An attack by NATO forces on Serbia would open with US cruise missile strikes designed to knock out the country's air defence radar systems and ground-to-air missiles systems, senior military commanders indicated yesterday, writes Richard Norton-Taylor. "The key is to achieve a no-fly zone over Kosovo", said one well-placed source.
Cruise missiles, fired from ships or submarines of the US Sixth Fleet, would be followed by attacks by US carrier-borne aircraft and planes from other NATO countries based in Italy.
NATO sources yesterday described Serbia's air defence system as effective and would have to be destroyed before manned aircraft were deployed.
Britain's chiefs-of-staff met yesterday to consider the later stages of any military action, including the deployment of ground troops - likely in Britain's case to consist of Royal Marines and paratroopers. Light ground forces could be deployed within two or three weeks. British military planners are concerned about the need for a clear agreement on objectives, properly integrated command and control, and an exit strategy.
NATO political leaders would want to involve aircraft - and later ground troops - from as many members of the alliance as possible. In addition to US Tomahawk cruise missiles, NATO has its disposal scores of F-18 fighter bombers, F-14s, F-16 fighters, Tornadoes, Mirages, Jaguars, and RAF Harriers based in Gioia del Colle in Italy.
"The purpose will be to degrade Milosevic's ability to continue his attacks and reduce his will to continue those attacks as well . . . We think there are certainly a number of military targets appropriate for us to strike if that decision is made," a Pentagon spokesman said last week.