Mr.Panzer:
Why can't the SLAF destroy the majority of LTTE attack crafts during a confrontation at sea? How the LTTE manages to sink Dvoras on a regular basis, with nothing but their indigenous crafts..
As far as I know, apart from the recent incident on the 9th of November, the SLN thus far has given a pretty good account of itself..
From information that I received about the incident on the 9th, air support was only requested after the SLN had already lost 2 of its Super Dvora Mk I FAC.
The trademark Sea Tiger tactic is engaging SLN units with a 2:1 majority in seaborne assets.. present attacks are carried out using a combination of the larger Muraj Attack boats and smaller explosive laden homicide boats.
The 2 FAC sunk on the 9th were as a result of 2 explosive laden homicide boats ramming into the side and rear of the FAC - these two losses were not as a result of the FAC being disabled from cannon fire from 23mm guns onboard the LTTE Muraj Boats or by 84mm shells from Sea Tiger personnel carrying Carl Gustav recoilless rifles (Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless rifles are anti-tank weapons) as reported.
My sources tell me that while the FAC were engaging Sea Tiger Muraj boats the homicide laden boats broke off from the main attacking group and rammed the FAC.
It would appear on this particular day the SLN was outnumbered and hence suffered ..
The reality is - the Sea Tigers did win the initial battle fought on the 9th, they managed to destroy 2 SLN Super Dvora Mk 1 FAC, and relive one craft of its Typhoon G mounted stabilized 23 mm cannon. Incidentally the Typhoon G stabilized cannon on the Mk I does not have the electro-optics system present on the Mk II .. so I've been told..
However once the SLAF entered the fray the battle changed.
My sources tell me SLAF Mi 24's were able to destroy 4 or 5 retreating Muraj Sea Tiger boats.. The Sri Lankan militaries assessment that it destroyed 22 Sea Tiger craft is inaccurate..
However, the question everyone should be asking is - If as according to past and present LTTE accounts of sea encounters between the SLN and the Sea Tigers - engagements from the beginning of the year till now - have only resulted in the loss of a handful of Sea Tigers with no loss of equipment.. why is it only this particular engagement that they have video footage of and parading captured equipment?? What about their other supposed successful engagements - since it has become customary now for a video man to be present on all Sea Tiger Muraj boats??
The fact is - The SLN have won a majority of the engagements thus far .. however, your Navy cannot be expected to be victorious in every battle it fights alone with the Sea Tigers where their out numbered 2:1, the law of averages will always work against you .. however, if the SLN engage the Sea Tigers with Air Support there is a good chance it will be victorious in almost all the engagements .. this is exemplified by all previous engagements where the SLAF was involved before the actual encounter occurred.
Hope this helps
Mr.Rataperata:
which SLAF air craft is best suite for NAVAL backups .. is it MI24/35 or Mig 27 why ????
Both aircraft types can offer very effective Air support.. Both types should be used in conjunction for the maximum effect.
The Mi 24 and the MiG-27M have the manoeuvrability and the offensive/defensive weapons capability to target fast manoeuvrable sea faring craft.
Simply put 50-100 rounds from a MiG-27M GSh-6-30 cannon will shred a Sea Tiger Muraj boat to pieces .. bear in mind the GSh-6-30 cannon fires 6000 rounds/min..
SLAF going to buy some sort of strategic bomber with reconnaissance support, at the time been their agree with Xian JH7 from china. compare to SU 24 (same sort of bomber) what are the advantages of this .. do we need a strategic bomber like F111 , B1 lancer of old B52 or may be good old Tupolev Tu-95 Bear from USSR... and what role are they gona play on the SL war theatre....??
I am not aware of such a deal .. I am curious where you got this information?
However for a comparative assessment of the capabilities of the JH7 and Su-24 .. I will post this on a later date..
The realty is the SLAF does not need a dedicated heavy bomber and, the SLAF will never be offered the F111, B-1 or the B-52.
what are the reasons for the recent failures of SLN .. I think its a lack of AIR support.. also its looks like they still not Upgrade those 23mm guns in DOVRA's to 30mm.
See my comment to Mr.Panzer..
do you know any SLN inventory info ? specially fro FAC... and Ships.. why cant we get some sort of guided missile system or even torpedos fitted to these DOVRA's to attack enemy boats . I think this is much efficient than using this unguided 23mm rockets ...
I do not know a lot about the SLN .. however I do know the SLN has Colombo Dockyards manufactured Dvora FAC, Super Dvora Mk I, Super Dvora Mk II and Shaldag FAC from Israel.. in addition they also have larger offshore craft like the Saar 4 missile boat, Haizhui Class Coastal Patrol Craft, Shanghai I and Shanghai II Coastal Patrol Crafts, Sukanya Class patrol craft and an Ex US CoastGuard Cutter.
what about the other air craft you told us ( the mystery air craft ).. what is it ???
Wait till the war starts.. then you'll know :o) ..
Hope this helps ..
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