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
iv

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

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

Cover photo courtesy of Gripen International; photo by FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration)
Dedicated to my parents, Olga and Christian,

and

to the memory of my beloved sister, Judith 

vii

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
viii

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
ix

CONTENTS

Chapter Page

How Have Dutch Defence Planners 

Attempted to Maintain a Relevant Air 

Force in Light of Escalating Costs and 

Advanced Technologies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268

 6 SWEDISH AIR FORCE (FLYGVAPNET) . . . . . . . 279

How Has the Swedish Air Force Adapted 

to the Uncertainties Created by Shifting 

Defence and Alliance Policies? . . . . . . . . . . . . 281

How Has the Swedish Air Force Responded 

to the Challenges of Real Operations? . . . . . 300

How Has the Swedish Air Force Responded 

to the New Intellectualism in Air Power 

Thinking and Doctrine? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306

How Have Swedish Defence Planners 

Attempted to Maintain a Relevant Air 

Force in Light of Escalating Costs and 

Advanced Technologies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327

 7 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337

Shifting Defence and Alliance Policies . . . . . . . 337

Challenge of Real Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346

New Intellectualism in Air Power 

Thinking and Doctrine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350

Procurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354

Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362

ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369

Interviews, E-Mails, and Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . 369

Official Documents and Speeches . . . . . . . . . . . 372

Books and Articles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
x

CONTENTS

Illustrations

Table Page

 1 Armed Forces Model 2015 (FAF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

 2 GAF reductions during the post–Cold 

War era . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

 3 Flying wings within Air Force 

Structure 6 (GAF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

 4 RNLAF aircraft/GBAD inventory 

and personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228

 5 SwAF combat aircraft inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292

 6 Tabular comparisons of GNP/GDP 

and defence expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339

 7 Force reductions measured by flying frontline 

squadrons and air force personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

 8 Differential air power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340

Figure

 1 Air Force Structure 4 (GAF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

 2 Air Force Structure 5 (GAF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

 3 Air Force Structure 6 (GAF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

 4 Budget allocation to the single services 

(Netherlands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

 5 Budget allocation to the single services 

(Sweden) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293

Photo

FAF C-135FR tanker refuelling Gripens in midair . . . . . . . 2

Dutch pilot inspects LANTIRN laser-designator 

pod prior to takeoff for Operation Allied Force . . . . . . . . . 8

USNS Alan Shepard and USS George Washington

at ANNUALEX 21G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
xi

CONTENTS

Photo Page

Franco-British cooperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

USAF A-10 during Operation Desert Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

US Marine Corps artillery during 

Operation Desert Storm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

US Army units entering Bosnia-Herzegovina 

in late 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

USAF B-2 Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

FAF operates four E-3 AWACS aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

A400M on its first flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

NATO C-17 Globemaster III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Rafale flying over Afghanistan armed with AASMs . . . . . . 57

C-5 Galaxy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

GAF Patriot unit during live firings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Mirage 2000N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Rafale, the latest French combat aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

French Mirage 2000 and Belgian F16s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

FAF Boeing C-135FR tanker aircraft refuelling 

SwAF Gripens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

FAF C-160 Transall operating from a gravel strip 

in Chad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

FAF Mirage F1 CR reconnaissance aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

FAF deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Operation Artemis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Rafale flying over Afghanistan armed with AASMs . . . . . . 125

A400M on its first flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

FAF ordered EC 725 Caracal helicopters to enhance 

its CSAR capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

GAF Eurofighter Typhoon on a QRA scramble . . . . . . . . . . 151

Recce Wing 51 reconnaissance Tornados on the 

flight line in Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

F-4F Phantom II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
xii

CONTENTS

Photo Page

Eurofighter Typhoon, the GAF’s latest combat 

aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Recce Wing 51 reconnaissance Tornado in 

Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

GAF Airbus A310 supporting African Union’s 

mission to Darfur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

GAF units assisting during Germany’s floods . . . . . . . . . . . 185

F-4F Phantom II from Fighter Wing 71 

Richthofen getting readied for takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

German Eurofighter in flight test with A310 

MRTT tanker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

A400M on its first flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

GAF Patriot unit during Exercise ELITE 

in Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

RNLAF F-16 at Kandahar Airfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

RNLAF AH-64D at Tarin Kowt in the province 

of Uruzgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

RNLAF CH-47 Chinook on Exercise Snow 

Falcon in Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

KDC-10 refuelling F-16 over Central Asia in 

Operation Enduring Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Dutch F-16 leaves southern Italy during 

Operation Allied Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Dutch Patriot unit at Diyarbakir AB during 

Operation Iraqi Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244

RNLAF AH-64D Apache combat helicopters 

deployed to Djibouti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

Dutch C-130 Hercules over the impressive 

landscape of Central Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

RNLAF F-16s before takeoff at Kandahar Airfield . . . . . . . 251

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter manoeuvres during its 

first flight over Eglin AFB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258

RNLAF F-16 after sunset at Kandahar Airfield . . . . . . . . . . 259

RNLAF AH-64D at Tarin Kowt in the province 

of Uruzgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
xiii

CONTENTS

Photo Page

RNLAF CH-47 Chinook flying through a narrow 

valley in the former Yugoslavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

JAS 39D Gripen dual-seat combat aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280

Swedish C-130 Hercules in Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

ASC 890 Erieye with Gripen C and D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289

FAF C-135FR tanker refuelling Gripen C and D 

in midair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

JAS 39B Gripen at Exercise Cold Response in 

Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299

13 SF 37 reconnaissance Viggens were upgraded 

to AJSF 37 standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302

Swedish C-130 Hercules in Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305

Split from Gripen dual-seat cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

Gripen is a versatile weapons platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316

SwAF C-130 refuelling Gripen C and D in midair . . . . . . . 318

ASC 890 Erieye airborne early warning and 

control aircraft escorted by Gripens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

Airbus A310 MRTT refuelling GAF Tornado and 

Swiss Air Force F/A-18D Hornet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344

RNLAF F-16 at Kandahar Airfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351

Rafale flying over Afghanistan armed with 

AASM precision-guided munitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

ASC 890 Erieye is the SwAF’s NATO interoperable 

airborne early warning and control aircraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360

xv

Foreword

During the Cold War, the comparatively minor contributions 

of European air forces to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

(NATO) were not visible to the outside world because of their incorporation within the alliance structure and strategy. The first 

Gulf War starkly revealed the disparity between the air power of 

the United States and that of any other country. Subsequent operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan have demanded 

even more timely and accurate intelligence, with swifter response 

and greater precision in attack. 

The US accretion of all-weather precision munitions; stealth 

technology; netted real-time command, control, communications, and intelligence; unmanned aerial vehicles; and satellite systems has widened the gap with European air forces still further. 

The evolution and contribution of continental European air forces 

to recent operations remain largely unexplored, partly because of 

their limitations and partly because of Anglo-Saxon intellectual 

domination of air power analysis and concepts.

Christian Anrig examines the responses of four countries to the 

challenges of air power in the last two decades. He has selected four 

very different air forces: the French Air Force (FAF), German Air 

Force (GAF), Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), and Swedish 

Air Force (SwAF). All four were influenced by the Cold War period. 

The GAF and RNLAF were embedded in Cold War NATO, the 

SwAF maintained a well-armed neutrality, and the FAF reflected 

the semi-independent strategic stance of post–de Gaulle France. 

The author addresses four questions: how have these air forces 

responded to post–Cold War political uncertainties, how have they 

operated, how have they responded to new air power thinking, and 

how have they adapted to the challenges of costs and technologies? 

He convincingly argues that budgetary provision has not been the 

most important factor in generating effective air power.

He traces the different interactions of political will, procurement, and operational effectiveness among the four air forces. All 

are highly professional, but only France has sought to sustain a 

capability across all air power roles.

Christian Anrig’s examination is both instructive and disheartening. The United States operator and student will be enlightened 
xvi

FOREWORD

by awareness of the quality, value, and proportional scale of recent 

and current European air operations. Anyone who is detailed to 

work alongside these air forces will benefit considerably from 

understanding how and why they do what they do. He or she will 

recognise the circumstances which have precluded them from the 

doctrinal path of John Warden. Sadly, the author has only too 

clearly identified the national features which, with one or two exceptions, are likely to inhibit the creation of European air power in 

the foreseeable future. 

The author brings deep scholarship to his study, reinforced by 

his national objectivity. It is a unique and indispensable contribution to international awareness of twenty-first-century air power.

Air Vice-Marshal Tony Mason

Professor, R A Mason CB CBE MA DSc FRAeS DL

University of Birmingham, England

1 March 2011
xvii

Christian F. Anrig holds a PhD from King’s College London, 

University of London. He is deputy director, doctrine research 

and education, Swiss Air Force. From early 2007 until September 

2009, he was a lecturer in air power studies in the Defence Studies 

Department of King’s College London while based at the Royal 

Air Force (RAF) College. He was one of two lead academics who 

created the new distance-learning master’s degree, air power in 

the modern world—a course especially, but not exclusively, designed for RAF officers. In November 2009, he became a member 

of the RAF Centre for Air Power Studies academic advisory panel. 

Dr. Anrig began his professional career in defence studies as a researcher at the Center for Security Studies, Swiss Federal Institute 

of Technology (ETH Zurich), in January 2004.

He has published articles and book chapters, primarily in German, covering topics from the European Union battle groups and 

military transformation to modern air power and its ramifications 

for small nations. Whilst working in the United Kingdom, he was 

on the editorial board of the Royal Air Force Air Power Review. 

Dr. Anrig spent the first half of his military career in the artillery, Swiss Army. Currently, he is a reserve captain assigned to 

the Air Staff, Swiss Air Force. He is a dual-national Swiss and 

Liechtensteiner.

About the 

Author

xix

Acknowledgments

The completion of this book, based on the doctoral thesis “Continental European Responses to the Air Power Challenges of the 

Post-Cold War Era” submitted at King’s College London (KCL), 

would not have been possible without the support of many people 

and institutions. This PhD research project represents a successful 

joint effort between the Department of War Studies, KCL, University of London, and the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich 

(or Swiss Federal Institute of Technology). 

I am greatly beholden to my supervisors and mentors, Prof. 

Philip Sabin (KCL) and Prof. Andreas Wenger (ETH). Prof. Philip 

Sabin encouraged me to ask important questions and to produce 

the best answers I could both by the example he set and the counsel 

he gave at every stage. He was endlessly generous in helping my 

thesis approach rigorous standards. Professor Wenger proved relentless in his demand for analytical clarity and was supremely 

supportive. My appreciation also extends to my external examiners, 

Air Vice-Marshal Prof. R. A. Mason, University of Birmingham, 

and Prof. Ron Smith, Birkbeck College, University of London, 

who helped to fine-tune the thesis in its final stages.

The thesis focused on four major Continental European air forces 

in the post–Cold War era—those of France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Given its contemporary focus, the project would 

not have been possible without the dedicated help of some outstanding individuals. The main contributors are listed below in a 

primarily alphabetical order. Since my interviews, many of those 

may have risen in rank or moved on to other positions.

For my research on the French Air Force, I am especially grateful 

to Capt Stéphane Bréart, Sirpa Air (Service d’information et de relations publiques de l’Armée de l’Air); Col Régis Chamagne, retired; 

Prof. Patrick Facon, director of the Air Historical Branch, Château 

de Vincennes, who proved invaluable in providing a historical outlook on French air power thought; Lt Col Jean-Luc Fourdrinier, Air 

Staff, Armée de l’Air; Col Denis Gayno, deputy director, Centre 

d’enseignement supérieur aérien (CESA [Centre of Strategic Aerospace Studies]); Bastien Irondelle, senior researcher, Centre d’études 

et de recherches internationales (CERI [Centre for International Studies and Research]), for his view on the latest air power doctrine devel-
xx

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

opment in France; Cdt Jean-Patric Le Saint, Cellule études et stratégie 

aérienne militaire (CESAM [air power strategy and studies cell]); Col 

Gilles Lemoine, Collège interarmées de défense (CID [Joint Forces 

Defence College]); Col Denis Mercier, Air Staff, Armée de l’Air, for his 

insights into procurement; Col Jean-Christophe Noël, director, 

CESAM; Commandant Ollier for organising the various interviews 

within the Air Staff, Armée de l’Air; Prof. Pierre Pascallon; Gen Jean 

Rannou, retired, chief of the Air Staff, 1995–2000; and Col Marc 

Weber, Air Staff, Armée de l’Air. Without these individuals, I would 

not have been able to explore the latest developments in French air 

power thinking and education as well as to investigate aspects relating 

to operations and procurement in the required depth.

In the case of the German Air Force, I owe particular thanks to Lt 

Col (General Staff [GS]) Jens Asmussen, Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC); Lt Col Manfred Brose, FüAk (Führungsakademie), who proved invaluable in providing me with information on 

German air power education; Lt Gen Hans-Werner Jarosch, retired, 

Lt Gen Walter Jertz, retired, and Lt Gen Axel Kleppien, retired, for 

their specific insights into the German reunification’s impact upon 

the Luftwaffe and other aspects; Lt Col (GS) Arnt Kuebart, Luftmachtzentrum (LMZ [Air Power Centre]), Col (GS) Thomas Lorber, 

FüAk (Führungsakademie); Lt Col Dr. Wolfgang Schmidt, MilitaryHistorical Research Office, Potsdam; Lt Gen Hans-Joachim 

Schubert, executive director, JAPCC; and Col (GS) Reinhard Vogt, 

LMZ. Finally, my sincere thanks also go to the chief of the Air Staff, 

Lt Gen Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, and to his staff members in Bonn for 

helping to develop this work—Lt Col (GS) Armin Havenith, Colonel (GS) Hewera, Lt Col (GS) Stefan Klenz, Col (GS) Jörg Lebert 

and his staff, Lt Col (GS) Guido Leiwig, Col (GS) Burkhard Potozky, 

Lt Col (GS) Nicolas Radke, Lt Col (GS) Dr. Michael Wolfgang 

Romba, Col (GS) Hans-Dieter Schön and his staff, Col (GS) Lothar 

Schmidt, and Lt Col (GS) Michael Trautermann.

In the Netherlands, I am especially indebted to Maj Edwin Altena, 

Headquarters Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), for going to 

great lengths to provide me with policy documents; Col Jan F. W. 

van Angeren, retired, who gave me a particularly valuable insight 

into the early development stages of modern air power education in 

the Netherlands; Col Henk Bank, former head, policy integration 

branch, RNLAF; Air Cdre J. T. Broedersz, retired, former deputy 
xxi

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

director, European Air Group, who was particularly helpful as a 

generous gate-opener; Air Cdre J. L. H. Eikelboom, Headquarters 

RNLAF; Col Lex Kraft van Ermel, former director of studies, 

Netherlands Defence College; Col Robert J. Geerdes, F-16 Replacement Office; Lt Gen P. J. M. Godderij, military representative of the 

Netherlands to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Lt Col Dr. 

Marcel de Haas, Netherlands Institute of International Relations 

Clingendael; Maj Gen Kees Homan, retired, Clingendael; Lt Col 

W. M. Klumper, Netherlands Defence College; Lt Col Eric A. de 

Landmeter, director, joint doctrine branch; Joris Janssen Lok, Jane’s 

International Defence Review; Erwin van Loo, Air Force History 

Unit, for sparing no effort in dealing with my numerous requests; 

Lt Gen H. J. W. Manderfeld, retired, commander in chief, RNLAF, 

1992–95; Col Frans Osinga, then senior researcher at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, for his invaluable insights into Dutch air power education; Dr. Sebastian 

Reyn, senior policy advisor, Ministry of Defence; Prof. Joseph 

Soeters, Royal Netherlands Military Academy and War College; Lt 

Col Peter Tankink, commander 323 TACTESS (Tactical Training, 

Evaluation, and Standardisation Squadron), for sharing his view on 

specific operational aspects; Lt Col Bob Verkroost, JAPCC; Col P. 

Wijninga, director, Policy Integration Branch; and Rolf de Winter, 

Air Force history unit. 

With regard to doctrine development and air power education 

in the Swedish Air Force (SwAF), I owe a great debt of gratitude to 

Maj Tobias Harryson, former member of the doctrine development 

cell, and to Prof. Nils Marius Rekkedal and Lt Col Jan Reuterdahl, 

Swedish National Defence College (SNDC). The director of the 

Swedish Defence Commission, Michael Mohr, proved particularly helpful in shedding light on the complexities of Scandinavian 

threat and risk perceptions, and Lt Col Torbjörn A. Olsson provided a unique insight into the SwAF’s support of UN operations 

in Africa. Lt Col Anders Persson, armed forces headquarters, 

spared no effort in updating me with the latest developments in 

SwAF planning. My appreciations extend to Brig Gen Göran 

Tode, retired, and Maj Gen Bert Stenfeldt, retired, as well as to the 

Swedish Air Transport Unit commanders Lars-Eric Blad, Lt Col 

Pepe Brolén, Lt Col Bertil Höglund, and, in particular, Brig Gen Åke 

Svedén, retired. My special thanks go to Col Bertil Wennerholm, 
xxii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

retired, who helped me to overcome various linguistic challenges 

and provided me with a distinctive insight into the SwAF’s current 

and past force structure. I am also grateful to Bengt Andersson and 

Bengt-Göran Bergstrand, senior analysts, Swedish Defence Research 

Agency; Per Klingvall, Joint Forces Command; Capt Åsa Schön, 

Skaraborg Wing; and Peter Liander, editor, Joint Armed Forces 

Magazine. I am also indebted to a host of others in Sweden who 

generously supported me. These include researchers at the Swedish 

Defence Research Agency, civil servants and scholars at the Ministry of Defence and SNDC, officers across the three services, and 

industrialists and engineers of the Swedish aerospace industry.

Particular thanks and consideration also go to both air power 

practitioners and theorists in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway—Col (Prof.) Dennis M. Drew, USAF, retired, 

former associate dean of the School of Advanced Air and Space 

Studies; Gp Capt Chris Finn, RAF, retired; Dr. Grant T. Hammond, 

USAF, Air University; Col John Olsen, Royal Norwegian Air Force; 

Gp Capt Neville Parton, director, defence studies, RAF; and Air 

Vice-Marshal Andrew Vallance, RAF. I would also like to thank 

my friends Arti and Dr. Andrew Conway, lecturer in air power 

studies at the Royal Air Force College, whose endless support and 

patience smoothed the edges of my English. Moreover, I owe a 

great debt of gratitude to Dr. Daniel Mortensen, dean of the Air 

Force Research Institute at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and the Air 

University Press team—Jeanne Shamburger, Carolyn Burns, 

Daniel Armstrong, Susan Fair, and Ann Bailey—for their efforts 

in turning my dissertation into a book. Jeanne excelled in her endless patience with me, and her work added greatly to the quality of 

this book. I am also very grateful to my former boss, Dr. Joel 

Hayward, dean of the Royal Air Force College, who enlightened 

my views on air power.

To all those who supported me on this journey, I would like to 

express my sincerest gratitude. But for the facts narrated and the 

conclusions drawn in this work, I bear sole responsibility.

Finally, I would like to thank my mother, Olga, and my father, 

Christian. Their unwavering love and infinite support over the 

past years have been invaluable.
Chapter 1

Introduction

Continental Europe was at the vanguard of air power in the 

early days of military aviation. The Italian invasion of Libya in 

1911 saw the first use of aircraft in combat, and France soon seized 

the lead in the development of aircraft engines. By the dawn of 

World War I, Germany and France wielded the most potent air 

arms. After the cancellation of the Versailles treaty, German air 

power was again on the rise, with the Luftwaffe playing a crucial 

role in enabling the sweeping blitzkrieg campaigns.

Yet in the course of World War II, the United States and the 

United Kingdom emerged as the leading nations in the application of air power—particularly in strategic bombing. The dominance of American air power continued throughout the Cold War 

and became particularly apparent again in Desert Storm and later 

conflicts. Against this setting, a prominent British air power 

scholar and practitioner coined the term “differential air power,” 

referring to the transatlantic air power capability gap.1

 The United 

Kingdom and France were the only European military actors to 

maintain anything approaching a full spectrum of air power capabilities for outside interventions, while the majority of Western 

European states were primarily concerned with territorial defence 

throughout the Cold War. As regards the doctrinal and intellectual mastery of air power, the United States, along with Great Britain and to a lesser extent Australia, has dominated the debate in 

the post–Cold War era.

Despite this transatlantic air power capability gap, Continental 

European air forces remain significant. Some of them have been 

regularly deployed to out-of-area operations in the Balkans, in Afghanistan, and elsewhere. In the shadow of the Anglo-Saxon air 

power debate, however, Continental European approaches to air 

power have largely been ignored in the academic literature. In 

contrast, Russian and, to a lesser degree, Chinese air power have 

received attention. The Quest for Relevant Air Power attempts to 

redress this imbalance by contributing to a more inclusive picture 

of Western air power. To do so, it analyses the following key question: 
2 │ INTRODUCTION

how have Continental European air forces responded to the air 

power challenges of the post–Cold War era?

Air Power Challenges

This book identifies four major challenges that Continental European air forces have confronted in the post–Cold War era:

1. How have Continental European air forces adapted to the uncertainties created by shifting defence and alliance policies?

2. How have these air forces responded to the challenges of real 

operations?

3. How have they responded to the new intellectualism in air 

power thinking and doctrine?

4. How have defence planners attempted to maintain a relevant 

air force in light of escalating costs and advanced technologies?

Shifting Defence and Alliance Policies

Bipolar tension in the Cold War provided a clear framework for 

a nation’s defence policy. In the post–Cold War era, however, most 

Continental European states have struggled to reorientate their 

national defence policies as the threat and risk spectrum has become more diffuse. In sum, the strategic orientation of a particuCourtesy Gripen International; photo by FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration)

FAF C-135FR tanker refuelling a Gripen C and D in midair
INTRODUCTION │ 3

lar country and its defence policy became more complex. This has 

had far-reaching implications for the application of air power. 

Continental European air forces no longer know where, when, 

with whom, and under what circumstances they are going to fight.

Devoid of its major opponent, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) main purpose shifted from deterrence to crisis 

management. NATO engaged in its first out-of-area combat missions in the Balkan civil wars of the 1990s. In parallel it began its 

ongoing enlargement process in the second half of the 1990s. Simultaneous to these NATO developments, the European Union 

(EU) has emerged as a global strategic player and has built its own 

defence structure. Although the European Security and Defence 

Policy (ESDP) is intended to be a complementary arrangement to 

NATO, tensions have arisen (and are likely to continue to arise): 

some European nations put a premium on a strong transatlantic 

partnership with the United States, and others on a more autonomous European defence architecture. Failures in alliance policy 

have led to ad hoc coalitions such as the US-led “coalition of the 

willing” against Iraq in 2003. Neutral and non-aligned countries 

have found it more and more difficult to legitimise their passive 

stance, particularly against the backdrop of an increase in deployed operations for humanitarian purposes.

Challenge of Real Operations

With a few exceptions—such as airlift in humanitarian and 

peacekeeping operations and the participation of the French Air 

Force (FAF) in peripheral conflicts—Continental European air 

power was relegated to deterrence postures in the Cold War era. 

Since the end of the Cold War, however, a shift away from a deterrence posture and towards real operations has occurred. In an environment of highly unpredictable and diverse conflicts, air power 

was called upon to carry out missions across the spectrum of 

force. The post–Cold War era has seen the employment of air 

power in high-intensity conflicts, in “air policing” operations, and 

in peace support and humanitarian operations.

In the post–Cold War era, the demand for airlift in humanitarian and peace support operations has increased. In the early 1990s, 

Bosnia in particular called for military airlift. Under the most adverse conditions, Western air forces kept Sarajevo alive by mount-
4 │ INTRODUCTION

ing an air bridge. Airlift was also used for interventions and humanitarian relief operations in Africa and elsewhere.

New for Continental European air forces was the employment 

of air power in conventional high-intensity conflicts. In the 1990–91 

Gulf War, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy contributed their 

combat air power. Their assistance, however, was dwarfed by the 

massive use of American air power. In the remainder of the 1990s, 

Western air power was primarily employed in intrastate conflicts. 

Western military interventions in the Balkans led to three major 

air campaigns with the aim of stopping ethnic cleansing—Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia from 1993 to 1995, Operation Deliberate Force in August and September 1995, and Operation Allied 

Force over Kosovo and Serbia in 1999. In each air campaign, Continental European air forces participated. Yet their employment 

was dependent upon American air power.

In the wake of the 1990–91 Gulf War, air policing operations 

were also conducted over northern and southern Iraq to check the 

Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who proved reluctant to comply 

with United Nations (UN) resolutions. France was the only Continental European combat aircraft contributor. After the terrorist 

attacks on 11 September 2001, Continental European air forces 

went into air policing action over Afghanistan. Only a few of them, 

however, such as the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), contributed to stabilisation operations in Iraq.

This shift from Cold War deterrence postures to real operations 

across the spectrum of force has represented a major challenge for 

most Continental European air forces, as deployed operations require a very different organisational structure and mindset.

New Intellectualism

Whereas in the Cold War a strict distinction existed between 

tactical/conventional and strategic/nuclear air power, the Gulf War 

revealed that conventional military air power can do more than 

execute a supportive role for land warfare. Consequently, a new 

intellectualism in air power thinking and doctrine arose, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon countries.

Today’s conflicts are generally complex and multilayered. 

Armed forces have to prepare not only for interstate conflict but 

also for a broad range of conflicts across the spectrum of force. 
INTRODUCTION │ 5

Moreover, no clear line can be drawn between the different kinds 

of conflict; they often merge into each other. On top of that, the 

unchallenged superiority of Western military technology, particularly American air power, has created a shift from symmetrical to 

asymmetrical warfare.

In light of these new kinds of operations, Anglo-Saxon air 

forces recognised early that sound doctrine and education are of 

utmost importance. Moreover, many officers and scholars alike 

started to publish their views on air power. A central question that 

emerged from Operation Desert Storm is whether air power is a 

panacea instrument in the new strategic environment. Other 

widely discussed topics have been the concepts of parallel warfare 

and effects-based operations. In contrast to serial warfare, parallel 

warfare—as applied in the air campaign of Desert Storm—aims to 

paralyse the opponent by simultaneously striking at so-called tactical, operational, and strategic targets. In the second half of the 

1990s, the need to limit physical damage and to achieve limited 

goals led to the discussion of effects-based operations. 

The intellectual mastery of air power is essential in tackling the 

complexities of today’s conflicts and is indispensable for effective 

interoperability with allied air forces. This discussion therefore includes how Continental European air forces cope with a new intellectualism in air power thinking and doctrine and to what extent they have been influenced by their Anglo-Saxon counterparts.

Procurement

With its clearly defined threats, the Cold War provided governments and militaries alike with a more or less reliable framework for planning, force structuring, and procurement. This 

certainty has ceased to exist, and European politicians have 

proved reluctant to keep defence spending on a Cold War level. 

Cashing in the peace dividend has seemed to be more popular. 

In parallel, costs for advanced air power technology have risen 

almost exponentially in the information age. Political, financial, 

and technological constraints have prevented most European 

nations from acquiring air power capabilities comparable to 

those of the United States.2

 Consequently, the transatlantic air 

power capability gap continued to widen in the 1990s, as Operation Allied Force clearly demonstrated.
6 │ INTRODUCTION

Cooperative ventures can help to reduce costs. Multinational 

aircraft programmes had already been undertaken in the Cold 

War, such as the development of the Franco-British Jaguar or the 

trinational Panavia Tornado combat aircraft. Pressure for industrial cooperation has increased since then. Role specialisation offers another way to reduce costs.

To add to the complexity of procurement, the provenance and 

technical standard of air power assets can have far-reaching repercussions on options for participation in combined operations. 

Nowadays, interoperability is dependent upon complex and costly 

data links, sensors, armaments, and weapons platforms. In particular, interoperability with the United States Air Force (USAF) is 

a major challenge for Continental European air forces. Thus, defence planners and militaries alike have to think hard about how 

to maintain a relevant air force. Procurement in the face of declining defence budgets and soaring costs for air power hardware has 

become a major challenge for Continental European air forces.

Scope of Discussion

The 1999 air publication British Air Power Doctrine defines air 

power as “the ability to project force in air or space by or from a 

platform or missile operating above the surface of the earth.” It 

further defines air platforms as “any aircraft, helicopter or unmanned air vehicle.”3

 This discussion also includes platforms such 

as ground based air defence (GBAD) systems. The study as a 

whole focuses on air power as exercised by air forces. Though air 

power assets are often not confined to one single service, air forces 

remain the chief practitioners of air power among the armed services. They assume major responsibility for specifically air power–

related issues, ranging from the protection of the national airspace 

to air power doctrine development. Aspects of interservice rivalry 

are examined as exogenous factors.

How Air Forces Were Selected

The choice of the air forces required a balance between depth 

and breadth. The EU has 27 member states, most of which have an 

air force. Several non-EU member states also possess air power 
INTRODUCTION │ 7

assets. Since it is not feasible to cover all Continental European air 

forces in the required depth in this study, criteria for the choice of 

air forces were devised. Foremost, it was decided to look at the 

major Continental European players, of which there were several 

at the outset of the post–Cold War era. In contrast to smaller 

European air forces—primarily relegated to defensive counterair, 

air policing, and airlift missions—the forces chosen offer a larger 

air power spectrum for examination and are more comparable to 

the major Anglo-Saxon players. Diversity in defence and alliance 

policies, real operations, and air power hardware was another selection criterion.

The air forces that best fit these criteria are the Armée de l’Air 

(French Air Force), Luftwaffe (German Air Force), Koninklijke 

Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force), and Flygvapnet(Swedish 

Air Force). The study of these four air forces highlights the impact of 

profoundly different defence policies upon air power and compares 

NATO air forces with a non-aligned air force. Within the NATO air 

forces, this choice also provides a broad range. At one end of the scale 

is the Netherlands with its transatlantic orientation and its strong emphasis upon NATO as its most important security pillar. At the other 

end is France, which only recently reentered NATO’s integrated military structure. France emphasises an independent European security 

and defence policy, emancipated from American leadership. The air 

forces selected also highlight the impact of professional and conscript 

armed forces on air power. While France and the Netherlands professionalized their armed forces in the 1990s, Germany has thus far retained conscript armed forces with a professional core component. In 

July 2011, however, Germany plans to implement “its biggest military 

reform in more than 50 years” and go to an all-volunteer force. The 

German chancellor also agreed to reduce troops from 250,000 to 

185,000.4

 Sweden suspended conscription only in mid-2010, turning 

its armed forces into all-volunteer forces. Regarding the challenge of 

real operations, this discussion analyses air forces that have been 

regularly deployed to missions abroad as well as those that have been 

relegated to a rather defensive stance. At one end of the scale is the 

FAF. During the Cold War, France was already mounting air campaigns in peripheral conflicts in Africa and elsewhere. At the other 

end is Sweden with its legacy of neutrality. Additionally, this study 

encompasses the main types of modern combat aircraft available in 
8 │ INTRODUCTION

Continental Europe and, more importantly, the main models of procurement. The RNLAF is equipped with American F-16 fighter aircraft bought off the shelf, the French and Swedish Air Forces have 

pursued indigenous fighter programmes, and the German Air Force 

(GAF) has participated in multinational development programmes. 

Moreover, the GAF opens a window to Eastern European experience 

as it had to integrate the East-German Air Force in the early 1990s, 

and the RNLAF covers many aspects of the European F-16 operators. 

Though France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden operated 

some of the most capable European air forces at the outset of the 

post–Cold War era, their national economies were of very different 

sizes. This variation allows for comparing the relationship of a country’s economy to the generation of air power in the post–Cold War 

era. Analysing these diverse Continental European air forces allows 

one to view the four subquestions from various angles.

Why the Post–Cold War Era Was Selected

Because the end of the Cold War brought about far-reaching 

changes in the global strategic setting, the research is chronologiCourtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by R. Frigge

Against the backdrop of Operation Allied Force, a Dutch pilot inspects 

his low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night (LANTIRN) 

laser-designator pod prior to takeoff.
INTRODUCTION │ 9

cally confined to the post–Cold War era. Militarily, this period 

constitutes a transitional phase from a potential symmetric clash 

between East and West through intrastate conflicts to asymmetric 

attacks against the West and military operations in the context of 

the so-called war on terror. This era saw Western military forces 

engaged in a greater variety of operations than at any time during 

the Cold War.5

 For the reader to understand current Continental 

European air power, the post–Cold War period as a whole is discussed. Many of the decisions that led to the current force structures have their roots in the 1990s and sometimes beyond. Also, 

given the rise of deployed operations, this period forms an entity. 

Overview

The next chapter, “Post–Cold War Challenges,” lays down the 

background for examining the selected air forces. Subsequent 

chapters examine the French, German, Royal Netherlands, and 

Swedish Air Forces. 

French Air Force

Undoubtedly, the FAF is the most experienced Continental 

European air force when it comes to power projection beyond 

the borders of Europe. Apart from Operations Northern Watch, 

Desert Fox, and Iraqi Freedom, it participated in all major Western air campaigns during the post–Cold War era. To be an instrument of French foreign policy, the FAF is geared towards 

rapid intervention missions. It is capable of independently 

mounting medium-sized operations in Africa and elsewhere. To 

fulfil its missions and to prevent infringements upon the sovereign political decision making process, the FAF has strived to 

maintain a balanced force structure and has mainly relied upon 

indigenous air assets and equipment.

German Air Force

Due to its historical legacy, the GAF was almost exclusively 

bound to the defence of allied territory in NATO’s central region 

throughout the Cold War. The question as to whether Germany 

should leave its emphasis upon territorial defence and shift to a 
10 │ INTRODUCTION

more expeditionary stance has been a major bone of contention in 

German politics throughout the post–Cold War era. The first steps 

towards a more active defence policy were taken in 1995 and 1999 

in the milieu of Operations Deliberate Force and Allied Force, respectively. Significant reunification costs also led to severely tight 

defence budgets. Nevertheless, the GAF remains one of the most 

important European air forces, and NATO alliance partners welcome a more active involvement of the GAF in alliance operations.

Royal Netherlands Air Force

The RNLAF has participated in air operations over the Balkans 

since 1993, making substantial contributions out of proportion to 

its relatively small size. Among the leading air forces in European 

air power cooperation, the RNLAF has launched several initiatives 

for improving interoperability. Its most prominent initiative is the 

establishment of a European expeditionary F-16 wing. European 

cooperation, distinct doctrinal features, a strong transatlantic 

partnership, and the political will to engage in operations across 

the spectrum of military force have made the RNLAF one of the 

most effective European air forces of the post–Cold War era.

Swedish Air Force

Though Sweden’s economy and population are relatively small, 

the Swedish have pursued ambitious air power programmes. 

Given the country’s neutral stance throughout the Cold War era, 

its goal was to be as independent as possible in the development 

and production of military assets. Therefore, Sweden is unique 

among the smaller European countries in the sense that its air 

force employs indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft. 

At the end of the Cold War, the Swedish Air Force (SwAF) was 

one of the largest Western European air forces. A RAND study 

published in 1991 regarded it as one of the best European air 

forces, particularly in the area of air defence.6

 Almost exclusively 

geared up for autonomous territorial defence, the SwAF has made 

significant steps towards power projection and interoperability in 

the post–Cold War era.

The concluding chapter assesses European air power across the 

four guiding challenges of shifting defence and alliance policies, 
INTRODUCTION │ 11

real operations, new intellectualism in air power thinking and 

doctrine, and procurement. While each air force has responded to 

the air power challenges of the post–Cold War era according to its 

context, the conclusion nevertheless attempts to identify overall 

characteristics of Continental European air power.

Notes

1. Tony Mason, Air Power: A Centennial Appraisal, rev. ed. (London: 

Brassey’s, 2002), 236–38.

2. David Gates, “Air Power: The Instrument of Choice?,” in Air Power 21: 

Challenges for the New Century, ed. Peter W. Gray (London: The Stationery Office, 2000), 26.

3. Air Publication 3000, British Air Power Doctrine, 3d ed. (London: HMSO, 

1999), 1.2.1.

4. Associated Press, “Germany to Scrap Conscription in Mid-2011,” Washington Post, 15 December 2010.

5. Timothy Garden, “European Air Power,” in Gray, Air Power 21, 9.

6. Richard A. Bitzinger, Facing the Future: The Swedish Air Force, 1990–2005 

(Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 1991), 13, 27.

Chapter 2

Post–Cold War Challenges

Our discussion now turns to the uncertainties created by shifting defence and alliance policies and to the challenge of real operations, thereby providing the background for the air forces selected for examination. These issues closely relate as they show 

how air power has both been shaped by the political level and 

been used as a means to pursue political goals. We then consider 

how Anglo-Saxon (US, UK, and Australian) air forces have responded to the new intellectualism in air power thinking and doctrine and how defence planners have attempted to maintain relevant air forces in light of escalating costs. These questions are tied 

in that the first deals with conceptual and doctrinal aspects of air 

power and the second with its physical components.

Changing Strategic Context and Alliances

With the end of the Cold War, threats and risks have become 

complex and multilayered, making it difficult for European states 

to adapt their defence policies. Simultaneously, alliance structures 

forged during the Cold War have evolved to respond to the changing strategic context.

Changing Strategic Context

The end of the Cold War marked a profound change in the 

international system as the antagonism between two opposing social and value systems ceased to be the defining criterion. Consequently, the 1990s became a period of instability, continuous 

change, and a quest for new structures.1

Although the 1990–91 Gulf War was a clear set-piece conflict, 

this type of clash was not the rule throughout the 1990s. Instead, 

Western states were confronted with an increasing number of 

intrastate conflicts in the Balkans, Africa, and elsewhere. Western 

crisis management responses, however, often proved unsatisfactory. 

Military means, developed to deter and contain an all-out war between two major blocs, were not adequate for dealing with intra-
14 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

state conflicts.2 Philip Sabin points out that concurrently, conflicts 

have become more asymmetric due to factors including the demise of bipolarity in international affairs; Western military superiority, especially in air power; and differing levels of commitment 

and ruthlessness.3

Ethnic clashes and crisis interventions have not been the only 

concerns for the international community. By the end of the 1990s, 

the nuclear non-proliferation regime had obviously suffered serious setbacks.4

 Moreover, at the dawn of the new century, the 11 

September attacks brought international terrorism prominently 

onto the international agenda. These events also had far-reaching 

consequences on the non-proliferation front, as the United States 

extended the war against global terrorism to so-called rogue regimes, trying to draw a connection between weapons of mass destruction (WMD) terrorism and Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.5

To sum up, developments during the post–Cold War era have 

led to increased uncertainty and instability in many parts of the 

world. Due to globalisation, regional tensions and conflicts generate ripple effects that influence apparently secure Western states. 

Traditional concepts of national security have proven inadequate 

to deal with today’s contingencies. Territorial defence is no longer 

deemed an effective strategy in an interconnected world.

Changing Paradigms for Defence Planning. Whereas the 

Cold War was dominated by nuclear deterrence and preparations 

for a symmetric large-scale war in Continental Europe, the post–

Cold War era has required a different approach. Latent or future 

threats—so-called risks—superseded present and direct threats as 

key determinants of defence policy in the 1990s. With an attendant loss of predictability, a conceptual realignment of the paradigms for defence planning became necessary.6

At the end of the Cold War, the Soviet Union was still viewed as 

a continuing security threat chiefly because of instability within 

the Soviet Union itself.7

 Therefore, the possibility of a renewed 

confrontation with Soviet or Russian military power could not be 

entirely discarded. Very early, however, it was recognised that future security challenges were more likely to stem from regional 

conflicts in the Balkans, the Middle East, or elsewhere.8

 The altered security context thus led to force reductions among NATO 

states in the early 1990s as well as an increasing requirement for 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 15

strategic mobility of Western armed forces in the context of outof-area operations.9

 As a result, France and the Netherlands, for 

instance, abandoned conscription in the mid-1990s with the aim 

of creating fully professional forces.10

In an era of uncertainty and tightened defence budgets, European defence planners faced difficult choices such as readiness 

versus reconstitution, independence of their forces versus full integration into an alliance, mobility versus punch, and quality versus 

quantity.11 Though Europe as a whole has attempted to transform 

its military by strengthening the deployability and professionalism of its forces, critical capability gaps remain in such vital areas 

as strategic lift.

Impact upon Air Power. In the aftermath of Desert Storm, the 

inherent characteristics of air power such as speed, range, flexibility, 

precision, and lethality had a certain appeal to Western defence 

planners and experts, particularly in the United States. Air power 

seemed to many a versatile military instrument in an era of uncertainty.12 Indeed, air power was used in many instances throughout 

the 1990s as the weapon of choice largely because it is the military 

instrument of least commitment. Since it can reach into a conflict 

zone from outside, its use limits exposing ground troops. These 

characteristics are particularly important in operations where national stakes are not too high and commitment is optional, as has 

been the case with a number of Western interventions throughout 

the 1990s.13

The United States’ defence spending reflects its emphasis upon 

air power. From 1990 to 2004, the Army received on average 30 

per cent of the services’ budget share, the Navy 36 per cent, and 

the Air Force 34 per cent.14 If expenses for Army and naval air assets are added to the balance, it can be assumed that the United 

States spends up to 50 per cent on air power. In 1990 US Army 

aviation consisted of some 700 fixed-wing and 8,500 rotary-wing 

aircraft, plus an impressive number of surface-to-air missile 

(SAM) systems. The Navy operated 14 aircraft carriers together 

with 13 air wings, with an average size of 86 aircraft each. In addition, US Marine Corps (USMC) aviation contained 503 combat 

aircraft and 96 armed helicopters.15 In 2003 Army aviation strength 

tapered to some 300 fixed-wing and 4,600 rotary-wing aircraft, 
16 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

while the number of Navy aircraft carriers was trimmed to 12.16

Despite these reductions, the numbers are still impressive.

