'Sharkey' Ward says that the Falklands are vulnerable.
Commander Nigel 'Sharkey' Ward DSC AFC RN commanded RNAS 801 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Invincible during the Falklands War during April to June 1982, and was senior Sea Harrier adviser to the Command on the tactics, direction and progress of the air war. Commander Ward flew over sixty war missions, achieved three air-to-air kills and took part in or witnessed a total of ten kills; he was also the leading night pilot, and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. Cdr. Ward's main Sea Harrier mount during the Falkands War was XZ451, which was built on 18 June 1979 and was the first RN Sea Harrier delivered. Cdr. Ward also shot down an Argentine Air Force IAI Mirage V "Dagger" in Sea Harrier FRS.1, ZA175.This from the Phoenix Think Tanks...
Stop Press: October 10th, 2010.Read the rest and get depressed.
· The Argentine navy just harassed another trawler at the limit of Falklands territorial waters, without ‘our garrison’ putting in an appearance – the Typhoons were nowhere to be seen. Is this evidence that the Argentine Navy (and hence other Argentine vessels) can come and go as they choose without detection or interception? How capable is our current surveillance of the EEZ? Are we relying on a fighter aircraft that has little or no surface surveillance capability?
· It is understood that the Nimrod MPA cannot operate from the Mount Pleasant runway because of the latter’s “uneven surface”. Our principal land-based maritime surveillance aircraft, postulated by the Royal Air Force as having a worldwide capability, appears therefore to be unsuitable for and incapable of satisfying the Falkland Islands EEZ airborne surveillance need. (Perhaps there is another explanation for this serious shortfall in land-based air power operational capability. If so, it should be explained.)
· Subject to satisfactory answers to the above questions/problems, it would appear that yet again the public and the government are being kept “in the dark” by an air force that claims better operational capability than the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm but ‘when push comes to shove’ is unable to match words with deeds.[2]
· These questions need to be answered.
Planned Argentine Military Resources
The British Government should take serious note of the major military air procurement program now underway in Argentina.
· An order for up to 128 F-15C and F-15E Strike Eagle fighters has been made from the USA with delivery due to begin in the 2017/18 timeframe . The F-15C Eagle’s passive IRST sensor system, used alone or in concert with existing F-15 sensors, provides unprecedented on-board situational awareness while detecting, identifying and engaging enemy targets at extended ranges. The IRST system’s high-angle accuracy also provides the ability to track closely-spaced targets at maximum ranges. This information can be used alone or combined with other sensor data to further enhance the pilot’s situational awareness.
· A further order for Landing Craft Air Cushion Vehicles (LCACs) – hovercraft – has been made. They are seagoing vehicles with the capacity to deliver stores and ammunition to the islands from the mainland at high speed – and remain invulnerable to attack by SSN torpedoes.
· The latest version of the Mirage F1 air to air fighter aircraft has also been ordered from France and there are amphibious warfare oriented Hind gunships in the pipeline from Russia. Hinds are combat-proven against light sea surface and land vehicles.
Such a major military air resources build-up can have only one aim in mind: retaking the Falklands. (The purchase of the LCACs in particular is a very good indicator of this.)
If a warrior is telling you that you're vulnerable, you might want to check your six.
UK, one of your warriors is trying to tell you just that. It might be wise to listen.
Note:
Interesting that hostilities (limited though they may be) have occurred as recently as late last year. A history check would lead one to note that limited activities as are described in the article led up to hostilities back in 82.
