Pentagon F-22s to Middle East Will “Counter” Russian Su-35s Over Syria

by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

The Pentagon’s long-standing strategy in Ukraine has been deliberately focused on preventing any kind of direct air-to-air combat between US and Russian aircraft over or near Ukraine.  Clearly a wish to avoid escalation was a key part of decisions not to set up a no-fly-zone during the early months of the war, and of course a key interesting in preventing war with Russia is likely why it has taken so long for F-16s. Abrams tanks and other key weapons systems to arrive. 

However, what if Russian and US fighter jets actually collided or engaged in combat in the Middle East? The concern is real and a key reason why US Central Command has recently sent F-22s to the Middle East in response to provocative Russian behavior over Syria. 

US-Russian tensions have escalated over Syria after several Su-35 fighter jets flew “dangerously” close to several US F-16s in what was a breach of established safety protocol between the two countries.

The long established protocol is naturally designed to prevent miscommunication or conflict between the two countries, both of which have been operating in the same airspace.

While specifics related to operational decisions are at times withheld for security reasons, the Pentagon decision to send F-22s to the Middle East may be a response to increased US-Russian tensions over shared airspace.

A statement from US Central Command was quite specific about the rationale for sending F-22s, indicating that the decision was in large measure a response to what the statement referred to as “unprofessional” and “provocative” behavior.

Several US Air Force videos released in April show two Russian Su-35s veering dangerously close to US F-16s, incidents caught on camera by F-16 cameras. When discussing the incident on NBC news, Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Combined Forces Air Component Commander for US Central Command, said Russian planes dangerously came within 500-feet of US F-16. This is a direct and flagrant violation of existing rules and protocol which specify a need for “miles wide” deconfliction zones, according to an essay in the Air Force Times, which also says US and Russian air commanders share a “hotline” to discuss and avoid miscalculations.