KUWAIT AIR FORCE LIGHTNINGS

摘要

The Lightning F.1 interceptor fighter entered RAF service in 1960, but export success was elusive until December 1965 when it was announced that Saudi Arabia would place a contract for an air defence system to include 40 Lightnings and 25 Strikemasters - at that time the largest UK export order ever received. The sales efforts of English Electric, later the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), intensified and in December 1966 Kuwait signed up for 14 Lightnings (12 F.53K fighters and twoT.55K operational trainers) plus 12 Strikemasters. The UK would also provide flying instructors, weapons instructors and other support. Kuwait had become independent from Britain in June 1961 and, almost immediately, neighbouring Iraq laid claim to the country. Under the terms of a defence treaty, Kuwait's leader, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, requested British military support. The UK launched Operation Vantage, a major intervention which included deployment of a large naval task force and a squadron of Hawker Hunters, which successfully deterred any attack.