In Continental Europe, on the contrary, air power has never 

enjoyed such a prominent role as in the United States, leading to a 

major transatlantic capability gap. This gap became particularly 

visible in the post–Cold War era, when air forces were actually 

employed in major air campaigns. As late as 2003, a Dutch air 

power expert complained that Europe was still not able to mount 

an operation similar in complexity to Allied Force on its own.17

Alliances

In the wake of the Cold War, NATO underwent a major transformational process, culminating in an enlargement process. Simultaneously, the European Union started to build its own defence architecture. The ESDP is commonly perceived to be a 

complementary arrangement to NATO. Both institutions have influenced the development of European air power.

European Security and Defence Policy. The end of the Cold 

War prompted the European Community member states to consider extending cooperation to the sphere of security and defence policy. With the Treaty on the European Union officially 

Courtesy US Navy

USNS Alan Shepard and aircraft carrier USS George Washington are 

under way together during a replenishment at sea during ANNUALEX 

21G in 2009.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 17

signed in Maastricht, the Netherlands, in February 1992, the development of a Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) 

was agreed upon. At the time, the prospect of a future common 

defence was held out and an explicit link to the Western European Union (WEU) as an integral part of EU security and defence matters was established.18

Almost concurrently with these developments, WEU member 

states declared the necessity for a genuine European security and 

defence identity.19 For this purpose, the WEU adopted in June 1992 

the Petersberg Tasks Declaration, encompassing humanitarian 

and rescue tasks, peacekeeping, and peace enforcement. Moreover, WEU member states declared their intention to make available military units for the accomplishment of these tasks in the 

context of WEU, NATO, or EU operations.20

With the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty in June 1997, the 

European Council incorporated the WEU Petersberg Tasks into 

the EU’s CFSP.21 Despite the declaration of broad political intentions, however, no firm and concrete action plan for common defence matters was decided upon. Moreover, Europe’s difficulties in 

dealing with the crisis in the Balkans during the 1990s seriously 

put into question the effectiveness of the CFSP. It was essential to 

improve European military capabilities if the EU wanted to take 

on strategic responsibilities. This realisation led Great Britain and 

France—the two critical European military actors—to reconcile 

opposing views. For France, a more effective use of military force 

meant a more pragmatic approach towards NATO. Great Britain, 

for its part, was apprehensive that Europe’s military powerlessness 

might imperil the very foundation of the Atlantic partnership. 

The rapprochement between France and Great Britain led to the 

bilateral Franco-British St. Malo Declaration in late 1998.22 France 

and the UK jointly declared that the CFSP had to be backed by 

credible military forces, decision-making bodies, and sources of 

intelligence and analysis.23

In the ensuing years, a rapid Europeanisation of the St. Malo 

Declaration took place. The institutional changes for an effective 

European security and defence policy as an integral part of the 

EU’s CFSP—decided at the summit in Cologne, Germany, elaborated on in Helsinki, Finland, and finalised at Santa Maria de 

Feira, Portugal—were agreed upon by the member states at the 
18 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

EU summit in Nice in December 2000.24 Particularly, the apparent 

European shortfalls during the Kosovo air campaign were a catalyst for making swift progress in common European defence matters.25 These developments resulted in a transfer of almost all 

WEU functions to the EU, but they do not imply the end of the 

WEU treaty as such.26

Despite the European divide over the Iraq crisis as of 2003, a 

further important step was taken in the same year. The document 

A Secure Europe in a Better World, written under the direction of 

the High Representative for the CFSP, Javier Solana, for the first 

time framed a common European security strategy.27 The document basically recognises that traditional territorial defence is a 

thing of the past and that crises have to be tackled at their roots; 

they require a multilateral approach and preventive engagement.28

To create the required military capabilities for the ESDP, the EU 

agreed on two European headline goals. The Helsinki Headline 

Goal (HHG), established at the European Council in Helsinki in 

December 1999, foresaw the capability of being able, by 2003, to 

deploy within 60 days and to sustain for at least one year up to a 

corps-size force.29 Though the HHG goals were formally declared 

to be met in 2003, limitations in the ESDP’s military capabilities 

were acknowledged.30

With the adoption of a common European security strategy, a 

new headline goal was issued in 2004, reflecting the evolution of 

the strategic environment. Headline Goal 2010 (HG 2010) builds 

on and complements the previous HHG. It foresees the creation 

of national and international battle groups for rapid response 

operations—the so-called EU battle groups—and the enhancement of European lift capacities, including the development of a 

European airlift command.31 The EU battle groups represent a 

key element of HG 2010. They are the minimum military effective and coherent force packages capable of stand-alone operations in rapid response scenarios.32 In contrast to the HHG with 

its quantitative approach, the adoption of HG 2010 led to a concerted attention to quality.33

To avoid unnecessary duplications and to make NATO assets 

available for EU operations, a close relationship between the ESDP 

and NATO has been established. In particular, finalisation of the 

“Berlin Plus” agreement in December 2002 paved the way for a 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 19

strategic partnership between the EU and NATO.34 It allows the 

EU to “borrow” common military assets and capabilities from 

NATO.35 HG 2010 also emphasises military interoperability between NATO and ESDP concepts and procedures, mainly because 

only a single set of forces is available for both organisations.36

Hence, the EU aims at arrangements for full consultation, cooperation, and transparency with NATO.37

NATO after the Cold War. NATO responded to the end of the 

Cold War by developing a new strategic concept completed in November 1991. It stressed cooperation with former adversaries, as 

working towards improved and expanded security for Europe as a 

whole was considered a new goal.38 The concept also provided for 

major changes in NATO’s defence posture, such as reductions in 

the size of military forces on the one hand and improvements in 

their mobility, flexibility, and adaptability to different contingencies on the other.39 Nevertheless, it was written in the context of a 

still-existing Soviet Union and, hence, made an explicit reference 

to its large conventional and nuclear arsenals.40

Out-of-area operations had a major impact upon the evolution of NATO in the following years. Whereas deterrence and 

collective defence had provided the fulcrum during the Cold 

War era and have continued to be a central alliance issue, the 

emphasis de facto shifted towards peace support and crisis management operations. At the ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council in December 1992, member states confirmed 

their preparedness to support, on a case-by-case basis, peacekeeping operations under the authority of the UN Security Council and, hence, to provide forces for out-of-area contingencies.41

Throughout the 1990s, NATO shifted from a relatively limited 

role in supporting UN peacekeeping efforts to assuming full 

control of complex peace support operations, culminating in 

Operation Allied Force in 1999.42

The emergence of a new out-of-area role for NATO also led to 

institutional changes and innovations, such as the adoption of the 

combined joint task force (CJTF) concept. Endorsed by NATO 

member states at the January 1994 summit in Brussels, the CJTF 

aimed at improving NATO’s ability to deploy multinational forces 

into out-of-area operations on short notice.43 On the same occasion, NATO announced its support for the European Security and 
20 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

Defence Identity (ESDI), agreed on two years earlier by the WEU. 

Emerging as the defence component of the EU, the WEU was intended to strengthen the European pillar of the alliance. Collective alliance assets were to be made available for WEU operations 

undertaken by European allies in the context of the CFSP. Support for the ESDI was believed to enable European allies to take 

greater responsibility for their common security and defence and 

hence to reinforce the transatlantic link.44 Yet it did not imply 

NATO’s unconditional assistance for autonomous European operations. The June 1996 Berlin summit foresaw that a CJTF could 

be WEU-led but not WEU-authorised, and European assets were 

to be “separable but not separate” from NATO assets.45 Moreover, 

to streamline the alliance’s command structure and to adapt it to 

the changed strategic setting, the top echelon was reduced from 

three to two major NATO commands by June 1994 by disbanding 

Allied Command Channel and restructuring NATO under the remaining Allied Command Europe (ACE) and Allied Command 

Atlantic (ACLANT).46

At the January 1994 Brussels summit, the Partnership for Peace 

(PfP) programme was also launched. Operating under the authority of the North Atlantic Council, it was supposed to forge 

new security relationships with non-NATO states.47 Membership 

was offered to states participating in the Conference for Security 

and Cooperation in Europe.48 On a strategic level, the aim of PfP 

has been to enhance stability and security throughout Europe. On 

an operational level, its purpose has amongst others been to enhance the partner countries’ ability to operate with alliance 

forces.49 Originally relegated to the lower spectrum of military 

force, the PfP operation-spectrum was extended in 1997 to include peace enforcement operations.50

In the second half of the 1990s, cooperation with former adversaries went beyond the PfP programme. The extent of the alliance’s commitment to external transformation was particularly 

demonstrated at the 1997 NATO summit in Madrid, when accession invitations were issued to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and 

Poland. In early 1999, these countries became formal members of 

the alliance.51 Two further enlargement rounds have occurred 

since then. In 2004 seven further Eastern European states formally entered the alliance—Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 21

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In 2009 Croatia and Albania became members of NATO.

In concert with NATO’s enlargement, power projection became an increasingly important focus for the alliance. The strategic concept, adopted at the 1999 Washington summit, underlined NATO’s willingness to support operations under UN 

authority.52 To respond to the demands of deployed operations, 

particularly in the wake of 11 September, the alliance launched 

the NATO Response Force (NRF) project at the 2002 NATO 

summit in Prague. The NRF is a quickly deployable and technologically advanced joint force numbering up to 25,000 troops.53

It is designed for worldwide employment across the spectrum of 

military operations, from evacuation operations and deployment as a mere demonstrative force to Article 5 (collective defence) operations. The response force is inherently joint and 

contains land, air, sea, and special operations forces components, 

including a brigade-size land component, a naval task force with 

a carrier battle group and an amphibious task group, and an air 

component capable of 200 combat sorties a day.54 It reached initial operational capability on 15 October 2003, and full operational capability was declared at the November 2006 Riga summit in Latvia.55 The process of setting up the NRF was considered 

to be a major driving factor behind the alliance’s military transformation towards expeditionary forces.56

Requirements of expeditionary warfare, especially in the context of operations in Afghanistan, led to a further adaptation of 

NATO’s military command structure. Operational responsibilities, formerly shared by ACE and ACLANT, were merged into Allied Command Operations (ACO), based in Mons, Belgium, under the responsibility of the supreme allied commander, Europe 

(SACEUR). To deal with the transformational challenges, the new 

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) was established in the 

United States. ACO and ACT are NATO’s two strategic commands.57 As such, geographical boundaries delineating operational command authorities had been removed, reflecting the nature of deployed operations that might occur anywhere. Secondly, 

ACT advances NATO’s continuing transformation against the 

backdrop of a highly fluid threat and risk spectrum.
22 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

Alliance Policy and Its Impact upon European Air Power

European alliance frameworks have either directly or indirectly 

influenced cooperative ventures in the arena of air power. Cooperative ventures have taken place in the context of the ESDP, 

NATO, and bilateral or multilateral organisational relationships.

ESDP Context. In the domain of air power, the HHG conceived 

the ability to deploy up to 400 combat aircraft for EU operations.58

As mentioned, the HHG turned out to be too ambitious at the 

time, and an approach of incremental improvements had to be 

adopted. Analogous to the EU battle group concept, basically a 

land-centric approach, consideration was given to developing a 

rapidly deployable EU air component within the framework of 

HG 2010.59 Originally, the lead nation of each EU battle group was 

responsible for providing a non-specified air component. Germany and France took the view that a rapidly deployable common 

air component would be necessary to strengthen the EU’s rapid 

response capability. Thus, representatives of both countries’ air 

forces drafted a food-for-thought paper, establishing the EU Rapid 

Response Air Initiative (EU RRAI). At the Franco-German summit on 14 March 2006, the defence ministers formalised this proposal, which was subsequently submitted to the European Union 

Military Committee.60

The initiative came into effect as the EU Air Rapid Response 

Concept (EU Air RRC), which the European Union Military 

Committee agreed to on 21 December 2007. The concept has an 

air database at its core, supporting the force generation process by 

indicating potentially available air assets and capabilities for EU 

operations. The database was established for the first time in October 2008.61 Since the main challenge is not the availability of 

combat aircraft but rather the scarce European logistics for deployed operations, the deployable air base is at the core of the concept. In particular, it is a matter of identifying modules that national air forces can contribute to a multinational air base.62

NATO Context. The NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF), established in the early 1980s, represents 

one of the most prominent and successful cooperative ventures in 

the arena of European air power. It now consists of two operational elements—a multinational NATO fleet and the UK’s air-
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 23

borne early warning component. The multinational NATO fleet is 

based in Germany and operates 17 Boeing NATO E-3A Airborne 

Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. The aircraft are 

manned by international crews from 15 NATO nations (Belgium, 

Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, and the 

United States).63

Courtesy US Air Force

NATO E-3A AWACS aircraft. A GAF NATO communications technician 

stands at the entrance to the E-3A AWACS, Cold Lake, Alberta. The aircraft 

and its crew, stationed at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, were 

participating in Maple Flag 37, a multinational air combat exercise.

More recently, the NRF has been a major catalyst for air force 

cooperation. The NRF’s air component is multinational and contains approximately 6,000 personnel, 84 combat aircraft, 80 support aircraft, and three deployable air bases.64 So far, combined 

joint force air component (CJFAC) commands have rotated between NATO’s regional air component command headquarters at 

Ramstein AB, Germany, and at Izmir, Turkey, as well as between 

the RAF and the French Air Force.65

Within a NATO context, cooperation has recently also been 

fostered on a conceptual level through the setting up of the Joint 

Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC). The German Air Force 

was a key player in setting up the JAPCC, which became operational in Kalkar, Germany, in early 2005.66 It had been argued that 
24 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

air and space power was not adequately represented as an integral part within NATO’s command structure and that a specialised 

centre of excellence would provide the required competence as 

an added value. To that end, the JAPCC provides innovative advice and subject matter expertise for the transformation of alliance air forces.67

Bilateral and Multilateral Organisational Relationships. In 

the post–Cold War era, instituting the Franco-British European 

Air Group (FBEAG) was a major achievement in European air 

power cooperation. In light of real operations in the Balkans and 

elsewhere, the RAF and FAF realised a need for improving interoperability between the two air forces and established the 

FBEAG at High Wycombe, UK, in 1995.68 One of the FBEAG’s 

primary tasks was facilitating combined air operations to support 

Petersberg missions, thereby reflecting the emerging European 

security and defence policy.69 The title of the organisation was formally changed to the European Air Group (EAG) in January 1998. 

The same year, Italy reached full membership status, and on 12 

July 1999, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain joined 

the EAG.70

The official goal of the EAG is “to improve the operational capabilities of the Parties’ Air Forces to carry out operations in pursuit 

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

Franco-British cooperation. FAF Mirage 2000D and RAF Tornado GR4 

flying in formation.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 25

of shared interests, primarily through mechanisms which enhance 

interoperability.”71 To implement this objective, the EAG produces 

various outputs on the tactical/technical level such as technical 

arrangements, tactical planning guides, operating procedures, 

interoperability handbooks, or coordination of training activities.72

Current EAG activities specifically underline its role in making 

European air forces fit for deployed operations. Its endeavors include force protection, joint personnel recovery, and deployable 

multinational air wings.73 The deployable multinational air wing 

(DMAW) project, for instance, aims at providing support tools 

and framework arrangements to facilitate combined and deployed 

operations. A DMAW consists of up to three squadrons and can 

be tailored for a specific task. To avoid duplications, the DMAW 

project is closely coordinated with corresponding NATO and 

ESDP efforts.74

The EAG has been crucial in improving and coordinating existing European airlift capacities. Some European countries had already begun to exchange military airlift capacities on the basis of 

bilateral memoranda of understanding (MOU) in the 1980s. In an 

era of primarily multilateral action, however, these bilateral agreements became increasingly inflexible. To remedy this, the seven 

EAG member states established the Air Transport and Air-to-Air 

Refuelling Exchange of Services (ATARES) programme to allow 

for cash-free trading of services.75

Moreover, in the wake of the Franco-German summit of 30 November 1999, the EAG was tasked with a European airlift study to 

identify better use of the available European airlift means. France 

and particularly Germany considered this a first step towards a 

common European airlift command.76 The European airlift study 

the EAG conducted actually built upon already existing bilateral 

agreements, and it finally resulted in the establishment of the European Airlift Coordination Cell (EACC) at Eindhoven, Holland, 

in September 2001. Though the EACC had been successful in coordinating air transport and air-to-air refuelling (AAR) activities 

among EAG air forces, in terms of both operational and financial 

aspects, the need to further develop the EACC was soon recognized. Subsequently, the EACC was transferred into the European 

Airlift Centre (EAC) on 1 July 2004. In contrast to the EACC, the 

EAC’s broader scope of planning authority and responsibilities in-
26 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

cludes conceptual development and training.77 Along with the 

EAG member countries, Norway became an associated EAC 

member.78 Subsequently, the EAC was merged with the Sealift Coordination Centre into the Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE) in Eindhoven on 1 July 2007.79 This step allows for 

drawing upon synergies in the joint domain.

Though neither the EACC nor the EAC was set up at the direct 

request of the ESDP, European HG 2010 explicitly refers to the 

further development of the EACC into the EAC and welcomed 

the development of a European airlift command by 2010.80 As is 

discussed later, France and Germany have been the lead nations in 

promoting the establishment of a European air transport command (EATC).

On 23 March 2006, the chartering of Ukrainian wide-body, 

long-range strategic transport aircraft became institutionalised 

through the Strategic Airlift Interim Solution (SALIS). A contract 

with a private company provides for two Antonov An-124-100s 

permanently ready in Germany, with the option of chartering another four aircraft within nine days. The SALIS initiative was 

launched at the Prague NATO summit in November 2002 and 

contributes to bridging the European capability gap in strategic 

airlift until the commissioning of the European A400M military 

transport aircraft.81 SALIS is available to both NATO and the 

ESDP operations, underlining the strategic partnership between 

the two alliances. Among the 17 participating nations, 14 are both 

EU and NATO member states, with Canada, Norway, and Sweden 

being the exceptions.82 As an interim solution, SALIS ensures 

timely availability of a capability to deploy outsized cargo, benefitting European rapid reaction forces (RRF) such as the NRF or EU 

battle groups.83

Cooperation on an Operational Level. NATO exchange programmes have contributed significantly to the interoperability of 

alliance air forces on both a tactical and personal level. As is described in the chapters on the air forces, major integrated air exercises such as Red Flag in the United States or Maple Flag in Canada have increasingly attracted Continental European air forces 

against the backdrop of real multinational operations. Moreover, 

Continental Europeans have begun to organise their own integrated air exercises.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 27

Employment of Western Air Power 

in Real Operations

Since the early 1990s, Western air power has been applied across 

the spectrum of force. The utilization of Western air power in the 

geographical hotspots of the Middle East and the Balkans is examined next, followed by its operations in other areas of the world. 

Western Air Operations in the Middle East

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 triggered the beginning of a series of air operations in the Middle East. Besides 

high-intensity air campaigns as conducted in the course of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, Western air power was 

used in a constabulary role for implementing the no-fly zones 

(NFZ) over northern and southern Iraq.

Desert Storm. On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait with the 

aim of annexing it. In the wake of this aggressive act, the United 

States embarked upon Operation Desert Shield. Its purpose was 

to deter further aggression against Saudi Arabia and to protect an 

allied force buildup in the region. Due to its agility, air power 

proved to be the most essential element in the early phase of Operation Desert Shield. Swiftly, a force consisting of fighters, fighterbombers, AWACS aircraft, and a number of combat support aircraft was assembled. By 23 August, approximately 500 allied 

Courtesy US Air Force

USAF A-10 during Operation Desert Shield. An air-to-air view of an A-10A 

Thunderbolt II attack aircraft from the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle 

Beach AFB, SC.
28 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

aircraft had already been dispatched to the crisis area, forestalling 

any potential Iraqi thrust into Saudi Arabia.84 Unlike ground 

power, air power enabled the allies to bring to bear their numerical 

and technological superiority at an early stage.

The European combat aircraft contributors to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm were the United Kingdom, France, 

and Italy. In variety and scale, the UK contribution was second 

only to that of the United States.85 The French deployed the third 

largest air force contingent to the Gulf area. While France was 

willing to commit combat aircraft to Operation Desert Shield at 

an early stage, it was more hesitant to commit forces to Desert 

Storm, the offensive campaign. The French government only decided to do so just prior to the attack. The Italian Air Force contributed by deploying eight Tornado GR1 bombers. Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands augmented the protection of Turkey 

by dispatching combat aircraft as well as GBAD batteries. Yet, 

these aircraft were not involved in combat action during the war.86

In the course of the air campaign, European losses amounted to 

eight aircraft out of a total of 38 lost allied aircraft.87

Despite these various European contributions, a transatlantic 

gap in the air war effort was obvious. In total, fixed-wing aircraft 

flew 118,661 sorties in Desert Storm. Of these, US services logged 

85.4 per cent. The UK, France, and Italy flew 6.7 per cent, with the 

UK contributing more than two-thirds of the European share.88

Early on 17 January 1991, after the diplomatic negotiations had 

failed, the allies embarked upon their concentrated air campaign 

against Iraq and the Iraqi armed forces in Kuwait. In a delicately 

orchestrated effort, the coalition hit virtually every target set in 

the initial strikes, from strategic leadership targets in Baghdad to 

Iraqi ground forces in the Kuwaiti theatre of operation.89 Attacking so-called strategic, operational, and tactical target sets simultaneously was referred to later as parallel warfare.90 Two main enablers of Operation Desert Storm were precision-guided munitions 

(PGM), which offset the need for mass attacks to achieve a high 

probability of success, and stealth aircraft, which provided access 

into high-threat environments.91 Whereas the number of aircraft 

equipped to laser-designate targets was relatively small, the larger 

number of aircraft not equipped to do so dropped unguided munitions in large quantities to reduce Iraqi combat strength in the 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 29

Kuwaiti theatre of operation.92 Early in February, aircraft equipped 

for precision engagement were shifted to contribute to this attrition effort and proved to be very effective.93

Particularly, the smashing of the Iraqi ground offensive against 

the Saudi coastal town of Al Khafji by coalition air power in the 

early stages of the air campaign revealed a new relationship between air and land power.94 Though air power could not hold 

ground, it denied it to Iraqi ground forces.95 Desert Storm turned 

out to be a catalyst for the evolution of European air power in the 

post–Cold War era irrespective of direct air force involvement in 

the campaign (discussed in more detail in the next chapters).

Courtesy US Marine Corps

US Marine Corps artillery during Operation Desert Storm. Marine artillerymen from the 2d Marine Expeditionary Force fire their M-198 155 mm 

howitzer in support of the opening of the ground offensive to free Kuwait 

during Operation Desert Storm. 

No-Fly Zones over Northern and Southern Iraq. To protect 

the Iraqi Kurds from air strikes in the wake of Desert Storm, the 

USAF, RAF, and FAF kept a wing-sized force of aircraft in Turkey.96 The operation was superseded by Operation Northern 

Watch in January 1997. The United States, Great Britain, and Turkey provided approximately 45 combat and support aircraft for 

this new operation.97
30 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

Analogous to the operations in the north, Operation Southern 

Watch was mounted over southern Iraq by American, British, and 

French forces from August 1992. The area south of the 32dparallel 

was prohibited to Iraqi aircraft.98 Various Iraqi violations of the 

NFZ occurred.99 In August 1996, for instance, the Iraqi Air Force 

launched air strikes to intervene in the fighting between Kurdish 

factions. The United States responded by launching cruise missiles and by extending the Southern Watch NFZ up to the 33d 

parallel, just south of Baghdad.100 The French refused to back the 

extension of the southern NFZ.101

In 1997 and 1998, Iraq continued to engage in a repeated pattern of obstructing and deceiving United Nations Special Command (UNSCOM) weapons inspections. This situation finally 

culminated in Operation Desert Fox, a limited punitive air campaign. The Anglo-American operation entailed 650 aircraft sorties and 415 cruise missile launches. Ninety-seven targets in Iraq 

were attacked, mainly related to leadership and, to a lesser degree, 

to alleged WMD facilities.102

In late 2001 and 2002, US and British forces stepped up their 

efforts and embarked upon an intensive destruction of enemy air 

defences campaign.103 From July 2002 to 19 March 2003, coalition 

forces flew no fewer than 8,600 sorties to reduce the Iraqi air defence capability and C2 networks.104 In fact, Operations Northern 

and Southern Watch turned into a preliminary campaign for an 

actual invasion of Iraq.

Iraqi Freedom. After Afghanistan, the “war on terror” turned 

to Iraq. Operation Iraqi Freedom commenced on 19 March 2003 

with a failed decapitation strike against Saddam and his sons by 

means of Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and F-117s. To 

achieve surprise and to secure the Rumilyah oil fields, however, 

the Anglo-American ground incursion preceded the actual air 

campaign, with the former starting early in the morning and the 

latter in the evening of 21 March.105

The air war that followed was twofold. A strategic air campaign 

struck against selected targets in Baghdad. An operational air war 

relentlessly hammered Iraqi ground forces.106 The vast majority of 

air strikes, approximately 80 per cent, were allocated to the latter. 

Close air support (CAS) decisively shaped ground engagements, 

and, at an operational level, aerial firepower spearheaded ground 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 31

manoeuvres.107 When ground forces were pinned down by sandstorms, American air power was able to strike decisive blows 

against the Republican Guard. By means of air-to-ground surveillance radars and Global Positioning System (GPS) guided 

bombs, air power could hit point targets under most unfavourable 

weather conditions.108 It is estimated that all but 19 of the Republican Guard’s 850 tanks were destroyed or abandoned during the 

air strikes.109

A particularly high level of jointness was displayed in the course 

of Operation Iraqi Freedom during March and April 2003.110 Confronted with a swift and massive ground assault, the Iraqi military 

had to move and concentrate its divisions, which were then annihilated by coalition air power. Air power also covered the flanks 

and the rear of the advancing coalition forces.111 Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy points out that while Operation Desert Storm 

involved a basically distinct air campaign followed by a discrete 

land campaign, the high-intensity phase of Iraqi Freedom was a 

truly integrated operation.112 On top of that, the number of precision munitions employed rose from a small percentage in Desert 

Storm to a majority in Operation Iraqi Freedom.113 Yet in contrast 

to Desert Storm, the air coalition was much smaller. Besides 

American and British aerial forces, the Royal Australian Air Force 

(RAAF) participated in the air campaign.

After these major combat operations had ceased, Western air 

power continued to play an important role in Iraq by providing air 

surveillance, reconnaissance, precision air strikes, and airlift. Air 

power was particularly applied in so-called urban joint warfare, as 

the battle for Fallujah in November 2004 demonstrated.114

Western Air Operations over the Balkans

Immediately after Desert Storm, the Balkans emerged as the 

second major trouble spot for Western governments in the post–

Cold War era. Unlike the case of the Gulf War in 1991, it was not 

easy to reach political consensus on how to tackle the situation in 

the Balkans throughout the 1990s. Thus, the execution of air operations was influenced by political, diplomatic, and alliance friction.

Deny Flight. Operation Deny Flight started on 12 April 1993. 

It was first supposed to enforce a declared NFZ over Bosnia by 

means of round-the-clock combat air patrols (CAP).115 In the 
32 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

months that immediately followed, the mission spectrum was 

extended to include air-to-ground strikes.116 Among NATO 

countries, providing aircraft for combat missions over Bosnia 

from the beginning of the campaign were the United States, 

France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Turkey.117 In late November 1994, Spain deployed eight F-18 Hornets to take part in 

Operation Deny Flight.118

Due to the narrow rules of engagement (ROE), the civil war 

parties could execute airspace violations with near impunity.119

Also, with regard to CAS missions, the ROEs were tight. The 

CAS request system worked on a dual key command chain, with 

both the UN and NATO having to authorise air strikes. While 

NATO responded quickly to CAS requests, the UN approval 

process worked slowly and most often too slowly.120 Consequently, a total of only four authorized CAS attacks were conducted over two years.121

It was only in 1995 that consensus for more vigorous air strikes 

began to build. Yet, NATO bombing of Bosnian Serb ammunition 

depots in May 1995 resulted in hundreds of UN peacekeepers being taken hostage. A further humiliation for the UN followed 

when in July 1995, Dutch peacekeepers failed to protect Srebrenica, 

Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO jets were ready to provide CAS 

within minutes, but the UN refused to approve any air strikes for 

two entire days.122 In response to these developments, the dual key 

command chain was abandoned in July 1995.123

Deliberate Force. The immediate event that triggered a more 

robust air campaign—Operation Deliberate Force—NATO’s first 

major combat mission ever, was the shelling of a marketplace in 

Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on 28 August 1995. Early on 30 

August 1995, NATO aircraft took off to strike targets in Bosnia. 

The campaign itself was halted for negotiations. After these faltered, the bombing was resumed. On 14 September, the Bosnian 

Serbs agreed to UN terms, and offensive operations were suspended; the campaign was declared closed on 20 September.124

Political sensitivity had an overarching impact upon the conduct 

of Operation Deliberate Force. The American air component 

commander considered the avoidance of collateral damage to be 

of pivotal strategic importance.125
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 33

Alliance air forces flew approximately 3,500 sorties, including 

750 strike sorties.126 A total of about 300 aircraft were assigned for 

Operation Deliberate Force, including approximately 20 air-to-air 

refuelling aircraft.127 In terms of sorties, the US services accomplished by far the most (66 per cent), followed by the UK (10 per 

cent) and France (8 per cent), with Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, and common NATO aircraft flying the remainder.128

Deliberate Force was the first air campaign to see the predominant 

use of PGMs—69 per cent out of 1,026 weapons released.129 Albeit 

on a significantly lower level, this stood in stark contrast to the 

Desert Storm air campaign, where 7.6 per cent out of approximately 227,000 weapons expended were precision-guided.130 International cooperation was tight; a typical strike mission was 

normally conducted by a multinational fighter package.131 German combat aircraft were in the air during the operation, though 

not officially integrated.

The air campaign was part of a larger package, finally producing 

the November 1995 Dayton Accords. The international sanctions 

began to have an effect, and the Bosnian Muslims and Croats 

Courtesy US Army

US Army units entering Bosnia-Herzegovina in late 1995. In the wake of 

Operation Deliberate Force and the Dayton Accords, a US Army Bradley 

fighting vehicle leads a column of Humvees across a pontoon bridge into 

Bosnia-Herzegovina.
34 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

launched a ground offensive alongside the air campaign.132 Moreover, Deliberate Force included a ground component. On a French 

initiative, a multilateral RRF was created and inserted into Bosnia. 

The combat element of the RRF was a French, British, and Dutch 

multinational brigade. According to the French general commanding the brigade, allied artillery fire paralysed military movements around Sarajevo and produced synergies with air power.133

Air Bridge to Sarajevo and Eastern Bosnia. Simultaneously 

with Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force, Western air 

power was used in a major humanitarian relief effort. As the convoy routes to Sarajevo were often obstructed by the warring parties, a substantial part of aid and supply had to be flown in. On 

3 July 1992, the efforts of the UN high commissioner for refugees 

to airlift supplies to the Sarajevo airport officially started. At the 

beginning, 14 nations contributed to the relief effort by providing 

military transport aircraft. Additionally, the UN chartered airlifters. European contributions came from Belgium, Great Britain, 

Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, and 

Sweden. Two months after the official start of the operation, on 

3 September, an Italian aircraft—lacking any self-protection system—was shot down by a SAM. The UN reacted by shutting down 

the airlift effort for over one month. As a consequence of this fatal 

incident, most nations withdrew their transport aircraft.134

The air bridge was reactivated in October 1992 and lasted until 

January 1996. It was mainly operated by military aircraft from the 

United States, Germany, France, the UK, and Canada. From time 

to time, other aid organisations or air forces, such as the Swedish 

Air Force, supported the airlift effort. Aircraft were often shot at, 

though without any serious consequences. When the air bridge 

was finished in 1996, it was the longest running in history. Often, 

it provided the only way to get aid and supply into Sarajevo.135

Aid and supply were also air-dropped over the Muslim enclaves 

in Eastern Bosnia and the Muslim-held eastern sector of Mostar 

city, Bosnia-Herzegovina. In February 1993, a USAF airlift wing 

was given the task of conducting the airdrop missions. When the 

operation gathered momentum one month later, the American 

C-130s were augmented by three German and two French C-160 

Transall aircraft. All missions were flown at night due to the 

ground threat. The airdrop operation lasted until August 1994. Si-
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 35

multaneously, British and French transport helicopters secured 

the evacuation of wounded from the enclaves.136

Allied Force. Between 24 March and 9 June 1999, NATO embarked upon the last major air campaign over the Balkans with 

the goal of stopping the suppression of the Albanian majority in 

Kosovo.137 It was widely assumed that Operation Deliberate Force 

would serve as a pattern for Kosovo. Hence, NATO planned to 

bomb only a specified number of selected targets. A short bombing campaign was expected to make Slobodan Milosevic concede 

to Western demands. However, there were two crucial differences 

between Deliberate Force and Allied Force. First, in contrast to 

Bosnia, Kosovo possessed special historical meaning for the 

Serbs.138 Second, a Croat and Muslim offensive was putting pressure on the Bosnian Serbs in 1995, and there was a Western combat component on the ground—both were lacking in 1999.

From the very beginning, an overwhelming force–type operation was excluded.139 Instead, NATO settled for a gradual approach 

to coerce Milosevic.140 Only in the second half of Operation Allied 

Force did NATO strike with determination.141 Undoubtedly, most 

European allies would have been reluctant to approve a massive 

use of force in advance. Yet, according to Ivo Daalder and Michael 

O’Hanlon, the American charge that the air campaign was primarily hampered by political interference from European NATO 

member states does not carry substance. The decisions to adopt a 

strategy of gradual escalation and to rule out the deployment of 

ground forces were made in Washington, as it was believed—particularly by Pres. Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine 

Albright—that Milosevic would give in quickly.142 Since the United 

States and NATO had ruled out a ground option from the outset, 

the Yugoslav Army was able to survive the air attacks by spreading 

out and concealing its equipment.143 Moreover, alliance friction 

was created by the United States using a parallel but separate 

mechanism for mission planning and air tasking regarding sensitive systems such as the B-2, F-117, and cruise missile. While all 

other alliance air assets were tasked by NATO, these systems were 

tasked by the US European Command.144

Why Milosevic gave in is still a controversial issue. A bundle of 

factors was identified, with the air campaign at the core and underpinning all the remaining factors—declining support from Russia, 
36 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

NATO’s cohesion as an alliance, diplomatic interventions, and the 

increasing threat of a NATO ground intervention.145

The United States was shouldering by far the largest effort. 

While some European allies were able to make valuable suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) contributions or to deliver 

PGMs, many European allies lacked the capabilities to operate effectively with the US services, which contributed 59 per cent of all 

allied aircraft involved in the air campaign and released over 80 

per cent of the expended munitions.146 Approximately 23,000 

bombs and missiles were used, of which 35 per cent were precisionguided, including 329 cruise missiles.147

Courtesy US Air Force

USAF B-2 Spirit. The B-2 Spirit made its combat debut during Operation 

Allied Force.

Examining NATO’s air campaign as a model for possible future 

European military operations, a British defence expert argued in 

2000 that the approximately 500 all-weather bombers that the UK, 

France, Germany, and Italy could field at the time needed to be increased by about 50 per cent.148 Furthermore, the transatlantic capability gap became visible in the fields of AAR and airborne standoff 

jamming. With regard to the latter, NATO’s air campaign hinged 

entirely upon US capabilities. Regarding AAR, American aircraft 

flew about 90 per cent of the sorties. Yet, the published sources on 

European tanker contributions are inconsistent. For instance, while 

a RAND report concluded that France deployed only three dedicated tanker aircraft, the French Ministry of Defence (MOD) indicated that France was able to deploy 10 C-135FR tankers.149

Besides the United States, Canada, and Turkey, European nations that participated in Operation Allied Force were Belgium, 

Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 37

Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Of the European allies, 

the French provided the most deployed aircraft and sorties flown, 

followed by the British. The Royal Netherlands Air Force as well as 

the German and Italian Air Forces made other important contributions, the latter two particularly in the domain of SEAD.150

Western Air Operations in the Rest of the World

The application of Western air power in areas outside the Middle East and the Balkans has been manifold—though more in a 

supportive role and therefore less prominent—with the exception 

of Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan in the aftermath of 11 September.

Air Operations against “Terrorism.” The air campaign against 

the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda in late 2001 had a precursor in 

1998. After the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed 

on 7 August 1998, the Clinton administration embarked upon 

Operation Infinite Reach. Approximately 70 Tomahawk cruise 

missiles were launched from naval platforms against allegedly 

al-Qaeda-related targets in Sudan and Afghanistan.151

After the attacks of 11 September, Operation Enduring Freedom 

aimed at chasing down al-Qaeda by depriving it of its safe haven in 

Afghanistan and toppling the Taliban regime. The first strikes were 

conducted by US forces on 7 October 2001, with British submarines 

striking at targets by means of Tomahawk cruise missiles.152

Courtesy US Air Force

F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron approach a mission objective in eastern Afghanistan in November 

2009. The 335th deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, from Seymour 

Johnson AFB, NC. 
38 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

The campaign turned out to be a major struggle between the 

Taliban and the northern alliance forces, with precision air 

power—directed by special forces—affecting the outcome decisively.153 The delivery of firepower reached a new level in Enduring 

Freedom. During Desert Storm, there was an average of 10 aircraft 

sorties per target. In Enduring Freedom, on the other hand, a 

combat aircraft attacked on average two targets per sortie.154

Furthermore, the sensor-to-shooter cycle was considerably enhanced. In slightly more than two years, the Tomahawk targeting 

process had been reduced from 101 minutes in Operation Allied 

Force to 19 minutes in Enduring Freedom. Despite these new 

technological possibilities, 10 opportunities to attack senior Taliban 

leadership did not receive clearance in time.155

Among the Continental European air forces that provided 

combat aircraft to later phases of Operation Enduring Freedom 

were France and a combined Danish, Dutch, and Norwegian detachment. Moreover, during the second half of December 2001, 

combat aircraft from the French carrier Charles de Gaulle and the 

Italian carrier Garibaldi joined the air campaign.156

Third-Party Intervention in Failed States. With the end of the 

Cold War, states started to disintegrate not only in Europe but also 

elsewhere, particularly in Africa. As a consequence, Western powers intervened several times attempting to stabilise the situation. 

In these conflicts, air power executed an enabling and supporting 

role, such as power projection, intratheatre airlift, reconnaissance, 

and CAS.

In 1993 a multinational force attempted to restore order in 

Somalia. This operation came to an abrupt halt when US transport helicopters were shot down by a warlord’s faction on 3 October 1993, resulting in 18 American Soldiers killed. The Clinton 

administration subsequently ordered a phased withdrawal.157

Soon afterwards, genocide unfolded in Rwanda. In response, the 

French embarked upon Operation Turquoise, aimed at stabilising 

the situation in western Rwanda.158 This and other French operations in Africa are explored later. Sharing a similar colonial legacy, 

the UK also became involved in conflicts in Africa. In 2000, for 

instance, Britain dispatched a battle-group-sized force with corresponding air and maritime support to civil-war-torn Sierra Leone.159

Essential for Operation Palliser was rapid deployment, which could 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 39

be achieved only through airlift.160 In recent years, the European 

Union has taken on an increasing responsibility for the conduct of 

joint military interventions on behalf of the UN.

Outside Africa, it was primarily Haiti and East Timor that saw 

Western third-party intervention in the wake of internal tensions 

and clashes.161 In both cases, air power proved crucial for timely 

power projection.

Air Policing and Constabulary Tasks. The events of 11 September also put an unprecedented emphasis upon aerial constabulary tasks and reemphasised the importance of national 

airspace protection. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks 

against the United States, Western air forces undertook special 

efforts to protect national airspace. Furthermore, though air 

power alone cannot fight terrorism, it is regarded as an important enabler for the other services in combating terrorism, particularly through the gathering of intelligence.

