Carrier air defence from Condors to Bears

Sea Harriers were expected to stop Tu-95 Bear reconnaissance aircraft from passing targeting information to Tu-22M Backfire bombers and other Soviet strike forces. Destroying the scout could prevent a missile attack before the bombers received a usable position. The mission echoed carrier fighters in the Bay of Biscay and North Atlantic shooting down Focke-Wulf Condors before they could guide U-boats or strike aircraft toward shipping. In both eras, the carrier's fighters defended the force by breaking an enemy reconnaissance-to-attack chain. The same flight deck could simultaneously support wider air-defence and strike missions.