Quote:
Originally Posted by opendoor
Barring a big change in policy, NATO countries aren't going to be sending things like tanks or planes to Ukraine (other than the Soviet tanks Poland sent). The US wouldn't even provide jets to Poland (which would have allowed Poland to send MiG-29s to Ukraine) for fear of escalation.
Longer term, NATO countries can probably provide heavier arms while distancing themselves slightly by funding Ukraine and then having Ukraine buy weapons directly from Western manufacturers, but that's going to take a while if the weapons aren't coming out of existing stockpiles.
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I think it'll happen eventually, if the war goes long. Not planes, too expensive and too complex. MBT's are also likely bottom of the list, as they have gruesome logistical demands on top of symbolism. But we're already seeing other mobile weapons systems and artillery, and of course light anti-tank and AA systems. Over time we'll likely see lighter armored vehicles, and after that tanks will just another item on an already long list of NATO hardware in Ukraine.
I wouldn't be surprised if Poland and US circled back to sending those Migs too at some point.