Humanitarian Relief Missions. Throughout the post–Cold 

War era, military airlift has played a major role in disaster relief 

missions. These disasters have been caused by civil wars, famine, 

or natural catastrophes, and they have required responsive delivery of medical supplies, food, shelter, and mobile communications. As is shown in the ensuing chapters, Continental European 

air forces have been heavily engaged in humanitarian relief missions by providing airlift. Yet, disaster relief missions are not relegated to airlift alone. In 1996, for instance, an RAF aerial reconnaissance detachment was dispatched to former Zaire in support 

of Operation Purposeful. An assessment of aerial imagery revealed the refugees’ requirements.162

Air Power Doctrine and Thinking

In British parlance, military doctrine is defined as a collection of 

fundamental principles that serve as a guideline for military operations but should not be adhered to dogmatically.163 The second 

half of the Cold War era has often been characterised as a period 

inimical to doctrinal thought, with the primary concern of airmen relegated to tactical and technical issues. In contrast, the end 

of the Cold War together with Desert Storm provoked a major 

surge in conventional air power thinking both within and outside 
40 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

the air forces of the Anglo-Saxon world. An early indication of 

this rising air power debate was John Warden’s book The Air Campaign: Planning for Combat, published in 1988, on the precipice of 

the end of the Cold War. However controversial Warden’s ideas have 

become, his book contributed considerably to the reemergence of 

a doctrinal debate embracing air power in its entirety instead of 

focusing upon single air power roles.164

We next review the evolution of air power doctrine in the USAF, 

RAF, and RAAF. This provides a yardstick to examine the doctrine 

development process in Continental European air forces and also 

helps to illuminate to what extent Anglo-Saxon air power thinking has influenced Continental European thinking. The USAF 

was chosen for its leading role in air power and the RAF for its 

prominent air power history. The RAAF is an example of a relatively small- to medium-sized air force that—despite its size 

constraints—has made significant contributions to air power 

thinking. The discussion concentrates upon basic air power doctrine—the so-called strategic doctrine—as it is the link between 

national defence policy and the operational level. We also consider the evolution of air power teaching as well as the dissemination of air power thinking within these air forces. 

The resurgence of intellectual air power thinking within these air 

forces has also been accompanied by scores of books and articles 

written by scholars and airmen alike. In the aftermath of Desert 

Storm, the literature chiefly reflected the intense debate over the effectiveness of air power. The air campaign seemed to prove the views 

of air power zealots, who believed in the distinct effectiveness of air 

power and who voiced their standpoints in a number of articles. From 

their point of view, the distinct employment of air power against 

leadership-related target sets is synonymous with the term strategic.

165

Yet, soon these views began to be contested by critics such as Robert 

A. Pape, who argued that the true value of precision air power lies in 

integrated air-land operations and not in distinct strategic air campaigns.166 Besides these air power controversies, Anglo-Saxon authors 

also presented more balanced and encompassing views on air power 

evolution.167 Primary references for this research were limited to official and unofficial writings within the air forces.

Specific topics have emerged in the post–Cold War air power 

debate. In the aftermath of Desert Storm, the concept of parallel 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 41

warfare came to the fore, and in the second half of the 1990s, the 

term effects-based operations (EBO) began to dominate the doctrinal debate. Both concepts imply that achieving strategic goals is 

within the sphere of not only nuclear forces but also conventional 

air power. PGMs proved so successful in Desert Storm that they 

offset the need for mass attacks. Many different target sets could 

be attacked simultaneously versus sequentially, hence, the term 

parallel warfare. This approach has been thought to create paralysis within the enemy system.168

In the post–Cold War era, air campaign planners have also been 

confronted with various peace support and coercive operations, 

where pure military victory has not been the primary strategic 

criterion. This situation has in turn led to the EBO debate in air 

power doctrine circles. While during the Cold War, strategic effect 

was relegated to the nuclear strike role, the term strategic had to be 

extended in the 1990s to make it fit the new environment.169 It no 

longer connotes only the kinetic effect of air power but instead 

refers to all of its roles.170 According to current NATO air power 

doctrine, it is the effect on the strategic objective that determines 

the strategic nature of such operations (air operations for strategic 

effect) and not the range, type of platform, or weapon used.171 It 

was further suggested that it was no longer useful to strictly distinguish between tactical and strategic target sets: strategic effect 

can be achieved by hitting targets such as fielded forces and their 

logistics tail.172

Air Power Doctrine Development

The USAF released its first post–Cold War basic aerospace doctrine, Air Force Manual (AFM) 1-1, in March 1992. It superseded 

AFM 1-1 from 5 January 1984 and served to usher the way into a 

new air power era by formalizing the Gulf War air campaign lessons. As such, it highlighted aerospace power’s inherent capability 

to rapidly or simultaneously engage objectives at any level from 

strategic through theatre to tactical, thereby embracing the concept 

of parallel warfare, though not explicitly mentioning it.173 It was 

particularly Maj Gen David A. Deptula who conceptually established the concept of parallel warfare in the ensuing years.174 Strategic attack was defined as “achiev[ing] maximum destruction of the 

enemy’s ability to wage war.”175 This definition implied a shift from a 
42 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

concept based on target types to a concept based on combat outcomes and thus anticipated the debate over EBO.176 Moreover, 

parallel and independent aerospace campaigns centrally controlled by an airman were considered to be most effective.177 Doing so, AFM 1-1 particularly highlighted the success of the joint 

force air component commander (JFACC) concept as employed 

in Desert Storm.

To institutionalise the doctrine development process, the Air 

Force Doctrine Center (AFDC), with headquarters at Maxwell 

AFB, Alabama, was established in February 1997. Ten years later, 

the AFDC was merged with the College of Aerospace Doctrine, 

Research, and Education into the LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education. The AFDC was responsible for researching, developing, and producing basic and operational doctrine and for reviewing doctrine education. Moreover, the centre 

participated in developing and investigating future aerospace 

concepts and technologies. In September 1997, the AFDC released a revised edition of Air Force Basic Doctrine.

178 The socalled Air Force Doctrine Document 1 (AFDD 1) was approved 

by Gen Michael E. Ryan, the newly appointed USAF chief of staff, 

who had been commander, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe 

(NATO), between September 1994 and April 1996 and who was 

the combined joint force air component commander (CJFACC) 

during Operation Deliberate Force. So it was not surprising that 

the document took into account the employment of air power in 

peace support operations, referred to as “military operations other 

than war.”179 The 1997 edition also introduced the term strategic 

effect. In accordance with this concept, strategic attack is not 

aimed at particular target sets but at the “adversary’s capability to 

continue the conflict.”180 Two years earlier, Deliberate Force was 

perceived to produce strategic outcomes by concentrating strikes 

at the mobility and command infrastructure of the Bosnian Serb 

army, without having to go beyond the immediate area of the adversary’s ground operations.181 Given that American involvement 

in the Balkans primarily hinged upon air power, the 1997 edition 

not surprisingly identified Air Force operations as the potentially 

most decisive force in demonstrating the nation’s will to counter 

an adversary’s aggression, thereby underlining the distinctiveness 

of the service with regard to the other services.182
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 43

The next edition of AFDD 1 in November 2003 was designed to 

provide guidance for the application of air power in the war on terror. According to Gen John P. Jumper, key themes included contingency operations, network-centric warfare, and American air power’s contribution to the joint battle.183 Regarding the latter, AFDD 1 

argues that effectively integrating the four service branches’ capabilities remained pivotal to successful joint war fighting.184 This 

stands in stark contrast to the 1992 AFM 1-1, which emphasises the 

effectiveness of air power in relatively independent aerospace campaigns. Operational experience in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003—

as opposed to Desert Storm with a distinct air and ground campaign—certainly caused this shift in doctrine.

Devoid of any national strategic air power doctrine, the RAF 

began to realise towards the end of the Cold War the importance 

of establishing a coherent and systematic doctrine to think about 

air power in overall and integrated campaign terms. This differed 

from the stand-alone roles characterising the RAF’s presentation 

of air power since the 1957 defence review and the handover of 

principal responsibilities for the nuclear deterrent to the Navy.185

Against the backdrop of inherent scepticism within the RAF towards doctrine and concern amongst senior RAF officers that a 

national doctrine might conflict with NATO manuals, an attempt 

at producing a new RAF doctrine manual was undertaken in 1988. 

With the approval of the assistant chief of the Air Staff, the first 

edition of the RAF air power doctrine, Air Publication (AP) 3000, 

was produced with a limited print run.186

The doctrine was finally published in 1991. In his foreword, Air 

Chief Marshal Sir Peter Harding, chief of the Air Staff, identifies 

two fundamental reasons for establishing a national air power 

doctrine. First, quantum leaps in air power technology had made 

a conceptual grasp of the new capabilities and limitations for informed doctrinal discussion indispensable. Secondly, according 

to Harding, the new doctrine was supposed to amalgamate past 

experience with forethought to prepare airmen to meet the challenges of the day.187 A reference to the turmoil in the international 

arena was not yet made, showing that the doctrine was still embedded into a Cold War type of setting. Typical Cold War features 

of AP 3000 were its emphasis upon offensive counterair missions 

using the JP233 airfield attack system, particularly designed for 
44 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

attacks against Warsaw Pact airfields; layered air defence; and nuclear strike operations. Also, regarding the spectrum of conflict, 

AP 3000 bore the hallmarks of a Cold War paradigm. While it 

identified nuclear, non-nuclear, and insurgent warfare, no explicit 

reference was made to peace support operations.188 Besides these 

Cold War vestiges, however, the quantum leap, brought to light by 

the Gulf air campaign, was cautiously being grasped by referring 

to the outstanding effectiveness of PGMs.189

Regarding AP 3000, Air Chief Marshal Harding particularly 

identified three specific aims: “To foster a more cohesive approach 

to air power education within the Service; second, to be the foundation of our contribution to the formulation of joint-service doctrine, and alliance doctrine with NATO or other allies; and, finally, 

to enhance the understanding of air power within our sisterServices, the Civil Service, Parliament and the general public.”190

Though conceived during the last months of the Cold War, AP 

3000 nevertheless provided a sound starting point for post–Cold 

War doctrine development. The fundamental changes in the international arena as well as Desert Storm made a revision of AP 3000 

necessary. In the eyes of the then-director of defence studies RAF, 

the Gulf War air campaign opened eyes that had previously been 

closed and as such was a statement of progress.191 Consequently, 

within two years the RAF published AP 3000’s second edition. In 

its foreword, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon, chief of the 

Air Staff, particularly highlighted the importance of recent operational experience for the doctrine development process: “Since 

AP 3000’s first edition was published, the RAF’s air power doctrine has been reviewed and refined in the light of operational experience in the Gulf and elsewhere.”192 While the framework in 

terms of chapter structure remained, themes such as the role of air 

power in managing international crises or the effects of strategic 

air campaigns were newly introduced or redefined, underlining 

the perceived effectiveness of simultaneous strikes against a number of target sets.193 Despite these amendments, vestiges of a 

NATO Cold War setting can be found, such as the concept of the 

layered air defence of the UK or of a strategic nuclear campaign.194

AP 3000’s third edition, published in 1999, was an effort to harmonise British air power doctrine with the expeditionary strategy, 

as laid down in the Strategic Defence Review of 1998, and it antici-
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 45

pated the development of joint doctrine and defence structures.195

Accordingly, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns, chief of the Air 

Staff, argues in the foreword that jointness and multinational operations must be a central theme to the generation of air power.196

In this vein, three entire chapters in the 1999 edition were dedicated to joint force employment. Furthermore, its subtitle British 

Air Power Doctrine, as opposed to the previous subtitles Royal Air 

Force Air Power Doctrine, underlined a single environmental focus: establishing the RAF’s role as the prime custodian of British 

air power thinking.197 Besides this thrust towards jointness, AP 

3000’s third edition introduced the concept of “air operations for 

strategic effect,” thereby reflecting the debate on effects-based operations.198 Since this edition predated much of contemporary UK 

joint doctrine, it also contained large segments that are generic 

across defence studies, such as the principles of war.199

In comparison to its predecessor, which had not been firmly 

embedded into a doctrine hierarchy, AP 3000’s fourth edition 

aimed at distilling the underlying philosophy of air power into a 

concise format by complementing joint doctrine rather than replicating it.200 One of the chief reasons to produce a revised edition 

of AP 3000 was the need to reflect contemporary and enduring 

operations doctrinally.201 The revised AP 3000’s subtitle of British 

Air and Space Power Doctrine particularly underlines the importance of space to modern Western military operations.202 In this 

domain, the doctrine is relatively explicit about the UK’s dependency upon US assets.203

The RAAF for its part embarked upon an innovative air power 

doctrine development process towards the end of the Cold War. 

Being aware of the importance of sound air power theory and 

doctrine, the chief of the Air Staff ordered the formation of the 

RAAF Air Power Studies Centre in August 1989 at RAAF Fairbairn. The centre was renamed Aerospace Centre in 2000 and 

then Air Power Development Centre in 2004, but the primary 

purpose remained the development of strategic air power doctrine and the promotion of air power thinking. The centre developed the RAAF’s first air power manual in 1990, which at that 

time was the second of its type in the world.204 Describing air 

power as the dominant component of combat power in modern 

warfare, Air Marshal R. G. Funnell, chief of the Air Staff, declared 
46 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

in the foreword that “the Royal Australian Air Force cannot fully 

discharge its responsibility to the nation until it can, through rigorous analysis, explain the best use of air power. The first essential 

step in this responsibility is the establishment of Australian air 

power doctrine.”205 Though still embedded in a Cold War context, 

the air power doctrine manual actually anticipated the coming of 

age of air power as experienced in the Gulf War air campaign. It 

also argued that conventional air power has developed a capability 

far beyond the mere extension of surface forces.206 The RAAF produced several revised editions in the ensuing years.207

The NATO alliance has published air power doctrine documents since the days of the Cold War. These doctrine documents 

have been jointly agreed upon by member states, and they have 

left, as one RAND analyst argued in the mid-1980s, considerable 

room for national interpretation.208 NATO alliance air power doctrine cannot be examined in depth, as not all standardisation documents are publicly available.209 Generally, it can be concluded that 

in the 1980s, NATO tactical air doctrine was almost exclusively 

designed to deter and counter an attack by Warsaw Pact forces.210

In the late 1990s, NATO allied air power doctrine in particular 

began to elaborate on non-Article 5 crisis response operations.211

Moreover, it embraced the concept of EBO.212 Institutionally, 

NATO’s doctrine and concept development was strengthened by 

the foundation of the JAPCC in 2005, as previously mentioned. 

Teaching of Air Power Thought

In the United States, the USAF’s leading school in air power 

theory and history is the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies 

(SAASS). SAASS runs a master’s degree programme specifically 

structured to prepare a select group of officers to become the military’s future air and space power strategists.213 A catalyst for setting 

up high-quality teaching institutions within the US armed forces and 

particularly within the USAF was the frustrations of the Vietnam 

War. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, courses and curricula 

at the USAF’s Air University (AU) were thoroughly reexamined 

and changed. As a consequence, the number of civilian faculty 

positions was increased and greater emphasis was placed on research and publication. SAASS originated from this revision process and was officially established in 1988.214 Its curriculum en-
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 47

compasses classical military, air power, and space power theory 

and history. During this intensive 48-week programme, weekly 

reading loads average 1,200–1,500 pages.215

Moreover, SAASS has actively published, thereby establishing a 

linkage between air power education and the dissemination of air 

power thought to a broader audience. Of particular interest was 

the 1997 publication The Paths of Heaven, edited by the SAASS 

commandant and with individual chapters written by members of 

the SAASS faculty. It is considered to be the first definitive history 

of the evolution of air power theory.216 Furthermore, individual 

SAASS faculty members have published books and have made 

major contributions to the professional literature in various journals on international security, strategy, and defence issues.217

In the UK, a major reform in the education of selected midcareer 

officers developed in autumn 1997. Marshalling this change was, 

first, a thrust towards jointness by collocating the three services’ advanced command and staff courses at the RAF Staff College in 

Bracknell and, second, the integration of academics from the newly 

founded Department of Defence Studies, King’s College London, 

into the delivery of air power teaching. Six weeks of the Advanced 

Command and Staff Course were exclusively devoted to an air 

power module encompassing air power history, theory, and campaign planning. The module itself was divided into two parts. While 

the academics focused upon air power history and theory, the military teaching staff dealt with air power doctrine and campaign 

planning—a fruitful military-academic symbiosis. In September 

2000, new teaching facilities were provided at the newly established 

Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC) in Shrivenham, 

ushering in an ever greater thrust towards a joint curriculum. Since 

late 2005, King’s College London has also been providing academic 

education to initial officer training at the RAF College, and in 2009 

staff based at the college developed a distance-learning master’s degree, air power in the modern world.218

The latest edition of AP 3000, British Air and Space Power Doctrine, predominantly targets a military audience at the staff training establishments. A link between doctrine and the teaching of 

air power theory and concepts is clearly reflected.219

With the setting up of the Air Power Studies Centre in August 

1989, the RAAF embarked not only on an innovative approach to 
48 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

doctrine development but also on teaching air power doctrine, 

theory, and history. Presently, the RAAF Air Power Development 

Centre runs the Advanced Air Power Course, designed to give a 

greater understanding of air power theory and doctrine. The 

course covers air power topics from World War I to the present 

day. Its quality is strengthened by the provision of academic supervision, ensuring a productive link between the military and academia.220 Moreover, the chief of Air Force fellowships has fostered 

proactive air power thinking. The fellowship programme was established in 1990 to develop greater awareness of Australian air 

power. It offers the opportunity to spend considerable time preparing a piece of substantial work relevant to Australian air power. 

The programme is also open to representatives from regional air 

forces and to those of Australia’s major allies, thereby fostering 

mutual understanding and a combined approach to air power 

theory, doctrine, and history.221

Dissemination of Air Power Thought

The USAF has been at the leading edge of furthering the discussion of air power concepts. One vehicle for this dialog is the Air 

and Space Power Journal, first published in 1947. Through this 

journal, the Air Force Research Institute at Maxwell Air Force 

Base, Alabama, endeavours to promote worldwide air and space 

power thought. The journal is now published not only in English 

but also in five other languages, thereby reaching out to a vast audience. The English version is intended to foster a professional and intellectual dialogue within the USAF.222 Another important institution for the dissemination of American air power 

thought is the Air Force Historical Foundation, founded in 1953. 

It is dedicated to the preservation and publication of the history of 

American military aviation. For this purpose, the foundation’s activities include a book programme, an awards programme, and 

symposia.223 It also publishes the journal Air Power History.

224

By combining doctrine development with semiofficial publications, the RAF embarked upon an innovative path in the 1990s. 

Concurrently with the development of AP 3000’s first edition, for 

instance, the director of defence studies RAF published a collection of essays in early 1990 on the doctrine and air power of various nations.225 In 1994 the chief of the Air Staff established the air 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 49

power working group, initially bringing together air force officers 

and senior academics but later expanded to include representatives from the British Army, Royal Navy, USAF, and RAAF. The 

goal was not only to promote air power thinking in the wake of 

Desert Storm but also to advocate the British view on air power 

within the UK as well as with the USAF and the RAAF. The first 

workshop resulted in the publication The Dynamics of Air Power.

226

It examined evolving air power theory and the role of air power in 

peace support operations, a highly topical area given the operations over the Balkans.227 In the ensuing years, a succession of directors of defence studies RAF compiled and edited a growing 

body of topical doctrinal literature evolving from the chief of the 

Air Staff ’s air power workshops, which had emerged from the air 

power working group.228 Besides the activities of the air power 

working group and the workshops, air power conferences have 

been organised not only to promote air power thinking or to inform initial thinking on recent campaigns but also to influence 

British decision makers.229

Another significant step in broadening the doctrinal debate 

was the creation of the Royal Air Force Air Power Review in 1998. 

The first issue’s opening pages point out the RAF’s historical role 

as being in the vanguard of air power thinking as well as the journal’s intent to foster that leading posture through robust and informed debate. The journal has been distributed free of charge 

across and beyond the service.230 This platform was intended to 

provide an open forum for study, stimulating discussion and 

thinking on air power in its broadest context.231

One of the UK’s most recently established vehicles for promoting air power thinking is the Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power 

Studies. Established in August 2007, it synergistically draws upon 

the competencies of the Air Power Studies Division of King’s College London, the Directorate of Defence Studies RAF, and the Air 

Historical Branch RAF. The centre aims to strengthen the relationship between academia and the RAF.232

The post–Cold War era has also seen the reemergence of major 

analytical surveys analogous to World War II’s United States Strategic Bombing Survey. The Gulf War Air Power Survey endeavoured to compile the conduct and the lessons of the Gulf War air 

campaign in five volumes and a summary volume. Sponsored by 
50 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

the USAF, the study was headed by an academic and harnessed 

people from both academia and the military.233 Another USAFsponsored survey in the ensuing years includes an examination of 

the campaigns over Bosnia, published in January 2000.234

Force Structuring and Procurement

Western air campaigns of the post–Cold War era reveal a large 

discrepancy between American and European air power. Inadequate equipment largely accounts for this variance.

Approaches to Procurement

While Europe as a whole is not far behind the United States in 

defence spending, its military capabilities nevertheless lag significantly behind. Duplications, lack of integration, and retaining Cold 

War structures within Europe have all contributed to this gap.235 In 

several European countries, defence planners continued throughout the 1990s to focus upon worst-case scenarios—including a major conventional military onslaught on Western Europe—instead of 

shifting their primary focus to the most probable tasks.236 The issues 

of retaining Cold War structures and inefficient spending, two related subjects, have been aggravated by a price escalation for sophisticated weapons and shrinking defence budgets. Price escalation 

has particularly related to combat aircraft, as each aircraft generation has been considerably more expensive in real terms than the 

one it replaced.237 This surge in costs has been coupled in the post–

Cold War era with extreme delays in aircraft programmes. Financial, technical, bureaucratic, and political problems have created 

routine deferments of up to 10 years.238 According to distinguished 

British defence analysts, while defence planners are not unfamiliar 

with affordability issues, they can no longer be disguised or circumvented.239 Further obstacles to military innovation in Continental 

Europe have been the limited resources devoted to research and development, with the exceptions of the UK, France, and Sweden.240

With the end of the Cold War, a major shift from threat-based 

to capability-based force structuring has occurred. To retain freedom of action, the UK and France have aspired to cover as full a 

spectrum of capabilities as possible.241 Yet, owing to technological 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 51

and financial constraints, no other single state can cover an air 

power panoply comparable to that of the United States.242 In 2000, 

after significant post–Cold War cuts, the United States could still 

muster over 4,500 combat aircraft as well as over 1,500 transport 

and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.243 To preserve at least certain 

relevant capabilities, it has been argued that some NATO member 

states might consider pursuing a path of role specialisation despite 

the inherent drawbacks of this policy such as a diminution in their 

political autonomy and in their scope for exercising discretion.244

National Autarchy versus International Cooperation. Simultaneously with these developments, industrial autonomy has become elusive. Maintaining an industry that designs and produces 

only small numbers of sophisticated weapons would yield products that are cost prohibitive. Even Sweden, which placed a premium upon industrial autarchy, has undergone significant defence economic changes in the post–Cold War era. Regarding 

the latest Swedish combat aircraft design, the Gripen, essential 

components had to be imported from overseas, and one of the 

Swedish defence industry’s key roles has been to act as a system 

coordinator and integrator.245 This led one commentator to conclude that second-tier states appear to be more dependent than 

ever on the first-tier producers for critical technologies, components, and capital.246 France has been the only Western European 

state in the post–Cold War era that has pursued the development 

and production of its latest combat aircraft, the Rafale, as an exclusively national venture.247 But when it comes to specialised assets such as airborne early warning aircraft, France has had to rely 

upon American supply as well.

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

The FAF operates four E-3 AWACS aircraft.
52 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

Besides national ventures, international cooperation has always 

been an important consideration in European aircraft development. For instance, Britain, Germany, and Italy joined together to 

develop and produce the most important European all-weather 

strike aircraft of the Cold War, the Tornado. This project has been 

followed by the currently most important European combat aircraft programme, the Eurofighter Typhoon. Planning started in 

the UK as early as 1979. By the mid-1980s, France, Germany, Italy, 

and Spain had joined the programme. The early stages of the programme were plagued by disagreements over operational requirements, and France finally ceased its participation in the multinational programme in August 1985.248 In the ensuing years, the 

Eurofighter programme has been exposed to severe delays “caused 

by disagreements over specification, work-sharing, the placing of 

contracts internationally, and by political considerations in more 

than one country.”249 Despite the inherent drawbacks of international cooperation, strong voices in Europe have argued that 

the future successor of the Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen has to 

be a single aircraft programme, as Europe will no longer be able to 

afford a fragmentation of its aerospace industry.250

In the domain of airlift, European nations have been pursuing a 

cooperative path in the A400M programme. Multilateral efforts to 

develop a successor for the C-130 Hercules and the C-160 Transall 

began in 1982. This joint venture underwent several changes not 

only in the managerial structures and number of participating 

nations but also in the project and aircraft names. In the second 

half of the 1990s, Airbus Industries was officially handed the main 

responsibility for the programme. The programme was also affected by several political problems. In 1997, for instance, the German defence minister suddenly pushed ahead with the option of 

developing a common European transport aircraft together with 

Russia and the Ukraine on the basis of the Antonov An-70.251

Later on, Germany proved reluctant to commit itself to a definite 

order and thereby delayed the whole programme, whereas France 

and the UK were pressing for early production.252 In 2003, when a 

multinational order was submitted, first deliveries were expected 

before the end of October 2009. Yet due to serious delays in the 

programme, as of 2009, the earliest possible deliveries were expected not to take place before late 2012.253 Despite this setback, 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 53

the European defence ministers involved in the A400M programme commonly declared in July 2009 their intention to continue the project.254

Off the Shelf. An alternative to European aircraft programmes 

is buying American or Russian. This option, however, has serious 

industrial and political consequences, such as potential US market domination, which are likely to widen the transatlantic air 

power capability gap. Buying Russian is often incongruent with 

common European defence interests, and supply of spare parts 

might not meet Western reliability standards.255 Nevertheless, 

buying off the shelf has proved to be a cost-effective solution, particularly for smaller European states. Moreover, instead of being 

involved in long-lasting development programmes, these states 

have been able to quickly react to urgent operational demands by 

buying on the international market. Surveys of the 1980s indicated that European co-development of aircraft might cost from 

15 to 35 per cent more than hypothetical direct purchases from 

US firms.256 In the absence of a European aerospace industry, 

however, US firms might have had little incentive to charge less 

than monopoly prices.257 Regarding the latest American combat 

aircraft design, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), a new approach 

has been embarked upon concerning foreign sales. The US government offered international participation in the programme, allowing foreign partners to participate in an advanced combat aircraft programme at relatively low costs but as an unequal partner. 

The leadership is clearly with the United States.258

Leasing, Chartering, and Life Extension of Airframes. In the 

face of severe delays in aircraft programmes, chartering or leasing 

Courtesy Airbus Military; photo by S. Ramadier, Airbus Operations

A400M on its first flight. The A400M will significantly enhance European 

intertheatre airlift capacities.
54 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

provides interim solutions. In 2001 the RAF leased four C-17 

Globemasters from the Boeing Company with the option to buy or 

extend at the end of a seven-year period.259 Lacking adequate airlift 

capacities, the German armed forces chartered Ukrainian and Russian An-124 transport aircraft for operations in Afghanistan.260

Moreover, given the severe delays and cost escalation in current 

aircraft programmes, many air forces have been obliged to extend 

the life of their current inventories. Upgrading and modernization can offer either improvement in an existing role or an interim 

capability.261 In the post–Cold War era, upgrade programmes have 

presented both a necessity and a dilemma. While they have served 

as necessary gap fillers, they have simultaneously contributed to 

further delays of the major aerospace programmes by diverting 

already scarce resources.

Shared Ownership. For certain excessively expensive key assets, shared ownership has long been pursued as a necessary option in the context of NATO. The prime example is the NATO 

Airborne Early Warning and Control Force. Through the 

NAEW&CF, NATO members were able to acquire an airborne 

early warning capability at much lower day-to-day operating costs 

than would have been the case if operated on an individual national basis.262 As regards wide area air-to-ground surveillance, 

NATO has launched the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) 

Core project. Similar to the NAEW&CF, AGS Core is intended to 

be procured and operated by NATO but financed by alliance 

members. The system originally was supposed to integrate synthetic aperture radar on the basis of the Airbus A321 and the 

high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft (HALE 

RPA) Global Hawk.263 In the meantime, however, the projected air 

segment of AGS Core had been reduced to its HALE RPA component. On 25 September 2009, 15 NATO nations signed an MOU, 

and AGS Core is anticipated to be operational as of 2012.264

Another NATO initiative is the Strategic Airlift Capability programme. A letter of intent to commence contract negotiations to 

multilaterally acquire C-17 Globemasters was signed in September 2006. Apart from 10 NATO member countries (Bulgaria, 

Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, 

Romania, Slovenia, and the United States), participants include 

Finland and Sweden, both Partnership for Peace nations. 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 55

The first of three C-17 Globemasters arrived at its home air base 

in Papa, Hungary, on 27 July 2009.265 Concurrently, the European 

Defence Agency (EDA) began to explore the possibilities of pooling acquisition, maintenance, and training in case of additional 

A400M purchases.266 In the long term, these efforts might result in 

a multinational A400M unit.267

NATO and EU Initiatives. NATO has attempted to improve 

military effectiveness not only through shared ownership but also 

through strategic initiatives. At the Washington summit meeting 

in April 1999, NATO’s Defence Capabilities Initiative (DCI) was 

launched. It was primarily designed to improve alliance defence 

capabilities in combined and deployed operations.268 Though a biannual NATO Force Goal Process had already attempted to address apparent shortfalls, increased political attention could be 

gained through the DCI.269 In the domain of air power, the DCI 

particularly identified capability gaps in areas such as strategic airlift, combat search and rescue (CSAR), AAR, airborne standoff 

jamming, and air-to-ground surveillance systems.270

Three and a half years later, at the November 2002 summit in 

Prague, NATO members adopted a new capabilities initiative, the 

Prague Capabilities Commitment. The new initiative differed 

from its predecessor in that individual allies made firm political 

commitments for improvements. Air power requirements were 

Courtesy US Air Force

NATO C-17 Globemaster III from the multinational Heavy Airlift Wing, 

Papa AB, Hungary, makes the new unit’s first landing at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. The airlift into Iraq was a first by the wing and facilitated the deployment for members of the NATO Training Mission–Iraq. 
56 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

basically reiterated, with an added emphasis upon improvements 

in combat effectiveness, including PGMs and SEAD.271

In parallel, the EU has undertaken Helsinki Headline Goal and 

HG 2010 initiatives aimed at improving its military crisis management capabilities.272 Identified areas of air power shortfalls were 

generally identical to those that the NATO initiatives had pinpointed—strategic air mobility, AAR, PGMs, theatre ballistic missile defence (TBMD), and RPAs.273 HG 2010 laid the foundation 

for the EDA, established to coordinate development, research, 

and acquisition.274 On 10 November 2008, the EDA facilitated a 

meeting of European defence ministers, who declared their intention of establishing a future European Air Transport Fleet. Its objective is to provide a framework for facilitating European cooperation through such existing structures as the European Air 

Transport Command.275

The Pillars of Air Power

The physical components of air power are essentially made up of 

four pillars—combat aircraft; air mobility; command, control, communications, computers, information/intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (C4ISTAR); and ground based 

air defence. While the first pillar has always been regarded as the 

backbone of air forces, the second and third pillars have gained in 

importance. This has to do with the increasing thrust towards deployed operations and with technological developments in the information age. The fourth pillar, ground based air defence, has also experienced an evolution, with its tasks having been extended from 

primarily defending against combat aircraft to defending against a 

panoply of airborne threats, especially theatre ballistic missiles.

Combat Aircraft. Though Western fighter designs of the 1960s 

and the 1970s were built to perform secondary ground-attack 

roles, this supposedly multirole capability did not stretch much 

beyond qualifying a once pure fighter to deliver air-to-ground 

munitions with mediocre accuracy. Complex air-to-ground missions still required dedicated all-weather strike aircraft such as the 

A-6, the F-111, or the Tornado. Only since the later stages of the 

Cold War era have true multirole aircraft designs become a viable 

option due to a number of remarkable technological achievements. This step was further facilitated through the introduction 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 57

of PGMs because they allow even relatively small aircraft to 

achieve very good weapons-delivery accuracy.276

This thrust towards multirole aircraft is also reflected in the 

latest European combat aircraft programmes. The French Rafale 

and the Swedish Gripen were designed from the outset as true 

multirole aircraft. The Eurofighter Typhoon was originally conceived as an air superiority fighter with only secondary groundattack capability. A reason for this lay in the fact that three out of 

the four partner nations had already been operating the very capable Tornado in the attack role. However, the practical experiences of the post–Cold War era as well as considerations for potential export customers have made the development of a truly 

multirole fighter-bomber necessary.277 Alongside these European 

programmes, the F-35 JSF is likely to become the future backbone 

of a number of European NATO air forces.278

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

Rafale flying over Afghanistan armed with armement air-sol modulaire

(AASM), or modular air-to-surface armament, for precision air strikes
58 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

Nowadays, many European air forces, such as the RAF, see 

multirole fighters as a necessity both for financial and operational 

reasons. Only multirole aircraft can meet the increasing demands 

of flexibility that have resulted from changes in the overall security environment.279 Regarding costs, multirole aircraft have the 

potential to significantly reduce the logistical tail as compared to a 

fleet of two types of specialised aircraft. To exploit the full potential 

of multirole aircraft, however, they have to be combined with multirole weapons and crews. Multirole crew training poses a major 

challenge as it requires more total flying hours and possibly less 

for each role.280 Accordingly, RAF sources indicated in the early 

1990s that not all Typhoon squadrons would be trained in more 

than one role, based partly on the realization that it is difficult to 

achieve high proficiency in all roles.281 Besides multirole features, 

current Western aircraft programmes emphasised beyond-visualrange air combat performance and good manoeuvrability, combined with a night-vision capability for various roles such as aerial 

reconnaissance, target detection, and precision strikes.282

Russia has experienced parallel trends in combat aircraft development in recent years. The MiG-29 and the Sukhoi Su-27, originally conceived as air superiority fighters during the Cold War, 

have been further developed into true multirole aircraft with appropriate avionics and armament.283 Disadvantages of integrating 

MiG-29 aircraft into a NATO air force are discussed in chapter 4, 

“German Air Force (Luftwaffe).”

The post–Cold War era has seen the emergence of various European weapons, significantly decreasing dependency upon the United 

States. The ubiquitous American short-range air-intercept missile 

AIM-9L Sidewinder, for instance, is being supplanted in many European air forces by the Infrared Imaging System—Tail/Thrust VectorControlled (IRIS-T) air-to-air missile (AAM). The IRIS-T is the 

outgrowth of a multinational European programme that began in 

1997.284 In the field of long- and medium-range AAMs, the Meteor 

missile is planned to offer an alternative to the American AIM-120 

advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) after 2010. 

Like IRIS-T, the Meteor programme is a European cooperative endeavour, with Great Britain being the lead nation.285

For air-to-ground weapons, the evolving strategic and political 

conditions of the post–Cold War era have rendered weapons par-
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 59

ticularly designed for Cold War scenarios obsolete, as was the case 

with the British JP233 airfield attack system. Originally optimised 

for the specific role of low-level counterair missions against Warsaw Pact airfields in Central Europe, JP233 provided, according to 

a high-ranking RAF officer, less than satisfactory outcomes during Operation Desert Storm, and eventually fell victim to the 

worldwide ban against anti-personnel mines.286 On the other hand, 

precision air-to-ground weapons had a major impact upon aerial 

warfare. Though PGMs accounted for less than 10 per cent of the 

total air munitions tonnage dropped during Desert Storm, it was 

the first conflict to be fought with an extensive use of guided 

weapons. At the end of the 1990s, Operation Allied Force was 

planned to be fought almost exclusively with PGMs. However, the 

expansion of the air campaign made reserve stocks dwindle fast, 

which led to an increased use of unguided air-to-ground munitions. 

These campaigns clearly revealed the need for cheap all-weather 

munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a 

GPS-directed bomb.287 Besides precision-guided bombs, various 

standoff cruise missiles are being added to the arsenals. European 

designs include the Franco-British-Italian Storm Shadow/Scalp or 

the German-Swedish Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missiles.288

The SEAD mission poses a particular challenge to Western air 

forces, as dedicated SEAD aircraft are scarce assets. Moreover, 

specific anti-radiation missiles such as the American high-speed 

anti-radiation missile (HARM) or the British air-launched antiradiation missile (ALARM) are required.289

Air Mobility. Military airlift has basically been split into two 

categories—tactical airlift (intratheatre) and strategic airlift (intertheatre).290 The former was typically covered by medium-sized aircraft, such as the C-130 Hercules or the C-160 Transall, capable of 

very good takeoff performance from austere airfields. These aircraft are capable of delivering maximum loads of 15 to 20 tons, 

including armoured vehicles. Significant limitations regarding 

width and height of the cargo bay, however, restrict carrying bulky 

items such as medium-sized helicopters. 

Heavy strategic airlift, on the other hand, was the domain of the 

USAF and, to a lesser extent, of the former Soviet Air Force during 

the Cold War. It required the development of large aircraft such as 

the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy or the Antonov An-124 Condor, capable 
60 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

of lifting nearly every bulky piece of equipment in service with the 

respective armed forces.291 In contrast, Western European armed 

forces did not require these capabilities since they were supposed 

to fight “in place.”292

Yet after the Cold War, with a significant increase in out-of-area 

operations, European air forces have suffered from a shortage in 

strategic airlift capacities. To partially bridge this capability gap, 

the ubiquitous C-130 and C-160 have been used in the intertheatre airlift role. Even at the end of the 1990s, Western Europe 

did not own a single military wide-body, long-range strategic 

transport aircraft capable of lifting a main battle tank.293

Current European requirements actually blur the dividing lines 

between tactical and strategic airlift. The A400M programme aims 

at a military transport aircraft capable of lifting 30 tons for approximately 4,500 kilometers (km) and 20 tons for 6,400 km while 

at the same time offering similar tactical performance to a C-130 

Hercules. Moreover, its cargo bay is expected to accommodate 

bulky vehicles such as medium-sized helicopters. Six European air 

forces originally ordered 170 aircraft.294 Though critics argue that 

the A400M is not really a strategic transport aircraft, it is going to 

significantly enhance European intertheatre airlift capacities.295

Courtesy US Air Force

C-5 Galaxy. A USAF ground and air crew loads a US Army CH-47D 

Chinook helicopter into a C-5 Galaxy aircraft at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in 

August 2008.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 61

Intratheatre airlift is also the domain of rotary-wing aircraft. 

Various helicopters have been built in Europe. In an era of deployed operations, an increasingly important role conducted by 

medium-sized helicopters is CSAR.296 European helicopters such 

as the French Cougar have been specifically adapted for CSAR.297

A further specific element of air mobility is AAR. Tanker aircraft offer a deployed force not only extended range but also extended endurance over the theatre of operations. Air policing over 

Bosnia or Iraq in the 1990s, for instance, saw the extensive use of 

tankers.298 Tanker aircraft are either derived from civilian airliners 

such as the DC-10 and the Airbus A310 or from military transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules. Whereas the US Air 

Force, Navy, and Marine Corps together operated more than 650 

tanker aircraft of various types in 2006, the air forces of France, 

Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United 

Kingdom could only muster approximately 70 aircraft, with the 

UK and France providing the bulk of the European tanker fleet.299

AAR is hence one of the major European shortcomings in deployed operations.

C4ISTAR. Carrying a long-range surveillance radar, the E-3 

AWACS aircraft is capable of providing a comprehensive, realtime picture of air operations in a theatre. A British air power expert singled it out as the linchpin of the coalition’s application of 

air power in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.300 Through the 

NAEW&CF, European NATO members acquired this high-value 

asset in a cooperative approach. The E-8 Joint Surveillance Target 

Attack Radar System (JSTARS) is in effect an AWACS analogue 

for ground surveillance and showed an outstanding performance 

in Desert Storm. Capable of viewing the entire Kuwaiti theatre of 

operation in a single orbit, the aircraft proved key in thwarting the 

Iraqi attack against the Saudi coastal town of Al Khafji.301 As was 

mentioned, European NATO members are planning to acquire a 

wide-area air-to-ground surveillance capability through the cooperative AGS Core project.

Another air power innovation of the post–Cold War era is the 

increasing use of remotely piloted aircraft. RPAs have proved to be 

an efficient supplement to manned aircraft in the role of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), 

where persistence over the battlespace is a key requirement. Only 
62 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

technological quantum leaps of the 1990s, such as improvement 

in computing and data-link technology, made the considerable 

potential of RPA systems a viable option for Western air forces. 

