From a detailed analysis carried out by NATO and the USA, it emerges that in a hypothetical conflict against Russia, the former Soviet states would not know how to defend themselves.
The problem arises due to poor resource management resulting from the fall of the USSR. This means that some countries that have joined NATO still depend on Moscow's military hardware and spare parts.
Even more dramatic are the statements made by the Bulgarian interim Defense Minister Velizar Shalamanov to the BBC: "Our military apparatus is from the Soviet era and requires constant maintenance, possible only with spare parts manufactured in Russia".
Shalamanov went further: "All our radar missile defense systems were produced in the former Soviet Union and their operation depends on the revision of engines performed today in Russia". Affirmations that leave room for more than a reflection, if we consider that Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and a member of NATO.
Despite its proximity to the West, at least on paper, Bulgaria has an obsolete and Russian-made military apparatus.
Instead, it could improve the situation of the Bulgarian air force, with the acquisition of used F-16 (from Italy and Greece) and with the purchase of 'Eurofighter' used by Portugal.
In this new race for cheap Western armaments, the fourth-and-a-half fighter of the Swedish SAAB is enjoying great success: the 'Gripen'La Czech Republic, a member of NATO from the 1999, has a lease for 14' Gripen ' up to the 2027. Hungary has also chosen the 'Gripen' with 14 leased for ten years and delivered in the 2007.
Finally, Poland and Slovakia are considering the Swedish fighter to replace the old unusable 'MiG' and 'Sukhoi'.
The scenario that arose in what was once an area of exclusive Russian relevance requires a militarization of the former Soviet satellite states so as to fortify that particular NATO border from any future Russian aggression.
It is likely that obtaining Western aviation technology will become a priority for most of the former Soviet states today (or future) NATO members.
Franco Iacch
