Syrian jet shot down over Israel, circumstances 'unclear'

[oberliner]

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military shot down a Syrian fighter jet that infiltrated its airspace over the Golan Heights on Tuesday morning -- the first such downing in decades, heightening tensions in the volatile plateau.

The military said a "Syrian aircraft infiltrated into Israeli air space" in the morning hours and that the military "intercepted the aircraft in mid-flight, using the Patriot air defence system."

The military would not say what type of aircraft was downed and said the circumstances of the incident were "unclear."

A defence official identified the downed aircraft as a Sukhoi Su-24 Russian fighter plane. Perviously, it was reported to have been a MiG aircraft. He said the Syrian jet penetrated 800 metres (2,600 feet) into Israeli air space and tried to return to Syria after the Patriot missile was fired.

The crew managed to abandon the plane in time and landed in Syrian territory, the Israeli official said.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/syrian-jet-shot-down-over-israel-circumstances-unclear-1.2019885#ixzz3E8xv7DBh

[Renew Deal]

1. Why are they shooting down planes that cross a half mile into their territory?

Does the Patriot missile require an operator to fire? I know that it's better to be safe than sorry, but this seems pretty agressive.

[stevenleser]

2. When there is a border between potential hostiles, aircraft usually stay well clear

if radar shows them within 50 miles of the border in a heading that would have them cross it at high speed, the other country usually has to start taking measures. Otherwise, at the speed these aircraft fly, usually cruising at around 500Mph, they would be likely already on top of their targets if you wait until an actual crossing.

Considering the region, the Israelis are probably monitoring Syrian airbases and saw this plane from the time it took off. It probably headed right at the border and was identified as a potential threat long before it got close and had the closest air defense batteries alerted and ready. The time to fire is the moment the plane crosses into your airspace on a direct heading.

The pilots from both sides know not to go even close to that border or something like this will happen.

[Renew Deal]

3. We can speculate all day why it was there

It might have been fleeing the Americans, or the pilot might have looked at his cell phone too long.

I get the point. I guess it's a reminder for the Syrians to keep back.