RPAs offer significant advantages over manned aircraft when it 

comes to missions involving high risk or extreme endurance. For 

the primary purpose of intelligence gathering, air forces have employed basically two types of RPAs—high-altitude, long-endurance 

and medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) systems.302 The 

American HALE RPA Global Hawk, for instance, has a ceiling of 

65,000 feet, an intercontinental range of 5,400 nautical miles, and 

an endurance of 32 hours.303 Unmanned systems also offer significant advantages with regard to operational costs. While a pilot 

may need a minimum of approximately 150 hours of training per 

year, the RPA can remain stored in its hangar for most of that 

time, with the majority of RPA controller training conducted on 

simulators.304 Despite these advantages, adequate concepts to fully 

exploit the potential of RPAs and to integrate them optimally into 

complex air campaigns still have to be developed.305

Further high-value air power assets in the domain of ISTAR are 

signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft. Capable of locating sources 

of radiated electromagnetic energy for the purpose of recognizing 

threats, targeting, and planning future operations, SIGINT aircraft such as the American RC-135 Rivet Joint are crucial in complex air operations.306 Moreover, electronic standoff jamming aircraft are key assets in American-led air campaigns. As such, the 

American EA-6B Prowler was an integral part of US-led aircraft 

packages patrolling the southern and northern NFZs over Iraq.307

Data gathered by ISTAR assets has to be processed and disseminated in near real time in order to build the framework known as 

network-centric or network-enabled warfare. Complex and immense data loads have caused digital data links to become a necessity for conducting air operations. The NATO standard data link 

for air defence operations is the Link 16.308 Link-16 data communication development began in 1975. The first Link-16 terminals 

were bulky and were installed only on AWACS and at US, UK, and 

NATO ground-control facilities. In the ensuing years, smaller terminals were developed for combat aircraft. Yet due to their high 

cost and relatively large size, only a limited number of Western 

fighter aircraft, such as the US Navy F-14Ds, a single squadron of 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 63

USAF F-15Cs, or the RAF’s Tornado F3s, were equipped with 

these smaller terminals.309

To remedy this shortcoming in data-link terminals, the multifunctional information distribution system (MIDS) programme 

was launched in March 1994. The programme was aimed at developing a small, lightweight Link-16 terminal for US and Western 

European aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, Rafale, Mirage 

2000, Tornado, and Eurofighter Typhoon. MIDS is a multinational 

programme. Partner nations are the United States, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.310 Because of programme delays, the first 

Link-16-capable F-16 squadron became operational only in the 

third quarter of 2003.311

The most important NATO alliance project in the field of C2 is 

the formation of a unified alliance air command and control system (ACCS). In the later stages of the Cold War, C2 was fragCourtesy GAF; photo by Peter Müller

GAF Patriot unit during live firings at the NATO Missile Firing Installation on the isle of Crete, Greece
64 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

mented into air defence and offensive air operations.312 An ACCS 

is designed to provide seamless management of all types of air 

operations over European alliance territory and beyond out of 

fully integrated combined air operations centres (CAOC).313

Ground Based Air Defence. In the post–Cold War era, the perception of threat from theatre ballistic missiles—possibly loaded 

with WMDs—has increased considerably.314 That the threat was 

real became particularly apparent during Desert Storm, when Iraq 

employed its Scud surface-to-surface missiles against Israel.315 As 

early as 1990, NATO began studying defensive measures against 

theatre ballistic missiles and finally came up with the extended air 

defence (EAD) concept.316 Separate from the American Strategic 

Defense Initiative that aims at intercepting strategic nuclear missiles, EAD was formulated by the NATO Air Defence Committee 

to include defence against combat aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, or any enemy aerial vehicle.317

In the Cold War, NATO GBAD was mainly deployed in fixed 

belts and later on in clusters along the inner German border.318

Consisting of different layers, it included high- and medium-level 

SAMs and short-range air defence missiles as well as anti-aircraft 

artillery. Since the Cold War, improved technologies and the need 

for increased mobility of the systems have led to a blurring of distinct layers.319

Notes

1. Andreas Wenger and Doron Zimmermann, International Relations: From 

the Cold War to the Globalized World (London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 

2003), 238.

2. Ibid., 242.

3. Philip A. G. Sabin, “The Changing Face of Conflict,” in A Second Aerospace Century: Choices for the Smaller Nations, ed. John Andreas Olsen (Trondheim, Norway: Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, 2001), 91.

4. International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Strategic Survey 1999/2000

(Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, May 2000), 56–57.

5. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Strategic Survey 2001/2002

(Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, May 2002), 31.

6. Christopher Daase, “Internationale Risikopolitik: Ein Forschungsprogramm 

für den sicherheitspolitischen Paradigmenwechsel,” in Internationale Risikopolitik: Der Umgang mit neuen Gefahren in den internationalen Beziehungen, 
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 65

ed. Christopher Daase, Susanne Feske, and Ingo Peters (Baden-Baden, Germany: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, 2002), 9.

7. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Strategic Survey 1990/1991 

(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, May 1991), 135–48.

8. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Strategic Survey 1991/1992

(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, May 1992), 33–37; and International Institute 

for Strategic Studies, Strategic Survey 1990/1991, 49–91.

9. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 1993–94

(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1993), 33–37.

10. Franz-Josef Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern? Die deutsche Sicherheits- und Verteidigungspolitik in einer Welt des Wandels 1990–2000 (Paderborn, Germany: 

Ferdinand Schöningh, 2006), 171.

11. Philip A. G. Sabin, “The Shifting Trade-Offs in UK Defence Planning,” 

in British Defence Choices for the Twenty-First Century, ed. Michael Clarke and 

Philip A. G. Sabin (London: Brassey’s, 1993), 151–71.

12. See Donald B. Rice, “Global Reach-Global Power,” in American Defense 

Policy, 7th ed., ed. Peter L. Hays, Brenda J. Vallance, and Alan R. Van Tassel 

(London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997); Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr., 

“The United States as an Aerospace Power in the Emerging Security Environment,” in The Future of Air Power in the Aftermath of the Gulf War, ed. Richard 

H. Schultz, Jr. and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University 

Press, 1992); and Eliot A. Cohen, “The Mystique of U.S. Air Power,” Foreign Affairs 73, no. 1 (January/February 1994): 109–24.

13. Mason, Air Power, 243.

14. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), National Defense Budget Estimates for FY 2005 (Washington D.C.: Department of Defense, 

March 2004), 188–89, 194–95, 200–201.

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(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1990), 19, 22.

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19. Ibid.

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21. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 143.

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24. Haine, “ESDP: An Overview.”

25. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 161.

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36. European Union, Headline Goal 2010, 4–5.

37. NATO Headquarters, NATO Handbook, 2001, 102.

38. Ibid., 44.

39. Ibid., 17.

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42. NATO Headquarters, NATO Handbook, 2001, 47–48.

43. Ibid., 48–49.

44. “Declaration of the Heads of State and Government Issued by the North 

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45. Shaun Gregory, French Defence Policy into the Twenty-First Century 

(London: MacMillan Press, 2000), 111.

46. Ibid., 113–14.

47. “Declaration of the Heads of State and Government,” §14.

48. NATO Headquarters, NATO Handbook, 2001, 67.

49. NATO, “The Partnership for Peace,” 24 November 2009, http://www

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50. NATO Headquarters, NATO Handbook, 2001, 72.

51. Ibid., 61.

52. “The Alliance’s Strategic Concept Approved by the Heads of State and 

Government Participating in the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in 

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54. NATO, “The NATO Response Force: What Does This Mean in Practice?,” 

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55. NATO, “The NATO Response Force: How Did It Evolve?,” http://www

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56. North Atlantic Council, The Prague Summit and NATO’s Transformation: A Reader’s Guide (Brussels: NATO Public Diplomacy Division, 2003), 28.

57. NATO Headquarters, NATO Handbook (Brussels: Public Diplomacy 

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Union, November 2006), 3, http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data

/docs/pressData/en/esdp/91704.pdf.

60. Lt Col Michael Trautermann, General Staff (GS), GAF, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Bonn, Germany, to the author, e-mail, 30 May 2006.

61. Wg Cdr Kraesten Arnold, European Union Military Staff Operations 

Directorate, Crisis Response Planning and Current Operations, Brussels, to the 

author, e-mail, 22 April 2010.

62. Jean-Laurent Nijean, “L’Armée de l’Air et l’Europe: enjeux et perspectives,” Air actualités, no. 605 (October 2007): 26.
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63. NATO, “NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force: E-3A 

Component,” fact sheet, 2010, 1, accessed 30 September 2010, http://www.e3a

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64. Col Jean-Pierre Moulard, “L’organisation de la campagne aérienne dans 

le cadre de la NRF 5?,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 8 (January 2006): 42.

65. Col (GS) Lothar Schmidt, GAF (MOD, Bonn, Germany), interview by 

the author, 26 April 2006.

66. JAPCC, “History,” accessed 23 March 2007, http://www.japcc.de/file

admin/user_upload/History/JAPCC_History.pdf.

67. JAPCC, “Mission,” http://www.japcc.de/mission.html.

68. European Air Group, “History of the EAG,” accessed 15 May 2007, 

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69. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 138.

70. European Air Group, “History of the EAG.”

71. European Air Group, “Objectives of the European Air Group,” accessed 

2 March 2007, http://www.euroairgroup.org/objective.htm.

72. Ibid.

73. European Air Group, “Activities,” accessed 2 March 2007, http://www

.euroairgroup.org/act_FP.htm.

74. European Air Group, “Deployable Multinational Air Wing (DMAW) 

Project,” accessed 2 March 2007, http://www.euroairgroup.org/act_DMAW.htm.

75. Wolfgang Lange, “Lufttransport—Ansätze zur Kompensation von Defiziten,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 10 (October 2002): 38–39.

76. Lt Col (GS) Jörg Lebert, “Einrichtung eines Europäischen Lufttransportkommandos,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 7 (July 2001): 20–22.

77. European Air Group, “European Airlift Centre (EAC),” accessed 2 

March 2007, http://www.euroairgroup.org/act_EAC.htm.

78. Lt Col (GS) Armin Havenith, GAF (Federal MOD, Bonn, Germany), 

interview by the author, 26 April 2006.

79. Movement Coordination Centre, “Background of the MCCE,” https://

www.mcce-mil.com.

80. European Union, Headline Goal 2010, 3.

81. Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (BMVg) (Federal Ministry of Defence), “Verlässlicher Zugriff auf ‘fliegende Güterzüge,’ ” 23 March 2006, http://

www.bmvg.de.

82. Ibid.; and EU Council Secretariat, “Background,” 3.

83. European Union, “Declaration on European Military Capabilities,” 20.

84. Tony Mason, “The Air War in the Gulf,” Survival 33, no. 3 (May/June 

1991): 211.

85. Eliot A. Cohen, director, Gulf Air Power Survey, vol. 5, A Statistical Compendium and Chronology (Washington, D.C.: Dept. of the Air Force, 1993), 42.

86. Ibid., 42–45.

87. Ibid., 641.

88. Calculation of percentage is based upon figures from ibid., 232–33.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 69

89. Thomas A. Keaney and Eliot A. Cohen, Gulf War Air Power Survey:

Summary Report (Washington, D.C.: Dept. of the Air Force, 1993), 11–12.

90. Maj Gen David A. Deptula, “Effects-Based Operations: Change in the 

Nature of Warfare,” in Second Aerospace Century: Choices for the Smaller Nations, ed. Olsen, 136–39.

91. Ibid., 146–47.

92. Keaney and Cohen, Gulf War Air Power Survey, 15.

93. Ibid., 21.

94. Benjamin S. Lambeth, The Transformation of American Air Power (Ithaca, 

NY: Cornell University Press, 2000), 121–24.

95. Mason, Air Power, 166.

96. Ibid., 8.

97. United States European Command, “Operation Northern Watch,” 20 

February 2004, accessed 3 November 2004, http://www.eucom.mil/Directorates

/ECPA/Operations/onw/onw.htm (site discontinued).

98. Tim Ripley, Air War Iraq (Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England: Pen and 

Sword Aviation, 2004), 9.

99. GlobalSecurity.org, “Operation Southern Watch: 1993 Events,” http://

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101. Ripley, Air War Iraq, 10.

102. Kenneth M. Pollack, The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq

(New York: Random House, 2002), 92–94.

103. Anthony H. Cordesman, The Iraq War: Strategy, Tactics, and Military 

Lessons (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003), 253; GlobalSecurity.org, “Operation 

Southern Watch: 2001 Events,” http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops

/southern_watch-2001.htm”; and GlobalSecurity.org, “Operation Southern 

Watch: 2002 Events,” http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/southern

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104. Walter J. Boyne, Operation Iraqi Freedom: What Went Right, What 

Went Wrong, and Why (New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 2003), 39.

105. David E. Johnson, Learning Large Lessons: The Evolving Roles of Ground 

Power and Air Power in the Post–Cold War Era (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 

2007), 106.

106. Boyne, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 34–35.

107. Cordesman, Iraq War, 256–57, 275; and Johnson, Learning Large Lessons, 113, 125.

108. Gen T. Michael Moseley, chief of staff, USAF, “Iraq 2003: Air Power 

Pointers for the Future” (speech, RAF Defence Studies Conference, RAF Museum, 

Hendon, England, 11 May 2004); and Boyne, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 90.

109. Robert A. Pape, “The True Worth of Air Power,” Foreign Affairs 83, no. 

2 (March/April 2004): 128.
70 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

110. Gen Tommy Franks, US Army, retired, keynote speech in RNLAF Air 

Power Symposium, 19 November 2003.

111. Boyne, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 35, 132.

112. Wg Cdr Richard Duance and Wg Cdr Pete York, “An Interview with 

Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force,” 

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113. Boyne, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 132.

114. Rebecca Grant, “‘The Fallujah Model,” air-force-magazine.com, February 2005, http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2005

/February%202005/0205fallujah.aspx.

115. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 178.

116. Col Robert C. Owen, “Summary,” in Deliberate Force—A Case Study in 

Effective Air Campaigning: Final Report of the Air University Balkans Air Campaign Study, ed. Col Robert C. Owen (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 

2000), 461.

117. Tim Ripley, Air War Bosnia: UN and NATO Airpower (Osceola, WI: 

Motorbooks International, 1996), 39.

118. Ibid., 88.

119. Mason, Air Power, 173.

120. Mark A. Bucknam, Responsibility of Command: How UN and NATO 

Commanders Influenced Airpower over Bosnia (Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 2003), 131–32.

121. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 178.

122. Owen, “Summary,” 474–77.

123. Maj Gen Walter Jertz, Im Dienste des Friedens: Tornados über dem Balkan, 2d rev. ed. (Bonn, Germany: Bernard & Graefe Verlag, 2000), 61.

124. NATO Headquarters, NATO Handbook, 2001, 47–48; and Owen, 

“Summary,” 483–84.

125. Ibid., 491, 502.

126. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 176.

127. Lt Col Richard L. Sargent, “Aircraft Used in Deliberate Force,” in Owen, 

Deliberate Force, 204, 220–22.

128. Lt Col Richard L. Sargent, “Deliberate Force Combat Air Assessments,” 

in Owen, Deliberate Force, 332.

129. Sargent, “Aircraft Used in Deliberate Force,” 199; and Owen, “Summary,” 485.

130. Calculation of percentage is based on figures from Keaney and Cohen, 

Gulf War Air Power Survey, 226.

131. Tim Ripley, Operation Deliberate Force: The UN and NATO Campaign 

in Bosnia 1995 (Lancaster, England: Centre for Defence and International Security Studies, 1999), 250.

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POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 71

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134. Ripley, Air War Bosnia, 9.

135. Ibid., 18.

136. Ibid., 28.

137. Benjamin S. Lambeth, NATO’s Air War for Kosovo: A Strategic and Operational Assessment (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2001), xiii.

138. John E. Peters et al., European Contributions to Operation Allied Force: 

Implications for Transatlantic Cooperation (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2001), 

37–38.

139. Ibid., 39.

140. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 182.

141. Ibid., 187–89.

142. Ivo H. Daalder and Michael E. O’Hanlon, Winning Ugly: NATO’s War 

to Save Kosovo (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2000), 221.

143. Lambeth, NATO’s Air War for Kosovo, 27.

144. Ibid., xviii–xix.

145. Daalder and O’Hanlon, Winning Ugly, 5, 184, 199–200; Lambeth, 

NATO’s Air War for Kosovo, 67–86; and Benjamin S. Lambeth, “Operation Allied Force: A Strategic Appraisal,” in Olsen, Second Aerospace Century, 103–9.

146. Peters et al., European Contributions to Operation Allied Force, 52; and 

Lambeth, NATO’s Air War for Kosovo, 33, 66.

147. Anthony H. Cordesman, The Lessons and Non-Lessons of the Air and 

Missile War in Kosovo, rev. ed. (Washington, D.C.: Center for Strategic and 

International Studies, 20 July 1999), 4–5.

148. Garden, “European Air Power,” in Gray, Air Power 21, 114.

149. Jolyon Howorth and John T. S. Keeler, Defending Europe: The EU, 

NATO and the Quest for European Autonomy (Basingstoke, England: Palgrave 

Macmillan, 2003), 88–89; and Peters et al., European Contributions to Operation Allied Force, 20–24.

150. Peters et al., European Contributions to Operation Allied Force, 18–23.

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153. Stephen Biddle, Afghanistan and the Future of Warfare: Implications for 

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156. Benjamin S. Lambeth, American Carrier Air Power at the Dawn of a 

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72 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

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162. AP 3000, British Air Power Doctrine, 2.8.8.

163. Ibid., 3.11.1.

164. Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Vallance, RAF (MOD, London), interview 

by the author, 24 January 2007.

165. See Col John A. Warden, USAF, retired, “Employing Air Power in the 

Twenty-First Century,” in Schultz and Pfaltzgraff, Future of Air Power, 57–82; 

Edward Mann, “One Target, One Bomb: Is the Principle of Mass Dead?,” Airpower Journal 7, no. 1 (Spring 1993): 35–43, http://www.airpower.maxwell.af

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166. See Pape, “True Worth of Air Power,” 117–19; and Robert A. Pape, 

Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1996).

167. See Mason, Air Power; and Lambeth, Transformation of American Air 

Power.

168. Deptula, “Effects-Based Operations,” in Olsen, Second Aerospace Century, 147–52.

169. See Richard Lock-Pullan, “Redefining ‘Strategic Effect’ in British Air 

Power Doctrine,” Royal Air Force Air Power Review 5, no. 3 (Autumn 2002): 60.

170. Ibid., 60–62.

171. Allied Joint Publication (AJP)-3.3, Joint Air and Space Operations Doctrine, July 2000, 4-9.

172. Tony Mason, “Rethinking the Conceptual Framework,” in Gray, Air 

Power 21, 234–35.

173. AFM 1-1, Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United States Air Force, vol. 1, 

March 1992, 5.

174. Deptula, “Effects-Based Operations,” in Olsen, Second Aerospace Century, 135–73.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 73

175. AFM 1-1, Basic Aerospace Doctrine, vol. 2, 147.

176. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 269.

177. AFM 1-1, Basic Aerospace Doctrine, vol. 1, 8–9.

178. Air Force Link, “Air Force Doctrine Center,” accessed 21 January 2007, 

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179. AFDD 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, September 1997, v.

180. Ibid., 51.

181. Owen, “Summary,” 471, 511.

182. AFDD 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, September 1997, 32.

183. AFDD 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, November 2003, i.

184. Ibid., 75.

185. Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Vallance, RAF, MOD, London, to the author, e-mail, 15 January 2007.

186. Gp Capt Chris Finn, “British Thinking on Air Power—The Evolution 

of AP 3000,” Royal Air Force Air Power Review 12, no. 1 (Spring 2009): 58.

187. AP 3000, Royal Air Force Air Power Doctrine, 1991, v.

188. Ibid., 2, 38–39, 42, 60–61.

189. Ibid., 59.

190. Ibid., v.

191. Vallance, interview.

192. AP 3000, Royal Air Force Air Power Doctrine, 2d ed., 1993, v.

193. Ibid., 18–20, 71.

194. Ibid., 50, 72.

195. AP 3000, British Air and Space Power Doctrine, 4th ed., 2009, 8.

196. AP 3000, British Air Power Doctrine.

197. Ibid., 2.7.1–2.9.9. See also Finn, “British Thinking on Air Power,” 62.

198. AP 3000, British Air Power Doctrine, 2.6.1.

199. Finn, “British Thinking on Air Power,” 63.

200. AP 3000, British Air and Space Power Doctrine, 8; and Finn, “British 

Thinking on Air Power,” 63.

201. AP 3000, British Air and Space Power Doctrine, 8.

202. Finn, “British Thinking on Air Power,” 64.

203. AP 3000, British Air and Space Power Doctrine, 39–40.

204. Air Power Development Centre, “About the Air Power Development Centre,” http://airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/About-APDC/2/About-APDC.aspx.

205. Australian Air Publication (AAP) 1000, Royal Australian Air Force Air 

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206. Ibid., 21.

207. AAP 1000, Air Power Manual, 2d ed., March 1994; AAP 1000, Air 

Power Manual, 3d ed., February 1998; and AAP 1000, Fundamentals of Australian 

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208. Michael E. Thompson, Political and Military Components of Air Force 

Doctrine in the Federal Republic of Germany and Their Implications for NATO 

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74 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

209. NATO, “Standardization Agreements,” updated 21 May 2010, http://

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210. See Allied Tactical Publication (ATP) 33(B), NATO Tactical Air Doctrine, November 1986, 2-4–2-5, 10-1.

211. AJP-3.3, Joint Air and Space Operations Doctrine, 7-1–7-9.

212. Ibid., 4-9.

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217. AU, “SAASS: Results—the Bottom Line.”

218. Gp Capt Chris Finn, RAF, retired (RAF College, Cranwell, England), 

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219. Finn, “British Thinking on Air Power,” 63.

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226. Finn, “British Thinking on Air Power,” 59–60; and Gp Capt Andrew 

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230. “The New Air Power Journal,” Royal Air Force Air Power Review 1, no. 

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POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 75

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234. Owen, Deliberate Force.

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239. Alexander and Garden, “Arithmetic of Defence Policy,” 510.

240. See Rainer Hertrich, “Strategische Schlüsselindustrie,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 6 (June 2003): 35; and Hans-Christian Hagman, European Crisis 

Management and Defence: The Search for Capabilities, Adelphi Paper no. 353 

(Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for IISS, 2002), 62.

241. See Christina Goulter, “Air Power and Expeditionary Warfare,” in 

Gray, Air Power 21, 207.

242. Gates, “Air Power: The Instrument of Choice?,” 26.

243. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 2000–

2001 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 2000), 28, 30–31.

244. Gates, “Air Power: The Instrument of Choice?,” 28.

245. Jan Ahlgren, Anders Linnér, and Lars Wigert, Gripen: The First Fourth 

Generation Fighter (Sweden: Swedish Air Force, FMV and Saab Aerospace, 

2002), 52–53.

246. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 81.

247. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 1998–99

(Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 1998), 34.

248. Susan Willett, Philip Gummet, and Michael Clarke, Eurofighter 2000 

(London: Brassey’s for The Centre for Defence Studies, 1994), 2–5.

249. Mason, Air Power, 247.

250. See Hertrich, “Strategische Schlüsselindustrie,” 38.

251. Dr. Hermann Hagena, brigadier general, GAF, retired, and Capt Hartwig 

Hagena, GAF, “Weichenstellung für das künftige europäische Transportflugzeug: 

Von der FIMA über EUROFLAG zum Joint Venture mit Antonow?,”Europäische 

Sicherheit, no. 4 (April 1998): 28–32.

252. Martin Agüera, “Zwischen Hoffnung und Verzweiflung: Strategischer 

Lufttransport für Europa,” in Europäische Sicherheit, no. 6 (June 2002): 48–49.
76 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

253. Bernard Bombeau, “L’Armée de l’Air étudie l’achat de C-130J,” Air et 

Cosmos, no. 2166 (April 2009): 33; and EADS, “A400M: Erfolgreicher Erstflug 

des weltweit modernsten Transportflugzeugs,” 11 December 2009, accessed 4 

January 2010, http://www.eads.net.

254. EADS, “EADS begrüsst Entscheidung der A400M–Kundennationen,” 

24 July 2009, http://www.eads.com/1024/de/investor/News_and_Events/news

_ir/2009/2009/20090724_eads_a400m.html.

255. Mason, Air Power, 249.

256. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 22–23.

257. Ibid., 52.

258. Paul Dreger, “JSF Partnership Takes Shape: A Review of the JSF Participation by Australia, Canada, Denmark, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Turkey and the UK,” Military Technology 27, no. 4 (April 2003): 

28–31.

259. MOD, UK, “Royal Air Force Gets a Lift from C-17 Deal,” Defence 

News, 4 August 2006, accessed 15 August 2006, http://www.mod.uk.

260. Dr. Hermann Hagena, brigadier general, GAF, retired, “Charter oder 

Leasing? Zwischenlösung für neue Transportflugzeuge,” Europäische Sicherheit, 

no. 4 (April 2002): 35.

261. Michael J. Gething, “Balancing the Pitfalls and Potential of Aircraft 

Upgrade,” Jane’s International Defence Review 31, no. 12 (28 November 1998): 37.

262. Timothy Garden, “The Future of European Military Power,” in Olsen, 

Second Aerospace Century, 250.

263. Col (GS) Hans-Dieter Schön and Maj (GS) Markus Schetilin, “Materialund Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 10 (October 2006): 45.

264. NATO, “NATO’s Allied Ground Surveillance Programme Signature 

Finalised,” 25 September 2009, accessed 4 January 2010, http://www.nato.int

/cps/en. 

265. NATO, “Strategic Airlift Capability: A Key Capability for the Alliance,” 

27 November 2008, accessed 2 January 2009, http://www.nato.int/issues/strategic

-lift-air-sac/index.html; and NATO, “First C–17 Plane Welcomed at PAPA Airbase,” 27 July 2009, http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_56690.htm.

266. European Defence Agency, “EU Governments Launch New Plan to 

Build Defence Capabilities for Future ESDP Operations,” 14 December 2006, 

http://www.eda.europa.eu/newsitem.aspx?id=56.

267. Declaration of Intent between the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of 

Belgium and the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic and the Federal Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Minister of National 

Defence of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of 

Spain and the Minister of Defence of the French Republic and the Minister of 

Defence of the Italian Republic and the Minister of Defence of the Grand-Duchy 

of Luxembourg and the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 

and the Minister of Defence of the Portuguese Republic and the Minister of De-
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 77

fence of Romania and the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Regarding the 

Establishment of a European Air Transport Fleet, Brussels, 10 November 2008.

268. NATO, “Defence Capabilities Initiative,” Press Release NAC-S(99)69, 

25 April 1999, §1, http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/1999/p99s069e.htm.

269. Lebert, “Einrichtung eines Europäischen Lufttransportkommandos,” 20.

270. Hagman, European Crisis Management and Defence, 63–64.

271. NATO, “NATO after Prague,” http://www.nato.int/docu/0211prague

/after_prague.pdf, 3.

272. European Union, Headline Goal 2010, 2.

273. Schmitt, European Capabilities Action Plan.

274. European Union, Headline Goal 2010, 3.

275. Declaration of Intent, 2008.

276. James Elliot, “From Fighters to Fighter-Bombers,” Military Technology 

23, no. 8 (August 1999): 69–70.

277. Ibid., 73–76.

278. Ibid., 76.

279. Duance and York, “Interview with Chief of the Air Staff,” 26.

280. Mason, Air Power, 267–68.

281. Clifford Beal, “The Multirole Fighter Debate: Accepting the Inevitable,” 

Jane’s International Defence Review 26, no. 6 (1 June 1993): 454.

282. Ibid.; and Mark Hewish and Joris Janssen Lok, “Turning the Night into 

Day: Night-Vision Systems Reveal a Whole New World for Pilots,” Jane’s International Defence Review 31 (1 August 1998): 26.

283. Elliot, “From Fighters to Fighter-Bombers,” 75–76.

284. “Wirken gegen Ziele in der Luft,” Wehrtechnischer Report: Fähigkeiten 

und Ausrüstung der Luftwaffe, no. 3 (2006): 44.

285. Ibid., 43–44.

286. Air Chief Marshal John Allison, commander in chief, Strike Command RAF, “The Future of Air Power—a European Perspective,” Military Technology 23, no. 5 (May 1999): 10.

287. Gen Merrill A. McPeak, USAF, retired, former chief of staff, “Precision 

Strike—The Impact on the Battle Space,” Military Technology 23, no. 5 (May 

1999): 22–24.

288. Elliot, “From Fighters to Fighter-Bombers,” 69, 73; Karl-Heinz Pitsch, 

“Modulare Abstandswaffe Taurus,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 10 (October 2001): 

39; and Armée de l’Air 2007: enjeux et perspectives (Paris: Sirpa Air, 2007), 49.

289. Gert Kromhout, “From SEAD to DEAD: USAF implements New Defence 

Suppression Course,” Military Technology 24, no. 12 (December 2000): 9–12.

290. AP 3000, British Air Power Doctrine, 2.8.3.

291. Sergio Coniglio, “A400M, An-70, C-130J, C-17: How Do They Stand? 

A Comparative Report of Military Transport Aircraft Programmes,” Military 

Technology 27, no. 7 (July 2003): 51.

292. Howorth and Keeler, Defending Europe, 83–84.

293. Hagman, European Crisis Management and Defence, 22.
78 │ POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES

294. Airbus Military, “A400M,” accessed 4 February 2008, http://www.air

busmilitary.com.

295. Lawrence Freedman, “Can the EU Develop an Effective Military Doctrine?,” in A European Way of War, ed. Steven Everts et al. (London: Centre for 

European Reform, 2004), 22–23; and Jan Joel Andersson, Armed and Ready? 

The EU Battlegroup Concept and the Nordic Battlegroup, report no. 2 (Stockholm: Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies, March 2006), 30–31.

296. See Lt Col Stefan Scheibl and Lt Col Wolfgang Schad, “Combat Search 

and Rescue—Bewaffnete Suche und Rettung,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 11 

(November 2002): 42–43.

297. “EC 725 Cougar Medium Multimission Helicopter,” airforce-technology

.com, http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ec725.

298. Michael J. Gething and Bill Sweetman, “Air-to-Air Refuelling Provides 

a Force Multiplier for Expeditionary Warfare,” Jane’s International Defence Review 39 (February 2006): 43.

299. Ibid., 45.

300. Mason, Air Power, 155.

301. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 122–23.

302. Schön and Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 44–45.

303. Gen Tom Hobbins, USAF, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Refocusing 

the Integration of Air & Space Power,” Transforming Joint Air Power: The Journal of the JAPCC, no. 3 (2006): 6–7.

304. Andrea Nativi, “Manned vs Unmanned Aerial Systems—False Expectations, Real Opportunities & Future Challenges,” Transforming Joint Air Power: 

The Journal of the JAPCC, no. 3 (2006): 39.

305. Hobbins, “Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” 9.

306. Ripley, Air War Iraq, 120–24.

307. Ibid., 13.

308. Mark Hewish and Joris Janssen Lok, “Connecting Flights: Datalinks 

Essential for Air Operations,” Jane’s International Defence Review 31, no. 12 (28 

November 1998): 42.

309. Myron Hura et al., Interoperability: A Continuing Challenge in Coalition Air Operations, RAND Monograph Report MR-1235-AF (Santa Monica, 

CA: RAND, 2000), 108, 111, http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1235.

310. Hewish and Lok, “Connecting Flights,” 42–45.

311. John Asenstorfer, Thomas Cox, and Darren Wilksch, Tactical Data 

Link Systems and the Australian Defence Force (ADF): Technology Developments 

and Interoperability Issues, rev. ed. (Edinburgh, South Australia: Defence Science & Technology, February 2004), 5, http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/pub

lications/2615.

312. Rainer Fiegle, “Neue Kommandostruktur für taktische Luftkriegsführung,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 3 (March 1995): 30–31.

313. NATO, “NATO Air Command and Control System,” http://www.nato

.int/issues/accs/index.html.
POST–COLD WAR CHALLENGES │ 79

314. See Lt Gen B. A. C. Droste, commander in chief, RNLAF, “Shaping Allied TBM Defence,” special issue, NATO’s Sixteen Nations and Partners for Peace 

42 (1997): 47.

315. Lambeth, Transformation of American Air Power, 145.

316. Droste, “Shaping Allied TBM Defence,” 47.

317. Bernd Baron von Hoyer-Boot, “Erweiterte Luftverteidigung,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 9 (September 1992): 506.

318. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 107.

319. Trevor Nash, “Low Level Air Defence: Getting the Balance Right,” Armada International 21, no. 2 (April/May 1997): 12.

Chapter 3

French Air Force (Armée de l’Air)

During WWI the French aircraft and aircraft engine industries 

were at the forefront in production and technical efficiency. By the 

last year of the war, the French air service was the second largest 

in the world; yet, only in 1933 did it become an independent service. However, Army officers—who dominated the high command of the armed forces—continued to provide strategic direction. This led to an inappropriate air power doctrine and 

contributed to France’s defeat in 1940.1

After WWII and following two large-scale conflicts in Indochina and Algeria, a watershed in France’s history was the collapse 

of the Fourth Republic in May 1958 and the establishment of the 

Fifth Republic under the leadership of Pres. Charles de Gaulle. 

This ushered in fundamental changes in the French force posture.2

To guarantee French status, developing autonomous nuclear deterrence was considered indispensable. In parallel, de Gaulle pursued a path of gradually disengaging from NATO’s integrated 

military command structure. These events culminated in a letter 

to the American president on 7 March 1966, where de Gaulle announced that French forces would no longer remain subject to 

NATO’s integrated military command structure. On a political 

level, France continued to be a member of the alliance, and the 

French armed forces constituted an operational reserve in NATO’s 

central region. A certain level of operational cooperation was retained between NATO and the French Air Force. In 1970 France 

and NATO signed an MOU regarding the exchange of recognised 

air picture data.3

From 1959 onwards, budgetary and doctrinal priority had been 

placed upon strategic nuclear forces, resulting in the first French 

nuclear bomb test on 13 February 1960. In October 1964, the FAF 

with its Mirage IV bombers became the first operational pillar of the 

strategic forces. The FAF also acquired responsibility for groundlaunched strategic ballistic missiles, which reached operational 

status in 1971. The nuclear strike role was considered to give the 

FAF a truly independent status.4
82 │ French Air Force

For conventional materiel, France pursued a path towards autarchy. Whereas the FAF was dependent on foreign aircraft immediately after WWII, it relied almost exclusively on a national 

industrial base from the 1960s onwards. Yet, emphasis on nuclear 

forces rendered conventional forces secondary.5

 Moreover, staying 

outside NATO’s integrated military command structure led to a 

reduced level of interoperability with NATO partners.

The ensuing shortfalls in the FAF’s conventional force posture 

became particularly apparent during Operation Desert Storm. 

Hence, the FAF aspired to significantly improve its conventional 

capabilities and to enhance interoperability with its NATO partners. This did not imply that France would forego its particular 

national status in multinational air campaigns, an issue that became particularly apparent during Operation Allied Force in 1999. 

When French decision makers didn’t consent to certain target 

sets, their American counterparts viewed them as non-cooperative. 

This led to the perception, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world, 

that France had effectively hindered a more effective air campaign.6

The image of France as an obstinate ally was again reinforced in 

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

Mirage 2000N. In October 1964, the FAF with its Mirage IV bombers 

became the first operational pillar of the strategic nuclear forces. The airborne nuclear strike role was later transferred to the Mirage 2000N, shown 

here armed with a mock-up air-sol moyenne portée (ASMP), or medium 

range air-to-ground weapon, a standoff nuclear missile.
French Air Force │ 83

the course of the Iraq crisis in early 2003. In contrast to this impression, the FAF has made valuable contributions in combined 

operations. For instance, the FAF was the first European air force 

to deploy combat aircraft for Operation Enduring Freedom.

How Has the French Air Force Adapted 

to the Uncertainties Created by Shifting 

Defence and Alliance Policies?

This section first analyses France’s post–Cold War defence policy 

and its influence on the FAF’s evolution. France’s alliance policies 

are described next, along with a view towards how they have affected its Air Force.

Defence Policy

In the post–Cold War era, French defence policy has been articulated primarily through three key documents—the 1994 Defence White Book, published under the late presidency of François 

Mitterrand; Jacques Chirac’s reform, A New Defence 1997–2015; 

and the 2008 Defence White Book published in the early presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. While the 1994 Defence White Book

represented a cautious adjustment to the post–Cold War environment, A New Defence initiated far-reaching reforms in the second 

half of the 1990s. The 2008 Defence White Book ushered an era of a 

renewed relationship between France and the transatlantic alliance.

The 1994 White Book primarily described the emerging geostrategic environment immediately after the end of the Cold War 

and laid out broad directions for the French defence architecture. 

Conspicuously, it avoided referring to critical issues such as the future composition of the nuclear forces.7A New Defence, on the other 

hand, was regarded as arguably the most substantial revision of 

French defence policy since the 1966 withdrawal from NATO’s integrated military command structure.8

 It set the background for a 

major military reform, the Armed Forces Model 2015.9

 This longterm plan was then broken down into so-called military planning 

laws, each covering a five-year period and providing a framework 

for force structuring and defence spending. In his foreword to the 

2008 White Book, Sarkozy, while acknowledging the importance of 
84 │ French Air Force

the previous reforms, stated that the Armed Forces Model 2015 had 

been too ambitious and that a reform was necessary.10

Threat and Risk Perception. In 1990 French decision makers 

only hesitantly modified their threat perception, particularly compared to their counterparts in the United States and the United 

Kingdom. According to the French view, although the threat of a 

massive surprise attack seemed to have vanished, the Soviet Union 

still posed a threat due to its vast arsenal of conventional and unconventional weapons. Only after the failed coup in Moscow in 

mid-1991 did French officials seriously start to acknowledge the 

demise of the Soviet/Russian threat.11

With the 1994 Defence White Book, French threat and risk perception had further adjusted to post–Cold War realities. Regional 

conflicts were considered to destabilise global stability, and the 

fragmentation of the Soviet Union was observed with great concern, particularly regarding nuclear proliferation. Moreover, nonmilitary threats and risks received considerable appreciation in 

the White Book. Among these, terrorism was singled out as the 

most substantial.12

The view that the distinction between internal and external security had blurred was accentuated in the wake of 11 September. 

According to the security assessment as laid out in the military 

planning law for 2003–8, a new form of terrorism had emerged. 

Consequently, the vulnerability of French society had to be taken 

into account in all its dimensions. Moreover, it was assumed that 

the threat potential of failing states and WMD proliferation had 

increased further.13

The 2008 White Book expanded these security concerns by emphasising the phenomenon of globalisation, ushering in an era of 

strategic uncertainty. While acknowledging the positive aspects of 

globalisation, the White Book underlines several security concerns 

caused by a more globalised environment. It stresses the issue of 

energy and resource security and identifies increased military 

spending—particularly in India and China, as well as a reasserting 

Russia—as a potentially destabilising factor.14 Given all these developments, the White Book concludes that France and Europe are in a 

more vulnerable situation now than at the end of the Cold War.15

Tasks of the Armed Forces. The end of the Cold War made a 

conceptual realignment of the tasks of the French armed forces 
French Air Force │ 85

necessary. The 1994 Defence White Book lays out three objectives 

for French defence policy—defending and safeguarding French 

interests, contributing to a common European defence and to 

international stability, and embracing a broad approach to defence that encompasses both internal and external security.16

These objectives are translated into four missions for the French 

armed forces:

•  Preserve vital French interests against any form of aggression.

•  Contribute to the security and defence of Europe and the

Mediterranean space and build a common European defence.

•  Help to strengthen peace and respect for international law.

•  Support civil authorities through subsidiary missions.17

The White Book further states that nuclear deterrence remains an 

indispensable pillar of French military strategy. In contrast to the 

Cold War, however, it is argued that a new balance between nuclear and conventional forces must be achieved. Moreover, France 

has to be capable of defending its interests, both autonomously and 

in a coalition. While conventional forces would allow France to 

intervene in regional conflicts, nuclear forces must be capable of 

permanently fulfilling two key functions: to inflict unacceptable 

damage upon any opponent in a second strike and to conduct limited strikes against military objectives.18 The latter function represents a novelty and is a response to WMD proliferation concerns.19

A major shift in paradigms occurred at the conventional force 

level. During the Cold War, the preeminence of nuclear doctrine 

rendered conventional forces secondary, as they were largely embedded into nuclear strategy.20 Yet, the 1994 Defence White Book

conceives their primary employment outside the nuclear context. 

In the new strategic environment, conventional forces were to act 

autonomously according to three main functions—prevention, 

action, and protection—with deterrence being the fourth function and relegated to the strategic forces. In the context of prevention, diplomatic, economic, and military means were to be coordinated, with the armed forces detecting potential crises and 

preventing them from unfolding. In case of failure, action would 

be required. This function primarily foresaw combined and joint 
86 │ French Air Force

crisis management operations. The third function, protection, was 

chiefly related to the defence of national territory.21

With the publication of A New Defence in 1996, Chirac basically reiterates these functions, though slightly adapted. The function of action was translated into projection. Chirac explicitly argues that the first line of defence is no longer close to the national 

border but often far away from French territory. Projection became the first priority for French conventional forces.22

In the wake of 11 September, the 2003–8 military planning law 

again confirms the four strategic functions of deterrence, prevention, projection-action, and protection. It also underlines that 

preemptive action could be considered given an explicit and imminent threat.23 Given Iran’s nuclear activities, for instance, President Chirac announced in January 2006 that states supporting 

WMD terrorism should be aware of exposing themselves to a potentially firm response.24

The 2008 White Book introduces a new and fifth strategic core 

function: cognition and anticipation. In an environment of strategic uncertainty, it is considered to be the most important. By reiterating the original four functions, albeit with a slightly different 

wording—intervention replaced projection-action—Sarkozy provides French defence policy in the post–Cold War era with continuity.25 In accordance with the new emphasis upon cognition and 

anticipation, the ability of gathering information autarchically 

was deemed of utmost importance to guarantee France’s strategic 

autonomy. Regarding intervention, the White Book explicitly acknowledges the predominantly multinational character of deployed operations.26

Towards Professional Armed Forces. The 1990–91 Gulf War 

showed serious shortfalls in French power projection capabilities. 

