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LTTE exploit flaws in Sri Lankan air defence to launch airstrikes
Hindustan Times ^ | April 30, 2007 | PK Balachandran,

Posted on 04/30/2007 8:19:44 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

Tigers exploit flaws in Lankan air defence

PK Balachandran, Hindustan Times Colombo, April 30, 2007

They are like David and Goliath. The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) has a fair sized fleet of Kfir, MIG 27 and Y-8 bombers, MI-17 and MI-24 choppers, and AN-32 transport aircraft. In contrast, the LTTE's air arm, christened Tamileelam Air Force (TUF), is a puny, single digit fleet of propeller-driven and locally assembled Zlin Z-142s of Czech design.

And yet, the fledgling Flying Tigers have been able to infiltrate hundreds of kilometres of government-held territory, attack key military and strategic targets, and get back to base unscathed. This has happened three times in a row so far, clearly suggesting that Sri Lanka's air defence system is totally unsuited to the task before it.

This should cause concern in New Delhi and Washington also, since India and the US had taken the initiative in alerting the Sri Lankans about the potential threat from the skies. India had even provided, free of cost, a radar system for the defence of Colombo, the nerve centre of the Sri Lankan military, and the site of the island's only international harbour.

Defence experts say that the SLAF lacks night operational capability and air to air fighting capability. The SLAF had never planned for a day when its planes would face opposition from enemy aircraft, although there had been a warning about such a threat by an US Pacific Command team in 2002, and by Iqbal Athas, the defence correspondent of Sunday Times since 2005.

The SLAF has fast jet aircraft like Kfirs and MIG-27s which are basically used as bombers to take on static targets on the ground. Air-to-air combat was never envisaged, and suitable equipment was not acquired.

"MIGs and Kfirs are too fast and fly too high to take on the slow moving LTTE aircraft. What the SLAF needs is to envisage a World War II type of situation in which aircraft would go behind the enemy and shoot him down," said a foreign diplomat.

Prasun Sengupta, contributing editor of the Malaysian security affairs magazine Tempur says that Kfirs and MIG-27 can take to the air in less than 2 minutes, but only if they are on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA). But for the kind of threat faced by Sri Lanka QRA may be too expensive. At any rate, using aircraft of the kind SLAF has, in the context of the current threat, does not make sense.

The SLAF's Chinese-built K-8 bombers are ideal for the kind of air operations required, but there are so few of them. "It might be sensible to buy aircraft like Zlin-Z-142 The fly is best swatted by a simple fly swatter and not a sledge hammer!" an expert said.

The lack of night operational capability is glaring. Only the K-8s have it. But SLAF pilots don't have Night Vision Goggles (NVG). "On Sunday, K-8s took to the air to intercept the LTTE's aircraft, but the intruders could not be found because it was too dark!" the expert pointed out.

The LTTE is aware of this and has staged all its air attacks at night. Apparently, its aircraft and pilots have night operational capability.

Sengupta suggests the use of low-level air defence radars and shoulder-held missiles like the Russian IGLA-8. But the Indians say that the 2D radars given by them are adequate. "No ground radar can be totally accurate. In addition, aircraft must have their own radars to pin point the enemy," said an Indian defence expert. SLAF aircraft don't have this capability.

US Pacific Command had said in 2002, that the SLAF should stop purchasing expensive new aircraft. On the other hand, it should upgrade the existing fleet suitably and spend a lot on spare parts to keep it fighting fit. A large fleet is useless if much of it is grounded for want of spares.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: india; ltte; srilanka; tamil; tamiltigers
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To: Gengis Khan
Why don't you say it louder and clearer if you are for or against the independence Balochistan and Sindhudesh and Pakhtunkwa?

It's not my decision, or yours. It's the choice of the people there.

61 posted on 05/18/2007 1:36:46 PM PDT by TBP
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To: TBP
“It’s not my decision, or yours. It’s the choice of the people there.”

Doesn't that apply to Punjab and Kashmir as well. Or in that case the people have no say whatsoever only the opinion of the Paki Army matters?

62 posted on 05/18/2007 2:01:40 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: Gengis Khan

I have not really studied the situation there.

Oppression anywhere is wrong. If the people there are suffering under oppression, then of course they should try to do whatever they can about it. As a culturally distinct people they would be entitled to a national identity.

