The Cuban Air Force deployed far more than two squadrons this time; in fact, over fifty aircraft participated in the operation. It can be said they put everything on the line, even stripping Havana bare.
The intelligence leak was real, but the numbers were wrong. Each squadron thought they were the only ones being deployed until after takeoff, they realized it was a joint operation.
Given the company's sieve-like intelligence agencies, even if that officer hadn't blabbed on the platform, the info would've leaked through various channels.
So, the European Community's plan was to manipulate the situation, lure Military Science's aircraft out, and execute their tank vs. airplane strategy.
They even went all out by deploying all Cuban aircraft, risking everything to seize an opportunity.
After all, the ones dying were Cubans, and Havana had long settled the payments for these planes; even if they all fell, the Europeans wouldn't feel any loss.
