since 1945, the goal of the West has been to deter wars, and my father never had a day of combat in 20 years of service.

[@bonefishboards]

I worked ECM/ECCM development in the 1980s. We did some wild development and testing of things these guys are discussing. I built a rather extensive radar simulation platform in FORTRAN (yes!) that did radar pulse signature recognition and would send back a pulse saying the plane was actually way over in a different place. I think some of my brain is in some of the real-time modern ECM/ECCM platforms. Makes me feel good.

[@maxheadroom1506]

Turing is much more powerful than Fortran. I studied both.

[@B.D.E.]

@@maxheadroom1506 That's why it's a greater achievement to have made it in Fortran!

[@grouchypotatowolfpack5580]

I swear down if they're still using fortran, I'll get even more annoyed about taxes

[@0cypher0]

@@grouchypotatowolfpack5580 guess what, in missile development they are just now moving away from Fortran, and only because it's impossible to find new programmers that can do Fortran :P

[@ShneekeyTheLost]

@@grouchypotatowolfpack5580 Why? The IRS isn't running FORTRAN. They're still running COBOL, as is the rest of the financial industry.

[@tonyfranks9551]

One of the best interviews I've seen....more please....superb!

[@brandonmcheyenehoward1077]

Great to hear from Professionals who have real on topic experience. Great interview

[@SurfinScientist]

Very informative interview! I got a lot out of it.

[@alien4422]

The Ukrainians want F16s because they have longer range radar than their ageing migs.. This means that the Ukrainian pilots will be able to engage the Russian aircraft who are presently launching weapons against the Ukrainians from a range that the Ukrainians cannot engage or even see them. It will be a game changer in terms of capability.

[@fab10fitnessless]

An F-16C with an RCS of 2.5m² could be detected by the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array (PESA) multi-mode radar of the Su-35 at a range of 191 kilometers in volume search mode and 350 kilometers in a cued search mode, with the assistance of airborne radar. On the other hand, assuming that the Su-35 exhibits an RCS value of 3m², even the latest Viper variant of the F-16 can detect a Su-35 from only about 115 kilometers, using its APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. So clearly, the Flanker-E has an advantage in radar detection, an essential prerequisite for success in BVR combat. For BVR engagements, the F-16 would rely on AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles with a range between 50-160 kilometers depending upon the variant, while the Su-35 could rely on its R-77-1 missiles with an officially stated range of over 190 kilometers. eurasiantimes.com/us-f-16s-could-pose-serious-challenge-to-russias-su-35mig-31/?amp

[@AplusStrategy]

​@@fab10fitnesslessyes, assuming the Russian specs didn't lie, and that their equipment still work, and that their pilots operate it perfectly. Give the Ukrainians any means of killing Russian fighters and it will have an immediate impact on the battlefield and the calculus of every Tristan pilot.

[@user-oj4lz5jw9q]

They want Ukraine in enough conflict to destroy its own resources against a much larger enemy, but not enough to have the risk of Russia unleashing their most advanced weapons. Why would the US risk nuclear war when it is already profiting from the war in the form of skyrocking prices of raw materials?

[@alexkalish8288]

They have over twice the range as well. They could bomb Moscow and do air combat yet fly home. That's why they don't have them yet.

[@John-hu9qg]

​@@fab10fitnessless Correct, and not forgetting that the Sukhoi fighters would have support from AWACS and S-400, BUK-M3 a S-350 double digit SAM systems. So it's fair to say the first week would reveal a lot about the survivability of the F-16.

[@luongv427]

Love this interview segment. The answers were frank, straight forward and easy to understand.

[@operator9858]

such a rare occurrence for this channel for sure...

[@whitehorse4318]

No one talks about the ground personal. For a squadron of F16s requires a minium of 200-300 ground personal. Then Ukraine needs to get contractors with CDI/QA qualifications.

[@skywalkersindar7463]

Thank you, good luck andnstay safe!

