Russian military planes 'disrupted UK aviation'

[Skybird]

I really wonder what should be demonstrated, trained, proven or tested by flights like this, into such locations. In case of a big war with Russia - heavy bombers trying to survive making it to the channel..? C'mon. In wartimes, they would be intercepted far, far away from 6 mile zones - they would get shot down as early and far away as possible. Maybe even already on the Russian side of the frontline.

The Channel is not the Eastern Baltic or the North Cape.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I really wonder what should be demonstrated, trained, proven or tested by flights like this, into such locations. In case of a big war with Russia - heavy bombers trying to survive making it to the channel..? C'mon. In wartimes, they would be intercepted far, far away from 6 mile zones - they would get shot down as early and far away as possible. Maybe even already on the Russian side of the frontline.

The Channel is not the Eastern Baltic or the North Cape.

I think there are 3 reasons for that.
First is that Putin wants to show he's still there to both NATO and his own people.
Second they can clock the reaction time of NATO air defenses.
Third the bombers can have electronic reconnaissance equipment to have a look at Britain's coast or just to practice operating it in a "live environment".

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I think there are 3 reasons for that.
First is that Putin wants to show he's still there to both NATO and his own people.
Second they can clock the reaction time of NATO air defenses.
Third the bombers can have electronic reconnaissance equipment to have a look at Britain's coast or just to practice operating it in a "live environment".

Fourth: The public inquest into the death of Alexander Litvenenko started this week.

[mapuc]

Some question

1. Did Russia/Sovjet do the same during the cold war ?

2. If yes in question 1. Has there been any changes in the way they act ?

Markus

Originally Posted by mapuc

Some question

1. Did Russia/Sovjet do the same during the cold war ?

2. If yes in question 1. Has there been any changes in the way they act ?

Markus

1. Yes, all the time.

2. It largely stopped for a period after the fall of the Soviet Union, and has gradually climbed back up again. The degree to which this reflects changing political or military concerns is open to debate. I suspect that a lot of it is simply down to the military (east and west) liking to have something to keep themselves occupied, to (supposedly) justify their enormous budgets. Even in the darkest Cold War days, the Soviets knew their aircraft were going to be intercepted, and also knew that they would be sitting ducks if they did anything overtly warlike. It probably helped with ElInt, but terms of actual military significance, it probably amounts to little more than ceremonial display - an airborne version of this:

[ikalugin]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Fourth: The public inquest into the death of Alexander Litvenenko started this week.

Again?

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

Again?

It's the biggest espionage thing to happen in the UK since Mr Ricin umbrella The other inquiries were standard affairs, but this one is a public one, announced after the events in the Ukraine...funny that, eh? Political footballs and that.

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

LOL



They sure do but not in my scale (1/72) or collection theme (Post WWII British).

http://www.diecastairplane.com/store/c/8422-TU-95.html

Nice...but at that price I could probably buy the full sized version...

[Betonov]

You all worry too much.
The Russians aren't coming.

Although, a rearnement in Europe would be good for the economy. More employment and domestic production

I always wanted to work in a weapons factory....


THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Betonov

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good film that.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Nice...but at that price I could probably buy the full sized version...

Give it another decade at most and you probably will

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I think there are 3 reasons for that.
First is that Putin wants to show he's still there to both NATO and his own people.
Second they can clock the reaction time of NATO air defenses.
Third the bombers can have electronic reconnaissance equipment to have a look at Britain's coast or just to practice operating it in a "live environment".

The first is militarily irrelevant, and two and three: well, okay in regions of operational interest - but the Channel...?

The day when under wartime conditions Russian heavy bombers the size of these planes can reach the channel (without having overrolled continental Europe first and standing in division size in Rotterdam and Calais), will be the day I will vote for saving money and dismantle NATO, for then I would know that NATO could not be trusted to get even the most obvious tasks done.

[ikalugin]

To go on a tangent, did the European defence procurement programs change with the recent events, as, if I remember it right, there was a movement in reduction of land forces.

[Skybird]

The words to do so have been said, whether they will be followed by money, remaisn to be seen. Some Eastern Europeans have raised their defence budgets for sure.

The German forces are a shadow only of their former self (cold war comparison I mean, not WWII). I currently would have more trust in the Polish army, than in ours. Serious, I do not mean that as a joke.

[ikalugin]

Originally Posted by Skybird

The words to do so have been said, whether they will be followed by money, remaisn to be seen. Some Eastern Europeans have raised their defence budgets for sure.

The German forces are a shadow only of their former self (cold war comparison I mean, not WWII). I currently would have more trust in the Polish army, than in ours. Serious, I do not mean that as a joke.

Specifics would be welcome, as we appear to keep our rearmament program going despite the economical situation.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I really wonder what should be demonstrated, trained, proven or tested by flights like this, into such locations. In case of a big war with Russia - heavy bombers trying to survive making it to the channel..? C'mon. In wartimes, they would be intercepted far, far away from 6 mile zones - they would get shot down as early and far away as possible. Maybe even already on the Russian side of the frontline.

The Channel is not the Eastern Baltic or the North Cape.

True that but they can carry the AS-15 Kent which has a range of 3000km meaning interceptions would need to be made in a timely fashion and a long way from home shores.