The American F-35 appeared in Ukraine. Did it destroy the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft?
According to reports, the Singapore Defense Minister claims that American F-35 fighter jets have joined the conflict in Ukraine. In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, they conducted reconnaissance and positioning of ground-to-air missile radar, and did a lot of things. However, the Russian side did not mention it, presumably not noticing. But from this event itself, it can be seen that there are definitely effects of testing, training, and advertising. But the most important speculation here is: who shot down those two A-50s?
Because after the first A-50 was destroyed, Ukraine said it wasn’t us. It’s possible that it was a misfire through other means. Russia also didn’t say it was their doing. For the second one, Ukraine said it was hit by an improved version of the S-200 missile, which is quite plausible considering the distance. However, if the F-35 is involved in the engagement, especially in Zaporizhzhia, you measure how far Zaporizhzhia is from the Sea of Azov. If indeed stealth attacks were used, employing long-range air-to-air missiles like the AIM-120D against such airborne early warning aircraft, there would be no suspense at all.
If the stealth capability of the F-35 is utilized, the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft wouldn’t see it, unable to provide early warning, and the ground wouldn’t efficiently track such small targets. It’s highly possible that the destruction of the A-50 airborne early warning aircraft was caused by a surprise attack from the F-35. From a general perspective, this possibility is plausible, not groundless speculation. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that aside from reconnaissance of radar and missile sites and locating radar frequencies, the F-35 may have engaged in even more audacious activities in Ukraine.
What the Defense Minister of Singapore mentioned is probably just the tip of the iceberg. There may be bigger things at play here. We have to speculate about the F-35 in this regard. While the F-35 is indeed the low-end version of the American fifth-generation aircraft, its stealth capabilities and performance should be slightly better than the F-22. Why? Because it appeared later, and its stealth materials and structure should be slightly more advanced than the F-22.
From the current perspective, it would be quite difficult for the Russian Aerospace Forces to detect such stealth aircraft at the earliest opportunity. Although the A-50U has been modified, it’s still unknown how much capability it has to detect stealth aircraft. If a surprise attack is indeed carried out, swiftly striking and achieving results, it could entirely produce such an outcome.
Currently, the wreckage of the A-50 has not been found, and it’s unknown what missile hit it. Unlike the IL-22 previously, where holes of varying sizes were seen on the tail, definitely caused by missiles. If it was an air-to-air missile, there wouldn’t be much commotion, but there would certainly be characteristics of such a missile.
This time, it cannot be ruled out that the United States created a new precedent in aerial warfare by stealthily attacking early warning aircraft in Ukraine using the F-35. This is something we should pay attention to.
Because there are many countries with early warning aircraft. But from the current perspective, these aircraft have a big vulnerability: they are big targets, slow, and lack defenses. If various arms cannot provide adequate cover, it’s possible that these early warning aircraft wouldn’t even have protection.
In such a situation, if the opponent exploits a loophole, especially using weapons with small radar cross-sections, high speeds, and long missile ranges, it’s almost like using a surgical knife, striking and then fleeing. In this scenario, the opponent might not know who attacked, how they attacked, and the direction of the attack.
So, when the F-35 is involved, we have to think a bit more. Even though it’s just speculation that needs confirmation, from the appearance of the F-35 in Zaporizhzhia, it’s evident that it’s in the southern region of Ukraine, close to the Sea of Azov. Considering its speed and range, the likelihood of shooting down the A-50 in the relevant maritime areas is very high. It also indicates that currently, the United States can indeed engage indirectly and covertly in warfare, utilizing stealth equipment.
What Secretary Austin said was not a lie, saying that if Ukraine loses, we will directly engage with Russia. In reality, indirect engagement has already begun. If we remove the word “indirect,” numerous Western countries, under the pretext of mercenaries, support, cover, and engineers, have already arrived in Ukraine. Zakharova said, “We are at war with 84 countries.”
From this perspective, the possibility of the F-35 shooting down the A-50 early warning aircraft in the direction of Zaporizhzhia indeed exists. But whether it’s true or false, we still need evidence, and it will take time to make a judgment. (Du Wenlong)