MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil shoot-down policy for unidentified aircrafts

All suspicious aircraft entering Brazilian airspace which refuses to identify itself will run the risk of being shot down by the Air Force under a new security bill that became effective this Sunday.

The law which was only ratified by the Brazilian Congress 90 days ago remained shelved for the past six years and is designed specifically to combat drug trafficking.

Colombia is the only other South American country with a similar policy. A shoot-down policy in Peru was cancelled in 2001 after a Peruvian Air Force plane shot down an unidentified aircraft carrying a U.S. missionary and her child, killing both.

According to the Brazilian Air Force 4,628 unregistered flights were detected entering Brazilian airspace last year, but officials suspect the actual number is much higher. Most of the unidentified planes were the kind of light aircraft favoured by cocaine traffickers.

The new law establishes an engagement action in eight steps which must be followed by the Air Force pilots before shooting down an unidentified aircraft.

The final order can only be given by Air Force Commander in Chief Lieut. Brigadier Luiz Carlos da Silva Bueno and must be preceded by warning shots.

To detect illegal flights, the Brazilian Air Force will rely on the System for Vigilance of the Amazon (SIVAM), which was specifically created to help Brazil protect Amazon region resources. SIVAM uses a number of air traffic control radars, environmental monitors, meteorological radars and stations, communications equipment and aircraft to monitor the 5.2 million square kilometres of mostly impenetrable jungle forest, an area about half the size of Europe.

Additionally five aircrafts equipped with air warning and control radars will prove round-the-clock coverage and 90 Super Tucano attack aircraft, manufactured by Brazil's Embraer, will be on interception duty.

However Brazilian Defence Ministry official Brig. Gen. Ricardo Machado Vieira said shoot-down orders will only be issued as a last resort.

"The Air Force does not intend to shoot down planes, but rather its objective is to improve vigilance of airspace and force landings of suspicious aircraft that might be involved in drug trafficking or other illicit activities" he said.