This is buzzing me a bit since the escalation of the peace talks process in Cyprus, which for the first time in nearly 28 years is looking like there is a real possibilty of a peace settlement. I understand that there has been major public pressure from northern Cyprus and Turkey for Rauf Denktash to step down as leader of Northern Cyprus, and I have long considered him to be one of the many big stumbling blocks in the peace process, despite sequential changes of Republic administration in southern Cyprus.
I’ve heard lots of talk of demilitarisation, in particular removal of the Turkish occupation army, and with both sides retaining conscript armies that are already in place.
I would be infuriated to imagine that the Republic is going to start dismantling the core of its aeir force, under pressure of the Turks who want the 12-strong Mi-35P Krokodile force removed.
Every country needs air power to defend itself from attack. Much better to reduce the number of artillery pieces and main battle tanks.
I have long believed that the Republic of Cyprus, in the event of a peace setttlement, should begin reducing its ground-based low-tech approach to defences (mines, towed artillery, MRL’s and outdated tanks), and instead use the masses of defence spending to procure a small, solid Air Force equipped with air-defence fighters and light-attack aircraft to fill the air-defence gap left by the S-300’s.
In charge, I would have been seriously looking at the Sukhoi Su-30Mkk Flanker as my a/d platform, armed with AA-10, AA-11 and AA-12 as standard, with the additional option for self-defence anti-radiation missiles and anti-shipping missiles.
Naturally, this would also require a light-weight fighter platform to supply lead-in training and basic strike operations, which could be well and cheaply fulfiled by the Yak-141A Freestyle, a VSTOL fighter that can land and take off from roads.
Likewise, insteady of dismantling the Hind squadron, much better to maintain it to replace the reduction of outdated MBT’s, and perhaps add a few more to keep up operational numbers. If Turkey is dedicated to a peaceful solution, then it should have nothing to fear from its EU neighbour.
I also believe that the Republic should acquire a dedicated, amphibious fire-fighting / transport aircraft like the Albatross to help fight fires. This could also be supplemented by 2 or 3 additional Mi-26Z Halos, which would be a massive boost in transport capacity.
As its part of the peace treaty, the northern Cypriot domestic forces would be able to maintain their own fleet of aircraft, assuming neither side is prepared to expect invasion from one another anymore.
Launch at Twilight – “Thermal Crossover”
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January 7, 2003 at 11:17 pm