[@ccommack]

The risks of memos getting lost crossing the pond is on full display, this time at the expense of Air Vice Marshal Bell. He describes the SEAD ("Wild Weasel") mission as one done by "a support aircraft, not something the F-16 does". The part about specialist aircraft is partially true, although any modern 4th or 5th generation fighter can fire a HARM missile at a SAM site. In the RAF , which has no F-16s, those specialist aircraft are modified Tornadoes, but in the USAF the SEAD mission for the last 30 years has been flown by... modified F-16s.

[@HighDefBNG]

Very interesting interview. Thanks Times Radio.

[@greedowins2917]

Such good info, impressed! Never heard a pilot speaking like that about their experience, so interesting!

[@brido88]

This channel has been doing fantastic recently on this subject. Keep it up!

[@mattwright2964]

Very interesting but let's all be honest, we kept saying to Ukraine we can't give x because it takes too long to train but the lapsed time exceeds that training already. The West has been too little, too late on this conflict and the US needs to step up much more to the challenge. The UK size for size has had to lead.

[@claudinefiona9698]

True the US has only provided $150 billion in support plus the billions from the EU, UK Japan, Australia and Canada, such a pity, let's hope they increase it to 1 trillion dollars and add to each countries national debt and continue the decline in the economies of the west, or we can continue with this strategy "until the last Ukranian", whichever comes first.

[@TheNecromancer6666]

Slight correction, the F16 DJ and CJ are special SEAD Versions that are able to deploy ARMs. And have extensive electronic warfare suits.

[@guardiangypsy2682]

Ed Smith lovely spoken and lots of experience.... thank you! 😊

[@robertheyes3975]

So very interesting to listen too. Thank you. Times radio

[@tsegulin]

Absolutely first class discussion! Both of these gentlemen were excellent at explaining sometimes very confusing issues for folks who don't usually follow air power issues. I wish we could have them over here in Canada to help the public give our governments the kind of kick in the pants they bloody well need when it comes to our woeful, long standing air defence policies, preferably before our Northern neighbours start flying South in numbers... I would strongly recommend having these guys back whenever modern air warfare issues are discussed.

[@spudwesth]

They are confused as well.

[@h8GW]

Wait, you're in Canada. Who the heck is more north than you? Unless you mean neighbors so north of you that you'd be going south again.

[@tsegulin]

@@h8GW Yup. That little nuclear armed Federation just over the other side of the North Pole.

[@occamraiser]

Let us not forget, these are (often the export versions of) a 30+ year old design of a 4th generation plane. They are good, but not as good as the modest numbers of the most modern planes russia is operating. Russia's SAM net is very capable and russian radar/missile range combination is at least as good as anything the f16 can offer/use. They will be a great help....they will NOT be a magic bullet.

[@APW554]

Nothing is a magic bullet on its own ,the free world is way to slow at suppling support to Ukraine ,we come across as being afraid of Russia. UN voted ICC has sent out arrest warrants time to squash Russia like a grape,what are we waiting for the nuclear power station to be blown up next ?

[@simonjohnston9488]

Let us also not forget, that you and I have no idea what they're getting - but from what has been made public, your take on the Dutch airforce's capabilities is rather odd. Export version. Good grief - that's relevant if they're brand new aircraft.

[@rationalbasis2172]

Oh, look. Another person who doesn't subscribe to the NATO wunderwaffe thing. You must be a real hit at parties in Brussels.

[@nanonano2595]

@@rationalbasis2172 sorry, what are you saying? that NATO does have wonder weapons that can do everything and he should just join the party or that brussels has some weird ideas?

[@blackcatdungeonmastersfami5311]

The Russians are shooting down Ukrainian aircraft far behind Ukrainian lines, flying F16s in Ukraine would be a suicide mission given the capable state of Russian air defences. Additionally the Russians would strike the air bases. And I bet they'd do that even if they were flying from Poland or Romania if NATO wanted to escalate like that.

