Unknown Need for the Planes
Currently, no reports have been made on the reason for the United States purchasing so many combat aircrafts.
Source: Boevaya mashina/Wikipedia Commons
Some experts have speculated that the planes might be used for spare parts or as decoys in high conflict regions, as reported by the Kyiv Post.
Russian Ally Upgrading Its Air Fleet
Kazakhstan allegedly sold the planes after needing to upgrade their current combat planes.
Source: Mikoyan-Gurevich NATO/Wikipedia Commons
The country auctioned off 117 Soviet-era combat fighter jets and bomber aircrafts. The planes included are MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers from the 70s and 80s. These styles of planes have been long out of date.
Declared Value of the Fighter Jets
After reporting the price for the planes, the United States quickly placed a bid on the low priced fighter jets and bombers.
Source: Gary Wann/Unsplash
Kazakhstan reported the sales value for all 117 planes as one billion tenge (Kazakhstan currency), or $2.26 million. Each plane was then sold off for roughly $19,300.
The Planes Are Ultimately Unusable
The same report out of Kyiv stated that the U.S purchased 81 of the aging and unusable warplanes.
Source: @DOGIRUSSIA/X
Although the planes are essentially worthless, they can still add value to the United State’s assistance in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
Possible Use for the Warplanes
Although the United States certainly wouldn’t have any use for non-functioning Soviet-era bomber jets, the plane’s bodies can still be put to use in Ukraine.
Source: Jakub Halun/Wikipedia Commons
Similar jets and fighter planes are still being used in the war-torn country. The Reports say that the aircrafts could be used as similar planes are still in service. The shells of the planes could easily be used as decoy jets when undergoing dangerous missions.
Planes Allegedly Purchased Through an Offshore Company
After the sale was first recorded, a Russian based news paper, the Reporter, has alleged that the United States purchased the planes through an off-shore company.
Source: Matti Blume/Wikipedia Commons
An off-shore company is a business that takes place outside of the physical location. They can often be used to purchase and sell things through a more private channel. The U.S. would want to do so to draw suspicion away from themselves during a time of conflict.
Both Countries Are Denying the Accusations
The Pentagon and Kazakhstan officials have denied the reports that they have allowed the United States, a known ally of Ukraine, to purchase the planes.
Source: U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Biverta
They released a statement claiming that they would not allow foreign companies to bid on the planes.
Ukraine Continues Long-Standing Use of Soviet-Era Weapons
Although Ukraine is just as advanced as many Western nations, during their war effort, they continue to rely on Soviet-era weapons and large machinery.
Source: Eugene Z/Unsplash
The weapons are usually in somewhat working order and much less expensive for the country to purchase instead of brand-new weaponry. However, they need to make massive upgrades to have a chance against countries using state of the art weapons and gear.
Use of Frankenstein Air-Defense Systems
Back in December, the Ukrainian Government issued a statement about their use of the improvised “FrankenSAM” air defense systems operating on the front lines of the conflict. SAM stands for surface-to-air missile.
Source: Dr. Kishan Patel/Unsplash
The system is called such because it’s made of different machines stuck together. The hybrid weapons are often made with support of the United States.
Could the Planes Be Another Frankenstein Project?
Many experts have speculated that the United States purchasing the planes could be another way for the super-power to lend support to Ukraine.
Source: Rob Schleiffert/Wikipedia Commons
As many of the planes used by Ukraine are the same model of the planes sold by Kazakhstan, they could be used for parts of decoy missions.
Kazakhstan Has Close Ties to Russia
What used to be a part of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan has chosen over the years to continue to align themselves with Russia.
Source: Rob Shleiffert/Wikipedia Commons
However, since Russia invaded Ukraine, the country has attempted to separate in an act of self-preservation. Selling the fighter jets to the U.S. in order to support Ukrainian war efforts could cause conflict for the large Asian country.