OldCrow":3tuvpf9s said:
I was working in this part of the world from 2008 - 2010. The Syrians have Mig 21, 23, 25 and 29's. While I would not guarantee how many are actually serviceable and how many pilots are available - on paper they do indeed have a decent air force.
Best to all
Bez
Bez,
But would you agree with saying that while the migs have flight characteristics somewhat comparable to our (USA) aircraft the weapon systems would be considered dated and inferior? I'm not sure of there training but I imagine ours would be better due to experience and funding. I'm not saying that tha SAMs/Aircraft couldn't take out a few aircraft but I don't think it would be, as was stated, formidable.
Also what model of F-18 do you fly? Was curious a while back but didn't ask because it was off topic.
OldCrow
You miss my point
Flight characteristics mean nothing in this case - and yes, most are distinctly different.
Trust me - all pilots respect the old AA-10 and 11 - in a big way - all it takes is one - and they are excellent A/A missiles.
SAM-6 systems launched in volley are tough to defeat - very tough.
Jammers - even old ones used as barrage jamming can under the right circumstances make comms impossible
Weapons - even old ones can be used successfully in many cases.
Training while valid - cannot always overcome sheer numbers.
As an example. One thousand archers launching arrows on volley fire can make a soldiers life difficult - not impossible - just difficult. Someone will take a hit - pretty much guaranteed. And no, body armour will not completely protect you.
As for the wording - all I can say is I would approach this air force carefully and hopefully using stealth tech and T-Hawks be able to eliminate the threat before flying over the ground.
Western militaries no longer have acceptable loss rates - we work on zero casualty counts when planning. The JAG sits on the right hand of the battle commander and makes the calls. Legal? Yes - then go. Not legal? Then change the plan.
Model? Ours are not like your - I have flown the Legacy model; and the updated. We do not have models such as the C/D like you do - ours are very Canadianized - but do carry pods and precision weapons - in fact we carry pretty much the same systems and weaponry as the US military do.
Most important - how far is the American public prepared to allow the Prez to go? Remember Vietnam? It was not pretty. I think you folks are getting tired.
The Syrians have numbers and it is a very large and beautiful country. So let's throw "formidable" in the trash can.
Never forget that wars have been won and lost with small numbers going against big numbers - often it is the desire to inflict punishment and the morale of the troops that make the difference. How they Syrians would react - if this ever came to push and shove - well we would have to wait and see. No one can truly suggest the answer and be guaranteed correct.
Been in enough pizzing contests that I know for a fact that sometimes it is a big surprise when things start happening as to who is the tough guy and who is the push over. Always plan for the tough guy.
Who else will join in? Iran? Count on it. A nuke power.
In closing - ever since GW1 and 911 we have always taken on lower quality militaries and owned the skies. If Syria can and is willing to put up a defence - there WILL be caualties - people have been spoiled over the past decade fighting countries that do not have tech available to them to return fire effectively.
That is as far as I can go on a forum like this.
Have a great day
Bez