[@neilgriffiths6427]

Fascinating, thanks Times Radio and the guys.

[@paenchenlama]

Super interesting topics - very competent guests - thank you!

[@kalangwapaschal7718]

Give Ukraine pilot mercenaries in order to save time in this war.

[@thomaskristensen4679]

I agree but it is not enough they need all the logistik around the F16

[@alberthenriette8976]

The F-16 never been at war against the Russian S-400😂

[@JB-pt6kd]

This 'global superpower' has a population roughly equal to France and Germany. Are the military suffering a 'Soviet Bloc(k)' over estimation of Russian might ?

[@justsomeguy1141]

No but they should hurry up and give those aircraft

[@robgrey6183]

They have over 5,000 nuclear weapons. That's not nothing. Personally, I don't give a s*** about Ukraine and don't see any reason to risk nuclear strikes against my community.

[@rationalbasis2172]

No, but they are suffering an overestimation of their own.

[@robbliven01]

WOW! Very fascinating and enlightening! I am always amazed at the professionalism of British and American Air Forces!!! Thank you for your service for the protection of Western Freedom against tyranny!!! Classic response from a REAL PILOT...... what is the F-16's weakness....."many F-16 pilot say it is not vulnerable to anything"!!!!!!

[@timandsuzidickey9358]

Well Done !!! Thanks

[@CystiskAkne]

Gripen is less vulnerable because it can use ordinary roads for landing and take-off and only needs two vans for preparation out in the woods.

[@tz6516]

Surprising that neither of these gentlemen said the F16 is most vulnerable when on the ground. They will not have authority to operate from surrounding NATO airfields. They must use Ukrainian airfields that would surely come under Russian missile attack.

[@burtonschrader2]

Very good! Thank you. Too bad the three of you are not in Government. Competent level headed persons.🙏

[@acchaladka]

They were trained entirely in and by government of you think about it.

[@kennethvenezia4400]

Very informative. Thank you all😽

[@Villain1874]

Excellent interview all round 💫

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

I agree.

[@Galatian1]

NATO should just go ahead and provide air cover

[@bradmodd7856]

I am not sure if NATO are fighting Russia with Ukrainian help or if it is the other way around. But if NATO want to win the war they might have to take some kind of drastic measure. As it is the frontlines don't seem to be moving much,

[@tellyboy17]

Will happen when Russia does something drastic like blowing up those nuclear power plants.

[@elbibwen3019]

*Do it already Rambo - Stop crying about it - just go and do it if you dare as much - see what happens* ( you all NATO mice are just too boring )

[@JoeyBlogs007]

not a good idea.

[@sharon_shaw]

If only NATO could have operated a no fly zone over Ukraine when the war started would have saved so many Ukranian lives. Slava 💙🇺🇦💛

[@richpate9436]

Excellent interview, relevant questions and realistic qualified answers. I learned a lot, especially about the challenges Ukraine is facing concerning their need for securing their air space.

[@Marduk99]

f-16 will be shot down after they take off, we all heard since the begining: javelin are ganme changer, after that bayraktar are game changer, after that himars are game changer, after that the leopards are game changer, but the russians are destroying everything nato is sending, the same it will be with F-16, sending f-16 it will prolongue and escalate this war

[@JDAbelRN]

I've come to admire your Times Radio, so sophisticated, informative, and following this war which is understandable. The guests presented were knowledgeable, gave information that a laymen could understand and have the experience and actual warfare strategy that one makes confident that this war will be over soon. And as an aside, the UK along with NATO will deter any aggresions from the obvious foes on the horizon for the West. Thank God for UK as a loyal ally, and their capable armed forces and your excellent war coverage and war analysis from TIMES RADIO, my go to news . Hurrah from an America,🇺🇲🇬🇧 together.

