Gaddafi's Forces Facing Modern Firepower

11:46pm UK, Friday March 18, 2011

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's ramshackle Libyan air force appears to be no match for the international forces heading for the region.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated, despite a nominal strength of some 200 fixed wing aircraft, fewer than 40 are actually capable of flying.

Most are old Russian-built types dating back to the Soviet era and are obsolescent in Western terms - although Col Gaddafi does have a small number of more modern French Mirage F1s.

The Libyan regime does have some more effective anti-aircraft defences.

They include a long range surface-to-air missile system thought to be within 30 to 40 miles of Benghazi, which could pose a threat to international air patrols if it is not taken out.

Two Libyan Air Force Mirage F1 fighter jets

On the ground, Col Gaddafi's fear of a possible military coup has meant that he has largely tended to keep the army weak.

The best equipment is concentrated in the hands of two brigades commanded by his sons.

That includes the 32nd Brigade - equipped with relatively modern T72 tanks and self-propelled guns.

The unit crushed rebels in the western town of Zawiyah and has been spearheading the attacks on the western city of Misratah.

Jets at RAF Marham being prepared to enforce the no-fly zone. (Pic: MoD)

The most commonly seen vehicles on both sides are the ubiquitous "technicals" - pick-up trucks modified to carry heavy machine guns and a variety of other weaponry.

Up against Gaddafi's forces are sophisticated Western fighters like the RAF's Tornados and Typhoons.

The Tornado GR4 ground attack aircraft could be used to suppress the Libyan defence or mount strikes against ground forces.

Its arsenal includes the air-launched anti-radiation missile, which homes in on the emitted radiation of enemy radar systems and can be used for the suppression of air defences.

RAF crews at work

The Typhoon is deployed mainly as an air superiority fighter and could use its air-to-air missile systems to bring down any Libyan aircraft which defy the no-fly zone.

They will be backed up by VC10 air-to-air tanker refuelling aircraft and E-3D surveillance aircraft already in theatre which will provide airborne monitoring of land and sea.

There is speculation that they will be supplemented by Nimrod R1 reconnaissance and electronic intelligence gathering aircraft.