Originally posted by DeV
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The examples of NATO QRA are the numbers of aircraft on QRA at any one time, it is not the total number required to achieve this number. Normally a QRA station will have four aircraft at any one time, two ready for immediate launch and two back-up. Remember we will not have AAR to extend their time so the first pair need a replacement back-up. RAF pilots to 1-2 QRA rotations of 24hrs per month, that would mean a minimum of 60 pilots for an RAF rotation system. It is possible however to reduce by use of more QRA rotations and shift systems the numbers down to the 30's. Below that number 24/7 stops being an option, remember the Swiss and Austrians where not doing 24/7 for a long time.
As for any nation within NATO they collectively cover the air space so countries such as Denmark do not need to go it alone, that is the advantage of being in a military alliance. As for the Swiss they have 30 F/A18s, and 30(+6) F5s in total, and they struggled to provide 24/7 coverage.
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