[@johncooper7242]

fascinating insight into the complexity of modern air warfare for the average lay person... thank you for posting this interview

[@greenetolstoy]

Wake up, viewers! Such discussions are crafted - the pleasantly spoken interviewer, the knowledgable guests, the intelligent questions, and suggestive terms - to soften the public's views on NATO becoming ever more embroiled in this conflict. A conflict that has its origin in NATO expansion Eastward for over twenty years. If the talk is of 'air superiority' in a country adjacent to Russia, supported by NATO and targeted against Russia, then NATO is risking escalation to a dangerous level. To viewers clapping at the quality of the discussion, ask yourselves how you will feel when the conscription notice arrives for your sons, fathers or husbands to put on a tin hat and go fight, because if Ukraine and their handlers do not sue for peace, this risks to happen within the near future.

[@Stigsens1]

Danish f16 are updated with new radar not that many years ago, almost all systems was upgraded. I think 12-15 years ago.

[@AndrewJDN]

Excellent, Thank You!

[@gamarsh1960]

Superb interview! A window into future warfare. Thank you so much!

[@OmarAhmed-jo1cf]

Moving surface to air missiles can also provide a moving air umbrella above the counter attacking Ukrainian troops. This is a better strategy since with airpower they'll have to also deal with Russian anti-air defences .

[@takoto2610]

They tried to do that: the Russians have destroyed their IRIS-Ts, Buk-M1s, S-300s, British Stormer with Starstreak... etc. 😉

[@buravan1512]

it depends on KZbin channels you watch... didn't you see those Air defense systems getting blown up, one at the time? let's wait and see what the near future will bring.

[@whitehorse4318]

It's easy to learn how to drive a vehicle, but how many people know how to change a transmission? Rebuild a transmission? It's easy to train people to fly airplanes and helicopters. I have never meet a fighter pilot remove and replace a motive flow boost pump. To operate and maintain a squadron of F16's requires a minium of 200 ground personal. One hour of flight requires 10 hours of maintenance. You need to train personal on avionics, electronics, airframes, engine, ordinance, seat shop and maintenance management. Also the F16 uses different jet fuel than Soviet planes. Ukraine now needs storage for different jet fuel, they need different fuel trucks. Ordinance is very different as well, Soviet ordinance and operations is totally different than American systems. Like these pilots said, they had to retrain with upgraded F16. Just imagine working on avionics. Working on the radar systems. On a cannon plug, which pin should you replace? Now comes troubleshooting, if your jet loses power at 20,000 feet but regains power at 10,000 feet....why? When pilots go to the maintenance computer, they download information of their flight. You must know how to read this information and figure out what is the problem. Pilots don't do this. Now what is most important is the experience of the ground personal. You need CDI/QA qualifications, which will be contractors because it takes many years to get this qualifications. This is only the intermediate level, now you need to train Depot level maintenance. Intermediate level is remove and replace on the battlefield. Depot level maintenance is rebuilding generators, engines, hydraulic systems, avionics and so on. This is done in the rear, you can't rebuild and test a jet engine on the battlefield. I do have faith in the Ukrainian people and military, however this will be learning for everyone. It's hard to learn when you are in battle.

[@kurtwinslow2670]

550k soldiers,3000 tanks and 1,500 aircraft supported with logistics and maintenance in Saudi Arabia for the 1991 gulf war. Poland could be a staging area. The USA currently has fleets of equipment mothballed. What do you think has changed since 1991? Ukraine isn't asking for troops. It's obvious the USA alone has the capability. But there's a idiot currently residing in the Oval office. Couple this with useless handlers and a inept bureaucracy. This administration should have innated the training and started the process of revamping mothballed equipment 3 months after this cluster started, once Ukraine proved themselves, which they did in the defense of Kiev. Useless Trader Joe Biden is leading from behind again. Trader Joe Biden's handlers are not letting a crisis go to waste. What they're doing is by design. Bleeding the USA taxpayer and lining the pockets of the USA military industrial complex. These people are as evil as Putin, they just hide it better.

[@shooster5884]

Could the maintainance etc be done in a neighboring country by already experienced people and they fly from there.. or are the distances too great for that to be effective?

