RAF to intensify air surveillance for safety of Olympics

"The air security plan for the next Olympic games is built on the existing infrastructure and plans. RAF will coordinate all aspects of the air space control measures and surveillance", Air Commodore Stuart Evans, Commandant, Air Warfare Centre (AWC), Royal Air Force (RAF) said today.

Participating in the 'Air and Missile Defence India' seminar here, Air Commodore Evans further elaborated the effort of NATO countries in ensuring the safety of the London Olympics slated to take place from July 27.

"There will be a significant contribution by other services and agencies and NATO arrangements also to monitor the air space. RAF and Army helicopters will be there to intercept the air borne threats," he said.

The security arrangements also include RAF helicopters together with Army and Navy choppers carrying teams of snipers to intercept any aircraft, he added.

Besides taking care of the aerial aspect of security, the RAF will also deploy an array of ground-based radars to ensure round the clock and foolproof tracking of the airspace.

"On the ground, RAF is providing round the clock radar and tracking systems, air observers and other measures... Forward planning is being done for maximum synergy between agencies and forces. Several different weapon systems need to be deployed (to tackle any incoming aerial threat)", Stuart said.

As per the regularly evaluated threat perception, the security forces, specially the RAF, is gearing up to tackle hostile Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Remotely Piloted Small Aircraft, hijacked planes and cruise missiles.

"There will be a joint air defence and communication network to take care of stealth and cruise missiles (which can be) launched from air, land or sea platforms with very small radar signature", he said.