Originally Posted by
WE Branch Fanatic
But the Soviets did not fly low and they were considered THE threat.
Really? Did you expect them to hang-around in your weapon engagement zone?
The Soviets used low-level tactics just like everyone else. They also had reach, speed and stand-off capability. The RN faced formidable threats such as the Backfire / Kitchen capability (and the Blinder / Kitchen before that) as well as tactical air, but tried to convince itself that it wasn't.
The Backfire crews in particular saw themselves as worthy adversaries to the USN CBGs and honed their tactics to suit. In equal regard the USN respected, trained and equipped themselves to meet such threats.
If the RN had faced its chosen adversary with its 1982 capabilities it would have been rather more ugly. Fundamentally it had an unrealistic view on air threats and post '82 things had to change.