[@kurtwinslow2670]

@@shooster5884You said, "Could the maintenance etc. be done in a neighboring country? The answer is yes, the USA did this back in the 1991 gulf war and is just as capable today. The Useless Idiot and his inept handlers don't want a decisive victory, until they've bled. The American tax payer, Ukrainians and Russians dry. Washington isn't going to let this crisis go to waste when there's so much to be gained. The American government is the most corrupt government in the world.

[@sunmoonsargasso7471]

​@shooster5884 No neighboring country would want to become a target. Their airports would be smashed. I get the feeling these will be sent as an "ok,, we tried" gesture, knowing it will fail.

[@kamma44]

Great conversation!

[@really9025]

Fantastic interview! Really enjoyed.

[@ninemoonplanet]

The Ukranian military forces have exceeded expectations, innovated battlefield maneuvers, tactics, so although the UK and the others were working together for air superiority, the Ukrainians can figure out how to "go it alone". I find some of the retired officers can get to be a bit arrogant. Don't underestimate the Ukrainians. The war in Ukraine is nothing like Iraq, Afghanistan, and most wars, this one is fighting at HOME not in some foreign country. The incentive is far higher to do everything as effectively as possible.

[@claudinefiona9698]

Including die in vain for NATOs proxy war against Russia.

[@dadthelad]

Guys like this are so used to going into war with massive superiority, and are looking at the F-16 as simply not enough. They aren't looking at the context of what Ukraine is actually doing with what they actually have now, and how much a massive difference, having a number of F-16's dded to the mix, would make. They are flying a handful of ancient Mig's at the moment, and you're worried about the age of F-16's they receive! Simply being able to keep those attack helicopters at bay will make a massive difference to the war. If they can achieve more than that, then that is a bonus.

[@a5cent]

You are mistaken. It's about capabilities. Can the system do what the mission requires of it? That's not so much a matter if degrees as one might think. For example, can Ukrainian pilots acquire air targets at least at the same distance as the Russians can? Right now their radar range is about 50% of the Russians. If the F-16 is older and only gets them to 80%, then that changes absolutely nothing in the battle space. That isn't 30% better. It's 0% better. The Ukrainian's would still be shot down long before they even see the enemy. I have no idea what we're actually giving them, but it can't be only the outdated stuff because Russia has their newest systems in the air. This isn't like Iraq where anything US pilots faced was already junk before it took off.

[@claudinefiona9698]

The migs are shot down and the F16s will be too

[@axelamps1279]

This was superbly informative and well hosted. What lovely blokes! Very articulate.

[@Hubieee]

Nice content, thanks alot.

[@ginojaco]

@ListenToTimesRadio This is what Sean Bell should stick to, he knows the subject inside out and gives knowledgeable commentary on the matter - keep him away from commenting on the ground war, I can tell you that he has former senior soldiers squirming with his take on it. 👍

[@-BuddyGuy]

100%

[@georgehawes5308]

I graduated from Purdue's engineering school and the Naval ROTC program in 1970. Several famous naval aviators also went through these programs, most notably Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon; Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon (as of today); and Gus Grissom, the second American in Space. They were about 20 or 30 years ahead of me, and unfortunately I never knew these three. But several of my classmates and upper classmen graduated, were commissioned as Naval Ensigns, and went to Pensacola, Florida to flight school to fly navy fighter jets. I remember a few of them came back to visit and were complaining about how hard this training was. These were guys who typically graduated in Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from Purdue. These are among the toughest undergraduate degrees you can get anywhere in the world, and they were complaining about how hard the flight school was in Pensacola. I've got the greatest of respect for our Naval Aviators.

[@cklg88]

Thank you for your service, Gentlemen. ❤

[@normanlogan4186]

Great to listen to those 2 men who knows what their talking about,I could listen all day to them 👍

[@tellyboy17]

Let's hope the 2024 campaigning season will see Ukraine equipped with a functional air force. Meanwhile get them the air defense systems that can deal with KA52 and SU25.

