How Russia Checked the US Plan for a No Fly Zone in Syria

How Russia Checked the US Plan for a No Fly Zone in Syria



NATO’s over-the-top reaction to a minor violation by a Russian aircraft of Turkey’s air space underscores the key point about the Russian military deployment.



The West has lost control of the skies of Syria.



When I first discussed the line-up of Russian aircraft in Syria I said the four SU30 fighters were intended to provide top cover for the strike force.



I also speculated the six SU34s were not really needed, and that they were there to test them in a combat environment.



I was right about the SU30s; I was wrong about the SU34s.



I overlooked the fact that as well as being a formidable strike and ground attack aircraft, the SU34 is an extremely capable air to air fighter.  In this it differs fundamentally from the SU24, which it is replacing.



The combined total of ten SU30s and SU34s provides the Russians with a formidable air defence group. Whilst the SU34 is not as potent a fighter as the super manoeuvrable SU30, it is more than a match for the F16s that make up the bulk of the Turkish air force, and is a match for the F15s and F16s of the Israeli air force.



This is important because, as the incident on the Turkish border shows, the Russian strike group is carrying out air strikes in areas close to the Turkish and Israeli borders where, because of fears of intervention by the Turkish and Israeli air forces, the Syrian air force had previously not dared to go.  



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