No-fly zone over Libya
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Ananda
The Bunker Group
Sarkozy has no other option. He's already bet all future French interest in Libya with the Rebels, by recognizing the rebels as Libyan government when everybody else still wait and see.
For French with Sarkozy..well it's the rebel or nothing.
I would not at all be surprised if this is how Gaddafi plays it, giving the UN and NATO as little room as possible to get involved.
I heard the same, but I'm not sure how the days are numbered.
I've read thru only the last 2 or 3 pages, looking for something that is some what appropriate.
To aid discussions, I've found a map, prepared by a blogger who regulary reads & comments on various threads on this site.
Hopefully this will help give the 'right-impression' for those trying to understand distances & areas....
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-.../s1600/Libyan+No+Fly+Zone+Potential+Bases.bmp
BIG hat-tip to Grand Logistics & his blog, where I've 'borrowed' this from....
SA
Grand Danois
Entertainer
6 Danish F-16s and a transport are deploying to Sigonella (Sicily) this night and Saturday morning and should all be there by midday. Ready for action noon Sunday.
RubiconNZ
The Wanderer
Am I correct in believing this the first Europe led intervention since early 1990's Bosinia? It's very interesting watching all this pan out.
Not to mention the Canadians are sending Fighters which is something of a surprise for me, interesting on the Australian end Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has been strongly pushing for action yet Australia won't commit any fighters of its own.
Also the SSGN Florida was in sighted near Italy a couple of days ago, a handy little force multiplier to have nearby.
Edit: I just remembered Sierra Leone. So not the first since early Bosnia, but the most multinational?
Not to mention the Canadians are sending Fighters which is something of a surprise for me, interesting on the Australian end Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has been strongly pushing for action yet Australia won't commit any fighters of its own.
Also the SSGN Florida was in sighted near Italy a couple of days ago, a handy little force multiplier to have nearby.
Edit: I just remembered Sierra Leone. So not the first since early Bosnia, but the most multinational?
Ivory Coast 2003 (and possibly again soon). Central African Republic 2006.
As for most multinational, we won't see that many EU members involving themselves here really. At least actively. So far only three in fact, UK/FR/DK.
Grand Danois
Entertainer
I'd add Belgium (6 F-16 currently stationed in Greece), Spain (6 F-18) , Norway & Netherlands will eventually show up with something. And Canada (6 F-18, but not EU).
But a far, far cry from the 300-400 aircraft needed for this.
surpreme
Member
If you think about it they don't need that many to carry out this no fly zone. Correct me if I'm wrong Libya don't have that many air defense and aircrafts. What did the Libyan buy in the last 5 years? I haven't read or heard of anything except a deal with Russia last year I don't remember what happen that's gone down the drain nowNorway isn't EU either
(and 6 aircraft - seriously, the whole of them together can put at most 3 aircraft over Libya on CAP)
Libya did acquire some Fencers not too long ago. They were planning on being the first export customer for the Su-35S, but the deal wasn't signed, and now probably won't for a while. They did sign a deal for either 6 or 12 Yak-130 combat-trainers (the exact number is unclear) but no deliveries were made. So their best fighters should be MiG-23 and MiG-21.
Meanwhile it seems Benghazi is about to fall. Gaddafi's troops have entered the city. Also his air force is still flying sorties despite the UN resolution. At this rate by the time the no-fly zone is enforced, there will be no rebels left, which leaves me wondering... what's the point?
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Meanwhile it seems Benghazi is about to fall. Gaddafi's troops have entered the city. Also his air force is still flying sorties despite the UN resolution. At this rate by the time the no-fly zone is enforced, there will be no rebels left, which leaves me wondering... what's the point?
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For whatever reason, the fact that Gadaffi didn't buy any new medium range AD systems after 2003, when he was welcomed as a 'friend' and 'partner' after giving up his WMD programme, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the air arms that will fly over Libya soon.
Grand Danois
Entertainer
It's not really the 40-80 operational Libyan fighters (on its own) that's the issue. It's the SAM network.
IMINT & Analysis: The Libyan SAM Network
Though equipment is dated, training not in the top and probably a bit disrupted due to the revolt, if Gaddafi decides to stand on his hind legs it's enough that you'll require a conventional roll-back to be able to fly CAP. You don't do that with 4-5 scores of aircraft with these distances to the mission area.
Grand Danois
Entertainer
Just as their fighters will show up, eventually it will be part of EU; civilization will come to them at some point.Norway isn't EU either
(and 6 aircraft - seriously, the whole of them together can put at most 3 aircraft over Libya on CAP)
Yup, the Canadian continginet, including F-18's, a Hercules & possibly even a P3-Orion all arrived in Scotland at Prestwick International Airport, sometime during the hours of darkness last night (18th - 19th March 2011).
I can't confirm quantities, or even if it was P3 (my A/C identification skills are lacking...), but know they arrived, as it was on the BBC News on TV at 7.00am this morning.
(see link to news clip below)
BBC News - Fighter jets poised for action in Libya
SA
russian news site lenta.ru is saying that it was a Mirage
The rebels recognized that the plane belonged to them...
The same news from an AP source is being feeded on several places.