Different from small-scale deployments to Africa during the 1980s, 

a visible contribution to the Gulf War required materiel and personnel on a much larger scale. Despite an overall strength of more 

than 450,000 personnel, the French armed forces at first were able 

to deploy only around 5,000 troops to the Middle East. Finally, the 

French contingent was augmented to 19,000 personnel, including 

a reserve force of 3,400 in Djibouti. Nevertheless, it was dwarfed 

by the US deployment of more than half a million troops and was 

significantly weaker than the UK contingent of 36,000 troops.27
French Air Force │ 87

Even with the increasing demands for power projection, the 

1994 Defence White Book reconfirms the adherence to conscription, arguing that it remains an important link between the armed 

forces and society, plays a crucial role in the defence of French territory, and is indispensable for the reconstitution of the French 

armed forces. Nevertheless, it identifies a need to augment professional personnel.28 The FAF itself had always had a high degree of 

professional personnel—it was 62 per cent in 1993.29 However, 

this did not prevent shortcomings in the FAF’s projection capability during the Gulf War.30

In line with his major defence reform, Chirac argued in the 

mid-1990s that power projection requirements rendered conscription obsolete.31 As a consequence, the French armed forces 

were planned to be converted into a fully professional force reduced to 350,000 troops. This was supposed to allow power projection of between 50,000 and 60,000 personnel beyond the national borders.32 Particularly, shortcomings against the backdrop 

of Operation Desert Storm were to be the driving factor behind 

Chirac’s reform.33 In this thrust towards fully professional armed 

forces, the FAF was to undergo a 29 per cent cut in personnel from 

89,200 to 63,000 in the second half of the 1990s.34

Compared to previous decisions, the 2008 White Book reduced 

quantitative projection ambitions to 30,000 deployed ground 

troops for a major operation.35 In the same vein, the military planning law for 2009–14 announced a reduction of military and civil 

Air Force personnel, with a force goal of 50,000 by 2015.36

Defence Policy and Its Impact upon the French Air Force. 

The evolution of the FAF in the post–Cold War era has primarily 

been guided by three directives—the Armed Forces 2000 project, the directive for the reorganisation of the FAF command 

structure as of 1994, and the Armed Forces Model 2015. Each 

step attempted to provide an organisational response to the 

shifting defence policy paradigms.

The Armed Forces 2000 project was presented for the first time 

in June 1989, four months prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Two 

years later, the modalities to implement the Armed Forces 2000 

project were laid out. Its main objective was to improve military 

crisis management capabilities by enhancing power projection.37

A reform was considered urgent due to telling shortfalls in the 
88 │ French Air Force

FAF’s conventional force posture, as revealed during the Gulf crisis, and due to French overemphasis on nuclear forces. Throughout 1990 and 1991, for instance, FAF conventional forces were not 

even allocated enough funds to attain 180 flying hours per pilot 

per year.38 Accordingly, a 1992 RAND report concludes that the 

FAF faced the largest modernisation and replacement requirements of any air force in NATO’s central region.39

Against the backdrop of the reform, it was decided to render 

the FAF leaner by focusing on quality versus quantity. Plans were 

to reduce the combat aircraft fleet from 450 to between 390 and 

350 aircraft by 1994.40 The Armed Forces 2000 project’s major 

shortfall, however, was its being conceptually grounded in the 

Cold War. Despite its focus on crisis management, it did little to 

prepare the French armed forces for the upheavals during the first 

half of the 1990s.41

Adapting the FAF’s force structure to the new geostrategic context was indispensable. In 1994 a new command structure was introduced, distinguishing between operational and organic commands. Prior to this reform, the FAF had largely been organised 

according to the structure of 1960. The implementation of that 

structure was at the time the consequence of the adoption of the 

nuclear task. The structure itself consisted of four operational 

commands—Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, 

Air Defence Command, and Airlift Command. These four commands were complemented by three support commands responsible for training, signals, and engineering work.42

To respond to the new requirements, the structural reform of 

1994 had to improve the flexible employment of conventional air 

assets. The result was the creation of the Air Defence and Operations Command. This command was charged with planning and 

conducting all conventional operations, both offensive and defensive, and hence enabled centralised command.43 Alongside Strategic Air Command, Air Defence and Operations Command was 

henceforth the only operational command. This significantly 

streamlined the command structure of the FAF and reduced unnecessary redundancies. Apart from these two operational commands, the 1994 FAF structure included five organic commands 

in charge of the combat aircraft fleet, the airlift fleet, the ground 

environment and signals, ground protection, and training.44
French Air Force │ 89

The reorganisation of the FAF’s command structure represented 

a direct response to the shifting geostrategic context. Since a major clash within Europe was no longer an immediate threat, large 

command structures and forces preassigned for specific tasks had 

become obsolete. Instead, continuous operations abroad and the 

thrust towards combined and joint operations required a flexible 

approach. The structure was fully in line with the 1994 White 

Book, which largely decouples conventional forces from nuclear 

strategy and puts a premium upon power projection and operations in multinational frameworks.45 Three years later, under Chirac’s presidency, military planning law 1997–2002 confirmed the 

reform of the command structure.46

The military planning law for 1997–2002 was supposed to be 

the first out of three to achieve the goals set by the Armed Forces 

Model 2015. It initiated a streamlining process of the aircraft fleet, 

as depicted in the following table:

Table 1. Armed Forces Model 2015 (FAF)

1996 2002 2015

405 combat aircraft 

(Mirage F1, Mirage 

2000, Jaguar, Mirage IV)

360 combat aircraft 

(Mirage F1, Jaguar, 

Mirage IV, Mirage 2000)

300 modern combat 

aircraft

80 tactical transport 

aircraft

80 tactical transport 

aircraft

50 modern transport 

aircraft (A400Ms)

11 AAR aircraft 14 AAR aircraft 16 AAR aircraft

6 specialised C-160 

Transall

6 specialised C-160 

Transall

2 specialised C-160 

Transall

4 AWACS 4 AWACS 4 AWACS

1 DC 8 Sarigue (electronic intelligence)1 DC 8 Sarigue 1 DC 8 Sarigue

101 helicopters 86 helicopters 84 helicopters

Reprinted from Loi de Programmation Militaire (LPM) [French military programme bill of law] 

1997–2002, Rapport fait au nom de la commission des Affaires étrangères, de la défense et des forces 

armées (1) sur le projet de loi, adopté par l’Assemblée Nationale après déclaration d’urgence, relatif à 

la programmation militaire pour les années 1997 à 2002 [Report on behalf of the commission of 

foreign and defence affairs and the armed forces on the military programme bill of law 1997–2002, 

approved by the national assembly after a declaration of urgency], no. 427 (Paris: Sénat, 1996), 132.

Yet, the delay of several procurement programmes due to financial, technological, or industrial reasons prevented the FAF from 
90 │ French Air Force

attaining the original goals of Armed Forces Model 2015. For instance, as of 2003, only 150 Rafale combat aircraft at most were 

expected to be delivered by 2015 out of a total of 234 aircraft destined for the FAF.47

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

Rafale, the latest French combat aircraft

To support the primary drive towards enhancing power projection, the number of AAR aircraft was to be increased. Against 

the projection logic, however, was the planned reduction of the 

airlift fleet. A reason for this cutback lies in the aging of available 

airframes and delays in their replacement. With power projection identified by Chirac’s reform as the primary mission of conventional forces, a major goal set for the FAF has been the capability to deploy up to 100 combat aircraft in an out-of-area 

operation.48 Given delays in the A400M programme and an aging tanker aircraft fleet, this goal proved too ambitious for operations beyond the close vicinity of Europe.49 Chirac’s defence 

reform also foresaw a simplification and reduction of the nuclear 

forces by abandoning the terrestrial component. Henceforth, 

nuclear deterrence has been maintained by submarine- and airlaunched nuclear missiles.50
French Air Force │ 91

To further adapt the FAF to the new environment and enhance 

its effectiveness, a new Air Force structure—Air 2010—was envisaged in 2003. In the summer of 2005, Air 2010 was initiated by 

establishing the Support Command in Bordeaux.51 While the two 

operational commands, Strategic Air Command and Air Defence 

and Operations Command, were retained, the organic commands 

were reduced to two. Air Forces Command, essentially a force 

provider, prepares the various FAF units while Support Command 

provides operational support.52 As such, Air 2010 resulted in a 

further streamlining of the FAF’s command structure.

In 2008 Sarkozy declared that the Armed Forces Model 2015 

had been too ambitious and proposed a reform.53 In line with the 

new strategic core function, cognition and anticipation, the 2008 

White Book prioritises the modernisation of the ground-based 

air-surveillance architecture.54 Yet, the military planning law for 

2009–14 significantly reduced the total force goal of modern combat aircraft, Rafales and Mirage 2000Ds, to 300 for both the FAF 

and the French Navy.55

Emphasis upon Air Power. The French defence budget not 

only contains the single service budgets of the Army, Navy, and 

Air Force but also expenditures for the national military police 

force, the administration, and others. When only comparing the 

three service budgets of 2002 with each other, the Army receives 

41.6 per cent, the Navy 28.95 per cent, and the FAF 29.45 per 

cent.56 Yet, air power is not relegated to the FAF. Both the Army 

and Navy operate a considerable number of air assets.

In the early 1990s, the Army air wing (Aviation légère de l’armée 

de terre) contained slightly more than 700 utility, transport, and 

combat helicopters as well as a couple of fixed-wing aircraft. Additionally, the Army operated more than 1,200 air defence guns as 

well as 345 SAM systems, including man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and a considerable number of Roland I/II and 

Hawk systems. With its organic air arm, the Navy operated 156 

fixed-wing and 52 rotary-wing aircraft in the early 1990s.57 A decade later, the Army’s air assets had been significantly reduced to 

slightly more than 400 aircraft. The naval air arm’s inventory, on 

the other hand, remained stable with 123 fixed-wing and 78 rotarywing aircraft.58 The military planning law for 2003–8 projects 

the modernisation of the Army air wing and the naval air arm. The 
92 │ French Air Force

latter was planned to be equipped with 60 Rafale multirole combat 

aircraft.59 The military planning law for 2009–14 announces the 

procurement of 80 Tigre combat helicopters and 130 modern 

transport helicopters for the Army air wing.60 These figures reveal 

that the French armed forces emphasise air power far beyond the 

slightly less than 30 per cent FAF budget allocation.

With regard to the relevance of the FAF in real operations, interesting evolutions have taken place in the post–Cold War era. 

During the 1990–91 Gulf crisis, the FAF’s mission was originally 

conceived to be purely defensive. As well as contributing to the 

defence of Saudi airspace, its main mission was to cover the action 

of the French Army division Daguet.61 Hence, air power was considered to be a mere adjunct to the manoeuvre of ground forces. 

Only later did Mitterrand decide that the FAF was to take on its 

share of the coalition air campaign. In the Balkans, the weight 

given to air versus land power was more balanced. While the 

Army excelled by its robust commitment to ground operations in 

Bosnia—making France the political and military leader of the 

United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)—the FAF took 

on a major European role in NATO’s air campaigns over Bosnia.62

The forward-deployed forces in Africa have been inherently integrated.63 With the Army providing the bulk of personnel, the FAF 

has been a crucial strategic enabler, given the large distances in 

Africa. As portrayed in the next section, French contributions at 

the upper force spectrum in Kosovo and later in Afghanistan primarily relied upon air power. The FAF has gradually gained importance throughout the post–Cold War era and now can be regarded on a par with its sister services in deployed operations.

Regarding nuclear deterrence, while the maritime component 

with its nuclear submarines is the most powerful and survivable 

component, the strategic air component is considered useful for 

political signalling due to its visible and reversible deployment.64

Hence, the FAF continues to play an important role in this arena.

Alliance Context

France’s alliance policy of the post–Cold War era has been considerably marked by its Gaullist heritage. Autonomy and independence in decision making have remained cornerstones of French 

foreign and defence policy. Yet the end of bipolarity, which had 
French Air Force │ 93

allowed France a certain degree of freedom of manoeuvre between 

the two superpowers, and the new security challenges meant that 

France had to embark upon a path of rapprochement towards its 

NATO partners.

Reasons for rapprochement were manifold. A crucial one was 

France’s active involvement in UN operations. While France’s rank 

and status were secured by an independent nuclear force during the 

Cold War era, this formula was only partially valid in the post–Cold 

War era. Particularly in the early 1990s, France sought to secure its 

international status and permanent seat in the UN Security Council 

through a decisive role and enhanced visibility in peace support operations. As the conduct of these operations was largely shaped by 

NATO councils and committees, participation in the decisionmaking process was considered necessary.65

Only by embedding its actions into a multilateral framework was 

France able to defend its interests and to influence international 

affairs. In the first half of the 1990s, France undertook a whole 

series of initiatives within the WEU, EU, or NATO aimed at establishing an autonomous European defence and security architecture.66 For instance, the setting up of a Franco-German army corps 

in 1992, later to become known as Eurocorps, was conceived to be 

the nucleus of a European army.67 In short, Europe had become 

France’s new frontier, and French officials perceived it as their 

sphere of influence. Particularly through the construction of a 

common European defence, French status would be fostered.68

However, not being able to prise its European partners away from 

the comfort of an American commitment to European security, 

France had to attain reform from within NATO to foster a more 

autonomous European defence.69

Already in 1994, the Defence White Book conveyed a certain 

shift in French paradigms. On the one hand, it argued that NATO 

must become an arena where the European security and defence 

identity could establish itself and that the adaptation of NATO to 

the new strategic conditions must be resolutely pursued. On the 

other, the White Book clearly restated the particular French status 

within NATO. It argued that the principles laid down in 1966, including non-participation in NATO’s integrated military structure, 

would continue to guide French relations with the organisation.70
94 │ French Air Force

Franco-NATO rapprochement was further strengthened when 

Jacques Chirac came to office in spring 1995. The new president 

aimed at exploiting the ongoing evolutions within NATO to restore France as a major player within the alliance and to Europeanise the alliance from within. However, a reintegration of France 

into NATO’s military command structure was not conceivable. 

The dominance of the United States and the automaticity of the 

integrated command structure were considered to be incompatible 

with France’s key principles.71

The most tangible sign of French rapprochement towards 

NATO was the increasing participation of French officials in its 

councils and committees. In September 1994, France was for the 

first time since 1966 represented in an informal meeting of NATO 

defence ministers in Seville, Spain.72 In 1995 French participation 

became more formalised. After the French chief of staff had attended a meeting of NATO’s Military Committee, it was declared 

that France would henceforth participate fully in the Military 

Committee and that French defence ministers would participate 

in the North Atlantic Council meetings on a regular basis.73

France’s rapprochement towards NATO in the mid-1990s did 

not imply acceptance of the US-dominated status quo. It was 

French pragmatism that accelerated Franco-NATO rapprochement. 

The setting up of an autonomous European defence architecture 

remained the overarching goal of French defence policy.74 Recognising the dominance and importance of NATO in the medium 

term, French decision makers conceded to the necessity of building a European defence within the alliance to the point where 

European strategic autonomy would become a reality.75

However, French decision makers did not succeed in transforming NATO’s command structure according to their views in 

the mid-1990s. With American preponderance at the highest level 

of the NATO command structure—Allied Command Europe and 

ACLANT—the French first sought to install a European SACEUR 

commanding ACE to shape the alliance in line with the European 

Security and Defence Identity, which was embraced by the alliance 

during the January 1994 Brussels summit. After this attempt had 

failed, French decision makers tried to make adjustments at the 

next lower command level. In particular, they pushed for a European 

general commanding Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH) 
French Air Force │ 95

in Naples. Yet this proposal was not only rejected by the Americans in late 1996 but also by Germany, France’s close ally in European defence matters. As a result of these developments, Paris decided to slow down rapprochement. This state of affairs made any 

further Europeanisation of NATO less likely and threatened the 

core objective France herself had sought within NATO.76

After a period of stagnation in setting up a European defence 

pillar, new momentum was gained at the Franco-British meeting 

of December 1998 in St. Malo, France. As discussed in chap. 2, 

both countries agreed that the EU must have the capacity for autonomous military action. An agreement between Britain and 

France was particularly important as both countries were considered to possess the most relevant armed forces in Europe.77 The 

overcoming of obstacles between France and Britain laid the foundation for the European Security and Defence Policy. 

Moreover, despite tensions over the Iraq crisis in 2003, France 

has reiterated its policy of rapprochement towards NATO and has 

made significant contributions to the newly set up NATO Response Force, with the logic that only a strong French commitment can contribute to the alliance becoming more European.78

The 2008 White Book announced France’s intention to renew 

the transatlantic partnership.79 In 2009 France finally returned to 

NATO’s integrated military command structure. The reintegration was underlined by France receiving two of NATO’s top military positions—the post of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) and the command of the Joint Command 

Lisbon.80 Yet on numerous occasions, the president and French 

officials made it clear that French autonomy, particularly in the 

domain of the country’s nuclear deterrent, would not be compromised by this move, thereby retaining a certain degree of continuity of Gaullist paradigms.81

France’s return to NATO’s integrated military command structure did not mean that the country would no longer put a premium 

upon the European Union as a major actor in the domain of security. Both the 2008 White Book and the military planning law 2009–14 

declare that the EU has far-reaching international responsibilities, 

including military ones. As such, its crisis management capabilities 

were to be further reinforced to achieve a better task sharing in security matters between Americans and Europeans.82
96 │ French Air Force

Alliance Policy and Its Impact upon the French Air Force

In the post–Cold War era, France has come to realise that no 

European nation can afford and sustain the costs of an air force 

that is capable of intervening independently in major crises.83

Thus, France’s approach on a grand-strategic level has been directly translated onto an air power level. As the FAF has a limited 

but balanced force structure, the European context has been perceived to enhance its operational capability.84 To build European 

defence, the FAF has supported and promoted the harmonisation 

of procedures and structures.85 While a certain degree of independence continues to be regarded as essential, the FAF has sought to 

integrate European air power under the aegis of the EU and NATO 

as well as through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.86

ESDP Context. As discussed, the FAF, together with the German Air Force, has been the lead air force in setting up the EU Air 

RRC. In the context of the Helsinki Headline Goal, France, similarly to Britain and Germany, had committed itself to provide 20 

per cent of the air assets put at the disposal of the EU. A potential 

French contribution would theoretically have consisted of a maximum of 80 combat and reconnaissance aircraft and 30 transport 

aircraft with the corresponding support materiel.87 In 2007 the 

contribution was slightly reduced to 75 combat aircraft for potential EU operations, with another 25 retained for national deployed 

operations.88 Given shortfalls in the FAF’s airlift capacity, as is 

shown later, this goal was too ambitious for operations beyond 

Europe’s vicinity. Thus, Sarkozy’s reform of 2008 made adjustments and reduced the overall number of deployable FAF and 

French Navy combat aircraft to 70.89 However, the number of aircraft assigned to potential EU or NATO operations was not specified in the new Defence White Book.

NATO Context. The prospect of advancing the European pillar 

within the Atlantic Alliance has certainly featured prominently in 

French calculations of its significant contributions to the NRF. 

But France approved the NRF concept only under certain conditions. For instance, the employment of French armed forces on 

behalf of the European Union must not be affected by NRF commitments.90 Despite these restrictions, the FAF has been a key 

player within the NRF. While France was in charge of the NRF 5 
French Air Force │ 97

CJFAC during the second half of 2005, command of the NRF 6 

CJFAC was passed on to the RAF at the end of the year.91 Together 

with the RAF, the FAF provided the main bulk of air assets, and a 

French general acted as the NRF 5 CJFACC.92 Approximately 

1,500 French personnel were put on standby. Regarding air assets, 

the French contribution consisted of 24 combat aircraft, six transport and four tanker aircraft, as well as one AWACS aircraft.93 Together, the RAF and the FAF provided 80 per cent of the CJFACC’s 

staff and 40 per cent of the air assets, with other NATO countries 

supplying the remaining personnel and materiel. Cooperation between the two air forces generated synergies. French structures and 

national procedures were fully interoperable with NATO and 

hence allowed smooth integration of allied air forces.94 Also, both 

air forces were cooperating closely in ground support. Together, 

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

French Mirage 2000 and Belgian F16s
98 │ French Air Force

they provided three deployable air bases for NRF 5 and NRF 6.95

France and Great Britain were at the time the only European nations able to provide such a capability on a national basis.96

Bilateral and Multilateral Organisational Relationships. The 

FAF has also been a key player in establishing bilateral and multilateral organisational relationships in the post–Cold War era. The 

European Air Chiefs Conference (EURAC), for example, was 

launched on a French initiative in 1993. It brings together at least 

once a year (until 2004, two annual formal meetings) the chiefs of 

the Air Staffs of several European air forces to reflect on common 

problems.97 Through the EURAC, the FAF has been able to promote a number of projects aimed at cooperation, such as the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training that was conceived to pool 

European fighter pilot training. The FAF intends to play an important role in this field and to offer its infrastructure and assets.98 A 

milestone was reached in September 2004 when the FrancoBelgian Advanced Jet Training School was established.99

As mentioned, France and Great Britain were also in the lead in 

establishing a common approach to European air power by inaugurating the Franco-British European Air Group in High Wycombe, 

UK, on 30 October 1995.100 The FBEAG was later transformed 

into the EAG, taking on board other European nations. Given the 

professionalism and experience of the British armed forces, Great 

Britain has always been an important partner for France to develop meaningful approaches to cooperation.

On the continent, it has largely been the German Air Force with 

which the FAF has sought to deepen its ties. This basically reflects 

the Franco-German partnership at the grand-strategic level in 

promoting European defence. A few months after the creation of 

the FBEAG, the FAF set up an exchange system for airlift with the 

German Air Force. Henceforth, the system allowed each nation to 

utilise each other’s transport aircraft.101 France and Germany have 

also been the lead nations in developing a European air transport 

command, as is explained later.

In the wake of 11 September, the FAF has mainly been pursuing 

European cooperation in the area of air policing. According to the 

view of the chief of the Air Staff, multilateral cooperation and efforts to integrate national airspaces were to be identified and air 

policing procedures to be harmonised.102 By early 2006, the FAF 
French Air Force │ 99

had formalised or was in the process of formalising cooperation 

with Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the United 

Kingdom, and Brazil.103 Furthermore, Luxembourg contemplated 

the FAF controlling its airspace.104

Cooperation on an Operational Level. In the post–Cold War 

era, the FAF has gained a high level of experience in combined air 

campaigns. In Operation Allied Force, Mirage 2000Ds were often 

air refuelled by British tankers, escorted by Dutch F-16s, and supported by German electronic combat/reconnaissance (ECR) Tornados.105 The Europeanisation of air power was particularly visible 

when a French Mirage 2000D detachment to Central Asia was 

superseded by a trinational air component consisting of Danish, 

Dutch, and Norwegian F-16s. Against the backdrop of Operation 

Enduring Freedom, this component took over from the FAF in 

late 2002. During the transitional phase, the airlift assets of the 

involved European nations were coordinated through the EACC.106

Moreover, to build European defence, integrated exercises and 

exchange of pilots have been considered of major importance. Integrated exercises in the framework of NATO have allowed the 

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by FMV

A FAF Boeing C-135FR tanker aircraft refuelling SwAF Gripen combat 

aircraft
100 │ French Air Force

FAF to test, train, and improve its expertise in terms of operational planning and the conduct of combined operations and can 

hence be regarded as an important enabler of French high-level 

contributions to the NRF air component.107 In the post–Cold War 

era, the thrust towards combined and joint exercises has increased. 

The FAF has not only participated in exercises with NATO partners, such as Red Flag, Maple Flag, or Anatolian Eagle, but has 

also taken part in exercises in Brazil and the Arab Emirates.108

How Has the French Air Force Responded to 

the Challenges of Real Operations?

In the wake of the Algerian War, France adopted a new military 

strategy to protect its remaining overseas interests. This strategy 

hinged upon light and rapidly deployable units as well as on theatre 

reception bases, which allowed for interventions on a much smaller 

scale but not necessarily at the lower end of the spectrum of military force. Particularly under the presidency of Valéry Giscard 

d’Estaing (1974–81), French overseas interventions experienced a 

drastic rise against the backdrop of growing Soviet-Cuban involvement in Africa.109

Gradually, reliance upon the FAF to project power grew. This 

trend is illustrated by the composition of French deployments to 

Chad between 1968 and 1987. The first operations hinged upon 

light and mobile infantry forces, with air power playing a secondary role and being primarily relegated to inter- and intratheatre 

airlift. In the late 1970s, French Jaguar aircraft took on an increasingly important role by delivering concentrated firepower.110 In 

the first half of the 1980s, the increasing Libyan air threat for the 

first time made the deployment of French air defence assets such 

as the Mirage F1 and Crotale SAMs necessary.111 The final major 

deployment to Chad, lasting from early 1986 to late 1987, reversed 

the original composition of French intervention forces. For the 

first time, an Air Force officer was appointed as the joint force 

commander. The operation’s aim was to deter enemy air and land 

incursions. For this purpose, the FAF executed two major offensive counterair missions deep inside enemy-held territory and engaged Libyan aircraft at least twice in combat.112
French Air Force │ 101

The FAF was also engaged in counterinsurgency operations. During Operation Lamantin in late 1977 and early 1978, for instance, 

up to eight French Jaguar combat aircraft conducted decisive 

strikes over two days against Polisario rebels raiding Mauritanian 

government installations, thereby contributing to the establishment of a ceasefire. They were supported by tanker aircraft and 

guided by French Navy Atlantic aircraft that served as command 

and SIGINT platforms. French forces never exceeded 350 personnel.113 This experience, spanning the entire spectrum from 

counterinsurgency operations to offensive counterair missions, 

rendered the FAF one of the most combat experienced Western 

air forces in the late 1980s.114 Nonetheless, operations in Africa 

remained secondary to the FAF’s nuclear role.115

After decades of autonomous operations, interoperability became a particular challenge for the FAF at the outset of the post–

Cold War era. Within a decade, the FAF came a long way. Nowadays, it is capable of rapidly integrating itself into major combined 

air operations and accomplishing leadership functions, as the 

French commitment to the NRF air component conveys. Moreover, the FAF has retained its ability to operate autonomously, 

particularly in African theatres. It offers French decision makers a 

broad range of options across the entire spectrum of force.

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

FAF C-160 Transall operating from a gravel strip in Chad
102 │ French Air Force

French Contributions to Western Air Campaigns

Desert Storm constituted a watershed for French defence policy 

in general and for the FAF in particular. Politically, French participation in Operation Desert Storm aroused tensions within the 

republic’s leadership. While François Mitterrand was basically the 

only one to support a troop deployment from the very beginning, 

the minister of the interior, for instance, warned of military engagement in an American-led operation and its consequences, 

particularly with regard to Franco-Arab relations.116 At the special 

request of French defence minister Jean-Pierre Chevènement, 

French combat aircraft were not based with American forces to 

prevent the FAF from being too closely linked with the coalition. 

Sympathetic to the Iraqi leadership, the defence minister wanted 

to relegate French operations to purely defensive actions. In the 

course of the campaign, he accordingly opposed strikes against 

targets on Iraqi territory but was overruled by Mitterrand. On 

27 January 1991, Chevènement finally resigned from his post.117

The altered geostrategic environment and experience of Desert 

Storm caused France to gradually abandon this isolationist stance. 

There was a realisation that no European state could sustain any 

longer the costs of an air force capable of intervening independently in major crises. The FAF was from the very beginning 

closely integrated in the air campaign over the Balkans and was 

able to integrate itself swiftly into the American-led air campaign 

over Afghanistan in early 2002. This change in paradigm is also 

reflected in France’s involvement in cooperative endeavours, which 

aspire—amongst others—to harmonise European air power.118

In 1990 political reluctance to subordinate French forces to the 

joint force commander during the force buildup led to a military 

marginalisation of the FAF contingent.119 Besides support aircraft, 

the deployment contained 14 Jaguar, 10 Mirage 2000, and six 

Mirage F1 CR reconnaissance aircraft.120 At dawn on 17 January, 

French Jaguar aircraft conducted low-level attacks against an Iraqi 

air base in Kuwait. Though four aircraft were hit by ground fire, 

they accomplished their mission and returned safely.121 After these 

offensive counterair strikes, the FAF targeted artillery sites in 

Kuwait and Republican Guard units in southern Iraq. French 

Jaguar aircraft conducted precision strikes by means of AS-30-L 
French Air Force │ 103

laser-guided air-to-ground missiles and Mirage F1 CR photo- and 

radar-reconnaissance missions.122 Though French aircraft flew 

1,237 combat and a significant number of tanker and airlift sorties, French participation represented only 2 per cent of the total 

sorties flown. This was partly due to tight political control. French 

decision makers demanded to be informed of potential targets 48 

hours in advance; this proved to be incompatible with the high 

tempo of the air campaign.123 Moreover, the reason for this relatively limited contribution was related to materiel. French aircraft 

lacked compatible identification, friend or foe (IFF) equipment, 

preventing them from working closely with the allies. French 

Jaguar aircraft, despite their precision strike capability, lacked 

night-sight capabilities.124 In addition, the employment of French 

Mirage F1 CR aircraft was considerably restricted to avoid confusion with Iraqi Mirage F1.125

In July 1991, an official French report concluded that the FAF’s 

aircraft fleet generally lacked the capability of immediately operating in an advanced technological environment.126 Desert Storm 

proved at the time too big, too technically advanced, and too AngloSaxon for the FAF.127 This experience became a catalyst for improvements in France’s power projection capabilities and conventional force renewal.128 As is discussed later, it was also at the root 

of FAF efforts to acquire a computerised and interoperable C2 architecture. Despite autonomous deployed air operations in the 

1970s and 1980s, Desert Storm was a wake-up call. If the FAF was 

to play a major role on the international stage, significant reforms 

had to be initiated. Desert Storm had considerable corollaries 

both on a political and military level.

Immediately after Desert Storm, the implementation of the 

NFZ over northern and southern Iraq represented the first opportunities to enhance operational experience in a multinational environment. On 25 July 1991, eight Mirage F1 CR reconnaissance 

aircraft and a C-135FR tanker were dispatched to Incirlik Air Base 

in Turkey. Operation Aconit was the French contribution to Operation Provide Comfort, aimed at protecting the Kurdish population in northern Iraq. Prior to the arrival of RAF Jaguars in late 

September, French Mirage aircraft were the only tactical reconnaissance assets of the allied contingent. The FAF regarded Opera-
104 │ French Air Force

tion Provide Comfort as a valuable experience in adapting to allied procedures and using English for tactical communication.129

For Operation Southern Watch, the first French contingent dispatched on 1 September 1992 and consisted of eight Mirage 

2000Cs, one C-135FR tanker, and transport aircraft.130 It was a 

force primarily designed for defensive purposes, consistent with 

French containment policy. France did not support operations of 

a predominantly coercive nature.131 For instance, the French refused to back an extension of the southern NFZ in 1996. They also 

withdrew their forces from Turkey when Operation Northern 

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

FAF Mirage F1 CR reconnaissance aircraft
French Air Force │ 105

Watch superseded Operation Provide Comfort in January 1997.132

The different approach to dealing with Iraq was also apparent in 

mid-1998, when France dispatched a Mirage IV strategic reconnaissance aircraft to the Middle East to provide UNSCOM with a 

second intelligence source independent of and complementary to 

American sources.133

The FAF not only contributed to crisis management in the 

Middle East but also in the Balkans from the early 1990s.134 In late 

August 1995, Deliberate Force superseded Operation Deny Flight. 

On the first day of operations, hostile GBAD shot down a French 

Mirage 2000N from Strategic Air Command. Only after three 

months of captivity did the Bosnian Serbs release the pilot and his 

navigator.135 This incident, however, did not prevent the FAF from 

making a critical European contribution to the operation. Though 

the United States carried out the bulk of the operation, France was 

third after the United States and the UK in sorties flown (see 

chap. 2, “Western Air Operations over the Balkans”). Moreover, 

the French Army provided most of the heavy artillery of the multinational brigade inserted into Bosnia, pinning down Bosnian Serb 

military movement around Sarajevo.136

In 1999 the French contribution to Operation Allied Force was 

the second largest in both sorties flown and dispatched aircraft, 

with a total of approximately 100 including French naval aircraft. 

The FAF deployed 20 strike aircraft, including Mirage 2000Ds and 

Jaguars, with an additional eight Mirage 2000Cs in the air-to-air 

role as well as three Mirage IVPs and six Mirage F1 CRs in the 

reconnaissance role. With these capacities in place, French forces 

flew most of the European strike sorties.137 They dropped 582 

laser-guided bombs (LGB), more than double the amount UK 

forces dropped, accounting for approximately 7.2 per cent of 

PGMs employed during the campaign.138 This significant achievement (in European terms) is largely because all of the FAF’s offensive aircraft were capable of conducting precision strikes by day, 

with the Mirage 2000D extending this capability to nighttime.139

Compared to Deliberate Force, when French aircraft released 

merely 14 PGMs that accounted for approximately 2 per cent of all 

PGMs released, this represented a significant improvement.140

Furthermore, French aircraft flew 21 per cent of all reconnais-
106 │ French Air Force

sance missions in Allied Force, and the FAF contributed key assets 

such as two E-3F AWACS and up to 10 C-135FR tanker aircraft.141

Aware of the relative magnitude of their contribution, French 

decision makers were able to influence the air campaign without—

according to their view—negatively influencing the course of the 

campaign or jeopardizing alliance cohesion.142 Contrarily, American decision makers in the Pentagon took the view that European 

partners had exerted excessive restrictions on the Americans, particularly against the backdrop of European air power shortfalls.143

In a hearing of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, Lt Gen 

Michael Short particularly singled out France as the key country in 

restricting targets.144 In fact, the issue was more complex—severe 

tensions existed between Gen Wesley Clark, SACEUR, and the air 

component commander about the most effective target sets. 

Whilst Clark identified Serbian ground forces in Kosovo as the 

centre of gravity of the campaign, General Short put a premium 

upon leadership-related targets in Belgrade, Serbia.145

Besides President Clinton, only Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac 

were in a position to review and veto possible targets. Chirac particularly expressed concern about targets with the potential of 

causing significant collateral damage and targets in Montenegro, 

including SAM sites and an airfield.146 As such, he vetoed for a 

time the bombing of two television towers and key bridges crossing the Danube in Belgrade, which led to the above American accusations. Yet in their study on the Kosovo conflict, Daalder and 

O’Hanlon point out that “the strategy of gradual escalation and 

the decision to publicly rule out the deployment of ground forces 

came out of Washington.”147 In essence, the debate involved a generic 

issue about gradualism versus shock and awe or, in USAF parlance, 

parallel warfare. Given the intra-American disputes, it can be argued that General Short used France as a convenient scapegoat.

Despite the alliance frictions of 1999, the FAF was the first European air force to engage targets in Afghanistan. From 23 September 2001, a French SIGINT aircraft gathered information over 

Afghanistan. This effort was augmented by the deployment of two 

Mirage IVPs together with two tanker aircraft to the Arab Emirates to deliver important imagery intelligence. The French used a 

two-pronged approach in deploying combat forces. The first was 

dispatching French Super Etendards from the aircraft carrier 
French Air Force │ 107

Charles de Gaulle to fly missions over Afghanistan from December 2001. The second was sending six Mirage 2000Ds and two 

tanker aircraft from France to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, on 26 and 27 

February 2002. On 2 March, these aircraft took part in Operation 

Anaconda.148 The American air component commander, Gen T. 

Michael Moseley, argued that given the ferocity of the fighting on 

the ground, he immediately had to employ the French Mirage aircraft without giving them time to acclimatise. The French detachment was the first to be based at Manas, and General Moseley acknowledged France’s role in establishing a new front for operations 

over Afghanistan. In June 2002, the French Mirage aircraft in 

Manas were joined by USMC F/A-18D Hornets. 

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

FAF deployment. Six Mirage 2000D combat aircraft and two tanker aircraft deployed from France to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, on 26 and 27 February 

2002. On 2 March, these aircraft took part in Operation Anaconda.
108 │ French Air Force

Both in the air and on the ground, cooperation between the two 

contingents was very tight. For instance, the American fighter aircraft were air-to-air refuelled by the French tanker aircraft based 

in Manas.149 Within seven months, French Mirages logged 4,500 

flying hours and 900 sorties, destroying or neutralizing 32 targets.150 The French contingent at Manas significantly reduced the 

logistical footprint by substantially drawing on regional supply, 

quite in contrast to the American approach.151

French participation in the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom was not limited to combat, reconnaissance, and 

tanker aircraft. The French transport command very early established an air bridge to Central Asia and was amongst the first to 

conduct night flights into Mazar-i-Sharif under extremely adverse circumstances.152

In the ensuing years, the FAF has continued to deploy combat 

aircraft to Asia for both Operation Enduring Freedom and the 

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). In August 2007, 

the FAF Central Asia detachment, Serpentaire, began redeployment from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, to Kandahar to reduce transit 

time and to increase NATO’s firepower in the southern Afghan 

provinces. The detachment has usually been comprised of a total 

of six combat aircraft, normally combining three Mirage 2000Ds 

with either three Mirage F1s or three Rafales. The Air Force’s 

Rafales, in concert with the French Navy’s Rafales operating 

from the Charles de Gaulle, saw action over Afghanistan in 

March 2007 for the first time.153

French Interventions in Africa

As during the Cold War, French operations in Africa have generally been autonomous national operations. In many cases, 

French forces have intervened to temporarily stabilize hotspots or 

to evacuate Western citizens. As these operations have required 

quick reaction, power projection by air has proved indispensable 

for mission success. Besides airlift, the FAF has often provided 

combat aircraft, giving the lean French ground force deployments 

a decisive edge in firepower.

Already during the Gulf crisis in 1990–91, French troops were 

simultaneously involved in crisis management operations in 

Rwanda.154 This can be considered a precursor to Operation Tur-
French Air Force │ 109

quoise, which lasted from 22 June until 22 August 1994. Operation Turquoise was aimed at stopping genocide and at establishing 

a safe haven. Since Rwanda was a landlocked country and more 

than 8,000 kilometres away from France, rapid deployment could 

only be executed by airlift. The air bridge was considerably augmented by chartered Russian wide-body transport aircraft. A total 

of 3,000 personnel as well as 700 vehicles and additional cargo 

were moved during the operation. Firepower was delivered by 

1,200 French frontline troops supported by 12 combat aircraft.155

Jaguar and Mirage F1 combat aircraft supported by a C-135FR 

tanker aircraft were stationed in neighbouring Kisangani and 

Goma, from where they were capable of delivering air cover and 

executing low-level flights aimed at deterring combatants.156 Further major joint interventions in Africa were conducted in the 

Central African Republic (1996), the Congo (1997), and the Ivory 

Coast beginning in late 2002. Forward-deployed bases and troops 

proved to be an essential key to success.157

The French armed forces not only conducted national operations in Africa but also multinational ones. The most prominent 

of these have been the French contribution to the UN operations 

in Somalia in the early 1990s and in the Democratic Republic of 

Congo in mid-2003. Whereas the former were American-led, the 

latter was conducted under the aegis of the EU, with France being 

the lead nation. The French president’s positive response to the 

UN secretary-general’s call for assistance to stabilise the crisis in 

the Ituri district of the Congo paved the way for the EU’s first autonomous military operation outside Europe.158 Out of 1,860 

troops, France provided 1,660, by far the main bulk for Operation 

Artemis.159 The Ugandan capital of Entebbe served as the forward 

operational base. During the operation, French Mirage aircraft 

provided CAS and reconnaissance.160

In 2006 the second autonomous EU military operation after 

Artemis took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The European Union Force (EUFOR) aimed at providing security during 

the elections in conjunction with other civilian crisis management 

cells of the EU. Towards this end, several European countries dispatched airlift assets, and Belgium deployed Hunter RPAs. The 

FAF added a crucial contribution by making available forwarddeployed bases and assets both in Chad and Gabon and by provid-
110 │ French Air Force

ing a contingent of Mirage F1s, which appeared to have a deterring effect at potential trouble spots.161 France’s military experience 

on the African continent also played a crucial role in the joint and 

multinational operation EUFOR in Chad and the Central African 

Republic. The EU operation, lasting from 28 January 2008 to 15 

March 2009, took place against the backdrop of the crisis in 

Darfur. A key objective for the 3,700 troops deployed to Chad and 

to the Central African Republic was to protect civilians, particularly refugees.162

While retaining a sufficient presence to facilitate rapid joint 

military interventions, Sarkozy reduced the French military footprint on the African continent. The emphasis shifted towards the 

major strategic axis of the Atlantic-Mediterranean-Indian Ocean, 

as identified by the 2008 Defence White Book.

163 In particular, a 

permanent French military presence was built up in the United 

Arab Emirates.164

Humanitarian Operations outside Africa

While Africa has remained a major hotspot for French stabilization and humanitarian operations since the days of the Cold 

War, the focus has become broader in the post–Cold War era. 

Cambodia and Bosnia in particular have attracted French assistance. Moreover, the FAF has assisted civil authorities in emergency situations such as floods within France itself.165

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

Operation Artemis. Operation Artemis in 2003 was the EU’s first autonomous military operation outside Europe. The FAF rapidly deployed a camp 

into the crisis area.
French Air Force │ 111

In 1992 the FAF dispatched personnel and materiel under the 

UN banner to Cambodia in support of democratic elections. The 

deployment contained three Transall transport aircraft, air controllers, and ground personnel.166 The FAF was also at the forefront in the relief effort of Sarajevo. On 29 June 1992, a French 

Transall aircraft conducted the first supply flight into Sarajevo and 

thereby opened the longest lasting military air bridge in history. 

