Let’s not exaggerate. It is true enough that E-3 AWACS aircraft are involved in some of these S-American interdiction operations but a lot of them are done with AEW assets that are significantly less pricy than top-of-the-line AWACS aircraft. Having an E-3 is nice but for this job it’s hardly a perequesite. PhantomII is right, the K-8 is more than adequate for interception and there is a whole line of AEW systems that could coordinate them interception efforts and they are available for a fraction of the price of an E-3.

I wasn’t suggesting that what Sri Lanka needs is an E-3 nor was I suggesting that any shootdown involves a wide variety of AEW assets. However, there is a need for some kind of radar coverage to enable an intruder to be picked up and at low level. Does Sri Lanka have this? Possibly yes, possibly no. You can have all the fighters, armed trainers etc you like up in the air but if you have a low flying terrain hugging aircraft flying at night you might never know it’s out and about until it is too late.

And the sad fact is that they managed it once, which once too often.

I assume you’re not aware of the fact that drug running light aircraft have been shot down fairly regularly by various air forces in South American using small jets like the A-37 or turboprops like the Tucano. Why should the K-8 be any different?

A Pucara or Bronco would be an even better solution than the K-8, although I don’t remember hearing that the SLAF operated any of either type.

Although quite expensive, something like the Brazilian ALX is a great aircraft to intercept light planes because with an NVG cockpit and fuselage mounted FLIR, it can engage intruding aircraft day or night.

Yes, I am well aware of that fact, thanks. I’m also well aware of E-3 AWACS and assorted other AEW assets being involved in such incidents – something that Sri Lanka doesn’t have.

Err, can I be the one to put my head above the parapet to ask the obvious question?

How come a single engined military fighter maintained and flown regularly in active service might be considered less safe than a four engined aircraft which has not flown since 1993 and, with less than three months to go to the flypast, has not made it into the air yet?

i’ve no axe to grind either way, but it just seems curious to me.

Ah the days when 849 were based at Lossiemouth and we used to get Navair flights going over on the top of Turnhouse with various Gannet COD aircraft.

You can add me to that list as well *confirmed as mental*

They and the B737s also pictured are used on transporting workers in daily from Las Vegas and to/from the TTR

What, this one? Didn’t there used to be a civil one based in Belgium a few years ago?