Originally Posted by
spoony
Geoff, based on your previous thread creations, anybody would think you have a vendetta against our military and national interests. It shouldn't require much explanation, however clearly you need it. Airspace must be designated as PRDs at times, often for our military largely to ensure it remains effective and capable, but equally to ensure the safety of uninvolved aircraft. They almost always deactivated when not in use.
What happened in the SCS is very different, China built up submerged ground so that it ended up above sea level, and then tried to claim it as legitimate territory that should be afforded 12nm sovereign buffers, impacting freedom of navigation. This is clearly in contravention of international law. Are you proposing other airspace Australia control's (e.g. FIRs) outside 12nm's is 'illegitimate', or just restricted area's? They are no different in concept - just application. Every other nation in the world imposes rightfully their authority to control aircrafts movements in their airspace through active management (e.g. ATC flow management) or latent airspace procedures such as restricted areas. Your issue with these PRDs comes across as seated in a disdain for the purpose of them, not their legitimacy.
What nations in the world assert authority to “control” foreign aircraft movements outside the nation’s territory? Please name them.
We get it that erecting artificial islands and purporting to establish a territorial sea around them is not kosher in international law. But that doesn’t mean Australia gets to purport to declare airspace outside its own territory. The regulation of aviation movements outside territorial boundaries relies on the rules imposed by each nation on aircraft with the nationality of that nation.
It has nothing to do with disdain for the ADF or a lack of understanding as to its training needs. It’s about Australia’s own compliance with international laws which, if breached by another country, occasionally leads to the engagement of the ADF in unpleasantness.
(And, for the love of whatever deity you worship, please learn how to use apostrophes.).