In its course, the FAF delivered 161,700 tons of supplies to Sarajevo and evacuated 1,100 wounded and sick. French ground personnel and air controllers played a crucial role in keeping the 

Sarajevo airport running. FAF personnel also proved indispensable when it came to repairing devastated runways, as was the case 

in Mostar in December 1995.167

When in early 1993 the USAF had embarked upon airdrop 

missions in Eastern Bosnia, the FAF joined in this humanitarian effort. On 27 March 1993, the first French Transall airdropped its cargo over Bosnia. French participation lasted 

until 31 March 1994, with 1,447 tons of food and medicine 

delivered by French aircraft.168

Air Policing

The 11 September tragedy had a major impact upon air policing in France. Immediately after the attacks, the FAF augmented the number of aircraft on high-readiness alert from 

two to 12, and the interception time over French territory was 

lowered from 30 to 10 minutes. Armed helicopters, AWACS 

and tanker aircraft, mobile ground radars, and GBAD supplemented these efforts.169

The FAF has also provided for security in the air during important events both in France and abroad, particularly during FrancoAfrican summits.170 Moreover, international cooperation has been 

extended within Continental Europe. During the Group of Eight 

(G8) summit in 2003, for example, the FAF closely cooperated 

with the Swiss Air Force to establish a NFZ.171 Since April 2007, 

the FAF has regularly contributed to NATO’s air policing and 

quick reaction alert (QRA) efforts in the Baltic by deploying Mirage 2000 interceptors.172
112 │ French Air Force

How Has the French Air Force 

Responded to the New Intellectualism in 

Air Power Thinking and Doctrine?

French airmen in the interwar years had a culture of in-depth 

debate on air power theory, which found expression in several air 

power journals.173 To underline the importance of an independent 

air force, for instance, the concepts of the Italian general Giulio 

Douhet were discussed widely.174

Following WWII, in 1947 the FAF published its first air power 

doctrine, the Instruction provisoire pour l’emploi des forces aériennes (Provisional Instruction for the Employment of the Air Force). 

Though the publication had only provisional status, it caused tensions with the Army and with the joint chief of staff, who was not 

informed before its release. Moreover, putting a premium upon 

the distinct use of air power, it stood in stark contrast to the FAF’s 

operations in Indochina and Algeria, where it primarily played a 

supporting role.175 The postwar years were further characterised 

by a lively debate on air power, which found expression in periodicals such as Forces aériennes françaises (French Aerial Forces), 

published from 1946 until 1973 and serving as a platform for doctrinal ideas and views upon military strategy.176 This conventional 

air power debate was largely superseded by nuclear doctrine from 

the late 1950s onwards.177

In the post–Cold War era, a renaissance of the conventional 

air power debate has been taking place. It is this debate, rather 

than formal air power doctrine, which characterises French air 

power thinking.

Air Power Doctrine

Since the end of the Cold War, there have been two failed attempts at formalising an official French air power doctrine—the 

first in 1998 and the second in 2003. A 2006 French study argues 

that these failures reveal the lack of an institutionalised doctrinal 

process within the FAF.178 A third attempt resulted in an air power 

doctrine, the Concept de l’Armée de l’Air (Concept of the FAF), published in September 2008.
French Air Force │ 113

The first attempt in 1998 can be related to the Concept d’emploi 

des forces (Concept for the Employment of the Armed Forces), published in 1997. This joint document establishes the purpose of the 

French armed forces according to the four strategic core functions 

as identified in the 1994 Defence White Book—deterrence, prevention, projection, and protection.179 According to the 2006 study, 

this first attempt represents the breaking down of the Concept 

d’emploi des forces onto a FAF level and was hence entitled the 

Doctrine d’emploi de l’Armée de l’Air (Doctrine for the employment 

of the FAF). The writing of the document seems to have been restricted to a small nucleus consisting of three colonels and a major 

general. For unknown reasons, however, this air power doctrine 

was not published.180

The second attempt in 2003 can also be related to the publication of a major joint document, the Doctrine interarmées d’emploi 

des forces en opération (Joint Doctrine for the Employment of the 

Armed Forces in Operations). It comes next in the doctrine hierarchy after the 1997 Concept d’emploi des forces and sets guidelines 

for the mode of employment of the French armed forces.181 More 

concrete than the 1997 concept, this joint doctrine devotes single 

sections to certain key air power roles and characteristics but does 

not come up with distinct French air power doctrine features.182

As a response to this joint doctrine, FAF officers attending the 

Joint Forces Defence College (Collège interarmées de défense 

[CID]) in Paris were tasked with writing air power doctrine. However, the hastily written document was not approved within the 

wider FAF community, mainly due to concerns that an immature 

document, compared to joint doctrine documents or foreign air 

power doctrine manuals, might be detrimental for the FAF.183

The 1998 and 2003 attempts at formalising French air power 

doctrine were primarily driven by joint doctrine documents and 

hence lacked sufficient internal motivation. There has, in fact, existed an aversion towards formal doctrine as well as concerns, 

raised by a former chief of the Air Staff and other officers during 

interviews, that formal doctrine might be received as dogmatic 

and thus inhibit innovative thinking and limit the room for manoeuvre regarding both employment and resource allocation.184

Despite, or perhaps because of, the lack of a formal air power 

doctrine, it is interesting to note that in the air power periodical 
114 │ French Air Force

Penser les ailes françaises (To Think of French Wings), a broader 

doctrinal debate was launched bottom-up. In October 2005, a 

colonel published a short draft version of a basic air power doctrine to gather ideas from the wider Air Force community for use 

in formalizing a doctrine.185 Though the colonel found an echo 

from his fellow officers, he retired from the Air Force prior to 

completing this endeavour. The project was not continued, again 

confirming the lack of an institutionalised doctrinal process.186

In 2007 the chief of the Air Staff, Stéphane Abrial, ordered a 

formal air power doctrine to be produced.187 This top-down approach resulted in the air power doctrine Concept de l’Armée de 

l’Air, published in September 2008. Released shortly after the 2008 

Defence White Book, the hallmarks of the latter are clearly visible 

and were deliberately incorporated. Moreover, in light of the concerns above, the chief of the Air Staff made it clear that the document was to be adapted on a regular basis to respond to future 

developments.188 With slightly more than 20 pages, the doctrine 

appeared to be deliberately kept short, probably to avoid excessive 

detail. Its conciseness was also supposed to encourage reading, as 

the document aimed at sharing the airman’s view on air power 

both nationally and internationally.189

After introducing some general aspects on the third dimension 

and its military exploitation, the doctrine was closely related to 

the 2008 White Book’s threat and risk spectrum and to its five strategic core functions—cognition-anticipation, prevention, deterrence, protection, and intervention.190 In the same vein, it also reflects other key themes of the White Book such as building 

European security as well as a European aerospace industry.191

Conceptually, the doctrine developed an artificial dichotomy between air power in the service of political authorities 

and air power in the service of militaries, thereby seeming to 

partly put into question the Clausewitzian notion that all form 

of military action is the continuation of policy by other means. 

On the positive side, this approach does not preclude gradualist campaigns as in Kosovo or punctual engagements. Both 

forms are seen as instrumental in supporting coercive diplomacy.192 In the service of militaries, air power’s ability to conduct parallel warfare and to supposedly produce strategic paralysis was highlighted.193 The doctrine concluded by providing 
French Air Force │ 115

an outlook into the future, anticipating joint warfare in an urban environment as a future trend.194

Prior to 2008, against the backdrop of a lack of strategic air 

power doctrine, the FAF had drawn upon various joint doctrine manuals.195 On an operational and tactical level, the Joint 

Staff and the Army have published manuals regarding the conduct of air campaigns, airborne operations, CSAR, or ground 

based air defence.196

A number of other interesting innovations have occurred in recent years. For instance, in 2004–5 two new organisations were 

established: on a joint level, the Centre interarmées de concepts, 

de doctrines et d’expérimentations (CICDE), or the Joint Forces 

Centre for Concept Development, Doctrine, and Experimentation; and on an air force level, the Cellule études et stratégie aérienne militaire (CESAM), or air power strategy and studies cell. At 

the time of writing, the CESAM was still very young and consisted 

of a nucleus of three officers. Their work focused on issues of major relevance to the current environment, such as CAS in urban 

terrain.197 Again, it can be argued that the establishment of the 

CESAM was a FAF response to the establishment of the CICDE 

on a joint level. Nevertheless, this expresses a more institutionalised approach towards air power thinking. Moreover, the Centre 

d’études stratégiques aérospatiales (CESA), or Centre of Strategic 

Aerospace Studies (formerly Centre d’enseignement supérieur 

aérien)—primarily responsible for the education of midcareer officers—has recently stepped up its research activities in the domain of air power, with a focus upon low-intensity conflicts and 

asymmetrical threats.198 On a NATO level, the FAF has also sent 

representatives to the recently established Joint Air Power Competence Centre in Germany.199

The above-mentioned French study on air power doctrine 

concluded that the recent thrust towards more institutionalised 

thinking on air power could partly be seen in the context of the 

FAF’s increasing involvement within NATO and the ESDP.200 In 

fact, if the FAF aspires to play a major part in European air 

power, it also has to shape the doctrinal landscape. Moreover, it 

might have been felt necessary to strengthen the FAF’s position 

regarding the formulation of joint doctrine, as the Army had 

clearly taken the lead.201
116 │ French Air Force

Teaching of Air Power Thought

As regards higher education of FAF officers, the two major innovations in the post–Cold War era have been an increasing thrust 

towards joint and, later on, towards combined teaching. Since 

1993 higher military education has been delivered at the CID. It 

basically replaced single-service education, which in the case of 

the FAF was provided by the École supérieure de guerre aérienne

(ESGA), or Advanced School of Air Warfare.202 At the CID, selected midcareer officers are educated for 10 months.203 The syllabus emphasises operational aspects such as campaign planning in 

joint and multinational scenarios.204

Throughout the year, French CID course participants are exposed to an international environment, reflecting the growing importance of combined operations. Out of 66 Air Force participants 

in the 13th course, 22 were foreigners.205 Concurrently, five to six 

Air Force officers are sent each year to higher staff colleges in the 

UK, Germany, the United States, or Italy.206 This push towards 

multinational education has been complemented since 2001 by 

the Combined Joint European Exercise (CJEX) in which the staff 

colleges of France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain participate. 

For one week, these colleges exchange students to conduct a multinational joint exercise.207

Since 2002 the CID has strived to encourage thinking on air 

power theory and doctrine. The participants in the ninth course 

conducted various studies on air power strategy, and the results 

were assembled in a booklet. The project’s goal was to gradually 

promote an intellectual debate on air power theory and strategy in 

a broader circle.208 This effort was reiterated by the following 

course. Topics ranged from specific air power topics such as targeting or reconnaissance to broader topics such as the evolution of 

the employment of air power.209 In the meantime, the recently set 

up air power periodical Penser les ailes françaises has provided the 

CID course participants with a new platform for disseminating 

their thoughts on various aspects, such as the fundamentals of air 

and space power, command in air operations, a critical view upon 

the FAF’s participation in Desert Storm, or the use of cruise missiles.210 These developments reveal a growing interest in the intellectual aspects of the employment of air power. Yet so far, CID 
French Air Force │ 117

course participants have not been exposed to an intense reading 

programme of various air power literature, including the latest 

Anglo-Saxon air power thinking.211

Dissemination of Air Power Thought

In parallel with the increased publishing activities of the CID 

course participants, two series of air power conferences have been 

created within the FAF since 2004. It was primarily the CESA that 

stepped up its efforts to establish a broad air power debate. It organises the Ateliers de l’Armée de l’Air (Air Force conference) and 

the Ateliers du CESA (CESA conference). The former is an annual air power conference, which took place for the first time on 

29 June 2004 at the special request of the chief of the Air Staff. 

These conferences are organised around several roundtables 

aimed at gathering industrialists, researchers, politicians, journalists, and militaries.212 The first conference was devoted to reflections upon the FAF’s raison d’être and its prospects, particularly its 

purpose and role in a common European defence architecture.213

In his keynote address, the chief of the Air Staff underlined the 

new approach the FAF took with that conference. To open the debate, civilians were invited to take charge of the various roundtables and discussions.214

The second conference series the CESA organises is the Ateliers du CESA. Several take place throughout the year. As in the 

case of the Ateliers de l’Armée de l’Air, these conferences aim at 

gathering militaries and civilians to discuss aerospace-relevant 

topics. The first conference, “Du Vietnam à l’Irak: réflexions sur 

quarante ans d’engagements aériens” (“From Vietnam to Iraq: 

Reflections on Forty Years of Air Campaigning”), took place on 

18 July 2005.215 The second Ateliers du CESA was devoted to 

Douhet and his influence upon strategic thinking.216 After these 

rather historical beginnings, ensuing Ateliers du CESA turned 

to more topical issues such as air operations in Afghanistan, air 

power in urban warfare, air power’s role in low-intensity conflicts, or reflections on joint warfare. Some of the conferences 

have an international dimension, extending invitations to highranking air force officers from around the world, particularly 

from the USAF and the RAF. The conference proceedings are 

published in Penser les ailes françaises.

217
118 │ French Air Force

Whereas the Ateliers du CESA have a more conceptual and 

doctrinal focus, the Ateliers de l’Armée de l’Air have more of a 

politico-military flavour. In their own ways, both intend to foster 

air power thinking within and beyond the Air Force. Since September 2006, these conferences have been augmented by the Rencontres air et espace du CESA (aerospace meetings). These serve 

as a platform from which to engage the views of an outstanding 

personality on a particular aerospace topic. The speakers are often 

retired or active general officers and scholars.218

While air power colloquia as such are not a new phenomenon 

within the FAF, they have never been so large and frequent. The 

historical service of the FAF has organised international colloquia 

since the days of the Cold War. The audience has, however, been 

primarily an academic one.219

Parallel to these developments within the Air Force, we also 

find efforts to encourage aerospace power thinking outside, 

though not separate from, the Air Force. One of the most prominent figures in this domain has been Prof. Pierre Pascallon, who 

was a member of the National Defence Commission at the National Assembly. Since 1996 he has organised several colloquia 

dealing with aerospace issues.220 His most encompassing air power 

colloquium, entitled “L’Armée de l’Air: les armées françaises à 

l’aube du XXIe

 siècle” (“The French Air Force: The French Armed 

Forces at the Dawn of the Twenty-first Century”), took place in 

February 2003. The seminar provided an opportunity to bring together a wide range of officers, industrialists, academics, and politicians to discuss current and future concerns of French air power, 

with an emphasis upon force structuring. Among the speakers 

were a significant number of Air Force generals, revealing the interest on the part of the FAF.221

Not only conferences but also the launching of the periodical 

Penser les ailes françaises in 2003 reveals a keen interest in encouraging a common reflection upon air power within the FAF.222 The 

journal is in the tradition of the review Forces aériennes françaises, published from 1946 until 1973.223 As mentioned above, 

Penser les ailes françaises has provided CID course participants 

with a platform for expressing their thoughts on air power. Moreover, the periodical serves the explicit purpose of disseminating 

and fostering French air power thinking.224 Prior to Penser les ailes 
French Air Force │ 119

françaises, ideas and views on air power had to be expressed in 

journals outside the Air Force, particularly in Défense nationale

(National Defence).225 With the introduction of Penser les ailes 

françaises in 2003, the FAF again offers its own platform for debating aerospace issues.

These days, the most prolific French writer in the domain of air 

power is Patrick Facon, the director of the air branch of the armed 

forces’ historical service. He has written extensively on air power 

in World War II and has published various articles in defence 

journals.226 At the time of this writing, Facon and his team were 

undertaking several book projects, such as the translation of 

Douhet’s The Command of the Air and Gen William Mitchell’s 

Skyways: A Book on Modern Aeronautics.

227 Though this historical 

approach has its proper value, a French colonel publicly remarked 

in 2005 that publications on modern air operations had hardly 

been produced in France, particularly in contrast to the United 

Kingdom. He added that Penser les ailes françaises and the recently 

set up air power conferences were intended to make a first step 

towards remedying this situation.228

On the positive side, FAF officers have also started to write on 

doctrinal aspects outside the Air Force. In 2004 Col Régis Chamagne 

published his book L’art de la guerre aérienne (The Art of Air War). 

Although the book was a personal initiative, its publication received great attention by the FAF and was offered to all Air Force 

officers attending the CID.229 It was referred to as the first modern 

piece by a French author scrutinising the complexities of air war 

in their entirety and was distinguished by the Académie des sciences morales et politiques (Academy of Moral and Political Sciences).230 However, the book does not develop entirely new concepts. In fact, it is strongly influenced by John Warden’s concepts 

and explicitly refers to them.231 As such, the term strategic is very 

much linked to independent air strikes, and the author rather 

thinks in terms of target sets than strategic effect.232 Accordingly, 

he views strikes against leadership targets in Baghdad during Operation Desert Storm as strategic and strikes against Iraqi ground 

forces in the Kuwaiti theatre of operation as attritional, with the 

former supposedly generating more coercive effect.233

Another French officer who saw the need to promote thinking 

on air power in France was Col Philippe Steininger. He translated 
120 │ French Air Force

Warden’s book The Air Campaign and wrote the preface to it. The 

French translation appeared in 1998.234 His personal writing has 

also been profoundly influenced by Warden’s concepts.235

This overemphasis upon Warden’s theories was also remarked 

upon in the recent French study on air power doctrine.236 In fact, 

the reemerging French air power debate seemed to favour theories 

on the distinct use of air power, hence the still keen interest in 

Douhet’s theories. As was noted, one of the very first Ateliers du 

CESA was devoted to him, and the translation of The Command of 

the Air is amongst the projects of the armed forces’ historical service. French air power thinking thus reiterated an interwar preoccupation by underlining the issue of an independent mission. As 

evidenced by the CESA’s air power conferences, the focus has 

turned to more topical aerospace power issues. 

Research in the field of air power history and theory has also 

been encouraged by the highest authorities. The defence minister 

introduced in 2004 the Prix de l’Armée de l’Air (prize of the FAF). 

It honours outstanding achievements of doctoral theses or master’s dissertations or the equivalent.237 The prize represents a tightening link between the military and academia.

How Have French Defence Planners Attempted 

to Maintain a Relevant Air Force in Light of 

Escalating Costs and Advanced Technologies?

Right after WWII, French decision makers aspired to reestablish a potent indigenous aircraft industry. The emerging postwar 

FAF soon contained three components—a NATO component furnished with modern American materiel, a national component 

gradually being equipped by the national postwar aircraft industry, and an overseas component in Indochina that basically consisted of second-rate American materiel. From the 1960s onwards, 

however, the FAF has been primarily equipped with indigenous 

materiel. At the same time, it started to support the French industry in its thrust towards increased exports by providing training 

for foreign pilots.238 Sales abroad were crucial to reduce the unit 

costs for the FAF’s own equipment.239 Yet, the primacy of nuclear 

doctrine and deterrence rendered French conventional forces sec-
French Air Force │ 121

ondary.240 Substantial parts of the French conventional force inventory were second-rate by the end of the Cold War.241

One French commentator argued that the shortfalls the FAF 

encountered during Desert Storm seriously put into question previous procurement priorities. As discussed, French aircraft were 

devoid of appropriate IFF systems, night vision capability, adequate electronic self-protection suites, and sufficient navigation 

systems. Furthermore, the FAF did not possess the sophisticated 

C2 systems which proved indispensable for an air campaign of 

this scale and complexity.242

After Operation Allied Force, the importance of interoperable 

C2, identification, and air-to-air refuelling systems was reemphasised. That a meaningful contribution to an American-led campaign required a certain level of sophistication since technological 

shortfalls could lead to isolation was also stressed.243

Renewal of French conventional forces has not been an easy 

task due to budget constraints. For industrial survival, all major 

procurement programmes were to be maintained in the early 

1990s. This could only be achieved by delaying certain programmes and by reducing the number of units to be purchased. 

Politico-industrial concerns were clearly given priority over military operational concerns. Moreover, unlike most of France’s allies, the French armed forces more or less retained their Cold War 

size-up to the mid-1990s, which—in light of budget constraints—

negatively affected the modernisation of the conventional forces. 

This situation also resulted in considerable delays for the various 

programmes. Interim solutions were therefore required to bridge 

the most significant operational shortfalls. Paradoxically, investments in interim solutions resulted in a diversion of funds originally assigned to major weapons programmes and caused further 

delays.244 International observers concluded in 2003 that although 

the FAF was in the process of being equipped with a number of 

new assets, these were actually long overdue.245

An important feature of French procurement policy was its emphasis upon national autarchy. Since the days of de Gaulle’s rise to 

power, the French armed forces have been primarily equipped 

with French materiel. In the aftermath of the Cold War, this policy 

was reiterated by successive defence ministers.246 French officials 

have been conscious that independence does not allow for short-
122 │ French Air Force

term bargains but requires significant long-term investments. Yet 

autarchy in the field of defence procurement has acquired an extended meaning. Gradually, French decision makers have shifted 

their rhetoric from the notion of national autonomy to the notion 

of European autonomy.247 Accordingly, both the 1994 and the 

2008 Defence White Books underline the importance of preserving 

national competencies in the defence industrial sector and of European cooperation.248 Given this European focus, the FAF puts a 

premium upon the ESDP and its ventures in the field of defence 

planning and procurement.249

Combat Aircraft

In 1985 France decided to go ahead with its own Rafale project 

rather than to remain in the Eurofighter programme.250 The FAF 

opted for a multirole fighter that could replace several aircraft 

types in its inventory. This was deemed a necessity both for operational and financial reasons.251 Slight adjustments regarding the 

Rafale order were made in the wake of Operation Desert Storm, 

when dual-seat aircraft were deemed more appropriate for air-toground missions than single-seat aircraft, particularly for longrange penetration missions.252 To respect the financial framework 

and due to the higher costs of dual-seat aircraft, the number of 

planned units was reduced from 250 to 234 in 1991. Out of these 

234 units, 95 were planned to be single-seat and 139 dual-seat aircraft.253 The dual-seat version was conceived to exploit to the maximum Rafale’s versatility, and crews were to be trained with complementary skills.254 Yet in 2004, while still acknowledging the 

advantages of dual-seat aircraft on long-range missions, the chief 

of the Air Staff decided to emphasize production of the single-seat 

version.255 Improvements in the man-machine interface might 

have led to this revision.

Unlike multinational programmes, the Rafale programme was 

conducted by a lean organisation, reportedly resulting in reduced 

costs and leading Dassault Aviation’s chief executive officer to 

maintain that the 294 Rafales the FAF (234) and French Navy (60) 

planned to acquire would cost less than Germany’s 180 Eurofighters. 

Moreover, the FAF actively contributed to reducing costs by preventing excessively perfect solutions in areas considered less relevant in today’s environment. Avionics and weapons became the 
French Air Force │ 123

focus of development efforts, while plans for a more powerful engine were put on hold. A major focus was also directed towards 

the use of all-European technology.256 Since a number of parameters are confidential, it is difficult to compare the latest European 

combat aircraft. Whether the Rafale is actually much cheaper than 

the Eurofighter is debatable. With the French armed forces so far 

being the only customer, exports have not yet contributed to 

economies of scale. In late 2008, overall planning figures were reduced from 294 Rafale combat aircraft to 286. While the projected 

number of Rafales for the FAF was reduced from 234 to 228, current plans foresee 58 Navy Rafales—a reduction of two aircraft.257

Delays of the programme caused serious problems for defence 

planners. While the first Rafales were originally expected to be 

delivered in 1992, French naval Rafale aircraft entered service in 

2001, and the first FAF Rafale squadron only became operational 

in mid-2006.258 Delays were primarily due to funding problems as 

well as to the reorganisation of the French aerospace industry in 

the early and mid-1990s.259

Interim solutions were required. In particular, two aircraft—the 

Mirage 2000D for attack missions and the Mirage 2000-5 air superiority fighter—have bridged the capability gap. The Mirage 2000D 

is the FAF’s first conventional all-weather attack aircraft.260 Its importance in bridging the capability gap pending introduction of 

the Rafale was formally acknowledged in the military planning 

law for 1997–2002. A total of 86 units were planned to be procured.261 Prior to the introduction of the Mirage 2000D, only the 

Mirage 2000Ns assigned to Strategic Air Command were allweather capable, highlighting French primacy of nuclear over 

conventional forces during the Cold War.262

The Mirage 2000-5 originally did not respond to operational 

requirements; the motivations for its development were rather industrial.263 The decision to set up two Mirage 2000-5 squadrons in 

January 1993 was at the time controversial but was justified by the 

delay of the Rafale programme due to technical and financial reasons.264 The Mirage 2000-5 is basically a modified Mirage 2000C 

with improved air-to-air radar and fire-and-forget Matra MICA 

(interception and aerial combat) missiles. The first of 37 converted 

aircraft was delivered in December 1997.265 Though the Mirage 

2000-5 and the Mirage 2000D were pragmatic interim solutions, 
124 │ French Air Force

they could only provide a relatively lean interim force of advanced 

weapon systems.

At the outset of the post–Cold War era, the FAF’s principal 

precision-guided air-to-ground weapon was the laser-guided 

AS-30-L missile, widely used by French Jaguars during Desert 

Storm. Besides the AS-30-L, the FAF could draw upon the BGL, 

an indigenous LGB. The weapon was used during the conflicts in 

Bosnia and Kosovo but was withdrawn from service thereafter as 

it was more expensive than standard LGBs of US origin.266 Aside 

from the BGL, the American GBU-12 Paveway was introduced 

into the FAF’s inventory in 1995. At the time of this writing, 

French GBU-12s were being improved to enhanced Paveway standard with GPS guidance. To deliver these laser-guided weapons, 

the FAF has introduced a number of indigenous laser-designator 

pods since the mid-1980s. While the early pods only allowed for 

daylight operations, more sophisticated pods, introduced in 1993 

and in 1999, offered a nighttime capability.267

Operation Allied Force made the FAF realize that the relationship between operational requirements and the industrial capacity 

to produce PGMs had to be readjusted.268 Given the importance of 

all-weather PGMs, the 2003–8 military planning law announced 

the introduction of a new type of weapon, the indigenous 

armement air-sol modulaire.

269 The AASM is essentially an allweather PGM propelled by a rocket booster. Depending on its 

release altitude, it can engage targets at close or medium ranges 

exceeding 50 km with various options of terminal impact angles. 

Currently, two guidance systems are available; the more sophisticated one integrates an infrared imager seeker with a 

combined inertial measuring unit/GPS receiver navigation kit. 

Delivery of a third guidance system specifically adapted for engaging mobile targets is expected for 2012. The new system integrates a semiactive laser with the combined inertial measuring 

unit/GPS receiver. Further sophisticated guidance kits, including a millimetric-wave radar seeker, are likely to be developed. 

In April 2008, Rafales engaged Taliban positions with AASMs 

for the first time, with the target coordinates provided by a Canadian forward air controller.270 The weapon represents a lowcost complement to the more complex cruise missiles that the 

FAF commenced to acquire in the late 1990s.
French Air Force │ 125

Delivery of the Apache cruise missile started in 1998. It is a 

standoff weapon carrying submunitions for use against area targets such as airfields. The Scalp, a derivative of the Apache, was at 

the time being developed.271 It is conceived for attacks against 

point targets at a distance exceeding 200 km.272 Scalp was planned 

to become operational with the Mirage 2000D squadrons in 2003 

and with the first Rafale squadron in 2006.273 The 2003–8 military 

planning law foresaw the purchase of 450 Scalps for the FAF, with 

an additional 50 for naval aviation.274

In the domain of air-to-air missiles, a limited number of the 

indigenous MICA fire-and-forget radar-guided missiles were ordered in the 1990s to equip the new Mirage 2000-5 squadrons.275

The MICA is available with either a radar or an infrared seeker 

and has become the standard AAM for the Rafale fleet.276 Moreover, France has been participating in the multilateral development of the Meteor AAM.277

Since available funds were primarily concentrated upon the Rafale programme, France bailed out of a bilateral anti-radar missile 

programme with Germany.278 With the decommissioning of its 

Martel anti-radiation missile-armed Jaguars in the latter half of the 

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

Rafale flying over Afghanistan armed with AASM precision-guided 

munitions
126 │ French Air Force

1990s, the FAF basically gave up its dedicated SEAD capability.279

The FAF has instead been relying upon its allies for this particular 

capability in combined air operations.280 Yet, French lessons learned 

from Operation Allied Force stressed the need to reacquire a 

SEAD capability.281 In the longer term, an anti-radar seeker might 

be developed for the modular AASM.282

In the years to come, manned aircraft assets are planned to be 

complemented by remotely piloted combat aircraft as well as by a 

limited ground based TBMD capability. The military planning law 

for 2003–8 announced that by 2010 an initial TBMD capability 

should be in place.283 The 2008 Defence White Book highlights the 

growing threat posed by ballistic and cruise missiles against Europe. 

In 2009 the FAF received its first sol-air moyenne portée terrestre

(SAMP-T), or land-based medium range surface-to-air missile, 

fire unit. Dubbed “Mamba,” it provides a TBMD capability against 

missiles in the Scud category.284 Dassault has taken on design 

leadership of the Neuron remotely piloted combat aircraft programme. By mid-2007, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland participated in the project, with France supplying half of the 

programme’s budget.285

Air Mobility

Throughout the second half of the Cold War, the C-160 Transall 

was the FAF’s principal transport aircraft. The C-160 was the result of a joint Franco-German requirement statement issued in 

the late 1950s. It was conceived as a tactical transport aircraft in 

the same class as the C-130 Hercules. Yet, its performance fell 

short of that of the Hercules and remained constrained.286 For this 

reason, the C-160 Transall fleet was complemented in 1987 by 12 

C-130 Hercules aircraft for missions up to 5,000 km. Yet despite 

this measure, the FAF’s airlift capacity has suffered from a chronic 

weakness, incompatible with the missions assigned to the French 

armed forces.287 Reliance on the support of large US transport aircraft was therefore necessary in several operations during the 

Cold War.288

As in the case of combat aircraft, the FAF has been seeking interim solutions to mitigate the strain on the transport fleet. 

Amongst others, 20 Casa CN-235 transport aircraft of limited size 

and range were procured.289 Likewise, two Airbus A310-300s were 
French Air Force │ 127

purchased in the early 1990s to replace two aging DC-8Fs.290 The 

last two DC-8Fs were replaced by two Airbus A340 TLRAs (très 

long rayon d’action or very long range) aircraft in 2006–7, providing extended reach. The FAF leased the two aircraft with the option to buy at the end of the leasing period.291 Regarding the much 

larger C-160 Transall fleet, a major life extension and upgrade 

programme was undertaken in the post–Cold War era.292 Despite 

additional improvements in the areas of self-protection and nightflight capability, the lifespan of the Transall aircraft is limited.293

The 1997–2002 military planning law foresaw their retirement 

from 2003 onwards, but that time frame was deferred to bridge 

expected shortfalls in airlift capacity.294

Courtesy Airbus Military; photo by L. Olivas

A400M on its first flight. France plans to procure 50 A400M transport 

aircraft.

In 2003 delivery of the first A400M for the FAF was scheduled 

for October 2009. Yet due to serious delays in the programme, the 

earliest possible deliveries are not expected to take place before 

late 2012. As a result, French aviators expressed an interest in potentially acquiring up to 12 American C-130J Hercules aircraft as 

a further interim solution.295

In the post–Cold War era, AAR has become an ever more important element of air mobility. The FAF’s AAR capacity is closely 

linked to its airborne nuclear component and reaches back to the 
128 │ French Air Force

1960s, when the FAF ordered 12 American Boeing C-135FR aerial 

tankers to support its Mirage IV strategic bomber squadrons.296

From 1985 onwards, the C-135FRs received new engines to improve their performance. This, however, only slightly eased French 

shortfalls in AAR, which became evident during Operation Desert Storm and again during Operation Allied Force.297 Moreover, 

the availability rate has decreased due to the high degree of maintenance required for the aging C-135FR fleet. This problem also 

affected the C-160 Transall fleet and early versions of the Mirage 

2000—their availability rate fell at times to between 50 to 60 per 

cent. Emergency sums for maintenance were disbursed in 2002 in 

an attempt to alleviate the deficit.298 As in the case of the combat 

aircraft fleet, the FAF introduced various interim solutions to maintain its AAR capacities at a sufficient level. For instance, a number 

of C-135FRs were equipped with additional wing-mounted refuelling pods. Moreover, the purchase of three additional secondhand 

C-135s was announced in the military planning law for 1997–

2002.299 Beyond 2015 the aging French tanker fleet is planned to 

be renewed by the acquisition of 14 Airbus multirole transport 

tanker (MRTT) aircraft.300

Another specific element of air mobility is CSAR. The FAF has 

undertaken particular efforts in this field in recent years. During 

the Balkans crisis, the FAF provided the only European CSAR capability alongside the Americans.301 A CSAR helicopter squadron 

consisting of nine specially equipped Puma helicopters was 

formed for this purpose in 1994.302 To enhance its CSAR capability, the FAF ordered the EC 725 Caracal helicopters conceived 

for the CSAR task. The FAF views CSAR as a key capability that 

can also provide leverage in coalition operations.303

C4ISTAR

Shortfalls in the area of C4ISTAR proved to be serious during 

Operation Desert Storm. The lack of electronic C2 systems particularly constrained the FAF in its freedom of action.304 Efforts to 

improve the situation followed throughout the 1990s.

A quantum leap was made at the outset of the post–Cold War 

era by the procurement of four Boeing E-3 AWACS aircraft. In a 

national scenario, they significantly complemented ground-based 

detectors. In an out-of-area scenario, they provided an unprece-
French Air Force │ 129

dented early warning capability.305 In the field of computer-aided 

C2 systems, however, the FAF was still facing a major shortfall in 

the early 1990s, as it still hinged upon a 30-year-old system. Improvements were expected through the introduction of the successor system, the SCCOA (système de commandement et de conduite des opérations aériennes or air operations command and 

control system). This system was conceived to automate most C2 

and detection functions as well as to facilitate the conduct of defensive and offensive missions by fusing data of various sensors.306

The SCCOA encompasses a deployable component and is interoperable with its NATO equivalent. The deployable component of 

SCCOA can support a JFACC in deployed combined operations, a 

capability which allows France to take on lead-nation status.307

Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air

The FAF ordered EC 725 Caracal helicopters to enhance its CSAR capability.
130 │ French Air Force

Interoperability is further facilitated by the introduction of 

Link-16 terminals.308 Aside from the Rafale, the Mirage 2000-5 and 

Mirage 2000D were planned to be retrofitted with MIDS Link-16 

terminals in 2008 and 2009, respectively.309 France has played a 

particularly prominent role in the multinational MIDS development programme by covering 26.5 per cent of the costs involved.310

With regard to ISTAR, the FAF relied upon a broad range of 

sensors throughout the post–Cold War era. For instance, it used 

to operate two types of SIGINT aircraft, the C-160NG Gabriel 

and the DC-8 Sarigue. In 1999 the Sarigue aircraft was replaced 

by another DC-8 Sarigue NG (nouvelle génération or new generation) with enhanced systems.311 Yet due to exceedingly high 

maintenance costs, the Sarigue NG was retired in 2004.312 On the 

positive side, the 2003–8 military planning law announced development programmes in the field of electronic warfare, particularly standoff jamming—if possible, through European cooperation.313 These steps are aimed to remedy a European shortfall 

that had become particularly apparent against the backdrop of 

Operation Allied Force.

For tactical reconnaissance, the FAF’s Mirage F1 CR proved to 

be a versatile aircraft due to the fusion of radar, infrared, and conventional wet film systems.314 In the wake of the decommissioning 

of the Mirage IV, used as a strategic reconnaissance aircraft in the 

post–Cold War era, the FAF introduced new reconnaissance pods 

for the Mirage F1 CR, followed by a new system for the Rafale, the 

Reco-NG, from 2009 onwards. The Reco-NG integrates a data 

link capable of real-time imagery.315

In the field of RPAs, the FAF has taken a gradual approach that 

has been marked by a number of setbacks in the post–Cold War 

era. Beginning in 1995, four Hunter systems were procured from 

Israel to jointly evaluate performances and requirements for RPAs. 

In 2000 the Hunter systems were put under the authority of the 

FAF, which had employed them in Kosovo. The systems were retired in September 2004 and intended to be replaced by an interim 

system, the Harfang SIDM (système intérimaire de drone MALE or 

interim MALE RPA system).316 The Harfang SIDM is based upon 

an Israeli cell, with the avionics originally developed jointly by 

France and the Netherlands. Due to delays, however, the Netherlands pulled out of the programme.317 Although the Harfang SIDM 
French Air Force │ 131

was originally scheduled for 2003, it only entered service in 

2008—a five-year delay.318 For a potential successor system, various cooperative European MALE RPA ventures and off-the-shelf 

procurements are being considered, including purchasing the 

American Reaper as a further interim solution.319

Overall, concerns over European autarchy and politico-industrial 

aspects have tended to outweigh concerns over operational needs.

Conclusion

In line with its international status, France has continued to 

pursue a proactive defence policy in the post–Cold War era. Significant French commitments to operations in the former Yugoslavia, combined with lessons learned from participation in Desert Storm, made a major defence reform in the mid-1990s 

inevitable. Moreover, France’s emphasis upon nuclear doctrine 

had to be reevaluated in the context of deployed multinational operations. The new strategic environment required a thorough reorganisation and modernisation programme of the FAF’s conventional forces. The 1994 command structure reform allowed for a 

flexible use of all available air assets by streamlining the command 

echelons. Constant adaptation has allowed the FAF to contribute 

to all strategic core functions of French defence policy. The transition into a fully professional force occurred against the backdrop 

of an increased emphasis upon projection. Since French defence 

policy puts a premium upon national autarchy, the FAF has retained a coherent force structure covering a broad array of air 

power roles. Financial constraints, however, have forced the FAF 

to forego certain specialised roles such as a dedicated SEAD capability, and its RPA programmes have also suffered from several 

setbacks. In the context of the Armed Forces Model 2015, two aircraft types were given priority, the Rafale and the A400M, leading 

to a homogenous force structure. Despite the cancellation of various minor procurement programmes, major goals of the Model 

2015 could not be achieved in time, and plans proved to be overambitious. President Sarkozy embarked upon a reform in 2008, 

reducing the force goal of modern combat aircraft to 300 for both 

the FAF and the French Navy together, 70 of which are planned to 

be simultaneously deployable.
132 │ French Air Force

In the domain of alliance policy, France’s ambition has been to 

establish an autonomous European defence that it could actively 

shape and also take on a centre stage position. Since most European 

countries have proved reluctant to forego the American security 

umbrella, France had to seek the strengthening of the European 

defence pillar from within the NATO alliance. This paradoxically 

led to an increased engagement with NATO that culminated in 

France’s 2009 return to NATO’s integrated military command 

structure. In return, France received two of NATO’s top military 

positions—the post of SACT and the command of Joint Command Lisbon—while retaining a degree of national autonomy, 

particularly in the domain of the country’s nuclear deterrent. This 

reintegration into NATO did not mean, however, that France 

would no longer attach considerable importance to the European 

Union as a major actor in the domain of security.

Along with France’s increasing participation in NATO and its 

lead role in the ESDP, the FAF has been shaped accordingly. As 

such, it is now capable of providing the nucleus of a larger multinational force. The FAF has played a significant role in the NRF air 

component and other major European cooperative ventures such 

as the EAG, the EATC, or the EU Air RRC. Through integration, 

the FAF is able both to overcome its shortcomings, such as the 

lack of a dedicated SEAD capability, and to gain leverage through 

the provision of key capabilities, such as C2 systems and deployable air bases that still represent critical bottlenecks in European 

air power. In short, integration has allowed the FAF to enhance its 

operational effectiveness and to raise its international silhouette.

Throughout the post–Cold War era, the FAF has stood up to the 

challenge of real operations across a broad range of military engagements, from humanitarian enterprises to high-intensity warfare. 

Apart from Operations Northern Watch, Desert Fox, and Iraqi 

Freedom, it has participated in all major Western air campaigns 

and has simultaneously been able to conduct smaller, autonomous 

operations in Africa. To remedy significant deficiencies in interoperability as experienced in Desert Storm, the FAF has consistently pursued a path towards operating in a combined mode and 

is nowadays able to swiftly integrate itself into a coalition or to 

take on a lead role in multinational operations. As regards the African theatre, the French armed forces retained their expertise in 
French Air Force │ 133

managing regional crisis quickly with lightly equipped, joint contingents. Airlift and firepower delivered by air have proven critical 

in these operations. The ability to rapidly deploy air assets over 

long distances and to operate them from bare bases was also critical in the deployment of French aircraft to Central Asia in early 

2002, making the FAF the first European air force to engage targets in Afghanistan with fighter-bombers. The French contingent 

paved the way for a European F-16 component. Despite these 

achievements, Chirac’s goal—to deploy up to 100 combat aircraft 

or the FAF’s theoretical contribution of up to 80 combat aircraft 

with additional support aircraft to potential deployed EU operations—proved too ambitious given the shortfalls in strategic airlift 

or AAR. So far, the FAF has never deployed simultaneously more 

than 50 combat aircraft to a particular post–Cold War campaign, 

with Operation Allied Force witnessing the largest deployment. 

While the deployment to Manas in early 2002 can be considered 

an achievement in terms of rapid power projection, it nevertheless 

has to be pointed out that the detachment, including six Mirage 

2000Ds, was far below the quantitative goals above.

