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The Future of Small Air Forces and Combat Aircraft
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Small nations should not be asking themselves whether they need air combat forces or not-they do. Combat aircraft are a nation's most visible, flexible, and lethal force option that can be employed, or threatened to be employed, in a range of missions. However small Western democratic national air forces suffer from lack of platforms, budgetary pressures, economics, credibility, and a visible threat. They are unable to mount a credible unilateral response, and with limited budgets they cannot pursue air force structures of multiple aircraft types and attempts to remain balanced, i.e. capable o...
Small nations should not be asking themselves whether they need air combat forces or not-they do. Combat aircraft are a nation's most visible, flexible, and lethal force option that can be employed, or threatened to be employed, in a range of missions. However small Western democratic national air forces suffer from lack of platforms, budgetary pressures, economics, credibility, and a visible threat. They are unable to mount a credible unilateral response, and with limited budgets they cannot pursue air force structures of multiple aircraft types and attempts to remain balanced, i.e. capable of performing a range of functions associated with the effective employment of combat air power. Broadly speaking small nations have two choices: firstly structure for combined operations (be it alliance/coalition), or secondly equip for unilateral action if the perceived threat and/or unlikely hood of outside assistance dictates. For combined operations it makes sense to consolidate the combat aircraft into a single fighter-bomber type, with the intention of operating in a probable American led coalition-(the United States [US] would secure, protect, and run the area of operations [AO]). This aircraft does not need to be highly sophisticated but it must be equipped to be able to function in a coalition-capable of precision engagement, self protection, and communicating with its coalition partners. Countries choosing a unilateral option are faced with a number of difficulties. There is a limited choice in the ways of "means" as well as the not insignificant question of "ways" to effectively employ a small number of aircraft to provide a credible response. Again, economically, consolidation of effort into a single independently survivable fighter-type aircraft is desirable.
