When asked about the possibility, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall categorically did not reject the idea of ​​​​transferring the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft to Ukraine. General Charles K. Brown, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, also said that the Ukrainian Air Force should eventually give up its Soviet-era warplanes.

To date, only the US Air Force has deployed the A-10, an iconic close support aircraft primarily known for its massive 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger gun and heavy armor. These aircraft have certainly proven their usefulness in supporting combat operations in adverse environments over the past two decades.

It will be recalled that members of the US House of Representatives voted to include funding approval for training Ukrainian fighter pilots in the annual defense policy bill or draft National Defense Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2023.

The Air Force’s concern about the Warthog’s vulnerability in an environment filled with advanced air defenses applies to the war in Ukraine, where aircraft on both sides face significant threats on a daily basis. At the same time, the A-10 was built to withstand heavy combat damage and could be quickly repaired and returned to service. They can also operate from airports with a relatively small floor area. All these features are ideal for Ukraine. It’s also worth noting that the Ukrainian Air Force continues to use the much less powerful Su-25 on a daily basis, a very crude analogue of the Soviet-era A-10.

Retired Air Force General Philip Breedlove, who serves as the head of the US European Command, said of the training needs, “thanks to previous military exchange programs, Ukraine has already trained pilots to fly the A-10.”

After all, the appearance of A-10s in Ukrainian skies could help put an end to the debate about their ability to operate in conditions of increased danger. At the same time, the transfer of the A-10 to Ukraine could give the Air Force the protection it finally needs.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a legendary attack aircraft designed to destroy enemy armored vehicles. Like other attack aircraft, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is designed to attack enemy forces on the front line. For this, he has advanced protection and many weapons.

The Fairchild Republic aircraft is equipped with a GAU-8 Avenger 30mm automatic cannon weighing about 2 tons, capable of firing 4,000 rounds per minute and hitting tanks at a distance of more than 1 km.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II has 11 suspension nodes and can carry over 7 tons of weapons. In particular, AGM Maverick missiles with a launch range of up to 28 km. During Operation Desert Storm, attack aircraft destroyed approximately 900 tanks, 1,200 pieces of artillery and 2,000 pieces of equipment.