Israel's role and the 1981 Iraq offensive.

[RedLine]

Sharon has said Israel will not sit back if Iraq uses it's scuds again. This is bound to happen.

Anyone have any idea about the contingency plans Israel has set up as a retaliation to Iraqi agression? (Particularly if Weapons of Mass destruction are involved.)

Could it be a simialar single-sortie affair as in 1981 when Israel destroyed the Iraqi nuclear reactor?

[Mediocrates]

I would guess that IAF planes would get in the way of American AWACS systems and air defence/suppression systems. It's possible and my vote would be to use their newly deployed Popeye Turbo II cruise missiles.

[danholo]

I don't think Jordan would allow Israel fighter jets into its airspace. However, Jordan probably won't do anything against IAF fighters and bombers if Israel is attacked by Saddam.

[RedLine]

I think you're both right. In a way it would be a double standard for Jordan to allow the US to use it's airspace and not Israel.

I didn't know the popeye was ready for deployment, would be interesting to see new Israeli technology in action. In addition, the Arrow anti-aircraft missile is in position to defend Tel-Aviv.

That's if Iraq's MiG-25's could reach Israel, which I doubt, as the Americans would probably take them down/get them to bug out even before they reach Jordan.

I wonder if Jordan would allow IAF sorties over their space if an Iraqi airborne Armada was heading towards Israel?

[Barak]

Originally posted by RedLine
I wonder if Jordan would allow IAF sorties over their space if an Iraqi airborne Armada was heading towards Israel?

I really think it wouldn't really matter wheter Jordan would allow it or not. Of course, if we would go in when Jordan had forbidden it, it would probably cause a negative short term effect, but I really doubt it would have any long term effect.

When dealing with the choice, or let a X number of Israelis killed while you could have prevented it, or have some bumps in the relationship with Jordan, I would definitaly go for the latter.