(Washington) The U.S. military has deployed six aircraft specializing in electronic warfare to Spangdahlem Air Base in southwestern Germany to “improve defense positions” for NATO, the military announced on Monday. Department of Defense.
Posted at 6:41 p.m.
The planes, Navy EA-18G Growlers, “are not deployed for use against Russian forces in Ukraine” and this deployment “does not respond to a threat or an incident”, stressed in a press release the door. – Pentagon spokesman, John Kirby.
The objective of this deployment comes within the framework of “(American) efforts aimed at strengthening the deterrence and defense capabilities on the eastern flank” of the Atlantic Alliance, he added.
The devices are specialized in cyberattack and electromagnetic combat with very significant jamming capabilities. About 240 soldiers – pilots, crews, maintenance – accompany them, according to the Pentagon.
The US administration’s 2023 budget proposal unveiled on Monday includes $6.9 billion to help Ukraine deal with Russia’s invasion of its territory and to support NATO countries.
As the war in Ukraine has raged for more than a month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging NATO countries to provide him with more weapons, including fighter jets, missile defense systems, tanks, armored vehicles and anti-ship missiles.
NATO is supplying the Ukrainians with a steady stream of weapons, including anti-tank rockets, which have helped halt the Russian advance.
But the United States has so far ruled out sending planes to Ukraine. US President Joe Biden says he does not want to cross a red line that would lead to “World War III”, pitting Russia against the Atlantic Alliance, both of which have nuclear weapons.