Notwithstanding the FAF’s increasing involvement in combined operations, only in 2008 did it issue an air power doctrine. 

Released the same year as Sarkozy’s Defence White Paper, the hallmarks of the latter are clearly visible. Amongst others, it implicitly 

introduces the concept of parallel warfare, which supposedly produces strategic paralysis.

Prior to the 2008 air power doctrine, French air power thinking 

rather found expression in a bottom-up approach. This is particularly demonstrated by FAF officers expressing their views in Penser 

les ailes françaises and elsewhere. Moreover, through the establishment of two air power conference series in 2004–5, the FAF invited 

scholars, industrialists, and others to share their views on French 

air power, representing a significant step towards critical thinking.

Given that French military thinking was long overshadowed 

by nuclear doctrine, modern thinking on conventional air power 

is relatively young. While the reemerging French air power debate focused on historical issues and the idea of an independent 

mission—as exemplified by the keen interest in Douhet’s and 

Warden’s theories—the focus has turned to current challenges in 

joint warfare.
134 │ French Air Force

Before 2008 the FAF preferred to hinge upon implicit air power 

doctrine rather than to publish an official strategic air power doctrine. The highest echelons of the FAF considered formal doctrine 

as dogmatic and inhibiting flexible thinking. Yet, given France’s 

aspirations to lead-nation status in European defence matters, the 

FAF was actually obliged to shape the European doctrinal landscape and, hence, to come up with its own formal air power doctrine.

Furthermore, although Joint Forces Defence College participants increasingly express their views in Penser les ailes françaises, 

the college syllabus appears to focus upon staff work rather than 

air power theory. They have not been exposed to an intense reading programme of various air power literature. On the positive 

side, the French were amongst the first to establish a joint staff college in the post–Cold War era, taking account of the integrated 

and complex nature of modern military operations.

Operation Desert Storm proved to be a watershed for the FAF 

in the field of force structuring, as it blatantly disclosed conventional shortfalls preventing France from making a contribution 

congruent with its political objectives. Given France’s aspiration 

to lead-nation status in coalition warfare, French officials and defence planners realised that the FAF’s conventional equipment 

had to be state of the art and fully interoperable with allied air 

forces. In this respect, the FAF has put a premium upon the introduction of NATO interoperable C2 systems and upon the buildup 

of key capabilities such as CSAR. Moreover, France’s lead role in 

the development of the MIDS Link-16 terminal is fully in line with 

national strategic ambitions. Significant delays of major aircraft 

programmes, however, have considerably constrained the FAF’s 

reform. Interim solutions have mitigated capability gaps; however, 

along with the growing maintenance costs of increasingly aging 

materiel, they have also diverted resources from major programmes. Gap-filling programmes such as the Mirage 2000-5 and 

the Mirage 2000D had to be kept at the lowest possible level. Pending introduction of the Rafale, the FAF had to rely upon a very 

lean fleet of conventional state-of-the art combat aircraft throughout the 1990s. A limited force of Mirage 2000D and Mirage 2000-5 

aircraft arguably represented a subcritical conventional interim 

force in light of French ambitions. Yet, less sophisticated aircraft 

such as the Jaguar or the Mirage F1 proved indispensable through-
French Air Force │ 135

out the 1990s in the African theatre and elsewhere. Also, given the 

rather permissive environment of Western air campaigns in the 

post–Cold War era, French Jaguars performed effectively in airto-ground precision strike missions.

In the Gaullist tradition, French defence planners continued to 

pursue a path of autarchy. Yet the unilateral Rafale programme 

has left the FAF little room for manoeuvre regarding the development of other capabilities. For instance, France had to bail out of 

a bilateral Franco-German SEAD armament programme. In the 

medium term, however, the combination of a versatile platform 

combined with sophisticated sensors and France’s latest air-toground weapon, the AASM, is expected to make a dedicated 

SEAD capability no longer necessary. Besides the Rafale, major 

national programmes have been conducted in the field of computerised C2 systems as well as air-to-air and air-to-ground armament. Only in cases where a national programme would have 

been excessively expensive, such as in the case of AWACS, did 

French defence planners buy assets of American origin. Yet an escalation in costs and advanced technologies made French decision makers shift their rhetoric from national to European autonomy. As such, major programmes such as the A400M or a future 

remotely piloted combat aircraft are European cooperative ventures. Yet, these politico-industrial aspirations have not allowed 

for short-term bargains. Capability shortfalls—especially in the 

area of airlift—have developed pending delivery of national or 

European assets. It can be concluded that politico-industrial concerns have taken precedence over operational concerns. At the 

same time, capability shortfalls have reinforced the FAF’s thrust 

towards closer European cooperation.

The 1990s and the early years of the twenty-first century represented for the FAF a particularly critical period, as it had to 

undergo a considerable transition from a force primarily geared 

up for nuclear war to a force that aspired to be at the forefront of 

conventional air power in deployed operations. As the FAF’s 

commitment to the NRF air component or to deployed multinational operations conveys, this transition has been successful. 

Given significant delays in major procurement programmes, 

however, many of the FAF capabilities currently being introduced are overdue.
136 │ French Air Force

Notes

1. James Corum, “Airpower Thought in Continental Europe between the 

Wars,” in Meilinger, Paths of Heaven, 151–53.

2. Mark A. Lorell, Airpower in Peripheral Conflict: The French Experience in 

Africa (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 1989), 2.

3. André Martel, “Conduire la défense: les institutions, les forces, les alliances,” in Histoire militaire de la France, Tome 4, De 1940 à nos jours, ed. André Martel, director (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 1994), 402–4.

4. Ibid., 365; and Claude Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace, 1945–1993,” 

chap. 10, in Martel, Histoire militaire de la France, Tome 4, 456–59, 462.

5. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 452–53, 463, 465.

6. See Greg Seigle, “USA Claims France Hindered Raids,” Jane’s Defence 

Weekly 32, no. 17 (27 October 1999): 3.

7. Defence Minister Charles Millon, “Vers une Défense nouvelle,” Défense 

nationale, no. 7 (July 1996): 13.

8. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 29.

9. “Une Défense nouvelle 1997–2015,” hors série [special edition], Armées 

d’aujourd’hui, no. 208 (March 1996): 9.

10. Nicolas Sarkozy, president of the French Republic, “Foreword,” in Ministère 

de la Défense [Ministry of Defence] (MOD), France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: 

le Livre blanc (Paris: Odile Jacob/La Documentation française, June 2008), 9.

11. Louis Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995 (Paris: Grasset, 1999), 

43–44.

12. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense [White book on defence] (Paris: 

MOD, 1994), 12–13, 22, http://lesrapports.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/BRP

/944048700/0000.pdf.

13. Loi de programmation militaire (LPM) [French military programme 

bill of law] 2003–2008, La politique de défense [Defence policy] (Paris: Journaux 

officiels [Official journals of the French Republic], May 2003), 14–15.

14. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 19–30, 37–39.

15. Ibid., 43.

16. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense, 23–24.

17. Ibid., 73–74.

18. Ibid., 49–50, 58.

19. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 89, 95–96.

20. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 465.

21. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense, 59–62.

22. “Une Défense nouvelle 1997–2015,” 7, 13.

23. LPM 2003–2008, 19–20.

24. Jacques Chirac, “Dissuasion nucléaire—‘garantie fondamentale de notre 

sécurité,’ ”Air actualités, no. 589 (March 2006): 17.

25. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 65.

26. Ibid., 66, 71.

27. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 44–45.

28. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense, 95–96.
French Air Force │ 137

29. Ibid., table between 114 and 115.

30. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 162.

31. “Une Défense nouvelle 1997–2015,” 13, 20.

32. Ibid., 4.

33. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 152.

34. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 94.

35. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 211.

36. LPM 2009–2014, Projet de loi relatif à la programmation militaire pour 

les années 2009 à 2014 et portant sur diverses dispositions concernant la défense 

[Law project pertaining to military programme bill of law 2009–2014 and to 

different directives regarding defence], Assemblée Nationale [National Assembly], 29 October 2008, rapport annexé [annexed report], 21.

37. André Martel, “Conclusion: Armées 2000; un système de transition,” in 

Martel, Histoire militaire de la France, 597–98.

38. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 45; and Carlier, “L’aéronautique et 

l’espace,” 474–75.

39. Mark A. Lorell, The Future of Allied Tactical Fighter Forces in NATO’s 

Central Region (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 1992), 24.

40. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 473.

41. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 36.

42. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 461–62.

43. Jacques Patoz and Jean-Michel Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air: survol illustré dans les turbulences du siècle (Paris: Editions méréal, 1999), 138–39.

44. Gert Kromhout, “The New Armée de l’Air,” Air Forces Monthly, no. 118 

(January 1998): 42.

45. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense, 59.

46. LPM 1997–2002, Rapport fait au nom de la commission des Affaires 

étrangères, de la défense et des forces armées (1) sur le projet de loi, adopté par 

l’Assemblée Nationale après déclaration d’urgence, relatif à la programmation militaire pour les années 1997 à 2002 [Report on behalf of the commission of foreign and defence affairs and the armed forces on the military programme bill of 

law 1997–2002, approved by the national assembly after a declaration of urgency], no. 427 (Paris: Sénat, 1996), 131.

47. Gen François Bourdilleau, “Evolution de l’Armée de l’Air vers le modèle 

Air 2015,” in L’Armée de l’Air: les armées françaises à l’aube du XXIe siècle, Tome 

2, ed. Pierre Pascallon (Paris: L’Harmattan, 2003), 255.

48. “Une Défense nouvelle 1997–2015,” 18.

49. Ibid., 121.

50. Ibid., 7.

51. “Air 2010: simplification et cohérence—feu vert pour la deuxième étape,” 

Armée de l’Air website, 24 March 2006, http://www.defense.gouv.fr/sites/air

/base/breves/2006/mars/220306_air_2010_simplification_et_coherence.

52. Charte de fonctionnement de l’Armée de l’Air, no. 196/DEF/MGAA, 16 

September 2008, 5, 19–23.

53. Sarkozy, “Foreword,” 9–10.
138 │ French Air Force

54. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 178.

55. LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 21.

56. Calculation of percentage is based upon figures from Jean-Luc Mathieu, 

La Défense nationale (Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 2003), 54.

57. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 1991–92

(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1991), 56–57.

58. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 2002–03

(Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 2002), 40–41.

59. LPM 2003–2008, 27–28.

60. LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 14–15, 21.

61. Cdt José Souvignet and Lt Col Stéphane Virem, “L’Armée de l’Air dans la 

tourmente: la campagne aérienne du Golfe,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 9 

(February 2006): 94.

62. Rachel Utley, The Case for Coalition: Motivation and Prospects: French 

Military Intervention in the 1990s, The Occasional, no. 41 (New Baskerville, 

England: Strategic and Combat Studies Institute, 2001), 22.

63. François Ouisse, “Présence française en Centrafrique: l’Armée de l’Air 

sans frontières,” Air actualités, no. 493 (June 1996): 50–51.

64. “Une Défense nouvelle 1997–2015,” 14; and Gen Michel Mathe, “Garantir la permanence et la crédibilité de la composante aérienne de dissuasion: les 

Forces Aériennes Stratégiques,” in Pascallon, L’Armée de l’Air, 156.

65. Kai Burmester, “Atlantische Annäherung—Frankreichs Politik gegenüber der NATO und den USA,” in Die verhinderte Grossmacht: Frankreichs 

Sicherheitspolitik nach dem Ende des Ost-West-Konflikts, ed. Hanns W. Maull, 

Michael Meimeth, and Christoph Nesshöver (Opladen, Germany: Leske & 

Budrich, 1997), 100–101.

66. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 64, 69.

67. Burmester, “Atlantische Annäherung,” 105.

68. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 75.

69. Utley, Case for Coalition, 38.

70. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense, 35–37.

71. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 106–7.

72. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 81.

73. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 109–10.

74. Burmester, “Atlantische Annäherung,” 112.

75. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 125–27.

76. Ibid., 112–18.

77. Charles Grant, “Conclusion: The Significance of European Defence,” in 

Everts et al., European Way of War, 73–74.

78. Ibid., 68–69.

79. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 99.

80. NATO, “France Moves on Reintegrating NATO’s Military Structure,” 

SHAPE news release, 27 July 2009, http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2009/07

/090727a.html.
French Air Force │ 139

81. Sarkozy, “Foreword,” 9; LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 4; and British 

Broadcasting Corporation, “France Ends Four-Decade NATO Rift,” 3 December 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7937666.stm.

82. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 101; and 

LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 4.

83. Gen Richard Wolsztynski, chief of the Air Staff, “La contribution de 

l’Armée de l’Air à la construction de l’Europe de la défense,” Défense nationale, 

no. 7 (July 2004): 11.

84. Ibid., 7.

85. Gen Patrick de Rousiers, “Contribution de l’Armée de l’Air à la construction de la défense européenne: nature, perspectives, importance,” in Pascallon, 

L’Armée de l’Air, 545.

86. Wolsztynski, “La contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 11–12.

87. Ibid., 11.

88. “La contribution de l’Armée de l’Air à l’outil de défense,” Armée de l’Air 

2007: enjeux et perspectives (Paris: Sirpa Air, 2007), 14.

89. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 213.

90. De Rousiers, “Contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 542–43.

91. Moulard, “L’organisation de la campagne aérienne,” 39–40, 42.

92. “NRF: The French Air Force in Control,” Air actualités, no. 583 (July/

August 2005): 41.

93. Lt Col Emmanuel Maisonnet, FAF, to the author, e-mail, subject: Lessons Learned/Doctrine Division A7, 14 March 2006.

94. “NRF,” 43.

95. Moulard, “L’organisation de la campagne aérienne,” 40.

96. “NRF,” 43.

97. De Rousiers, “Contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 544.

98. Wolsztynski, “La contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 8–9.

99. Jean-Laurent Nijean, “L’Armée de l’Air et l’Europe,” Air actualitiés, no. 

605 (October 2007): 20.

100. European Air Group, “History of the EAG.”

101. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 138.

102. Wolsztynski, “La contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 8.

103. MOD, France, Defence against Terrorism: A Top-Priority of the Ministry of Defence (Paris: Délégation à l’information et à la communication de la 

défense, April 2006), 17.

104. Col Marc Weber (FAF, Air Staff, Paris), interview by the author, 11 

October 2005.

105. De Rousiers, “Contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 540.

106. Eugénie Baldes, “Les Mirages français passent le relais,” Air actualités, 

no. 556 (November 2002): 34–36.

107. De Rousiers, “Contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 541, 544–45.

108. Weber, interview.

109. Lorell, Airpower in Peripheral Conflict, 22, 75–76.

110. Ibid., 67–68.
140 │ French Air Force

111. Jérôme de Lespinois, “Emploi de la force aérienne: Tschad 1969–1987,” 

Penser les ailes françaises, no. 6 (2005): 70.

112. Lorell, Airpower in Peripheral Conflict, 68.

113. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 276–77.

114. Lorell, Airpower in Peripheral Conflict, 2.

115. Etienne de Durand and Bastien Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée: 

France, Etats-Unis, Royaume-Uni (Paris: Centre d’études en sciences sociales de 

la défense, 2006), 141.

116. Jérôme de Lespinois, “La participation française à la campagne aérienne de la guerre de libération du Koweït (1991): prolégomènes politicodiplomatiques,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 7 (Octobre 2005): 68.

117. Souvignet and Virem, “L’Armée de l’Air dans la tourmente,” 93; and de 

Lespinois, “La participation française,” 72–73.

118. Souvignet and Virem, “L’Armée de l’Air dans la tourmente,” 92–94.

119. Wg Cdr K. J. Baldwin, “Can Europe Project Air Power without the 

Support of the United States?,” Royal Air Force Air Power Review 4, no. 1 (Spring 

2001): 67.

120. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 288; and Lieutenant General 

Lemieux, “Moyen-Orient: premiers enseignements,” Air actualités, no. 441 

(April 1991): 14.

121. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 19–20.

122. Lt Col Henri Guyot, “30 jours de guerre aérienne,” Air actualités, no. 

440 (March 1991): 8–9.

123. Lt Col Henri Guyot, “Moyen-Orient: 43 jours de guerre aérienne,” Air 

actualités, no. 441 (April 1991): 12; and Souvignet and Virem, “L’Armée de l’Air 

dans la tourmente,” 92, 95.

124. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 45; and Utley, Case for Coalition, 15.

125. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 143.

126. Rapport no. 32/DEF/CGA du 19 juillet au Contrôleur des armées Hervouet concernant la participation de l’Armée de l’Air aux opérations de libération 

du Koweït et de la couverture des Émirates, 1991, quoted in Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 143.

127. Souvignet and Virem, “L’Armée de l’Air dans la tourmente,” 92.

128. Ibid., 84–85.

129. “Opération Aconit: huit Mirage F1 CR en Turquie,” Air actualités, no. 

447 (November/December 1991): 11–13.

130. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 197.

131. Gen Jean-Pierre Job, “La projection aérienne au service de la diplomatie préventive,” Défense nationale, no. 6 (June 1999): 95.

132. Ripley, Air War Iraq, 10; and United States European Command, “Operation Northern Watch,” 20 February 2004, http://www.eucom.mil.

133. Job, “La projection aérienne,” 95.

134. Ripley, Air War Bosnia, 57.

135. Ouisse, “104 jours d’angoisse,” Air actualités, no. 488 (January 1996): 5.
French Air Force │ 141

136. Soubirou, “Account of Lieutenant General (Ret) André Soubirou,” 26; 

see also Ripley, Operation Deliberate Force, 175.

137. Peters et al., European Contributions to Operation Allied Force, 18–21, 

30; Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 159; and Sénateur Xavier de Villepin, Rapport d’information fait au nom de la commission des Affaires 

étrangères, de la défense et des forces Armées (1) sur les premiers enseignements 

de l’opération “force alliée” en Yougoslavie: quels enjeux diplomatiques et militaires? [Information report on behalf of the commission of foreign and defence 

affairs and the armed forces on the first lessons learned of Operation Allied 

Force in Yugoslavia: what kind of diplomatic and military challenges?], no. 464 

(Paris: Sénat, 30 June 1999), http://www.senat.fr/rap/r98-464/r98-464_mono.html.

138. Garden, “European Air Power,” 114. Calculation of percentage is based 

upon figures from Cordesman, Lessons and Non-Lessons, 4.

139. David S. Yost, “The U.S.-European Capabilities Gap and the Prospects 

for ESDP,” in Howorth and Keeler, Defending Europe, 88.

140. Calculation for percentage is based upon figures from Lt Col Richard 

L. Sargent, “Weapons Used in Deliberate Force,” in Owen, Deliberate Force, 258.

141. Peters et al., European Contributions to Operation Allied Force, 20–21; 

and Yost, “U.S.-European Capabilities Gap,” 89.

142. MOD, France, Les enseignements du Kosovo: analyses et références (Paris: MOD, November 1999), 11–12.

143. Gnesotto et al., European Defence, 44.

144. Gen Wesley K. Clark, supreme allied commander, Europe, and Lt Gen 

Michael Short, testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Armed Services, 

“Lessons Learned from Military Operations and Relief Efforts in Kosovo,” 21 

October 1999, 12–14.

145. Ibid., 11; Wesley K. Clark, Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo, and the 

Future of Combat (Oxford, England: PublicAffairs, 2001), 278, 458; Lambeth, “Operation Allied Force,” 121–22; and Daalder and O’Hanlon, Winning Ugly, 198.

146. Daalder and O’Hanlon, Winning Ugly, 222; and Clark and Short, testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Armed Services, 14.

147. Daalder and O’Hanlon, Winning Ugly, 221.

148. Gen Patrice Klein, “Bilan et enseignements des opérations Héraclès et 

Ammonite,” in Pascallon, L’Armée de l’Air, 203; and “Destination Kirghizistan,” 

Air actualités, no. 550 (April 2002): 4.

149. Frédéric Castel, “Sept mois de coopération exemplaire entre la France 

et les États-Unis,” Air actualités, no. 556 (November 2002): 30–32.

150. Baldes, “Les Mirages français passent le relais,” 34–35; and MOD, 

France, Defence against Terrorism, 24.

151. Jean-Patrice Le Saint (commandant, FAF, air power strategy and studies cell [CESAM], Paris), interview by the author, 11 October 2005.

152. Corinne Micelli, “Le transport en tête de ligne,” Air actualités, no. 549 

(February–March 2002): 4–7.

153. Stephan de Bruijn, “Rafales in Afghanistan,” Air Forces Monthly, August 2008, 58–60.
142 │ French Air Force

154. Utley, Case for Coalition, 31.

155. Adm Jacques Lanxade, “L’opération Turquoise,” Défense nationale, no. 

2 (February 1995): 9–11.

156. “Bilan 1994 des actions extérieures,” Air actualités, no. 479 (February 

1995): 35; and Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 192.

157. François Ouisse, “Bangui: les soldats français éteignent l’incendie,” Air 

actualités, no. 493 (June 1996): 47–49; Ouisse, “Présence française en Centrafrique,” 50–51; Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 142; and Député Marc 

Joulaud, Avis présenté au nom de la commission de la défense nationale et des 

forces armées, sur le projet de loi de finances rectificative pour 2003, no. 1267 

(Paris: Assemblée Nationale, 2003), 19, http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12

/pdf/rapports/r1267.pdf.

158. Olivier Harmange, “Opération Oryx,” Air actualités, no. 459 (February 

1993): 20–21; and United Nations, Peacekeeping Best Practices Unit, Military 

Division, Operation Artemis: The Lessons of the Interim Emergency Multinational Force (UN: October 2004), 3–4.

159. Joulaud, Avis présenté au nom de la commission de la défense nationale, 20.

160. United Nations, Operation Artemis, 12.

161. Jean-Laurent Nijean, “L’Armée de l’Air et l’Europe: opération EUFOR 

RDC,” Air actualités, no. 605 (October 2007): 34–35.

162. European Union, European Security and Defence Policy, “EU Military 

Operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic,” updated March 2009, http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/Final

_FACTSHEET_EUFOR_TCHAD-RCA-version9_EN.pdf.

163. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 72–73, 77; 

and LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 9.

164. MOD, France, “Inauguration de l’implantation militaire française aux 

Emirats arabes unis,” 26 May 2009, http://www.defense.gouv.fr.

165. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 225.

166. Ibid., 266; and Jérôme Billère, “Dans le ciel de Phnom Penh,” Air actualités, no. 459 (1993): 19.

167. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 155, 294.

168. Ibid., 77.

169. Gen Patrick Thouverez, commander, CDAOA (Air Defence and 

Operations Command), “La contribution de l’Armée de l’Air à la posture 

permanente de sûreté,” in Pascallon, L’Armée de l’Air, 138–39.

170. Ibid., 170.

171. Formerly the G6, France created the group in 1975 for the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United 

States. Canada joined the group in 1976, and Russia joined in 1997. Aldo Wicki, 

“Sicherheit durch Kooperation,” Schweizer Luftwaffe, 2004, 13–15.

172. Craig Hoyle, “Baltic Exchange,” Flight International 175, no. 5191 (2–8 

June 2009): 33; and “France Takes Over Baltic Air Policing,” Air Forces Monthly, 

March 2010, 12.
French Air Force │ 143

173. These journals include Les ailes, Revue de l’Armée de l’Air, Revue de 

l’aéronautique militaire, and Revue des forces aériennes. See also Centre of Strategic Aerospace Studies (CESA), “Bibliographie thématique: stratégie aérienne,” accessed 7 April 2006, http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf

/BIBTHEMA.pdf (site discontinued).

174. Corum, “Airpower Thought in Continental Europe,” 153.

175. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 137.

176. Patrick Facon (director, AIR, historical service of the armed forces, 

Château de Vincennes, Paris), interview by the author, 2 March 2006; and 

Patrick Facon, to the author, e-mail, 19 April 2006. See also CESA, “Bibliographie thématique.”

177. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 138.

178. Ibid., 133.

179. PIA [Joint publication]–00.100, Concept d’emploi des forces [Force employment concept] (Paris: Etat-major des armées, 23 July 1997), 10–12.

180. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 146–48.

181. PIA-00.200, Doctrine interarmées d’emploi des forces en opération [Joint 

doctrine for force employment in operations] (Paris: Etat-major des armées, 

division emploi, September 2003), preamble.

182. Ibid., chap. 5, 25–28, and chap. 8, 10–15.

183. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 149–50.

184. See also ibid., 153.

185. Col Marc Weber, “Vers un concept d’emploi de l’arme aérienne,” Penser 

les ailes françaises, no. 7 (October 2005): 3–10.

186. Brig Gen Michel de Lisi, director, CESA, “Éditorial,” Penser les ailes 

françaises, no. 8 (January 2006): 3; and Col Jean-Christophe Noël, FAF, director, 

CESAM, Paris, to the author, e-mail, 8 May 2006.

187. “Wird sich stark verändern,” interview of Gen Stéphane Abrial, chief of 

the Air Staff, FAF, conducted by Y. Magazin, Bundeswehr, 8 February 2007, 

http://www.luftwaffe.de.

188. Concept de l’Armée de l’Air (Paris: Sirpa Air, September 2008), 3.

189. Ibid.

190. Ibid., 4–8, 11–12.

191. Ibid., 14–15.

192. Ibid., 14.

193. Ibid., 16–17.

194. Ibid., 20–21.

195. “Wird sich stark verändern.”

196. La campagne aérienne (Paris: Etat-major des armées, 1999); PIA 

03.122, Concept interarmées de défense surface-air [Joint concept for surface to 

air defense] (Paris: Etat-major des armées, 18 April 2000); Concept national de 

recherche et de sauvetage au combat—RESCO [National concept for CSAR] (Paris: Etat-major des armées, August 2000); and Instruction 3400, Concept 

national des opérations aéroportées [National concept for airborne operations]

(Paris: Armée de terre, 26 April 2002).
144 │ French Air Force

197. Col Jean-Christophe Noël (FAF, director, CESAM, Paris) and Cdt 

Jean-Patrice Le Saint (FAF, CESAM, Paris), interviews by the author, 27 February 2006.

198. Brig Gen Michel de Lisi, FAF, director, CESA, to the author, e-mail, 

21 March 2006 (forwarded by his deputy, Col Denis Gayno).

199. Lt Col Yvan Sais (FAF, Joint Air Power Competence Centre, Kalkar, 

Germany), interview by the author, 5 May 2006.

200. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 164.

201. Ibid., 149.

202. CESA, “Historique du CESA,” http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/article

.php3?id_article=7.

203. “Présentation de l’enseignement militaire supérieur air et du colloque,” 

Penser les ailes françaises, spécial colloque, no. 4 (September 2004): 3.

204. CID, “Programme,” accessed 22 February 2006, http://www.college

.interarmees.defense.gouv.fr.

205. CID, “Physionomie,” accessed 10 March 2006, http://www.college.inter

armees.defense.gouv.fr.

206. Col Gilles Lemoine (FAF, chief, Air Power Studies, CID, Paris), interview by the author, 1 March 2006.

207. CID, “Enseignement opérationnel: Euro exercice CJEX,” accessed 28 

March 2006, http://www.college.interarmees.defense.gouv.fr.

208. CID, “Stratégie aérienne: préface du Colonel Michel de Lisi,” accessed 

22 February 2006, http://www.college.interarmees.defense.gouv.fr.

209. CID, “Stratégie aérienne: 19 articles sur la stratégie aérienne de la 10e promotion,” accessed 22 February 2006, http://www.college.interarmees.defense.gouv.fr.

210. Air Working Group No. 2, 10th course of the CID, “Puissance aérienne 

et spatial,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 1 (July 2003): 43–55; Air Working 

Group No. 4, 10th course of the CID, “Fondamentaux de la puissance aérienne,” 

Penser les ailes françaises, no. 1 (July 2003): 9–20; Air Working Group No. 1, 

10th course of the CID, “Fondamentaux de la puissance aérienne et enseignements,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 2 (February 2004): 3–37; Air Working 

Group No. 8, 12th course of the CID, “Gains et contraintes liés à l’utilisation des 

missiles croisière: l’exemple du SCALP,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 9 (February 2006): 78–83; Cdt Laurent Charrier, “Le commandement des opérations 

aéroportées: un défi interarmées,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 8 (January 

2006): 61–65; Lt Col Dominique Colin, “Vers un modèle de processus décisionnel itératif de haut niveau,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 9 (February 2006): 

97–104; Colonel Lefebvre and CID course members, “Quelle Armée de l’Air 

pour notre défense?,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 5 (February 2005): 3–11; 

and Souvignet and Virem, “L’Armée de l’Air dans la tourmente.”

211. Col Gilles Lemoine, chief, Air Power Studies, CID, Paris, to the author, 

e-mail, 29 March 2006.

212. CESA, “Ateliers de l’Armée de l’Air,” http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv

.fr/rubrique_tousarticles.php3?id_rubrique=110.
French Air Force │ 145

213. See September 2004 issue, Penser les ailes françaises, spécial colloque, 

no. 4, which is entirely devoted to the first Ateliers du CESA.

214. Gen Richard Wolsztynski, chief of the Air Staff, “Allocution d’ouverture du colloque ‘L’Armée de l’Air, enjeux et perspectives,’ ” Penser les ailes françaises, spécial colloque, no. 4 (September 2004): 6.

215. Brig Gen Michel de Lisi, director, CESA, “Présentation des ‘Ateliers du 

CESA,’ ” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 8 (2006): 5.

216. Penser les ailes françaises, no. 9 (2006): 5.

217. CESA, “Ateliers du CESA,” http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/rubrique

_tousarticles.php3?id_rubrique=107.

218. CESA, “Les Rencontres air et espace du CESA,” http://www.cesa.air

.defense.gouv.fr/rubrique_tousarticles.php3?id_rubrique=108.

219. Facon to the author, e-mail. The air historical branch organised these 

seminars: “L’adaptation de l’arme aérienne aux conflits contemporains” [The 

adjustment of the air arm in contemporary conflicts] (Paris, 1984), “Histoire de 

la guerre aérienne” [History of air warfare] (Paris, 1987), “Penseurs et prophètes 

de la puissance aérienne” [Air power thinkers and prophets] (Paris, 1990), 

“L’aviation a-t-elle gagné la guerre en 1944?” [Did aviation win the war in 

1944?] (Paris, 1995), and “Cent ans d’aviation militaire” [100 years of military 

aviation] (Paris, 1999).

220. Prof. Pierre Pascallon, editor, L’Armée de l’Air, to the author, e-mail, 21 

March 2006.

221. Pascallon, L’Armée de l’Air, 615–23.

222. Penser les ailes françaises, no. 1 (2003): 2. 

223. Facon to the author, e-mail.

224. Penser les ailes françaises, no. 9 (2006): 3.

225. Examples include Défense nationale, special edition, no. 6, 1999; Gen 

Pierre-Marie Gallois, “La guerre du Golfe: missiles et anti-missiles,” Défense 

nationale, no. 3 (March 1991): 9–14; and Gen Jean Saulnier, “La guerre du 

Golfe: cas d’espèce ou modèle reproductible,” Défense nationale, no. 6 (June 

1991): 11–21.

226. Examples include Patrick Facon, La bataille d’Angleterre (1940): la bataille 

aérienne décisive de l’histoire (Paris: Economica, 1992); Patrick Facon, L’Armée de 

l’Air dans la tourmente: la bataille de France 1939–1940 (Paris: Economica, 1997); 

Patrick Facon, La guerre aérienne, 1933–1945 (Clichy, France: Larivière, 2003); 

Patrick Facon, L’histoire de l’Armée de l’Air: une jeunesse tumultueuse 1880–1945

(Clichy, France: Larivière, 2004); and Facon to the author, e-mail.

227. Facon to the author, e-mail.

228. Col Marc Weber, “Introduction aux Ateliers du CESA,” Penser les ailes 

françaises, no. 8 (January 2006): 6.

229. Col Régis Chamagne, FAF, retired, to the author, e-mail, 27 Mar 2006.

230. La bibliothèque de l’aéronautique, “L’art de la guerre aérienne,” http://

www.aerostories.org; and CESA, “Prix pour l’art de la guerre aérienne,” http://

www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr.
146 │ French Air Force

231. Col Régis Chamagne, FAF, retired, L’art de la guerre aérienne (Fontenayaux-Roses, France: L’esprit du livre éditions, 2004), 197–98.

232. Ibid., 118.

233. Ibid., 85–86.

234. John A. Warden, La campagne aérienne: planification en vue du combat, trans. Philippe Steininger (Paris: Economica & Institut de Stratégie Comparée, 1998).

235. Col Philippe Steininger, “La paralysie stratégique selon Boyd et Warden,” Penser les ailes françaises, no. 9 (February 2006): 50–62.

236. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 145.

237. CESA, “Le prix Armée de l’Air 2005,” http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv

.fr/article.php3?id_article=106.

238. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 449, 452–53, 463.

239. Utley, Case for Coalition, 14.

240. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 465.

241. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 49.

242. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 163–65.

243. MOD, France, Les enseignements du Kosovo, 15, 23–24.

244. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 114, 348, 363–64.

245. Joris Janssen Lok and J. A. C. Lewis, “New French Air Power,” Jane’s 

International Defence Review 36 (June 2003): 41.

246. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 345.

247. Gen Vincent Lanata, “Faire face: l’ère des nouveaux défis,” Défense nationale, no. 8/9 (August/Septembre 1993): 16–17; and LPM 2003–2008, 17.

248. MOD, France, Livre blanc sur la défense 115, 120; and MOD, France, 

Défense et Sécurité nationale, 266–68.

249. Bourdilleau, “Evolution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 258.

250. Willett, Gummet, and Clarke, Eurofighter 2000, 5.

251. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 471.

252. Ibid., 472; and Elliot, “From Fighters to Fighter-Bombers,” 73.

253. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 472.

254. Bill Sweetman, “Pragmatic Rafale: A Study in French Philosophy,” 

Jane’s International Defence Review 38 (June 2005): 67.

255. Armée de l’Air, “Audition du général Wolsztynski, Commission de la 

Défense nationale et des forces armées,” 22 October 2004, accessed 19 May 

2007, http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/archives/22_10_04_audition_du_general

_wolsztynski.

256. Sweetman, “Pragmatic Rafale,” 64–65, 67.

257. Xavier Pintat and Daniel Reiner, Avis présenté au nom de la commission 

des Affaires étrangères, de la défense et des forces armées (1) sur le projet de loi de 

finances pour 2009, adopté par l’Assemblée Nationale, Tome 5, défense—équipement des forces, no. 102 (Paris: Sénat, 20 November 2008), chap. 2, sec. 4, “Engagement et combat, B. Frapper à distance,” http://www.senat.fr/rap/a08-102-5

/a08-102-5.html. 
French Air Force │ 147

258. LPM 1997–2002, 133; and J. A. C. Lewis, “French Connection: A New 

President and Preparations for a New Defence White Paper Promise Changes 

for the French Military,” Jane’s Defence Weekly 44, no. 27 (4 July 2007): 27.

259. “European Military Aircraft Programmes Revisited,” Military Technology, 

no. 6 (1997): 8.

260. Col Jean-François Louvion, “Armée de l’Air et projection,” Défense nationale, no. 7 (July 1995): 63.

261. LPM 1997–2002, 133.

262. Durand and Irondelle, Stratégie aérienne comparée, 140.

263. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 363.

264. Ibid., 168.

265. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 42.

266. Col Denis Mercier, FAF, Air Staff, Paris, to the author, e-mail, 1 September 2006; and De Villepin, Rapport d’information fait au nom de la commission des Affaires étrangères.

267. Mercier to the author, e-mail.

268. MOD, France, Les enseignements du Kosovo, 17.

269. LPM 2003–2008, 40.

270. Henri-Pierre Grolleau, “French Precision: Rafale’s Lethal Punch,” Air 

International 76, no. 4 (April 2009): 21–22, 25; and Armée de l’Air, “Commande 

de 680 kits d’AASM,” February 2010, http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/breves

/2010/fevrier/commande_de_680_kits_d_aasm.

271. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 44.

272. LPM 1997–2002, 140–41.

273. LPM 2003–2008, 40.

274. Ibid., 28.

275. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 44.

276. Armée de l’Air 2007, 48.

277. Armée de l’Air, “Le CEMAA aux rencontres parlementaires,” 26 January 

2006, accessed 20 May 2007, http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/archives/26_01

_06_le_cemaa_aux_rencontres_parlementaires (site discontinued).

278. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 42; Mathias Lehmann, “The Further 

Development of Luftwaffe’s Equipment,” Military Technology, special issue, no. 

2 (1999): 53–54.

279. Janssen Lok and Lewis, “New French Air Power,” 41–42.

280. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 42.

281. De Villepin, Rapport d’information fait au nom de la commission des 

Affaires étrangères.

282. Grolleau, “French Precision,” 25.

283. LPM 2003–2008, 44.

284. MOD, France, Défense et Sécurité nationale: le Livre blanc, 50; and 

Délégation générale pour l’armement, “La DGA livre le premier système sol-air 

SAMP/T de série à l’Armée de l’Air,” http://www.defense.gouv.fr/defense/votre

_espace/journalistes/communiques/communiques_du_ministere_de_la
148 │ French Air Force

_defense/la_dga_livre_le_premier_systeme_sol_air_samp_t_de_serie_a_l

_armee_de_l_air.

285. Maryse Bergé-Lavigne and Philippe Nogrix, Rapport d’information fait 

au nom de la commission des Affaires étrangères, de la défense et des forces armées (1) à la suite d’une mission sur le rôle des drones dans les armées, no. 215 

(Paris: Sénat, 22 February 2006), http://www.senat.fr/rap/r05-215/r05-2151

.pdf, 35.

286. Lorell, Airpower in Peripheral Conflict, 11.

287. General Perret, “La force aérienne de projection: un défi à relever pour 

la fin du XXe

 siècle,” Air actualités, hors série no. 1 (July/August 1997): 6.

288. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 478.

289. Ibid., 478; and International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military 

Balance 2004/05 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 2004), 50.

290. Lanata, “Faire face,” 16.

291. Armée de l’Air, “L’Airbus A340 TLRA arrive en France,” 19 May 2006, 

http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/breves/2006/mai_06/19_05_06_l

_airbus_a_340_tlra_arrive_en_france.

292. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 45.

293. Lanata, “Faire face,” 16.

294. LPM 1997–2002, 137; Armée de l’Air, “Audition du général Wolsztynski”; and Bourdilleau, “Evolution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 256.

295. Bombeau, “L’Armée de l’Air,” 32–33; and EADS, “A400M.”

296. Lorell, Airpower in Peripheral Conflict, 17–18.

297. Carlier, “L’aéronautique et l’espace,” 479; and MOD, France, Les 

enseignements du Kosovo, 20–21.

298. Janssen Lok and Lewis, “New French Air Power,” 41.

299. LPM 1997–2002, 135–36.

300. LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 20.

301. MOD, France, Les enseignements du Kosovo, 18; and Kromhout, “New 

Armée de l’Air,” 46.

302. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 284–85.

303. Gen Michel Fouquet, “L’hélicoptère et le combat SAR [Search and rescue],” in Pascallon, L’Armée de l’Air, 173.

304. Gautier, Mitterrand et son armée 1990–1995, 164.

305. Patoz and Saint-Ouen, L’Armée de l’Air, 125.

306. Gen François Vallat, “La conduite des opérations aériennes dans l’infosphère,” Défense nationale, no. 8/9 (August/Septembre 1993): 51.

307. Bourdilleau, “Evolution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 248.

308. Ibid., 257.

309. Armée de l’Air, “Audition du général Wolsztynski.”

310. Asenstorfer, Cox, and Wilksch, Tactical Data Link Systems, 7.

311. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 42, 46–47.

312. Bergé-Lavigne and Nogrix, Rapport d’information, no. 215, 10.

313. LPM 2003–2008, 28, 40.

314. Kromhout, “New Armée de l’Air,” 43.
French Air Force │ 149

315. Sénateur Xavier Pintat, Avis présenté au nom de la commission des Affaires étrangères, de la défense et des forces armées (1) sur le projet de loi de finances pour 2003, adopté par l’Assemblée Nationale, Tome 7, défense—air, no. 71 

(Paris: Sénat, November 2002), 49, http://www.senat.fr/rap/a02-071-7/a02

-071-71.pdf; and Craig Hoyle, “Ground Troops to Get Video via Damocles Targeting Pod,” Flight International 175, no. 5190 (26 May–1 June 2009): 13.

316. Pintat, Avis, no. 71, 50; and Bergé-Lavigne and Nogrix, Rapport 

d’information, no. 215, 9–10.

317. Mercier to the author, e-mail.

318. LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 7; and Lewis, “French Connection,” 28.

319. Louis-Marie Clouet and Laurence Nardon, “Build European MALE: 

Common System Would Boost Military Markets,” Defense News, 24 May 2010, 21; 

and Pierre Tran, “France May Buy Predators,” Defense News, 24 May 2010, 1, 8.

