Quote:
Originally Posted by VarSity
Not even Rapier dotted around? Seems somehow a bad idea not to have them. Especially now, I mean would they be able to intercept a hijacked plane from one of the London Airports before if hits the Palace of Westminster?
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Rapier isn`t used to defend a City I am afraid. A few airfields had Rapier for defence after the last Bloodhound SAM units were sent to museums, way back when.
RAF regiment I think. I don`t know if Rapier units are still used in that role anymore.
AFAIK, we just rely on Southern and Northern Q` with F.3 and Typhoon.
As far as for dealing with hijacked airliners, procedures are in place but are secret, for obvious reasons. The decision to shoot down a civil airliner comes right from cabinet level, not for the pilots on scene to decide, they are probably very happy about that too!
As GAU said, anything juicy will remain in the shadows, not a good idea to telegraph our intentions or tell scumbags how to circumvent our/any defenses. One thing I worry about is the constant cut backs, smaller radar sites being closed over the years, along with bases, its the peace dividend you see, although you do get some mobile sites popping up in the country-side now and again, here and there I am told!