Air Defence System:

Mechanism that saved a thousand lives

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

The Sri Lankan air defence system has a short history of only two years. Set up at the end of 2006 Sri Lanka Air Force's Air Defence System is a combination of different security networks. Following the successful mission of destroying the two LTTE suicide aircraft on February 20, an expert group of the SLAF speaks about the Air Defence System and its role. Following are some excerpts of the interview. Names of the Air Force officers cannot be given due to security reasons.

Q: What is the Air Defence System?

A: It is a system which is designed to defend a country from possible air attacks. It is called a ground to air attack system. Which is capable of detecting identifying intercepting and then destroying the enemy craft. It is a complex and vital network the operation of which is kept in high security.

Q: How do you account for its efficiency in the Sri Lanka's context?

A: We established the system at the end of 2006. But actually the concept was mooted in 2005 when the present Air Force Commander was the then Operations Director. Hence, our political leadership had a very good understanding of importance of the system to the country. The present system covers the entire sky area of the country. Within the two years the system was improved at a greater speed. In any country for such a system to adjust to its security requirements. It will take even twenty years perhaps. But, here we managed to meet the challenge just in two years.

Q: Does the system cover the entire country?

A: Yes, it does. The system has two aspects - the equipment and its human resource dimension. Both are equally important to us. But this is a highly advanced system. We have five radar points located in all four directions of the country and we receive intelligence information from the service personnel connected to the system. The system doesn't work on machines alone. We act in close cooperation with the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and the Police as well. This is a team work.

Q: Do you mean to say the system is adequate to secure the country?

A: Yes, it is. When we identify that a threat to the country is loosing we inform the relevant police stations through Police Headquarters and they take the necessary action to switch off the lights in the area and they inform the civilians of the area. Basically they assist us to get ready with defence precautions. This preparation comes only in its last stage. The first step would be either the intelligence information we receive through our human network or detecting the unidentified aircraft in the radar system. Then with the information and the data, we identify the aircraft. And it's a complicated method identifying the aircraft. But it can be done in few minutes. The next step would be interception and last would be attack and destroy if we confirm that the aircraft is a threat. We have placed the anti aircraft guns in selected locations in the country.

Q: If so why couldn't the system destroy the LTTE aircrafts during the previous air raids?

A: This threat from the LTTE is unique in the local context. There is no specific set up for these systems in the world.

The method we should adopt depends on the nature of the threat. As I mentioned earlier, the time available was very much limited for us to gather any experience. We couldn't find similar situations previously experienced by another country.

The success we had on February 20 was a result of perseverance and commitment to the purpose. Now we are on a firm ground. Even before, the LTTE could not reach its targets.

They were compelled to divert because of the preparedness of the Air Defence System. They just dropped bombs at random. Those could never impose any positive impact on the security of the country.

Q: Certain sections of the public were critical that you allowed the two LTTE aircraft to reach Colombo. What is your comment?

A: No, we don't wait until they reach their targets. We used our lined up systems to bring the LTTE aircraft down. But the LTTE knowing our gun emplacements can avoid those. We can monitor the aircraft's movements without losing a single second! No sooner the aircraft enters the firing range of anti aircraft guns, we start attacking them. Before that we get the information and confirm it's an enemy aircraft and inform the jet squadrons with air to air interception capability to take off and attack the enemy. These jet squadrons are kept ready round the clock to meet any urgency.

Q: How would you define the effectiveness of the Air Defence System?

A: If not for the Air Defence System, the LTTE would have conducted their air raids as they wished. Because of the active system they feared to take a chance and attack. Officers and airmen work round the clock since we can't afford to lose even a second.

Q: How long would this system be effective?

A: We are adding new developments continuously to the system. It is an unending process! We have to face asymmetric threats in the present world. Hence, the system can't stop developing its capacities.