Russia Compares Its Military Strength With Western Airspace Violations

Military Technology ^ | 4/06/2010 | Military Technology

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

In the most recent reported incident, two Tu160 Blackjack bombers, capable of travelling at 2,220kmph and carrying up to almost 40,000kg of ordnance including either cruise or short-range nuclear missiles, infiltrated British airspace over Northern Scotland on March 10.

In this case, the Tu160s were intercepted by two RAF Tornado F3 fighters and, after a four hour stand-off, the Russian long-range bombers eventually left the borders of UK airspace and the RAF planes returned to base.

The incident over Stornaway was far from an isolated case. Defense analysts have been recording a steady increase in airspace violations by Russian military aircraft over the past five years after such incidents dropped off considerably at the end of the Cold War. The RAF admitted afterwards that air crews had been successfully scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft on more than 20 occasions since the start of 2009.

Analysts say that the incursions – increases in which have been recorded over Scandinavia, Northern Britain and in most European countries along the Russian border – have become more aggressive and brazen in recent months and represent a definite change in Russian military behaviour patterns, a sign that the Kremlin is embracing a growing tendency to flex its military muscles in the post-Cold War era.

[Dallas59]

[Lancer_N3502A]

Cut off England and there is no hope for Europe from the outside world.

But at this point, who really cares about Europe?

[Don Corleone]

Time to reinstate the DEW line.

[cpdiii]

It would be better to let the aircraft fly well into British Airspace so there is absolutely no doubt that it is in clear violation, radio it to land and escort it to a British airfield. If they do not comply (they will not) shoot the damn thing down with fighters that you did not send to block its entry but to prevent its escape. The advisory would then glean no information on reaction times and would then have 1 less offensive aircraft.

[cpdiii]

It would be better to let the aircraft fly well into British Airspace so there is absolutely no doubt that it is in clear violation, radio it to land and escort it to a British airfield. If they do not comply (they will not) shoot the damn thing down with fighters that you did not send to block its entry but to prevent its escape. The advisory would then glean no information on reaction times and would then have 1 less offensive aircraft.

[spetznaz]

Actually it is the French who may end up being the hope for Europe. England is far from what it used to be.

Let's just say the French would never let the Iranians kidnap their sailors with a Destroyer not being very far from the incident (pirates tried doing that with French citizens are were killed ....Iranians snatched RN sailors and nothing). Also, the anti-Islamic terrorism laws in France are positively draconian (which is a good thing) and among the toughest, if not the toughest, in the Western world. Judges have almost god-like power against anyone suspected of being an Islamic radical. In Britain a major story a month ago was how squatters moving into houses (whose occupants are out on vacation) cannot be evacuated!

At this point, France is far more serious about national security than the various 'stans' in the UK. It is better to deal with 'youth' (cough cough Islamic) burning up cars (the French scenario), than to have the major center of Islamic radicalism in the West formeting in your cities (the British scenario).

[spetznaz]

Maybe if it was the 1940s ....currently I am surprised the politicians do not force the RAF to surrender to ominious cloud formations!

[Svartalfiar]

I sure do like this idea :) too bad the British aren’t ever gonna try something like this what with their current state of affairs over there

[jpsb]

Yes the French (and the Poles) are Europes best hope now. Jury is still out on the Germans but the Brits have lost it.