I think it's unlikely since pilots are high-value assets of any military, unlike foot soldiers, even elite ones, can be somewhat "expendable", and I bet it will be very difficult to find any real former pilots to take up mercenary jobs because most of them, especially fighter pilots, have well-paid jobs in civilian sectors, why would they risk going fighting in Ukraine?
The War in the Ukraine
- Thread starter SampanViking
- Start date
It's doubtful that every pilot have found well paid civilian (non-merc) jobs. There will always be people willing to fight for money. Besides, NATO don't need their best pilots. IMHO, the limiting factor would be equipment; not pilots.
I don't know about that. A regular infantryman might be willing to play mercenary in the Ukraine out of bloodlust, and risk his life for (relatively) meagre pay. Military pilots and former military pilots get paid well enough to not be drawn by whatever Ukraine might be able to offer, and I doubt they're as mindless as to put their lives on the line for a foreign country based on TV propaganda. There's a reason air force pilots go to space while marines eat crayons.
A different world. Nowadays a pilot has more in common with an IT specialist, and has to devote years of his life to flying. How many would risk all that effort in order to play soldier of fortune for a failing country, when they can browse offers from Emirates or Qatar?
We all remember the videos from 2022 with US soldiers going "Wait, I don't want to go to war, I only signed up for free college!". I doubt pilots would be any different, especially considering the fact that they know there's no air superiority on their side and they'll likely end up shot down or forced to eject, like dozens and hundreds of Ukrainian Su and MiG pilots before them.
We all remember the videos from 2022 with US soldiers going "Wait, I don't want to go to war, I only signed up for free college!". I doubt pilots would be any different, especially considering the fact that they know there's no air superiority on their side and they'll likely end up shot down or forced to eject, like dozens and hundreds of Ukrainian Su and MiG pilots before them.
Commercial pilots in Europe suffer from extremely poor contracts in this day and age. There is a big oversupply of eager pilots straight out of flying school willing to pay the airlines for a chance to get into a flight deck. Last I checked, the Danish AF had gone from being a place you got your training and experience before moving on, to a comparatively well paid career position you hang on to for your entire career. They have little economic incentive to move on to airlines any more.
Not saying otherwise, but since Russian is the one that is gaining ground, Ukrainian deads are far more likely to be left behind and have to be exchanged.
Russian performance in battle might be questionable from time to time. But their recruitment AD never dissapointed.
Ukrainian D-20 howitzer is taken out by two FPV drones. It's bad news if your artillery is taken out by FPV drones. Either the new FPV drones have significantly extended their range, or your front is swiss cheesed to the point, enemy DRGs are deep within your lines and are striking deep into your rear. Both can be possible and not mutually exclusive of each other.
Bradley taken out by Center Group troops.
Ukrainian MLRS trying a shoot and scoot, but gets taken out by a Lancet nonetheless. Shoot and scoot doesn't work anymore. Group North of forces.
Another LMUR hits a Ukrainian hideout or shelter.
Ukrainian drone strike hitting a civilian apartment building in Oryol caught on camera.
Another Ukrainian drone strike in residential area.
Warehouse struck in Morozovsk air field in Rostov region by Ukrainian drone strike.
Buk-M3 takes out ATACMS missile.
Ukrainian firing point gets taken out by a Giantsint-B howitzer. From the video we can see an Orlan lasing, so likely a Krasnopol shell is used at extreme range.
Rare shot of Typhoon-K used as an ambulance.
Bradley taken out by Lancet.
Bradley taken out by Center Group troops.
Ukrainian MLRS trying a shoot and scoot, but gets taken out by a Lancet nonetheless. Shoot and scoot doesn't work anymore. Group North of forces.
Another LMUR hits a Ukrainian hideout or shelter.
Ukrainian drone strike hitting a civilian apartment building in Oryol caught on camera.
Another Ukrainian drone strike in residential area.
Warehouse struck in Morozovsk air field in Rostov region by Ukrainian drone strike.
Buk-M3 takes out ATACMS missile.
Ukrainian firing point gets taken out by a Giantsint-B howitzer. From the video we can see an Orlan lasing, so likely a Krasnopol shell is used at extreme range.
Rare shot of Typhoon-K used as an ambulance.
Bradley taken out by Lancet.