Olympic defences announced today

The Government holds a press briefing this morning to announce the various initiatives put in place, over and above the controversial placement of ground to air missiles in resident areas, to avert the constant threat from terrorists.

This includes a series of airspace restrictions around London and the southeast on 14 July which are designed to ensure a safe and secure London 2012 Olympic Games. The responses to pilots breaking the airspace restrictions will also be made clear.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), National Air Traffic Service (NATS) and the MOD have worked together to inform airspace users about the restrictions and how people can continue to use UK airspace during the Olympics.

Pilots have a legal requirement to understand airspace changes before each flight and the CAA has written to all private pilots, distributed over 60,000 leaflets and conducted briefings to raise awareness.

Equipment and personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will be in place from 14 July to enforce the restrictions and provide enhanced protection for the period the temporary restrictions are in force, including:

-              RAF Typhoon fast jets deployed to RAF Northolt on 9 July;

-              RAF Puma helicopters & snipers deployed to Ilford on 11 July;

-              The installation of Army Rapier ground based air defence systems at four sites in and around London and the Starstreak High Velocity Missile at two sites in London on 12 July;

-  RN Sea King Helicopters which will deploy to RAF Northolt on Fri 13 July;

-  Helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, will return to the capital on the evening of 13 July.

A sad indictment of life in 2012 that these arrangements are needed to ensure an event that brings the world together in such a positive way takes place but comforting to know that this level of protection is there.