MAS

[swakoo]

ICAO's present rules assume that high end missiles will not be abused in areas of conflict like east Ukraine. They assume only potential use of shoulder launched rockets. Hence the restriction below 32K ft only. However, during an emergency, pilots may have to descend to a vulnerable level from a "safe" level of above 32K ft (present rules).

So, even if high end missiles do not fall into the wrong hands in future, present ICAO rules do NOT preclude the risk of pilots descending during an emergency down to their so-called danger height levels below 32K ft in areas of conflict.