[@ricardosmythe2548]

They already have them. The further forward you site them the more vulnerable they become. Ukraine is doing pretty well with the capabilities its been given but there are a lot of capabilities they still lack that a western force doesn't. There maintenance and logistical capability limits the range of systems they can be supplied with. Growing those capabilities takes time and manpower

[@Bushman42069]

@@ricardosmythe2548 neither of which ukraine has.

[@ricardosmythe2548]

@@Bushman42069 both of which Ukraine has. Ukraine has a large population, allies willing to continue to supply her with arms, training in logistics and intelligence. Who's stockpiles and manufacturing potential do you think is larger Russias or western states combined?

[@user-ou6jj8bx9f]

@@ricardosmythe2548 России.))

[@francisyockey8225]

Russia has more than 5 times the population of ukraine, and unlike Europe didn't de industrialise, europe has already run out of 155 shells to give, and has pretty much emptied its stockpiles of anti air and anti armour systems and has been begging middle eastern and Asian nations to sell their stockpiles to donate to ukraine

[@pogo1140]

Before the F-16A's that the Ukrainians will be getting they will need to be upgraded. Meaning AESA radar, AIM-120D's and GE 110 engine and RCS reduction by installing a low RCS exhaust nozzle and a Diverterless intake. This will allow the F-16 to close enough to launch its missiles at the Russia SU-35's before they can be detected.

[@jackthorton10]

You think they might keep that detail, a bit, hush hush for transparency sake? Seems like a good idea 👍

[@pogo1140]

@@jackthorton10 That's what they should do, but sadly the most they will probably do is bring it up to Block 30, install Ukrainian compatible radios. Jeez, the timidity and shortsightedness of the pentagon. Yes, Pentagon, the State Department is more forward leaning than the boys with the stars on their shoulders. If their way, the Ukrainians would be fighting with spears and whatever the Poles could send their way

[@anne-michelefortmann5246]

Fascinating ! Great guests 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻

[@hemifox7710]

A real good interview, especially with the experience Pilot

[@thedealermusic]

Bots are out and triggered. They must wake up at certain key words 😂

[@JSLRousseau]

Ukraine may not have all the other capabilities that NATO countries have and thus an F-16 might not be as potent a capability for them but the real question for me is not whether they can use western jets to their fullest potential but whether they can use them to a potential that is at least equal or greater than their current fleet of ex-soviet jets. Even if it was only as good it still would be useful to replace airframes that have been lost so far (harder to replace the dead pilots), but most likely even relatively old F-16 would be a step up compared to their current jets and, more importantly, would open a lot of option for giving them air-launched missiles rather than always try to shoehorn HARM or Storm Shadow onto their Migs (doesn't mean we would necessarily give a given missile type, e.g. they've got HIMARS but still no ATACMS). And any step up compared to the current state of their air force, not the sate for NATO air forces would help them bridge the gap with the Russian air force. So forget whether F-16s would be as good as they would be in a NATO air force and think about whether they would be better than the jets currently in the Ukrainian air force.

[@trevorhutchings4941]

I really enjoyed tonight's Frontline, I learnt so much. Thanks Kate

[@jacquelinetaylor8683]

Enlightening

[@FinsburyPhil]

Good interview - Sean Bell does like to perform! The only thing I'd question was right at the very beginning when Russia was described as a global super power - I think that charade has now been exposed.

[@claudinefiona9698]

The charade is that NATO is being exposed a paper tiger

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@claudinefiona9698 Ukraine is not a member of NATO - if it were and Article 5 had been enacted, this would have all been over in a few weeks. The help given is restricted by each individual country's political will; nothing to do with the resolve of NATO.

