Britain is considering sending its fighter jets to Ukraine for air defense – The Telegraph

The Prime Minister of Great Britain and military planners discussed the possibility of sending British Typhoon fighters to Ukraine to cover troops from the air if British soldiers enter Ukraine. This is reported by UNN with reference to The Telegraph.

Details

According to the publication, while French President Emmanuel Macron is considering leading a UN mission and raised this issue at the European Council summit on Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took part in separate talks in Northwood. They were led by Lieutenant General Nick Perry, Chief of Joint Operations, along with more than 30 countries that met to discuss how a coalition of the willing could help Ukraine.

At this meeting, Keir stated that the military planning of the coalition of volunteers is divided into sea, air, land and borders, as well as the reconstruction of Ukraine.

It is vital that we do this work, because we know one thing for sure: a deal that is not backed up by anything is what Putin will break. We know this because it has happened before. I am absolutely clear that this will happen again

How can a coalition of the willing help Ukraine?

The Prime Minister has already promised to deploy British troops to Ukraine if Trump agrees to a peace deal with Putin. So the meeting discussed the British air cover that would be needed in the event that English soldiers enter Ukraine. Trump, in turn, stated that he would not provide any military support to Ukraine, and called for Europe to strengthen it. Uncertainty as to whether the US will provide any air cover in Ukraine has made it necessary for Britain to take the initiative.

We hope a deal will be reached, but I know that if there is a deal, the time for planning is now. It's not after an agreement is reached, - said Sir Keir.

We will never send British troops to the ground without providing them with air cover

The Royal Air Force will provide either Typhoon or F35, as both will provide "excellent air-to-air policing".

Sir Keir Starmer and John Healey, the shadow defence minister, are due to visit a military base in London.

Why Great Britain?

The publication notes that while all European countries have the ability to send fighter jets, only the US and France can send airborne early warning and control aircraft, which provide important surveillance, including missile detection.

According to a source, a number of countries will be involved in providing air cover at any time, working on a rotational basis. But so far nothing has been recorded or confirmed on this.

Britain has already agreed that as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence, it will send six Typhoons to Poland in the coming weeks. It is possible that this number will increase in view of the fact that if the Typhoons need to be redirected to Ukraine, they will be in the right part of Eastern Europe

To ensure the operation, the coalition must also decide on important technical issues.

Luke Pollard, the UK's Minister for the Armed Forces, raised the relevant question of whether any force in or around Ukraine should be as reliable as possible.

If one country transfers a fast combat jet, such as a Typhoon, how will other countries work with it? Where will this aircraft be refueled? How will it work with the capabilities of other countries? - he noted.

It is important to support our Ukrainian friends in protecting their country and their front line, because this (transfer of fighter jets - ed.) is primarily intended to provide support

Reminder

Earlier, UNN wrote that Macron is considering a UN mission as an alternative to sending European troops to Ukraine. Together with Keir Starmer, he is forming a coalition of NATO and EU countries for a peacekeeping contingent.