⚡️🇸🇾 The combat fleet of the Syrian Airforce should have on paper 450 aircraft. How many of them have been destroyed, I don't know. Visual confirmation and hearsay is one thing, but let's just wait and see.

What astounds me to no end is how incompetent the SAA has been in sheltering its assets. As you know, I have already posted that in times of long-term warfare, even a third or more of your fleet can be grounded for maintenance. But that still leaves you with a solid 60% of your fleet that could fly and idk, Evacuate. Why were all these planes just left to rot on airfields? Perfect targets for Israeli aviation? Where were the "brave Syrian Airforce Pilots" that were doing round-the-clock airstrikes on HTS during this one-week offensive? if the reporting of pro-SAA sources is taken at face value that would mean there were enough trained pilots in SAA service. Where were they when the regime collapsed? why wasn't there an effort to Evacuate these planes to Iraq, Iran or other Pro Axis nations.

@planenerd

The destruction of all these planes also means that the Interim Syrian Government in charge now has inherited little to no useful Air assets. This is a disaster in both the short and long term.

Short term it means for the next few years Syria would be undefendable. Think of the Protection onion that is used to showcase Armored warfare. It shows that even before a shell hits your tank, you can ensure your safety by using electronic systems, camouflage and decoys. Safety doesn't just stop at your machine. Your doctrine alone can ensure your survival (The most important objective in modern war).

A similar kind of Onion with many layers can be constructed for your Aerospace capabilities. And without an Airforce (even with legacy systems, no matter how old, they can prove useful against anyone). You would be extremely weak. Ground-based Airdefence, both static and mobile can only do so much against a determined enemy. What you need is active defence. And an Airfleet provides you with that.

Syria is also seeing an unprecedented Israeli invasion. An Invasion that, according to HTS announcements, will not be met with a response. This is a sign of weak governance but also a sign of backroom dealings.

As you guys might have realised from the above list, Syria has relied on Soviet and Russian equipment ever since the Arab-Israeli wars have been fought. Eastern equipment and Eastern training. Now with all those gone, could mean that other players can step in to provide aircraft options.

Turkey is an obvious choice as they produce relatively cheap and effective UAVs that can prove useful. They are also working on the Hurjet (A trainer) and the KAAN (But it's off the tables for now).

Western Aviation is doubtful as Israelis would ensure to cripple them during just the procurement phase. Just as they crippled the Egyptian and Iraqi F-16 fleets by ensuring they have no BVR capabilities.

Pakistan is also a potential option here as they have successfully managed to negotiate JF-17 III deals with the Azeris, Iraqis, Burmese and Nigerians. With potential Turkmen, Bengali and even Srilankan interest in the program.

China is a wildcard here and I would make a separate post about it if I have the time.

There could also be a case of arms donations from various countries. That has been observed historically. Older gen planes would be given away at modest sums to create space for newer planes in your inventory. As has happened with the Algerians and the Sudanese.

@planenerd

🇺🇦⚡️🇷🇺 Extremely interesting footage of Ukrainian AA guns shooting down a Russian Cruise Missile.

@planenerd

⚡️🇨🇳 J-15DH Carrier operations.

J-15DH is the Electronic warfare variant of the J-15. According to Chinese Osint, DH probably stands for Dian Hua (电滑， short term for Electronic Warfare, Ski-Jump)

@planenerd

— 🇺🇸/🇵🇰 NEW: The U.S. Department of State has announced sanctions on four entities involved in advancing Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile program: Pakistan’s National Development Complex, Affiliates International, Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, and Rockside Enterprise.

@Middle_East_Spectator

Ah yes

2, April, 2005