[@claudinefiona9698]

@@FinsburyPhil NATO as a proxy and they have not entered the war because they're not sure if victory. Also remember this is SMO, Russia has not even declared war yet. Try would if NATO joined and mobilized 2.5 million Patriots

[@FinsburyPhil]

@@claudinefiona9698 NATO has no mandate to enter this conflict directly. It is an organisation governed by international law. If this was a NATO conflict then airpower would be the decisive factor - and in that regards there would be no contest. And honestly, if you think otherwise, then there's nothing more to debate.

[@claudinefiona9698]

@@FinsburyPhil I know otherwise. NATO does not follow international law if it suits its interest. To me, to be complicit with the destruction of a country and the people by supplying weapons, is a crime in itself, if you are so superior and powerful and could defeat Russia. International law did not stop the west from imposing unilateral illegal sanctions and they are currently looking at ways to steal the Russian frozen assets. So don't virtue signal with this BS about following international law. Israel is currently bull dozing civilians, I haven't heard anything about international law yet.

[@laurencebrowning1545]

Could be quite interesting seeing these aeroplanes coming up against Russians integrated air defence systems. Bit different than using them against civilians in Afghanistan or against Iraq etc. Probably won’t actually see any in Ukraine because it won’t do General Dynamics share price much good if they get shot down.

[@davidb6576]

Well, "laurence", I suspect the F-16's will do a better job of protecting hospitals and schools from Russia's so-accurate weapons than the decrepit leftover RU planes. So that must make you happy, right?

[@JDAbelRN]

With 5000 planes being built and pilots well training in their use, this Russian special will over soon. Cheers.

[@phalanxstrategy6233]

​@@davidb6576 All bull talk - focus on the real target boys!

[@johnthompson5670]

Excellent interview and responses!

[@jim.pearsall]

Excellent interview 👏🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

[@marcuslim3101]

Sean seems so eager to talk, and often cut Ed off, albeit some good points were raised.

[@ukraine244]

I'm sick of watching these "experts" talking about how much all this "stuff" would help Ukraine! GIVE EM THE DAMN STUFF! Now is the PERFECT timing! 🇺🇦

[@bballhlightz2964]

Fantastic interview!!

[@loganmodine]

Great interview!

[@DrGitpaws]

Yes, that was a well done exploration of the current F-16 situation. I was surprised to hear Sean say that the F-16 may only help in a post war or 2024 time frame. The description of how missile and missile defense systems were constantly see-sawing with on going advances was newly appreciated by me. The operational coordination must be very important. Just wait till that flying computer, the F-35 makes its appearance. Things are changing rapidly...

[@thetreekeeper143]

You really think F35 will make a difference? They in fact won't. They will have to fly out from another country. Russia makes one of the most sophisticated electronic Jammers in the world. It will Jam the F35 out of existence.

[@davidcrawford2848]

I have been saying this since the start of the offensive. They should been given fighters last year. It seems Ukraine gets what they need months too late. They still need more long range weapons

[@mreyesgranda]

Excelent conversation.

[@cameronfoster3314]

The Harrier glides like a set of keys through the sky.... Too funny! Great interview!

[@pmcd6414]

Every escalation of equipment and weaponry was supposed to be all Ukraine needed to win, a hundred escalations later and look where we are... exactly where they said their escalations were intended to avoid, and now we laugh and joke about minutiae of all out war across the continent, against the backdrop of Russia owning more nukes than America btw 👍

[@wendyharbon7290]

