Defence secretary reveals details of recent incursions as he warns UK is facing ‘new era of threat’ from hostile countries
A Russian spy ship has entered British waters and shone lasers at military pilots, the defence secretary has said, as he warned the UK was facing a “new era of threat” from hostile countries.
John Healey told reporters on Wednesday the “deeply dangerous” move was being taken “extremely seriously” by the government, adding the UK would continue monitoring the ship and had “military options ready” should the vessel change course.
He said the surveillance ship had crossed in and out of the UK’s exclusive economic zone multiple times in recent weeks, not for the first time this year.
Laser is not radar.
High powered lasers don’t even have to hit the pilots in the eyes to do damage as they bounce off any reflective or semi-reflective surfaces in the cabin or windows and still enter the eyes with high enough energy to cause effect. Military lasers can be powerful enough that a very short burst does permanent damage to the retina even from hundreds of metres away. Laser weapons should be in the same category as mustard and sarin gas - a warcrime, but instead… all major powers are developing them.
Exactly the answer I wanted, not sure why people downvoted me over this.
Thnx!