Do they speak a different language? Are they different religiously? Ethnically?

Nations should not be broken up over what Jefferson called “light and transient causes” but the right to your onw self-determination is the essence of democracy and freedom is the birthrigt of all peoples and nations.

Insindh, according to the Washington Times (January 2, 2002), India is sponsoring cross-border terrorism. Since you cite Pakistan’s position in regard to kashmir all the time, will you join me in condemning the cross-border terrorism in Sindh? If Sindh wants independence, tehy should receive moral support (as the Khalistanis ahve received from Islamabad), but they really should do it themselves (again, as with Khalistan.)


63 posted on 05/18/2007 2:08:35 PM PDT by TBP
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To: Gengis Khan
Doesn't that apply to Punjab and Kashmir as well.

Yes, and there are ongoing freedom movements there. They have made the world aware of the oppression against them. I am familiar enough with their situation to ahve an opinion. I am not as familiar with the Balochis or Sindhis' situation. However, the same principles apply.

64 posted on 05/18/2007 2:10:22 PM PDT by TBP
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To: TBP
“I have not really studied the situation there.”

Why not? The nobody paid you to do that? Have you heard nothing about the genocide in Balochistan and Sindh? What world are you living in?

“Do they speak a different language? Are they different religiously? Ethnically?”

Yes they speak Balochi and Sindhi which are completely different from Urdu or Punjabi. Ethnically too they are different. They have a distinctly different culture. They also don't follow the Wahhibi brand of Islam that the Pakistani establishment follow.

“Nations should not be broken up over what Jefferson called “light and transient causes” but the right to your onw self-determination is the essence of democracy and freedom is the birthrigt of all peoples and nations.”

So doesn't that apply on the Sindhis, Balochis and Mohajirs? dont they have the right to self-determination? Dont they have a right to democracy and freedom?

Since you want me to condemn Indian excess in Kashmir and Punjab wont you join me in condemning Pakistani army genocide in Balochistan and Sindh?

65 posted on 05/18/2007 3:57:42 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: TBP

“I am not as familiar with the Balochis or Sindhis’ situation.”

Why not? You have no concern for the Balochis and Sindhis? Dont they qualify as human beings or are they only there to be cannon fodder for the Pakistani Army?


66 posted on 05/18/2007 3:59:48 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: Gengis Khan

I already hve condemned it. Ylou either weren’t paying attention or your narrow little Hindutva blinders didn’t allow you to catch that.

As I said, I’m not an expert on Balochistan and Sindh, but from what I can gather I’d certainly be for independence there. Ultimately, however, it’s their decision to make. Not yours, not mine, not India’s, not Pakistan’s. They have to want independence. Self-determination is making that choice.

The same principles apply there as apply to Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagaland, etc. What I would be for is self-determination. Why not just have a vote on the issue? Wouldn’t that be the most likely way to end the violence?


67 posted on 05/18/2007 5:10:21 PM PDT by TBP
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To: TBP
“Why not just have a vote on the issue? Wouldn’t that be the most likely way to end the violence?”

I most certainly agree. Why not write about it to your pay-masters? In India at least we get to vote every 5 years. Those poor schmucks under Pakistani occupation don't know anything about basic human right let alone voting, free-speech or democracy. I doubt they would ever be allowed to vote. Pakistani army would start crushing them altogether if at all the attempt any such thing like how they killed 3 million people in East Pakistan when they were asserting their right to self-determination. Why would Pakistan allow people to vote and be free? They would try to subvert any such attempt. The Balochis, Sindhis, Mohajirs and Pakhtuns need an a free and conducive environment where they can freely vote without any fear of the Pakistani army. Dont you agree? Dont you think Balochis, Sindhis, Mohajirs and Pakhtuns should be allowed to vote without fear and beyond the control of the Pakistani army? I would like to know your views.

68 posted on 05/19/2007 2:03:15 PM PDT by Gengis Khan
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To: Gengis Khan
Dont you think Balochis, Sindhis, Mohajirs and Pakhtuns should be allowed to vote without fear

Yes, and I also think that Khalistanis, Kashmiris, Nagas, etc., ought to be able to vote on independence. Without fear and without tampering. I think all these votes should be monitored for fairness, if only because the people voting don't trust the people conducting the vote.

69 posted on 05/20/2007 10:29:12 PM PDT by TBP
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