What good are tanks at the Airport

i dont get it?

[Mike12345]

Ok, under the constant threat of terrorsim, airports are bound to be an obvious target. But i cant understand the need for Tanks, i mean surely firing the weapons from a tank at a small group of terrorists with rocket launchers, is going to cause a large amount of damage itself?

Its quite worrying really, and im sure it is scaring quite a dew people who live local to airports and the people who are frequenting the airports. Perhaps juts soliders is neccessary at least that way they can terminate any terrorist threat witha little more accuracy, without causing any widespread destruction themselves?

Any thoughts?

[georgeek]

...im sure it is scaring quite a dew people who live local to airports and the people who are frequenting the airports.

On the contrary - I came through Heathrow yesterday and everyone I spoke with was very reassured as indeed I was. Quite a holiday atmosphere there in fact, just what the British are good at in the face of adversity.

[edited by: georgeek at 3:17 pm (utc) on Feb. 13, 2003]

[agerhart]

They didn't place the tanks and soldiers there to scare the general public, but instead the ones that might commit these criminal acts.

People should feel a bit worried, yes, but I which would you prefer:

1) Knowing that there is a risk, and knowing that your country/govt. is doing nothing about it.
2) Knowing that there is a risk, and knowing that your country/govt. is doing the bare minimum to protect you. (ie.: soldiers)
3) Knowing that there is a risk, and knowing that your country/govt. is doing all that it can to protect you. (ie.: tanks)

I personally like #3.

[choster]

Of course there's the dramatic effect. Everyone from the local chair of the airports authority up to 10 Downing Street can show up on camera and show off how seriously they are taking security.

More practically, it's armor. Tanks can provide cover against small arms and small explosives to enable personnel to move in on a target. They can also deliver personnel inside. And from the pictures I've seen, what's been deployed at Heathrow are not tanks, but armoured personnel carriers, designed specifically for the latter purpose.

[OntheEdge]

Maybe because it raises so many eyebrows.
There is no better form of warning to terrorists than the media coverage of just how far the US Government will go to protect it's citizens.

[limbo]

Call me a cynic - But this looks like propaganda to me.

In the height of the escalating threat of war it is not a wise move by any nation's Leaders make there defenses more public? - It also gives the public another reason to back the decison if it were made.

IMO

[sem4u]

Well I heard that downing street wasn't aware that tanks would be brought in.

But what did they expect? All the soldiers to turn up in a minibus?

[TallTroll]

Looked like Alvis Scorpions to me. Airports are big places, you'd need armour to reach remote spots from which pleasant strangers may be chucking missiles skywards quickly, and lay suppressing fire at range (an infantryman will be lucky to be shooting accurately at 200 meters, and straight leg infantry are slow units). The RA uses the Warrior, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few of those tucked away too. The Scorpion bears a passing resemblance to the Bradley AFV used by US forces in the APC role, which is probably where the notion comes from

The psychological impact is probably greater though. I personally wouldn't fancy taking one on, y'know? So I'd stay away from airports. Objective achieved

[victor]

The machine that is usually used to crush your baggage has been disabled by terrorists. Tanks have been brought in to roll over selected baggage to produce the same effect.

Unfortunately, the machine that tears handles off suitcases was also damaged in the same attack. The army has no equivalent machinery, so expect delays at the baggage carousels while the handles are torn off by hand.

[Mike12345]

Good points from all :) ,

Choster, im no military expert but scimitar tanks arent APC's they carry a 30mm cannon and 7.62 mm machine gun. and can only facilitate 3 people. Bu ti am sure that they will have APC's to get the 400 or so troops into and around the relevant areas of the airport if need be.

We are focussing on Heathrow a little here, but what about all the other major airports like manchester and gatwick, security at both has been increased this morning, but not to the extent of Heathrow.

So generally its agreed that the purpose of such military presence is for deterance?

but i am leaning towards limbo's point about it juts been propaganda. :)

Sem4u, surely 1 of the Blairy bunch must have ordered the tanks in?

No sooner, have i said that about gatwick, the north terminal has just been partially closed and flights delayed. Guess i spoke to soon.