"NATO fighter assets in Eastern Europe" Topic

So with all this hoohaa over Ukraine, what fighter assets do the newer Eastern European NATO partners bring to the immediate defence of the Eastern flank?

Well it's pretty dismal:

Albania:
Current: Nothing.

Planned: Nothing

Baltic states:
Current: Nothing. Western Europe provides a few jets for air policing.

Planned: Nothing

Bulgaria
Current: 15 x MiG-29, 12 x Su-25, 12 x MiG-21

Planned: Nothing – air policing to be taken over by Greek Air Force and fighter fleet to be deactivated in latest news. Plans to acquire 8-9 second hand F-16s have been scrapped due to lack of funds.

Croatia
Current: 2 x MiG-21
Planned: 12 Mig-21s to be overhauled in Ukraine and serve to 2019 after which there is no replacement in sight. Plans to acquire up to 12 modern replacements have been virtually scrapped.

Czech Republic
Current: 14 x JAS-39
23 x L-159 (basically an upgraded L-39 trainer)

Planned: as above

Hungary
Current: 14 x JAS-39

Planned: as above

Poland
Current: 48 x F-16C/D, 32 x MiG-29, 32 x Su-22
Planned: 48 x F-16C/D plus 48 x F-35 (if they can afford it)

Romania:

Current: 36 x MiG-21 operational
Planned: 12 x F-16AM/BM from Portugal in 2017 to replace MiG-21

Slovakia
Current: 8 x MiG-29 (4 more in operational storage)
Planned: Possible acquisition of 6-7 JAS-39 to replace MiG-29

Slovenia:
Current: Nothing.

Planned: Nothing

So other than Poland, most of the new partners either don't have fighter fleets or only have a single small squadron of often obsolete fighters.

Hence if there is ever conflict with Russia, NATO will have to dedicate a large chunk of its air forces to guarding these countries as they're completely incapable of doing so.

So basically a bunch of junk that has no life expectancy…

Looks like Poland is the heavy lifter here, with respectable assets for the size of the country.

Damon.

Excellent info, Thomas.

Thanks for the run-down.

Info on the Russian opposition, and Ukraine would be useful too, if anyone has intel on that.

From what I saw in the Balkans, I imagine that serviceability may be south of 50% of the aircraft listed, at least for the smaller nations, as well. Say, perhaps between 25% – 40%, or so (50% on a really good day).

Some of the Mig-29s launched in the conflict were sent up without various working systems, like radar, etc., making them pretty much sitting ducks for the NATO jets.

The US has updated its presence in POland and the Baltic states in the last couple of weeks. Dont forget Finland, Germany and Sweden look east.

From what I saw in the Balkans, I imagine that serviceability may be south of 50% of the aircraft listed, at least for the smaller nations, as well. Say, perhaps between 25% – 40%, or so (50% on a really good day).

Some of the Mig-29s launched in the conflict were sent up without various working systems, like radar, etc., making them pretty much sitting ducks for the NATO jets.

Serbia isn't Russia.

By 1999 Serbia had nearly 10 years of economic and weapons sanctions. Those Serb MiGs had not been overhauled since delivery (and they were some of the oldest MiG-29s exported).

It was amazing they flew.

Oh and there was a mere 16 MiG-29s in their inventory.

Also the Serb AD system had not been upgraded since early 1980s, they lacked AWACS, modern EW etc etc.

It'd be like comparing the performance of Kuwaiti forces against Iraq in 1991 and then saying the US is weak because Kuwait mainly had US gear.

The US has updated its presence in POland and the Baltic states in the last couple of weeks. Dont forget Finland, Germany and Sweden look east.

Finland and Sweden are NOT part of NATO.

In any case, Finland has 62 F/A-18C/D and about 25 Hawk 51/66 armed trainers (more are being retired).

Sweden has about 100 JAS-39s in service but have been unable even to muster scrambles against Russian bombers performing exercises in Baltic against targets in Sweden.

Germany is no longer on front line of NATO defence (Poland and Czech Republic have taken over that role). Including Germany is like including Italy or France.

Germany does have pull over Baltic- 225 Tornados and Eurofighters.

My main point is how neglected the Eastern AF are.

Most of them don't even have Air Defence systems anymore either and their ground forces are equally poorly equipped.

US forces in Baltic and Poland are minimal – 10 x F-15C and 12 x F-16C with 4 French jets deploying to Baltic.

However these are on very visible bases that are vulnerable to tactical missiles and attack aircraft.

The Eastern Europeans have not maintained many airbases in any sort of functional ability so any NATO jets are based on the few that are and are thus more vulnerable.

There are another 60-ish F-15C/D/E in UK and 60-ish F-16C/D in Italy and Germany as well as potentially some assets in Middle East.