Air Power 2017

IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST – AT HOME AND ABROAD

21 ST CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS AIR POWER 2017 41

RAF jets scrambled

in May this year after

two Russian planes

entered UK airspace

(PHOTO: © CROWN

COPYRIGHT)

London Olympics [when Typhoons were detached
to RAF Northolt, west London, to be closer to the
Olympic stadium in the event of a suspected air
attack ] we have carried with us ever since.”
The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review
decreed that two extra Typhoon squadrons should
be formed – taking the total to seven – to bolster
the UK’s air defences. These are scheduled to form
in 2018-19 and will be Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft.
“These are multirole aircraft, but have a different suite
of weapons than Tranche 2 and 3,” says Mayhew.
“At the moment, we’re taking a long look at the
capability of these Tranche 1s to ensure we get the
right systems in play for the longevity of the aircraft.”

THE FALKLAND ISLANDS QRA

“The RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) is the core of the defence of the Falkland Islands,

and ensures there is a rapid response to any perceived incursion. Its capability is

sufficient to deter, as well as defend the airfield to enable reinforcement in times of

heightened tensions. Its interoperability with other assets is a key part of the task,”

explains Mike Summers OBE, Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly.

Mike is a big fan of the RAF jets, as are the islanders: “Falkland Islanders love the

fast jets that have provided our defence for over three decades, from the Phantom

to the Tornado and now the Typhoon. The sight and sound of the fast jets on

exercise is regularly referred to as the sound of freedom.” Summers is in no doubt

about the significance of the UK military presence: “Without the presence of

the UK forces, including the QRA capability, there would be no sense of security

in the Falkland Islands, and little confidence to continue with the economic

development programmes that have seen us prosper since the war. We have

moved from a position of dependency to one of economic self-sufficiency (save

for the cost of defence), and a very high level of internal self-government.”

A combination of agriculture, fishing and tourism makes the Islands economically

viable, and the promise of hydrocarbons would enhance that success. But, as

Summers points out, “None of this investment comes without the necessary

security, and all this together underpins the right to self-determination

of the Islands that the UK Government has pledged to defend.”

Several other branches of the Services play

their part in the UK’s QRA role. The Air Surveillance

and Control Systems (ASACS) Force is responsible

for compiling a ‘recognised air picture’, using

ground-based, aerial and naval radars.

The ground-based radars are undergoing a

recapitalisation programme under Project Marshall.

The Boeing E-3D Sentry force, which carries the

airborne radars, is going through a sustainment

package that will determine what is needed to

keep the aircraft effective. At sea, the Royal Navy’s

extremely powerful Sampson and S1850M radars

on board the Type 45 destroyers also contribute

to building the recognised air picture.