"Pentagon Says Russia Sent Warplanes To Back Libyan..." Topic

… Warlord General Khalifa Haftar

"The US has accused Russia of sending warplanes to Libya to support the warlord Gen Khalifa Haftar.

Washington's Africa Command said Moscow may be seeking to capture bases on Libya's coast, creating a long-term security threat on Europe's southern flank.

The US released images it claimed were of disguised Russian planes, including MiG-29s, at al-Jufra airbase south of Sirte. It is thought there are as many as eight jets, and that they were sent around 14 May…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Hmmm, sounds like the Libyan situation is about to get very "interesting".

Wonder if US/French, and/or UK/NATO jets will be in action over the country as well, like they have been in the past.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Thresher, the French support Haftar, including provision of special forces. So if anything they will be bombing GNA!

Also supporting Haftar are American allies – Saudi Arabia, Egypt and UAE as well as Russia. Egypt has flown odd strikes on Haftar's behalf and I doubt these were done without Washington's approval as main Egyptian fighter is F-16 and their new Rafales and MiG-29s aren't fully operational yet.

GNA allies are NATO members Turkey and to lesser degree Italy.

Americans still do strike at AQ or IS targets in Libya at times.

The whole thing is a mess.

I have to admit to being confused by who is whom in this conflict, and am not sure which side, if any deserves backing.

Thanks for your clarification. So, if I understand that right, the French will be fighting against NATO?

I get their fighting against Turkey, and not sure NATO should be on their side (Turkey's), so I think I'll just sit this one out, and watch from afar with interest.

I do find the deployment of Russian Mig-29s interesting, since of late it seems like those big, sexy Sukhois have been getting all the press, and attention. Perhaps the Russians are running out of operational fighters they're willing to deploy on overseas military adventures.

I don't think the French will be getting more involved then they already are.

And I don't know how much NATO will support GNA especially as GNA includes nasty islamists amongst its many militias.

As for MiG-29, I suspect the Russians view the MiG-29 as sufficient in air defence role against Turkish drones.

MiG-29s are largely on their way out in Russia, being replaced by more capable Sukhois. There is only about 120 left in service in Air Force (as well as 20+ new ones in Navy).

They have only order 6 of the new MiG-35s and are planning a total of 24. This is viewed by analysts as an attempt to make the aircraft more marketable to overseas customers. As we know from projects such as F-20G Tigershark, orphan aircraft do not sell at all.