Jens Stoltenberg has claimed that the most advanced allied fighter-bomber aircraft can undermine Russia’s ability to use anti-access/area denial systems, commonly referred to as A2/AD, to jeopardise NATO territory, according to the Washington Examiner.
READ MORE: NATO Has Been Preparing For Collapse of INF Treaty for Months – Report
While noting that there is no “imminent threat” of a Russian invasion, the secretary-general said "the [NATO] fifth-generation fighter jets are extremely capable to be able to deal with A2/AD. So it's not like A2/AD is a kind of 100 percent blockage, it just requires more effort and more advanced systems. And we are investing in those".
Stoltenberg’s comments echoed 2016 remarks by US Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander of US European Command, who said that it was essential to invest in “those capabilities and capacities that allow us to enter into an A2/AD environment and be able to reinforce it”.
Military analyst Dave Majumdar has meanwhile penned an article for The National Interest, suggesting that Gen. Breedlove was referring to the F-22 Raptor and F-35 stealth jets, “which are better able to tackle modern Russia-built advanced integrated” air defence systems, such as the S-300 and S-400.
READ MORE: Turkey to Purchase Russian S-400 Regardless of Potential Patriot Deal With US
Washington has consistently expressed concern over Ankara’s decision to go ahead with the purchase of the Russian air defences, and threatened to block the delivery of US-made F-35s in retaliation.
The Pentagon has been alarmed over the fact that Ankara’s acquisition of S-400s along with F-35s may provide Russian experts with key insights into the radar’s cross sections, flight profile, and other sensitive information related to the fighter jet’s technology.
