The Quest for Relevant Air Power Continental European Responses to the Air Power Challenges ...

426 Pages·2011·4.23 MB·English

The Quest for
Relevant Air Power
Air University Series on
Airpower and National Security
Divining Victory by William M. Arkin (2007)
The Quest for Relevant Air Power by Christian F. Anrig (2011)
Airpower for Strategic Effect by Colin S. Gray (2011)
The Quest for
Relevant Air Power
Continental European Responses
to the Air Power Challenges
of the Post–Cold War Era
Christian F. Anrig, PhD
Air University Press
Air Force Research Institute
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama
August 2011
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Anrig, Christian F.
The quest for relevant air power : continental European responses to the air power
challenges of the post–Cold War era / Christian F. Anrig.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-58566-216-6
1. Air power—Europe. 2. Air forces—Europe. I. Title.
UG635.E85A57 2011
358.4'03094—dc23
2011024833
Cover photo courtesy of Gripen International; photo by FMV (Swedish De-
fence Materiel Administration)
Disclaimer
Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Air University, the United
States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency.
Cleared for public release; distribution unlimited.
Air University Press
Air Force Research Institute
155 North Twining Street
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6026
http://aupress.au.af.mil
iv
Dedicated to my parents, Olga and Christian,
and
to the memory of my beloved sister, Judith

Contents
Chapter Page
DISCLAIMER ............................. iv
DEDICATION............................. v
FOREWORD .............................. xv
ABOUT THE AUTHOR .................... xvii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................... xix
1 INTRODUCTION ......................... 1
Air Power Challenges ..................... 2
Scope of Discussion ...................... 6
Overview ............................... 9
Notes ................................... 11
2 POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES .......... 13
Changing Strategic Context and
Alliances ............................. 13
Employment of Western Air Power in
Real Operations ....................... 27
Air Power Doctrine and Thinking .......... 39
Force Structuring and Procurement ........ 50
Notes ................................... 64
3 FRENCH AIR FORCE (ARMÉE DE L’AIR) .... 81
How Has the French Air Force Adapted
to the Uncertainties Created by Shifting
Defence and Alliance Policies? ........... 83
How Has the French Air Force Responded
to the Challenges of Real Operations?..... 100
How Has the French Air Force Responded
to the New Intellectualism in Air Power
Thinking and Doctrine? ................ 112
vii
CONTENTS
Chapter Page
How Have French Defence Planners
Attempted to Maintain a Relevant Air
Force in Light of Escalating Costs and
Advanced Technologies? ................ 120
Conclusion .............................. 131
Notes ................................... 136
4 GERMAN AIR FORCE (LUFTWAFFE) ....... 151
How Has the German Air Force Adapted
to the Uncertainties Created by Shifting
Defence and Alliance Policies? ........... 152
How Has the German Air Force Responded
to the Challenges of Real Operations?..... 175
How Has the German Air Force Responded
to the New Intellectualism in Air Power
Thinking and Doctrine? ................ 186
How Have German Defence Planners
Attempted to Maintain a Relevant Air
Force in Light of Escalating Costs and
Advanced Technologies? ................ 193
Conclusion .............................. 202
Notes ................................... 206
5 ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE
(KONINKLIJKE LUCHTMACHT) ........... 221
How Has the Royal Netherlands Air
Force Adapted to the Uncertainties
Created by Shifting Defence and
Alliance Policies? ...................... 222
How Has the Royal Netherlands Air
Force Responded to the Challenges
of Real Operations? .................... 238
How Has the Royal Netherlands Air
Force Responded to the New
Intellectualism in Air Power
Thinking and Doctrine? ................ 247
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