What the US should do with its A-10 Thunderbolt
Opinion by Defense News
WORLD 08 June 2023 - 23:00
In his article for Defense News, Sen.Marco Rubio ponders how the A-10C Thunderbolt II, the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces, can serve US national interests and allies.
After years of obstruction, Congress is finally approving the Air Force’s plan to retire the A-10 Thunderbolt. This is the right call, as the A-10 no longer suits America’s geostrategic needs. However, we should not simply dispose of this venerable plane; in the hands of our international partners, it can continue advancing the national interest.
The U.S. government created the A-10 in the 1970s to provide close-air support to American ground troops. At the time it was an effective counterweight to the threat of Soviet tanks, and in the decades since it has served the military faithfully.
The A-10 proved especially useful in the Gulf War, when it flew 8,100 sorties and destroyed thousands of Soviet-era combat vehicles and equipment. Later, it helped the U.S. destroy hardened enemy positions in the war on terrorism.
But major military operations in the Middle East have ceased. Today, our greatest adversary is communist China, whose tanks and emplacements are much more advanced than those used by the Soviets or Islamic terrorists.
To prepare to counter Beijing in a future conflict, we must make the best possible use of our limited hangar space and procurement dollars. To do that, we must retire the A-10, as senior military leaders have called for. This will make room for aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II, and free funds for the development and construction of next-generation missiles and missile defense systems, which will be invaluable in any future Indo-Pacific conflict, whether that’s in Taiwan, the South China Sea, or the Korean Peninsula.
However, the A-10 can still do a lot of good if transferred to allies and partners in need of it. The most obvious example is Ukraine, which is preparing to mount a counteroffensive against Soviet-era tanks and entrenched Russian positions.
At the recent G7 summit, President Joe Biden stated he supports training Ukrainian forces to operate F-16 Fighting Falcons, a first step to allies providing the planes to Ukraine. But even if we accept the president’s position, there is good reason to wonder if an air-to-air fighter makes the most sense. Ukraine’s defense intelligence chief, for one, believes Ukraine would fare better with A-10s. Moreover, F-16s require 6,000 feet of tarmac — increasingly rare in bombed-out Ukraine — to take off and land, while A-10s only require 4,000 feet of dirt runway.
Beyond Ukraine, potential beneficiaries of an A-10 transfer program include African countries in the Sahel fighting ISIS and Boko Haram, or even Latin American nations combating paramilitary rebels and drug cartels in the jungle.
Such a program would be neither unprecedented nor unusual. The U.S. manufactures and sells vehicles and platforms the U.S. military no longer uses on a semi-regular basis. For instance, production of the A-29 Super Tucano employs hundreds of Floridians in Jacksonville and supports counterterrorism operations in Africa and Colombia.
Simply put, phasing out the A-10 by transferring it to allies and partners is the smart thing to do. Not only would it help America adapt to the challenges of the 21st century, it would also help our friends confront their own challenges without deep U.S. intervention. That’s killing two birds with one stone — the best kind of public policy.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Poland suspends military drills following fifth soldier's death
27 March 2024 - 13:41
|
2
|
Syrian scenario for Armenia Russian, Israeli experts’ views for Caliber.Az
26 March 2024 - 17:27
|
3
|
Serbian president warns of difficult days ahead
27 March 2024 - 11:04
|
4
|
Global reactions to UNSC Gaza ceasefire resolution Diverse views, urgent action
27 March 2024 - 18:00
|
5
|
Vucic warns of Serbia's Council of Europe departure amid Kosovo debate Double standards alert
28 March 2024 - 12:13
|
Baku, Riyadh explore cooperation on climate change initiatives
29 March 2024 - 17:45
US Navy preps hypersonic weapon test this spring
29 March 2024 - 17:36
Azerbaijani deputy prime minister attends CIS Economic Council meeting in Moscow
29 March 2024 - 17:28
Russia, Ukraine exchange bodies of deceased servicemen
29 March 2024 - 17:20
Russian envoy: US sees Armenia as geopolitical tool against Russia, Iran
UPDATED29 March 2024 - 17:11
Georgian politician advocates for “foreign agents” law to safeguard sovereignty
29 March 2024 - 17:00
France's right-wing leader signals potential exit from NATO military command
29 March 2024 - 16:52
Over 32,600 Palestinians killed, 75,000 injured in Gaza
29 March 2024 - 16:43
Sweden considers supplying Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine amid ongoing discussions
29 March 2024 - 16:36
Suspects linked to Moscow terrorist attack detained in Tajikistan
29 March 2024 - 16:28
Orban advocates for buffer zone in Ukraine, dismisses direct Russian threat
29 March 2024 - 16:20
US allocates over $113 billion in aid to Ukraine amid Ongoing conflict
29 March 2024 - 16:11
Türkiye’s intelligence chief to meet US House delegation to discuss security concerns
29 March 2024 - 16:02
Blazing bits transmitted 4.5 million times faster than broadband
29 March 2024 - 15:54
Armenian defence minister convenes meeting with generals
29 March 2024 - 15:46
Pundit: Armenia faces crucial decision amid EU-US pressure
29 March 2024 - 15:37
AvtoVAZ launches Lada car production in Azerbaijan
Expanding presence and promising prospects29 March 2024 - 15:28
Russia doubled imports of an explosives ingredient
With Western help29 March 2024 - 15:16
Azerbaijan passes stricter measures against religious extremism
New rules for special operations approved29 March 2024 - 15:04
Hamas leader seeks more Iranian support during Tehran's visit
Amidst Gaza conflict29 March 2024 - 14:59
Ministry neutralizes ammunition cache discovered outside Azerbaijani capital
PHOTO/VIDEO29 March 2024 - 14:52
COP29 to help adapt Azerbaijan's agricultural policy to international experience - minister
29 March 2024 - 14:40
BAE displays new armored multipurpose vehicle
PHOTO29 March 2024 - 14:27
Azerbaijan disappointed by biased US stance on peace process
Presidential aide says29 March 2024 - 14:21
Ambassador Ravkov: Azerbaijan and Belarus are strategic partners
29 March 2024 - 14:14
Azerbaijani police seize batch of Armenian weapons in Khankendi
29 March 2024 - 14:10
Azerbaijan attracts $6.7 billion in direct foreign investment in 2023
29 March 2024 - 13:55
Armenian Prosecutor's Office targets family of Dashnak representative
29 March 2024 - 13:43
Azerbaijan asserts right to self-defense amidst calls for regional peace
Hajiyev grants interview to Chinese TV channel Phoenix29 March 2024 - 13:39
Azerbaijan to construct four new renewable energy plants this year – energy minister
29 March 2024 - 13:30
Azerbaijan holds command-staff exercise in one of military units
29 March 2024 - 13:17
Azerbaijan, China strengthen economic ties
From trade to investment29 March 2024 - 13:10
Another suspect detained for alleged complicity in Moscow terrorist attack
29 March 2024 - 13:05
Politico: The European Parliament is once again caught in corruption
29 March 2024 - 12:52
Geopolitical storm brewing beyond Russia's reaction
EU-US-Armenia meeting sparks controversy29 March 2024 - 12:38
Speaker says Armenia doing nothing against Russia
29 March 2024 - 12:24
Armenia conducts house-to-house searches in apartments, offices of nationalists
29 March 2024 - 12:09
Ombudswoman: World community should recognize events of 1918 as genocide of Azerbaijanis
29 March 2024 - 11:57
Global trade at risk as Washington faces policy failure
US-Houthi stalemate continues29 March 2024 - 11:46
Armenia blocks Kremlin propagandist’s talk-show
29 March 2024 - 11:34