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Does Ireland need an interceptor?

Lorddrakul · 2017-03-24 19:59:37

With the current posturing going on between east and west, and Bears roaming our airspace, is it time Ireland got itself an interceptor capability, rather than rely on the RAF? Considering the western reaches of our airspace, not to mention the Atlantic tracks for which Irish ATC is responsible, is it practical in a modern…

24-03-2017 08:59PM

#1

Lorddrakul

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With the current posturing going on between east and west, and Bears roaming our airspace, is it time Ireland got itself an interceptor capability, rather than rely on the RAF?

Considering the western reaches of our airspace, not to mention the Atlantic tracks for which Irish ATC is responsible, is it practical in a modern European context (Brexit) to rely on the inner island to provide our air cover?

Would a couple of medium vintage F-16 or F-18s with a mixture of AMRAAMs and Sidewinders be worth keeping active? Or maybe some JAS-39s for use on semi-prepared strips or even motorway off ramps.

Would it really be that expensive to maintain an interceptor force? Say a fleet of six, with three launch ready at any given time?

Thoughts?

LD

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#2 24-03-2017 09:01PM

ED E

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Loads of previous threads on this if you have a search.

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