Jordan in Negotiations to Acquire A-10 Warthogs from US Air Force.

Jordan may soon bolster its air fleet with the acquisition of the iconic A-10 Warthogs from the US Air Force. The US Air Force has finally begun reducing its fleet of these attack aircraft. In 2023, 21 A-10s were retired from service, and 42 others will be stored at Davis-Monthan Base in Arizona by the end of the fiscal year. The remaining 218 aircraft will be gradually phased out by 2028 or 2029.
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A-10 Warthogs from the US Air Force. (Picture source: US DoD)

The Fairchild A-10 Warthog, renowned for its powerful 30mm GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun, is a true legend of the Cold War. Designed to destroy Soviet armored vehicles, it proved its worth during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and played a crucial role in Afghanistan and Iraq for close air support of ground troops.

However, General Charles Brown, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, justified the reduction in the number of A-10s by emphasizing that the US Air Force must prepare for increasingly contested environments, requiring versatile aircraft rather than single-mission ones like the A-10.

Despite its gradual withdrawal, the A-10 still garners interest. Ukraine, for example, had expressed a desire to use it against Russian armored vehicles. Nevertheless, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall revealed last April that another country, besides Ukraine, had shown interest in these aircraft. This country is likely Jordan, according to the specialized site The War Zone.

Indeed, the US Senate Armed Services Committee has requested the Pentagon to draft a report on the feasibility and advisability of transferring A-10 Warthogs to Jordan as part of the annual defense policy bill (NDAA) for 2025.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force could greatly benefit from these aircraft, thus enhancing its current fleet, which comprises about 50 F-16s, soon to be increased by 16 others upgraded to the Viper standard, and around ten Air Tractor AT-802s used for reconnaissance and ground attack missions, particularly against terrorism and drug trafficking.

NATO also recently announced the opening of a liaison office in Amman, highlighting Jordan's crucial role as a model of stability and a fighter against transnational threats.

However, Jordan's acquisition of the A-10s presents logistical challenges, especially in terms of maintenance, as some spare parts are now hard to find. Despite this, integrating the A-10 Warthogs could significantly strengthen Jordan's defense and security capabilities.