Protecting Lithuania -

[Silver]

I read in AFM that 4 x Belgian F-16's have been protecting Lithuania since it recently joined NATO.
These F-16's are on 24 hour alert/patrol.
(I believe Lithuania possess 2 or 3 L-39ZA's).

NATO similiarily protects Iceland and Luxembourg.


In theory, would we see RAF jets stationed in Ireland if we ever joined NATO ?

[pilatus]

Lithuania has 6 L-39c/za aircraft.i doubt the RAF would patrol irish skies as they currently are having problems patrolling their own and with the retirement of the sea harrier(RN) and the jaguar in sight aircraft will be at a premium and couple that with the axing of some tornado f3 squadrons and the ever increasing likely hood that the tranche3 eurofighters (88aircraft comprising 75single seaters and 13two seaters)will not be bought would probably mean that we could not expect the RAF to protect our airspace '>

[futurepilot]

Quote (pilatus @ 25 Sep. 2004,10:03)

Lithuania has 6 L-39c/za aircraft.i doubt the RAF would patrol irish skies as they currently are having problems patrolling their own and with the retirement of the sea harrier(RN) and the jaguar in sight aircraft will be at a premium and couple that with the axing of some tornado f3 squadrons and the ever increasing likely hood that the tranche3 eurofighters (88aircraft comprising 75single seaters and 13two seaters)will not be bought would probably mean that we could not expect the RAF to protect our airspace '>

The F3`s wont be gone for a long time yet as they have found a new home as SEAD aircraft. It is probable that the RAF will continue to protect our skies for a good few years to come when asked by Bertie.
We may not have to join NATO to get the sort of protection that Lithuania is getting.The Dutch were going to provide aircover for the Accession Day on May 1st but it was decided they weren`t really needed. With greater European military co-operation we will see our armed forces working closer with European ones and vice versa so its not unlikly that we could see a Lituanian situation happening here.
Of course the best solution would be to buy our own jets but what are the chances of that '>

[Silver]

Interesting views guys.

A correction to my original post - the Belgian F-16's are actually protecting Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

[irishsamourai]

for information
the dansih F16 replace the belgian F16 for QRA for the baltic states since the july 1st for a period of 3 months.

[Fouga]

just out of interest is it true what i was told that your still considered to be in Irish AirSpace when out over the atlantic and further north near Iceland? i personally dont know what to make of this seeing as you look at all the area the Casa guys ( who do a superb job ) cover! what do you reckon? can anybody shed any light?

[sealion]

Irish airspace extends over 200 Miles almost in a straight line from Achill west,and similarly from Mizen head west over 200 miles.
The North West coast would be mostly British airspace,but this is purely for air traffic Control purposes.

I used to have a map of it somewhere..

[Fouga]

you cant find the map and put it up here can you?

[pilatus]

Quote (futurepilot @ 25 Sep. 2004,10:50)

The F3`s wont be gone for a long time yet as they have found a new home as SEAD aircraft.

exactly future pilot a new home in the SEAD(Suppresion of Enemy Airfield Defences)role which means they will be even more stretched as they will have to give up alot of air defence duties to carry out the SEAD role added to a reduction in F3 numbers means the RAF would have stil less air defence aircraft and in the event of us needing to ask for foreign fighters to defend our airspace it would be most likely milldenhall F-15 Eagles as they are not part of Britains air defence structure.

[sealion]

Quote (Fouga @ 27 Sep. 2004,12:04)

you cant find the map and put it up here can you?

[Silver]

Hey sealion, Frank,

Would it be possible to put that map somewhere on the site for future reference by site users.

Perhaps a "reference" section ?

Cheers,
Silver.

[futurepilot]

Quote (pilatus @ 27 Sep. 2004,19:27)

exactly future pilot a new home in the SEAD(Suppresion of Enemy Airfield Defences)role which means they will be even more stretched as they will have to give up alot of air defence duties to carry out the SEAD role added to a reduction in F3 numbers means the RAF would have stil less air defence aircraft and in the event of us needing to ask for foreign fighters to defend our airspace it would be most likely milldenhall F-15 Eagles as they are not part of Britains air defence structure.

When the F3s are in Britain they will not be SEAD aircraft except for training and as such will be able to be called in to provide air defence for several years to come at least.
I doubt the F15`s will be called in unless its a serious emergency because it would be a political nightmare if American jets were patrolling our airspace.

[pilatus]

Quote (futurepilot @ 29 Sep. 2004,07:14)

When the F3s are in Britain they will not be SEAD aircraft except for training and as such will be able to be called in to provide air defence for several years to come at least. I doubt the F15`s will be called in unless its a serious emergency because it would be a political nightmare if American jets were patrolling our airspace.

exactly when they are in Britain which with the current uk foreign policy they could be in Britain only to be serviced as a string of new conflicts could potentially pop up in the next decade!there is talk of a number of F-3s being converted to fullfil the role on a full time basis SEAD especailly with eurofighter orders for the third batch or tranche it is being called in the uk uncertain and it was tranche3 aircraft that would primarly undertake air2ground roles so if they are cancelled they could be changed from F3 to RF3s '>

[Fouga]

i understand it seems that the RAF are not so keen now to buy Eurofighter or alot of them is that true?

[Frank]

Hi Guys,

I heard on the news last night that when the Olympic jetliner was diverted into Shannon a few days ago because of the bomb scare it was escorted in by RAF fighters.


Regards,

Frank.