No F-35s over Ukraine – Pentagon — RT World News
The Singaporean Defense Minister previously claimed that Washington used aircraft to spy on Russian surface-to-air missile sites
The US denied flying F-35s over Ukraine after Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen claimed the advanced fighter jets were being used to monitor Russian forces in the region.
Engineer Hin made the remarks last Wednesday while speaking in the National Parliament on the importance of long-term planning in the defense industry. In particular, he mentioned that Singapore is carefully evaluating the US-made F-35, especially when it comes to using it in real-world conditions.
He noted that the United States used F-35s not only to target Islamic State (ISIS, formerly ISIS) terrorists in the Middle East but also “To identify and locate surface-to-air missiles of Russian units in Ukraine” Adding that this survey was later shared with NATO members. He did not say whether an F-35 entered Ukrainian airspace at all or whether the flights were carried out over NATO territory.
On Monday, a Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the minister’s statements, but confirmed this “I can confirm that the United States is not flying F-35s in Ukraine.”
Last March, C4ISRNET reported, citing Colonel Craig Underley, commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, that the United States had used F-35s to gather reconnaissance information about the area. “Threats” In Ukraine and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Fighters “They were able to locate and identify the locations of the surface-to-air missiles and pass that information on to the rest of the coalition.” The article said.
However, while Underley emphasized that the F-35s could be a formidable weapon of war without firing a shot because of their intelligence-gathering capabilities, they sometimes struggle to snoop on Russian sites. The colonel noted that the F-35 failed to identify the Russian S-300 missile system because it likely was. “Operating in a war standby position unlike anything we have ever seen before.”
Since the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022, NATO has increased its air presence in Eastern Europe, deploying additional fighters and surveillance aircraft. The US-led military bloc uses Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft equipped with long-range radars to conduct regular patrols.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last year that NATO countries were acting as if they were Russia “Enemies” Pointing out that their polls are working around the clock against Moscow.
Meanwhile, the West also plans to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, which are widely expected to arrive later this year. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that these planes would be so “legitimate goals” For the Russian army, adding that such a step only increases the risk of a direct clash between Russia and NATO.
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