Why Did US Buy Old Soviet Aircraft from Kazakhstan?
In October Kazakhstan offered 117 old Soviet-era combat aircraft for sale by auction and it has now been reported that the US has bought 81 of them through offshore intermediaries.
by Steve Brown | April 28, 2024, 9:59 am
Steve Brown
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The US has acquired 81 obsolete Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan, a report from the Kyiv Post says.
Kazakhstan, which is upgrading its air fleet, auctioned off 117 Soviet-era fighter and bomber aircraft, including MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers from the 1970s and 1980s.
The Kyiv Post reported that the declared sale value was one billion Kazakhstani tenge, or $2.26 million, equalling an average value for each plane of $19,300.
The outlet cited reports from the Ukrainian Telegram channel Insider UA and the Russian news site Reporter saying the US purchased 81 of the aged, unusable warplanes.
The Kyiv Post reported that the motive behind the US purchase remained undisclosed but that the aircraft could be used in Ukraine, where similar aircraft are in service.
Given Ukraine's continued reliance on Soviet-era weapons, the aircraft could either serve as a source of spare parts or be strategically deployed as decoys at airfields, the Kyiv Post reported.
Kazakhstan, which is upgrading its air fleet, auctioned off 117 Soviet-era fighter and bomber aircraft, including MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers from the 1970s and 1980s.
The Kyiv Post reported that the declared sale value was one billion Kazakhstani tenge, or $2.26 million, equalling an average value for each plane of $19,300.
The outlet cited reports from the Ukrainian Telegram channel Insider UA and the Russian news site Reporter saying the US purchased 81 of the aged, unusable warplanes.
The Kyiv Post reported that the motive behind the US purchase remained undisclosed but that the aircraft could be used in Ukraine, where similar aircraft are in service.
- The Russian site Reporter said the sale was made through offshore companies.
Given Ukraine's continued reliance on Soviet-era weapons, the aircraft could either serve as a source of spare parts or be strategically deployed as decoys at airfields, the Kyiv Post reported.
For several years Kazakhstan has been gradually replacing its outdated fleet of Soviet-made combat aircraft with modern versions, such as the Russian Su-30SM multi-role aircraft and has been in discussion with Western manufacturers to source suitable combat platforms.
As part of this process, it was announced in October that the Kazakh government was offering 117 Soviet-era fighter and bomber aircraft for sale by auction.
As part of this process, it was announced in October that the Kazakh government was offering 117 Soviet-era fighter and bomber aircraft for sale by auction.
- This included MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter-bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers produced in the 1970s and 1980s.
- The declared value for the sale was one billion tenge ($1.5 million).
Despite this it was reported on the Russian English language news site Reporter.RU and the Ukrainian Telegram channel Insider UA that the US had recently purchased 81 of the aircraft through offshore entities.
- Among the aircraft transferred under the scheme were MiG-27, MiG-29 and Su-24.
- The suggestion is that the the Armed Forces of Ukraine(AFU) would disassemble them for spare parts or even use the obsolete airframes as decoys at airfields.
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Previously Ukraine’s Western allies had purchased or transferred a plethora of Soviet military equipment to support and supplement the weaponry already held by the Armed Forces of The Ukraine.
It also seems that Kazakhstan is increasing its ties with Western nations and is attempting to reduce the historic strategic and military links with Moscow, with visits to and from Astana by politicians from countries considered unfriendly to the Russian Federation.
- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Germany, in the autumn of 2023 and insisted that Astana “has clearly stated that it will follow the sanctions regime. [against Russia].”
- Tokayev also said Kazakhstan was not “anti-Russia” and valued “comprehensive cooperation with Russia, with which we share the [second] longest border in the world.”
- Cameron mentioned that Kazakhstan is surrounded by difficult neighbors – Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Iran and offered London’s support to deal with issues that arise in this difficult region.
US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says
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