American F-16's or F-18's fighters, are very good multi-role fast jet fighters, which can give Ukraine 🇺🇦 Air Force both in Combat Air Patrol / Air Superiority (CAP/AS) role and Close Air Support (CAS) role. As well as both Tactical Reconnaissance (TR) and Indication Strike (IDS) roles, plus Suppresion of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) role too. However, so would French Mirages and Rafale jet fighters, equally the Swedish Gripen jet fighters, as would British / German / Italian / Spanish Typhoon fast jet fighters. Then it is the question, what any of these Western fast jet fighters supplied to Ukraine 🇺🇦 Air Force, will be armed and equipped with too! Will make a big difference, between the missions these supplied western fighters to the Ukrainians, whether Ukrainian Pilots are flying either "CAP" or "CAS," or "SEAD" or "IDS" roles. It is not just having western modern fighters, it the pilots who are flying them, plus the weapons they are using, lastly how the fighters are operated and controlled too. This could mean the Ukraine 🇺🇦 Air Force, may have a need and be asking next. For Airborne Warning And Control Sysyems (AWACS) platforms, as well as for Electronic Suppresion and Countermeasure (ESCM) platforms too, which operational "CAP/AS" fighters or "CAS/SEAD" fighters, or "IDS/TD" fighters all need to be backed up by in an hostile environments too! Equally the Ukraine 🇺🇦 AIr Force Pilots, are going to need easy and regularly access, to full motion Combat Flight Simulators for each type of combat aircraft they will be flying. Yes the Ukraine 🇺🇦 Air Force Pilots, will need time in individual full motion combat flight Simulators. Though they need these individual flight simulators, to be interlinked in real-time online, with other flight simulators too! Though als linked to other simulators, for othet military aircraft or helicopter types, the fighter pilots will operate with in the real world too. As well as linked to ground vehicle simulators, plus linked marine simulators too, as well as drone simulators too. So creating an Internet Training Online Real-time Land Air Sea Environment (ITOR-LASES) world, for all arms combat Multi-Operational Training. The British Armed Forces do not even have "ITOR-LASES" technology, for the RAF, AAC, FAA, or Royal Navy and British Army or Royal Marines, or Special Forces too. The Americans, USAF and Aviation Units of the USMC and USN, plus US Army, are getting close to developing a fully operational "ITOR-LASES" inter-service simulation technology. However, Ukraine 🇺🇦 Military having this capability, in decades away, the same thankfully goes for the Russian Army, Air Force, Navyand Marines, or the Chinese Armed Forces too!

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

I'm still not convinced that the whole F16 package will work "soon" for Ukraine. This whole new system needs experienced people to operate it "somewhat effectively", without risking heavy losses. If Ukrainians work that out fast, they could use them earliest in spring 2024. Or they use the F16 earlier as some sort of a "weapon station" only, not going deep into Russian dominated areas. But they do this, using western weapons, with their SU and MiG platform already.

[@whitehorse4318]

@@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl No one mentions that a squadron of F16s requires a minium of 200-300 ground personal. I have never meet a fighter pilot that knows how to inspect and change jet engine oil. Let alone change out a fuel tank once it gets shot or damaged.

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

@@whitehorse4318 That's right. Ground personal is as important as pilots. As a former German aerospace technician (highest rank S.M.S., compared to US airforce) I know how many people are necessary and what ratstail is behind a flight. An airplane isn't a car and you "always" have work to do on them.

[@whitehorse4318]

@@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl I was a an F/A 18 jet mechanic in the United States Marine Corp. For eight years, I know it takes two years to get a CDI and another 4 years to learn QA. So Ukraine will need contractors to fill in all positions of ground crew personal. As you are aware, we do not use the metric system and different jet fuel. So new tools and fueling systems.

[@joostandhisband9648]

Great insight of the possible problems. Great that there are ample simulators at the moment.

[@alexshapley8331]

excellent - many thanks

[@donquixote1502]

I think Sweden should close down Hungary and end all businesses with them. We should move Hungary's Gripen C to Ukraine. Let Hungary do business anywhere else. But I don´t know anyone in the EU or NATO that even like Orban!

[@murkeyterky6852]

Australia are offering their FA18 Growlers. Maybe work on getting the US to approve the transfer and help make the F16's more effective sooner.

[@JK_Clark]

Lol! Growler is British slang for particularly hairy lady parts :D

[@ryanallison928]

I hope the send them as part of a coalition of other nations sending there jets. Like they did with the tanks

[@craigmcintyre1863]

Fabulous insight from very smart Ace’s

[@indiana146]

Thanks very much