Chapter 4

German Air Force (Luftwaffe)

On 6 May 1955, the Federal Republic of Germany was declared 

sovereign. Within two days, the ban on military forces was lifted, 

and Germany became a member of NATO. Since the country had 

missed a decade of vital experience in military aviation, the German Air Force had to be built up from scratch. At the beginning, 

the GAF hinged upon support from its allies, principally the 

United States, for training and equipment.1

 On 6 June 1958, the 

first fighter-bomber wing, equipped with American F-84s, was established.2

 In the early 1960s, the introduction of a more complex 

combat aircraft, the F-104 Starfighter, made visible the challenges 

a not yet mature but fast-growing air force had to overcome. Primarily due to a lack of experienced personnel, a significant number of fatal incidents occurred.3

As a frontline state, German security was dependent upon its 

allies. The GAF became deeply integrated into NATO and assigned 

all units into the NATO command structure, contributing the 

largest share to the integrated air defence within Central Europe.4

The GAF had no national command and control facilities at its 

Courtesy Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, www.eurofighter.com; photo by JG (German Fighter Wing) 74

A Eurofighter Typhoon from GAF Fighter Wing 74 taking off on a QRA 

scramble at Neuburg AFB in southern Germany (January 2008)
152 │ GERMAN Air Force

disposal for the conduct of major air operations.5 The 1985 Defence White Book unambiguously stated that the German armed 

forces could accomplish their tasks solely in the context of NATO.6

Up to the unification of Germany, the bulk of the German 

armed forces was solely geared towards territorial defence, and 

out-of-area operations were primarily relegated to humanitarian 

missions, with GAF transport aircraft shouldering the main burden.7

 Along with the integration of the remnants of the East German armed forces, this led to significant challenges in the post–

Cold War era, when out-of-area operations became one of the 

predominant tasks of European armed forces. Only gradually did 

German decision makers respond to the demands of the post–

Cold War era.

How Has the German Air Force Adapted to 

the Uncertainties Created by Shifting 

Defence and Alliance Policies?

This section first analyses German post–Cold War defence 

policy and the GAF’s response to it. It then analyses Germany’s 

alliance context and its influence on the GAF.

Defence Policy

Throughout the 1990s, German defence policy was basically articulated by two key documents, the 1992 Defence Policy Guidelines and the 1994 Defence White Book. The period was characterised by the adherence to two traditional principles: territorial 

defence and universal conscription. Yet, Germany’s allies would 

have expected it to contribute to peace and stability in accordance 

with its political and economic weight.

In 1999 the newly elected left-wing government initiated a military reform.8

 This resulted in a progressive report by an independent commission, known as the Weizsäcker Commission.9

 Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping, who regarded the Weizsäcker 

Commission report as too progressive, finally came up with his 

own, more moderate reform proposal, which was approved by the 

government on 14 June 2000.10 Only in the wake of 11 September, 

and due to the continuing imbalance between available means 
GERMAN Air Force │ 153

and actual operational requirements, did the newly elected defence minister, Peter Struck, deem it indispensable to undertake 

significant adjustments of the military reform. This process started 

in late 2002 and resulted in the 2003 Defence Policy Guidelines.

11

The guidelines can be understood as a fundamental change in 

paradigms towards a more proactive defence policy, where out-ofarea operations are the core business of Germany’s armed forces. 

As such, Struck’s adjustments were in fact a reform in their own 

right. With the conservatives winning the elections of 2005, Franz 

Josef Jung, the new defence minister, released the White Paper 

2006: German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr. It 

not only reiterated the importance of deployed operations but also 

emphasised the territorial defence of Germany against external 

threats as the German armed forces’ raison d’être and core function, thus partially reversing Struck’s reform.12 In October 2009, 

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg became the new German defence 

minister. Despite being a member of a conservative party, as was 

his predecessor, Guttenberg intends to embark upon the most farreaching reform of the post–Cold War era. While the exact corollaries of this reform cannot yet be grasped (up to this writing), 

they will most likely result in smaller armed forces better suited 

for deployed operations. As such, potential force reductions are 

alluded to in this chapter.

Threat and Risk Perception. The 1992 Defence Policy Guidelines, published on 26 November, identified recent changes on the 

European continent as irreversible. The reunification of Germany, 

the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, and the democratisation in 

Eastern Europe laid a solid basis for a process of which Germany 

was the main beneficiary. The country was no longer in the direct 

vicinity of an opposing military alliance but surrounded by allies 

and partners. The guidelines argued that, for the foreseeable future, Russia had neither the rationale nor the economic and military potential to wage a large-scale offensive against NATO. Provided there was the capacity for a flexible reconstitution of Western 

armed forces, a full-scale invasion was not conceivable without at 

least one year of warning time. While Central Europe could benefit 

from immense improvements, internal conflicts and collapsing 

states as well as the proliferation of WMDs at the European periphery were perceived to be serious challenges. The increased inter-
154 │ GERMAN Air Force

dependence in the international system meant that any form of 

destabilization—military or non-military—was considered to have 

the potential of producing ripple effects that affected the West.13

In 1994 the Defence White Book largely reiterated the views of 

the preceding Defence Policy Guidelines, and Russia’s military 

potential still remained a significant factor in German threat 

perception. Warning time in case of a massive Russian military 

buildup, however, was no longer specified.14 Only in 2000 did 

the Weizsäcker Commission report unambiguously state that, 

regarding a major military threat against NATO, a warning time 

of at least eight to 10 years would give the West sufficient time 

for military reconstitution.15

Against the backdrop of 11 September, the 2003 Defence Policy 

Guidelines particularly identified religiously motivated extremism 

and fanaticism in combination with international terrorism as 

threats to modern civilization. Concerning conventional military 

threats, the Defence Policy Guidelines takes the view that, though 

they could be ruled out for the foreseeable future, they could not 

in the long term.16 While three years later the White Paper 2006

identifies international terrorism as “the most immediate danger,” 

it also refers to a “soft” security spectrum including challenges 

such as fragile statehood in developing countries, migration, or 

pandemics. The document further highlights issues that are intrinsically related to Germany’s economic prosperity, such as energy and resource security or secure transportation routes and 

communication. Moreover, the white paper singles out illegal 

arms trade, regional conflicts, weapons proliferation, and military 

buildup in many parts of the world as destabilising factors. It concludes that “these new types of risks cannot . . . be countered by 

solely or predominantly using military means.”17

Tasks of the Armed Forces. During the Cold War era, the West 

German armed forces were almost exclusively geared up for deterrence and defence against a potential full-scale aggression from 

the East. In 1992 the Defence Policy Guidelines added international 

crises and conflict management as the second main function.18

These two main functions were broken down into five tasks:

•  protecting Germany and its citizens against political blackmail and external danger,
GERMAN Air Force │ 155

•  contributing to the military stability and integration of Europe,

•  defending Germany and its allies,

•  contributing to world peace and international security in accordance with the UN Charter, and

•  assisting during catastrophes and emergencies as well as supporting humanitarian actions.19

In spite of this moderate shift towards out-of-area operations, defence continued to be the raison d’être of the armed forces and of 

universal conscription.20 The 1994 Defence White Book reemphasised 

the importance of defence, arguing that, while this had become the 

least likely scenario, it nevertheless remained the most perilous.21

Territorial defence as the main function of German defence 

policy persisted into the new century. In his official report of June 

2000, Defence Minister Scharping emphasised that territorial defence remained the constitutional bedrock for the German armed 

forces and that it primarily determined the size and structure of 

the armed forces. The missions remained basically the same as the 

ones stated in the Defence Policy Guidelines of 1992, and the geographical boundaries for crises management operations were basically confined to Europe and its periphery.22

Only in 2002–3 did German decision makers adopt a fresh approach to defence. Struck, who became defence minister in July 

2002, took the view that defence could no longer be narrowed 

down to geographical boundaries but should contribute to safeguarding security wherever it is in jeopardy. Hence, the Defence 

Policy Guidelines 2003 states that conflict prevention, crisis management, and postconflict rehabilitation are an integral part of 

modern defence.23 To gear up the German armed forces as an instrument for a comprehensive and proactive defence policy, four 

tasks are identified. The Bundeswehr

•  safeguards the capacity for action in the field of foreign policy,

•  contributes to stability on a European and global scale,

•  ensures national security and defence and helps defend allies,

[and]

•  supports multinational cooperation and integration.24
156 │ GERMAN Air Force

With the Defence Policy Guidelines 2003, an important step was 

taken. Traditional defence against a conventional attack was 

superseded by international conflict prevention and crisis management as the determining factors of German defence policy.25

Accordingly, the armed forces should be capable of operating anywhere in the world across the entire mission spectrum.26 The Defence Policy Guidelines 2003 can hence be understood as a fundamental change in paradigms.

While White Paper 2006 in principle reiterates the missions 

as outlined in Defence Policy Guidelines 2003, albeit with a 

slightly different wording, it unambiguously identifies the defence of Germany against external threats as the German armed 

forces’ raison d’être and core function: “The central task of the 

Bundeswehr continues to be national and collective defence in 

the classical sense.”27 This partial reversal of the 2003 change in 

paradigms can be attributed to the elections of 2005, which were 

won by the conservatives. Nevertheless, White Paper 2006 did 

not completely reverse the previous reform, stating that “for the 

foreseeable future, the most likely tasks will be the prevention of 

international conflicts and crisis management, to include the 

fight against international terrorism. They will determine the 

structure of . . . the Bundeswehr.”28

Courtesy Pressestelle Mazar-i-Sharif

Recce Wing 51 reconnaissance Tornados on the flight line in Mazar-iSharif, Afghanistan

Towards Expeditionary Warfare and Deployable Armed Forces. 

Germany’s reunification, later reviewed in more detail, was preceded 

by the so-called 2 plus 4 negotiations, which included East and West 

Germany, the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and 

France. The resulting 2 plus 4 Treaty, paving the way for reunification, foresaw amongst others the limitation of the German armed 
GERMAN Air Force │ 157

forces to 370,000 personnel.29 Despite the resulting force reduction, 

both the 1992 Defence Policy Guidelines and the 1994 Defence White 

Book emphasised that conscription would be retained in a unified 

Germany and that only a minor fraction of the armed forces was earmarked for out-of-area operations with a UN mandate.30 Germany’s 

main contribution to NATO was rather seen in its capacity to mobilise large quantities of troops in case of collective defence. This capacity was further believed to give Germany significant leverage 

within the alliance.31 Crisis reaction forces represented only a complementary element and were deliberately kept at a low level to prevent too interventionist a defence policy.32 International obligations, 

however, conflicted with this self-imposed policy of restraint. Particularly, German participation in the Balkan operations during the second half of the 1990s revealed significant shortfalls and serious limitations in Germany’s power projection capacities.33

Increasingly obsolete force structures caused the 2000 Weizsäcker 

Commission report to ultimately regard the German armed forces 

as too large and wrongly structured. The ratio between the overall 

size of the armed forces and readily deployable troops was considered to be completely inadequate. The commission suggested that 

the German armed forces should be transformed into an intervention force for international crisis management.34

This reform proposal, however, was deemed too progressive by 

Scharping, who took the view that territorial defence still determined the size and structure of the German armed forces.35 He 

finally decided that they were to be reduced but that a significant 

number of conscripts would be retained. His reform aimed at generating 80,000 directly deployable personnel plus an additional 

70,000, with a reduced degree of deployability.36

An increasing demand for military deployments because of 11 

September, however, revealed that the structures still proved to be 

inadequate for prolonged and sustained out-of-area operations.37

Clearly, a recalibration of the reform became necessary. To better 

respond to the more probable types of operations—conflict prevention and crisis management—it was planned in 2004 to realign the 

German armed forces into three force categories. These categories 

encompass response forces (35,000), stabilisation forces (70,000), 

and support forces (147,500), bringing the total up to 252,500 personnel. Response forces were conceived for joint high-intensity and 
158 │ GERMAN Air Force

evacuation operations, the stabilisation forces for joint operations 

of low and medium intensity during an extended period of time, 

and the support forces for comprehensive joint support. Response 

forces were especially set up to comply with international requirements such as German contributions to the NATO Response Force 

or the EU battle groups.38 Despite this new emphasis upon power 

projection, universal conscription in an adapted form was retained, 

as it was considered an indispensable requirement for operational 

readiness, effectiveness, economic efficiency, and reconstitution for 

the purpose of national defence against conventional attack.39

The White Paper 2006 with its more conservative focus reemphasised the value of universal conscription, offering a strong bond between society and the military. Accordingly, it announced that the 

number of conscripts would be increased by approximately 13,000 

during 2006 and 2007, particularly to guarantee conscription equity. 

It can be concluded that this increase did not aim at strengthening the 

German armed forces’ power projection capacities. In 2006 only 20 

per cent of deployed personnel were extended-service conscripts.40

The renewed emphasis upon conscription was in line with the renewed value of “national and collective defence in the classical 

sense.”41 Yet as of mid-2010, suspending conscription has been seriously discussed, and on 22 November 2010, Defence Minister 

Guttenberg formally announced the government’s plan to suspend 

conscription effective 1 July 2011.42

Expeditionary warfare requires not only deployable troops but 

also military planning and command facilities. During the Cold 

War, the German armed forces had no autonomous planning capacities at the operational level and were designed solely to perform their missions within NATO’s integrated military structure.43

The lack of a national planning and command structure significantly inhibited German participation in out-of-area operations 

during the first half of the 1990s.44 Consequently, the 1992 Defence 

Policy Guidelines and the 1994 Defence White Book called for an 

autonomous planning capacity.45 Only cautiously, however, were 

limited national command and control structures established. In 

January 1995, a joint command centre was set up, the tasks of 

which were limited to relatively minor UN missions. As a premium was put upon the primacy of politics, the new joint command centre was primarily designed as an aid for the defence 
GERMAN Air Force │ 159

minister, with the role of the Joint Chief of Staff (Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr) relegated to one of an intermediary.46

A more robust joint command architecture was only established in autumn 2001.47 The mission of the Operations Command in Potsdam is national planning and conduct of out-of-area 

operations on the operational level.48 The Operations Command 

can also function as an operations headquarters in the context of 

EU operations, whereby a nucleus of German staff is augmented 

nationally and multinationally.49 Besides this joint command and 

planning cell, the Berlin Decree of 21 January 2005 elevated the 

position of the Joint Chief of Staff as compared to the single service chiefs. Regardless of single service boundaries, the Joint Chief 

of Staff bears the responsibility for force structuring and for the 

planning and conduct of operations. The single service chiefs are 

responsible for the provision of combat ready units.50

Defence Policy and Its Impact upon the German Air Force. 

To respond to the challenges of the post–Cold War era, the GAF 

has been undergoing three major reforms. These reforms have 

been named after the new structures the GAF has been implementing. Air Force Structures 4, 5, and 6 have led to major force 

reductions, summarized in table 2. Reforms underlying these reductions are discussed next.

Table 2. GAF reductions during the post–Cold War era

Prior to 1990

(West Germany)

Air Force Structure 6 

(Planned)

Military personnel 110,000 34,500 + 28,000a

Civilian personnel 21,500  ̃ 6,500

Combat aircraft 755b 262

Flying wings 18 7

GBAD systems 176 24

SAM groups/battalions 15 6

Tactical air command 

and control units 14 3

Adapted from Hans-Werner Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz: 50 Jahre Luftwaffe (Hamburg, Germany: 

Verlag E. S. Mittler & Sohn, 2005), 174.

a

Air Force Structure 6 envisages 18,000 GAF personnel being allocated to the newly established 

Joint Service Support, with a further 10,000 engaged in training and education within the GAF, 

the German armed forces in general, as well as in civilian facilities. “Further Development of the 

Luftwaffe—Luftwaffe Structure 6,” in CPM Forum: Luftwaffe 2005—The German Air Force Today 

and Tomorrow, managing director Wolfgang Flume and project director Jϋrgen Hensel (Sankt Augustin, Germany: CPM Communication Presse Marketing GmbH, 2005), 47.

b

Includes Navy Tornado aircraft.
160 │ GERMAN Air Force

Air Force Structure 4 (see fig. 1) was implemented between 

1990 and 1994.51 One of its major goals was overall force reduction in order to abide by the limitations set by the 2 plus 4 Treaty.52

It envisaged three command layers between the Air Staff and the 

operational wings/units. Directly subordinate to the Air Staff were 

the Air Force Office, in charge of training and administration; the 

German Air Force Support Command, responsible for combat 

service support and materiel; and the German Air Force Command. Subordinate to the GAF Command were the Air Transport 

Command and two regional air force commands, the Air Force 

Commands North and South. Two air divisions (AD) were subordinate to each of the regional air force commands.53 Unlike previous ADs, which had been functionally configured, the ADs were 

henceforth geographically configured, each containing a large 

cross section of GAF capabilities.54

Total combat strength of Air Force Structure 4 contained four 

air defence wings, five ground-attack and one reconnaissance wing 

(RW), and six SAM wings.55 This corresponded to a reduction of 

five flying wings and a significant reduction of SAM wings since 

1989, when the West German Air Force had 11 ground-attack, 

two reconnaissance, and two fighter wings (FW) in its inventory.56

Figure 1. Air Force Structure 4 (GAF) simplified diagram. (Adapted 

from Hans-Werner Jarosch, ed., Immer im Einsatz: 50 Jahre Luftwaffe [Hamburg, Germany: Verlag E. S. Mittler & Sohn, 2005], 129.)

Chief of the Air Sta

Air Sta

GAF Support

Command

GAF

Command

GAF

Command South

Air Transport

Command

1st AD 2d AD 3d AD 4th AD

GAF

Command North

GAF Oce
GERMAN Air Force │ 161

Moreover, the nuclear missile squadrons were disbanded, and the 

airborne nuclear component was reduced.57

Alongside these reductions, the air defence role received new 

emphasis. With German reunification and the reestablishment of 

full sovereignty, the GAF was tasked with the duty of air policing, 

previously confined to the United States and Great Britain.58 As a 

result, all F-4F Phantom and MiG-29 aircraft were assigned to the 

air defence and air policing role.59

Courtesy German Air Force; photo by Toni Dahmen

F-4F Phantom II. To remain relevant pending delivery of the Eurofighter, 

the F-4F fleet had to undergo significant upgrades. By December 1996, 65 

F-4F Phantom IIs had been delivered. The most essential components of 

the retrofit included the integration of the APG-65 radar and the AIM-120 

AMRAAM.

The next major reform step, Air Force Structure 5 (see fig. 2), 

was initiated against the backdrop of the 1999–2000 defence reform initiative on 1 October 2001.60 Air Force Structure 5 foresaw 

the transfer of 17,000 GAF personnel to a newly established Joint 

Support Service.61 This represented a considerable thrust towards 

jointness as it forced all of the services to cooperate in the areas of 

C2, training, maintenance, and logistics, thereby reducing redundancies.62 The single-service GAF Support Command was no longer needed. Furthermore, the C2 structure was compressed by 

disbanding both Regional Command North and Regional Command South.63 Total combat strength of Air Force Structure 5 was 

eight operational flying wings and four SAM wings. The flying 

units were divided into four ground-attack wings, one reconnaissance wing, and three air defence wings.64
162 │ GERMAN Air Force

The new structure initiated the most substantial improvement 

for C2 in the history of the GAF. During the Cold War era, the GAF 

had no means at its disposal to conduct air combat operations above 

the wing level and fully hinged upon NATO C2 structures. In the 

post–Cold War era, with an increasing German commitment to 

out-of-area operations, a national capacity for the planning, conduct, and command of air combat operations became necessary. In 

late 2001, the GAF Air Operations Command (Kommando Operative Führung Luftstreitkräfte) was established at the former location 

of Air Force Command North. For the first time in its history, the 

postwar GAF was given an autonomous capacity for operational 

planning of air operations. The GAF Air Operations Command had 

been primarily designed as a national nucleus with 59 posts for a 

combined joint force air component command headquarters in the 

context of NATO or EU operations.65

Besides out-of-area operations, 11 September had the biggest 

impact upon the C2 structure of the GAF. As a response to renegade planes, an interministerial National Air Defence Operations 

Chief of the Air Sta

Air Sta

GAF Command

Air Transport

Command

1st AD

2d AD

3d AD

4th AD

GAF Oce

Figure 2. Air Force Structure 5 (GAF) simplified diagram. (Adapted 

from “The German Air Force Structure 5: Principles, Structures, Capabilities,” in CPM Forum: German Air Force—Structure and Organisation, Equipment and Logistics, Programmes and Perspectives, ed.

Wolfgang Flume, in cooperation with the GAF staff, MOD, Bonn, and 

editorial coordinator Lt Col (GS) Rainer Zaude [Sankt Augustin, Germany: CPM Communication Presse Marketing GmbH, 2003], 20.)
GERMAN Air Force │ 163

Centre (Nationales Lage- und Führungszentrum—Sicherheit im 

Luftraum) was established in July 2003 for ensuring airspace security. The centre coordinates interception missions between the 

GAF, the MOD, and civilian ministries, which allows for timecritical decision making.66 The centre is collocated with the GAF 

Air Operations Command, and it is directly responsible to the 

chief of the Air Staff (Inspekteur der Luftwaffe) in questions of 

national airspace security.67

Defence budget cuts rendered a timely and entire adoption of 

Air Force Structure 5 infeasible. By late 2002, the necessity to 

achieve a balance between available resources and actual operational requirements had become paramount.68 This, in turn, required further substantial reductions. To achieve savings with immediate effect, Navy Tornado combat aircraft and their maritime 

tasks were to be transferred to the GAF, while the equivalent of 

two GAF Tornado wings were simultaneously reduced. Additionally, the disbanding of Hawk and Roland SAM systems—originally planned for 2008 and 2012, respectively—was announced.69

These quantitative adjustments ushered in Air Force Structure 6 

(see fig. 3), the adoption of which commenced in 2005–6.70

Chief of the Air Sta

Air Sta

GAF Command

1st AD

2d AD 4th AD

GAF Oce

Figure 3. Air Force Structure 6 (GAF) simplified diagram. (Adapted 

from “Further Development of the Luftwaffe—Luftwaffe Structure 

6,” in CPM Forum: Luftwaffe 2005—The German Air Force Today 

and Tomorrow, managing director Wolfgang Flume and project director Jürgen Hensel [Sankt Augustin, Germany: CPM Communication Presse Marketing GmbH, 2005], 47.)
164 │ GERMAN Air Force

Air Force Structure 6 originally envisioned reducing the number of ADs from four to three and disbanding the German Air 

Transport Command, with the EATC assuming its responsibilities.71 With the adoption of Air Force Structure 6, the GAF was 

planned to have seven flying units at its disposal.72 The Eurofighter 

was to equip four operational units and a training unit, replacing 

the F4-F Phantom fleet as well as a large part of the Tornado fleet.73

Only two Tornado units were planned to stay operational.74 Once 

equipped with the Eurofighter, the multirole-capable 31st FighterBomber Wing (FBW) and the 73d FBW, a training unit, were to be 

capable of contributing to national air policing alongside FWs 71 

and 74.75 Despite this move towards a more flexible employment 

of air power, the GAF seemed to continue emphasising specialized wings. Yet against the backdrop of an unbenign economic 

climate as of mid-2010, “Tranche 3B” of the Eurofighter, comprising 37 aircraft, was not likely to be acquired, which would result in 

one Eurofighter wing less.76 On the positive side, all of the remaining frontline wings were planned to be used more flexibly in both 

the air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.77

Moreover, after the removal of Hawk and Roland units, three 

SAM wings equipped with 24 Patriot systems form a SAM nucleus 

in the context of Air Force Structure 6.78 Despite the partial reversal of the 2003 reform, White Paper 2006 affirms the foundations of Air Force Structure 6.79

Table 3. Flying wings within Air Force Structure 6 (GAF)

Unit 2006 Future

51st RW Tornado Tornado

32d FBW Tornado ECR, SEAD Tornado ECR, SEAD

33d FBW Tornado (LGB, Taurus) Eurofighter (LGB, Taurus)

31st FBW Tornado (LGB) Eurofighter (LGB, Taurus)

71st FW F-4F Phantom Eurofighter

74th FW F-4F Phantom Eurofighter

73d FW F-4F Phantom Eurofighter (training unit)

Source: Lt Col (GS) Nicolas Radke, GAF, MOD, Bonn, Germany, to the author, e-mail, 28 November 2006.

To comply with the political goal of enhancing military power 

projection capacities, the GAF is amongst others acquiring new 

capabilities such as AAR, strategic air mobility, and a deployable 
GERMAN Air Force │ 165

airspace surveillance capability.80 Particularly, the tactical air control units, till 2005 only concerned with home and alliance defence, are to be modernised and developed into a state-of-the-art 

tactical air command and control service with a mobile component.81 Since the GAF’s projection capability significantly hinges 

upon materiel in order to cover the new mission spectrum, full 

adoption of Air Force Structure 6 will only be completed with the 

introduction of planned systems.82

Professional personnel are a further key criterion for expeditionary armed forces. Despite general conscription and the resulting difficulties in deploying troops, the problem does not seem as 

serious for the GAF as for the German Army. In the time span 

from 1990 to 2002, the percentage of professionals has increased 

from 65.5 per cent to 76 per cent.83

German Reunification and Its Impact upon the German Air 

Force. On 3 October 1990, the two Germanies were reunified. The 

West German Air Force was subsequently tasked to disband the 

East German Air Force and to integrate the remaining parts, 

which were unified in a single AD. The establishment of the 5th 

AD allowed for a smooth integration. Against the backdrop of Air 

Force Structure 4, the original 3dAD in West Germany was disbanded, and the 5th AD in the East was renamed 3d AD in early 

1994. The headquarters of the newly formed 3d AD was relocated 

to Gatow, a former RAF air base in West Berlin. The 5th AD was 

initially equipped with systems of the East German Air Force, including MiG-29s, SAM systems, and helicopters of Soviet provenance. Its structure encompassed two GBAD wings, a supply regiment, a helicopter unit, and a MiG-29 wing, later to be augmented 

by West German F-4 Phantoms. With the transition to Air Force 

Structure 4, the formerly East German SAM systems were replaced 

by Hawk and Patriot systems, and the Recce Wing 51 was transferred to the newly established 3d AD.84 On 1 January 1995, the 

operational units in former East Germany were allocated to NATO 

and became thereafter part of NATO’s integrated air defence.85

The disbandment of the East German Air Force required the 

scrapping of the main bulk of its weapons systems, as they could 

hardly be used in a Western defence concept.86 At the end of the 

Cold War, the East German armed forces had an overall strength 

of 767 aircraft from all services, both fixed and rotary wing.87
166 │ GERMAN Air Force

Amongst the systems that continued to be operated, 24 MiG-29s 

and three Airbus A310s were the most prominent ones.88 The latter actually represented a milestone step for the GAF and formed 

the nucleus for the GAF’s current Airbus fleet.89 Throughout the 

1990s, the MiG-29s were sought-after sparring partners for allied 

air forces.90

In early 1990, the East German military hoped that there would 

be separate armed forces on the former East German territory, 

which would not be integrated into an alliance system. Highranking East German officers thus supported the so-called theory 

of two armed forces in a reunified Germany.91 However, shortly 

prior to the reunification of Germany, on 28 September 1990, the 

remaining generals and admirals of the East German armed forces 

were made redundant by the last government of the German 

Democratic Republic.92 Being too closely entangled with the former socialist regime, they were not offered a second chance.93 The 

directives by West German defence minister Gerhard Stoltenberg 

were unambiguous. The armed forces of a reunified Germany 

were to be structured according to the example of the West German armed forces, both in form and attitude.94

On 3 October 1990, the reunified German armed forces 

reached a strength of 620,000 personnel. According to the results of the 2 plus 4 negotiations, this number had to be reduced 

to 370,000 by 1994, with originally 82,400 airmen planned. In 

light of these reductions, former East German personnel were 

integrated according to requirements.95 In 1989 the peacetime 

strength of the East German Air Force amounted to 34,600. In 

September 1990, the strength had shrunk to approximately 

18,000. These reductions were due to a number of reasons. For 

instance, conscripts no longer turned up for national service, or 

others did not want to collaborate with the former enemy. In the 

wake of reunification, numbers continued to shrink steadily. 

Many left the armed forces on their own initiative, some were 

not deemed suitable for Western standards, and others had to 

leave because of their involvement in the former East German 

internal security apparatus.96 All airmen that aspired to be reemployed by the GAF had to undergo a screening that lasted up to 

two years.97 A total of 2,500 (mostly officers) filed an application 
GERMAN Air Force │ 167

for full employment in the GAF. Of these, 1,000 were employed 

as officers and 500 as non-commissioned officers.98

Particular problems were the relatively large number of officers 

and the lower qualifications. Compared with West German standards, for instance, many East German officers accomplished tasks 

that did not require a commission.99 The different career structures caused many reemployed officers to be degraded in rank.100

By removing the highest ranking officers and thoroughly screening the remaining officers, a discontinuity was achieved in East 

Germany, and any vestiges of the former regime were eradicated.

In terms of required resources, the integration of the remaining 

parts of the East German Air Force cannot be accurately quantified as there were many overlying factors, such as the so-called 

peace dividend or overall reunification costs that led to significant 

reductions in defence resources at the time. As a result, the acquisition of new material had to be significantly delayed or numbers 

reduced.101 These developments are examined in the section on 

procurement (maintaining a relevant air force).

Emphasis upon Air Power. According to a 1987 RAND study, 

the services’ shares of West Germany’s procurement budget had 

been divided according to a rather rigid split of 50:30:20 for the 

Army, Air Force, and Navy, respectively.102 No exact figures for 

single-service budget allocations are available for the post–Cold 

War era, as the defence budget is centrally administered by the 

department of finance of the MOD without explicit reference to 

the services. According to a 1999 assessment by the chief of the 

Air Staff, roughly 29 per cent of the overall defence budget could 

be considered as the share for the Air Force, which is basically in 

line with Cold War budget allocations.103 Though this represents a 

share which is slightly less than a third, it has to be noted that, as 

in other nations, German air power is not confined to the Air 

Force alone. Both the Army and the Navy have been operating a 

significant number of air assets.

In the early 1990s, prior to the unification of the German armed 

forces, the West German Army operated 750 helicopters, including 108 heavy CH-53G transport helicopters, and a significant 

amount of MANPADS and air-defence guns, including over 430 

self-propelled, radar-guided Gepard systems as well as 143 Roland SAM systems. German naval aviation consisted of 104 Tor-
168 │ GERMAN Air Force

nado combat aircraft; around 40 fixed-wing aircraft for SIGINT, 

maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), and liaison 

purposes; and 19 Sea Lynx and 22 Sea King helicopters.104 In 2002 

these numbers had been reduced but nevertheless remained significant. Army aviation still encompassed 566 helicopters. Along 

with a considerable number of air-defence guns and MANPADS, 

143 Roland SAM systems and 380 Gepard systems were still in the 

service of the German Army. The Navy operated 43 helicopters 

and 66 Tornado aircraft, amongst others.105

It can be concluded that the defence budget allocation to air 

power in general has been significantly more than the one-third 

assigned to the GAF. In the period from 2007 onwards, this share 

is growing, as the Eurofighter and A400M programmes are expected to consume a significant percentage of the overall materiel 

acquisition funds.106 The Eurofighter has become the most expensive programme of the German armed forces.107 It is evident that 

German decision makers perceive air power to be an effective military instrument and that the even share placed upon air power 

reflects German emphasis upon jointness.

Alliance Context

Germany’s postwar armed forces were not conceived as an instrument of autonomous statecraft but as forces hinging upon allied command structures. During the Cold War, German armed 

forces—with the exception of a few territorial Army units—could 

only accomplish their mission within the NATO chain of command. Air defence forces were already during peacetime assigned 

to the NATO commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe.108

Germany thus deliberately transferred sovereignty on the use of 

military force to NATO. With the Cold War over and the country 

reunited, Germany did not depart from this defence policy orientation. It not only insisted on integration into the Western Alliance system but also added a new emphasis upon European integration.109 These political paradigms were underlined by the 1992 

Defence Policy Guidelines and by the 1994 Defence White Book. 

The former identified European integration, including a European 

defence identity, as well as the partnership with the United States 

and the significant American military presence in Europe as vital 

German interests.110 The latter stated that the challenges of the 
GERMAN Air Force │ 169

new era could only be tackled by a transnational and cooperative 

approach and that Germany would only act in cooperation with 

allies and partners.111

Given this emphasis upon multilateralism, German decision 

makers have put a premium upon synergies between international 

institutions, particularly between NATO and an emerging European defence pillar within the EU.112 In the early 1990s, Germany, 

together with France, was the main promoter of European integration and the establishment of a Common Foreign and Security 

Policy. The strengthening of the security and defence political dimension of the EU, however, conflicted with Germany’s interest to 

preserve a strong transatlantic alliance and to secure involvement 

by the United States in Europe. As a consequence, German politicians have continued to emphasise that they regard genuine European military capabilities as a complement to NATO and not as a 

substitute and that strengthened European defence structures 

would offer the prospect of a truly transatlantic partnership.113

This fundamental view also remained unscathed by tensions in 

the course of the Iraq crisis. The 2003 Defence Policy Guidelines

unambiguously stated that NATO membership was deemed the 

cornerstone of German security and that the United States would 

remain indispensable to European security.114 Hence, Germany’s 

opposition to the war in Iraq could not be seen as a signal of Berlin’s adherence to a Franco-German project of creating a counterweight to American hegemony in the field of defence policy.115 On 

the contrary, the Federal Republic has perceived itself as one of 

the staunchest advocates of American involvement in European 

security. However, German perception of American-German relations has been continuously shifting “from a relationship based 

on acceptance of American leadership towards one of collaboration amongst equal partners.”116

Though Germany has been a strong proponent of European defence initiatives and provided France with important leverage on 

crucial issues, Berlin’s unequivocal support for NATO has often 

led to disappointment in Paris. A major foreign policy dilemma 

has been how to comply simultaneously with French and American 

demands. In critical decisions, Germany has tended to tilt in favour of NATO and thus of the United States’ position. In the mid1990s, Germany, for instance, did not support the French proposal 
170 │ GERMAN Air Force

for a European commander heading AFSOUTH in Naples.117 In 

this sense, the 2003 Defence Policy Guidelines restated that the 

ESDP continued to be complementary with—and was not a supplant for—NATO and the transatlantic partnership, a view that 

was not compatible with France’s position.118 The White Paper 

2006 was even more explicit: “The transatlantic partnership remains the bedrock of common security for Germany and Europe. 

It is the backbone of the North Atlantic Alliance, which in turn is 

the cornerstone of German security and defence policy.”119 As 

such, it implicitly tended to relegate the ESDP to operations requiring joint civilian and military efforts, a position that is not 

fully reconcilable with France’s position.120

By reiterating essential aspects of the 1992 Defence Policy 

Guidelines and the 1994 Defence White Book, the 2003 Defence 

Policy Guidelines and White Paper 2006 gave German alliance 

policy continuity. The former confirmed that, with the exception 

of evacuation and rescue missions, Germany would only act 

multinationally and that national defence policy remained determined by European integration and the transatlantic partnership.121 Three years later, White Paper 2006 stated that “Germany 

is committed to active multilateralism. . . . Germany therefore 

safeguards its security interests primarily in international and 

supranational institutions.”122

By deferring sovereignty to supranational institutions, Germany has sought throughout the post–Cold War era to remain a 

relevant international actor in defence policy and to obtain maximum leverage.

Alliance Policy and Its Impact upon the German Air Force

In line with Germany’s alliance policy, the GAF has remained 

closely integrated into supranational military structures throughout the post–Cold War era. While it has always put a premium 

upon integration into NATO and a close relationship with the 

USAF, particularly in the field of training, the GAF also became a 

main driver for integrating European air power. Hence, German 

multilateralism on a strategic level has been carried right down to 

the military operational level.

ESDP Context. The 2003 Defence Policy Guidelines stated that 

assets reported to NATO and the EU would be available to both 
GERMAN Air Force │ 171

organisations.123 Similarly to France, Germany was supposed to 

provide approximately 20 per cent of the air assets for potential 

EU operations, amounting to approximately 80 combat aircraft 

with corresponding support aircraft.124 Yet, against the backdrop 

of logistics shortfalls and a very limited number of tanker aircraft, the number of aircraft theoretically put at the disposal of 

the EU was too ambitious, particularly when deploying to distant theatres.

As was explained earlier, the GAF, together with the FAF, was 

crucial in developing the EU Air RRC. Pending implementation 

of the EU RRAI, lead nations of a particular EU battle group were 

responsible for the various force enablers. For 2007, for instance, 

the GAF envisaged supporting the potential deployment of a 

German-led battle group with four Tornados for precision ground 

attack, four reconnaissance Tornados, two C-160 Transalls, four 

UH-1D helicopters for intratheatre airlift, and two A310s—one a 

multirole transport (MRT) and the other an MRTT—for medical 

evacuation and air-to-air refuelling.125

Along with these initiatives, Germany has been involved in biand multilateral projects that have the potential for a European 

dimension. As such, EU Headline Goal 2010 explicitly mentions a 

proposal for a Franco-German air transport.126 These initiatives 

are reviewed below.

NATO Context. During the Cold War, the GAF was closely integrated into the Western Alliance. Air defence forces were subordinated to the NATO command and control structure, and ofCourtesy GAF; photo by Stefan Gygas

Eurofighter Typhoon, the GAF’s latest combat aircraft
172 │ GERMAN Air Force

fensive combat aircraft wings would have been subordinated in 

case of defence.127 This emphasis upon NATO continued into the 

post–Cold War era. German fighter-bombers have further been 

assigned to the task of delivering American nuclear weapons in 

case of alliance defence. In compliance with the 2 plus 4 Treaty, 

however, no aircraft earmarked for the nuclear role have been stationed in eastern Germany.128

Furthermore, the GAF’s command structure has remained 

closely linked to that of NATO. In the 1990s, harmonisation between the structures was achieved particularly through collocation of the Air Force Commands North and South with NATO 

CAOCs. German general officers who headed these regional commands simultaneously became commanders of the respective 

NATO CAOC.129 Through these CAOCs—at first interim CAOCs 

due to technical deficiencies—allied air forces were in 1994 for the 

first time directly led by German generals.130 In addition, the German general officer in charge of Air Force Command North also 

headed the multinational Reaction Forces Air Staff (RFAS).131 This 

staff was established in 1995 for the planning and coordination of 

allied out-of-area air operations in support of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE).132 The NATO Airborne Early 

Warning and Control Force also provided the GAF with a highranking NATO command post. On a rotational basis, it has been 

commanded either by a USAF or a GAF major general.133

As was noted, with the transition to Air Force Structure 5, the 

GAF Air Operations Command was established. This command 

regularly assigns five to 10 German planning officers to the 

NATO Response Force CJFAC headquarters. For NRF 11/2 and 

12/1 during the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2012, 

respectively, Germany and France are intended to be in charge of 

the air component. As such, the GAF Air Operations Command 

is supposed to provide the core of the CJFAC headquarters—

amounting to 150 personnel—and to be in command of the NRF 

11/2 air component.134

The GAF intends to make a permanent contribution to NRF 

rotation cycles. For the time being, bottlenecks in logistics, however, do not allow for two simultaneous major contributions from 

both the Army and the Air Force. Through the provision of scarce 
GERMAN Air Force │ 173

assets such as TBMD units, dedicated SEAD Tornados, and airlaunched cruise missiles, the GAF aspires to gain visibility.135

Moreover, the setting up of NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre was a GAF initiative. It was the German Air Staff that 

identified the need for a common centre of excellence to provide 

subject matter expertise on allied air power concepts and doctrine.136 On 16 December 2002, these views were officially outlined. Henceforth, Germany acted as the lead nation in setting up 

the JAPCC, which became operational in early 2005 and basically 

took over the infrastructure of the RFAS that was disbanded on 31 

December 2004.137

Bilateral and Multilateral Organisational Relationships. In 

1995–96, a Franco-German airlift exchange system was created.138

Such initiatives had already been motivated by the 1994 Defence 

White Book that emphasised international cooperation in logistics 

and training. Cooperation was expected both to reduce costs and 

facilitate common standards and interoperability.139 In the late 

1990s, German defence minister Scharping particularly supported 

the setting up of a common European airlift command to partially 

remedy European shortcomings highlighted in the context of 

NATO’s Defence Capabilities Initiative and the European Headline Goal.140 At the Franco-German summit in November 1999, 

France and Germany declared their intention to transform their 

cooperation in the field of military airlift into the European Air 

Transport Command. The setting up of the EATC has been pursued in an evolutionary way so far. An EAG airlift study laid the 

foundation for the European Airlift Coordination Cell in Eindhoven, 

Netherlands, which was further developed into the European Airlift Centre.141 Unlike other European states, for which transferring 

national sovereignty into a multilateral framework is a more sensitive issue, Germany would have been prepared to transfer national authority in the field of airlift immediately and to set up 

directly an independent EATC.142

At the Tervuren Summit on 29 April 2003, Germany, France, 

Belgium, and Luxembourg confirmed the EATC initiative.143 Finally, in May 2007, an agreement between Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands was signed to establish the EATC, and 

in February 2010, the defence ministers of the four countries declared that the multinational command, headed by a GAF major 
174 │ GERMAN Air Force

general, begin operations in Eindhoven in the second half of 

2010.144 Accordingly, the national German Air Transport Command was disbanded in July 2010.145 Germany and France, the 

two EATC initiative nations, put the majority of their airlift assets 

under the authority of the EATC. Exceptions are AAR, special 

ops, CSAR, VIP transport, and medevac. Planning and execution 

is delegated to the EATC. In relation to the Movement Coordination Centre Europe, the EATC is at the same level as a national 

air transport command.146 When the EAC was disbanded on 

1 July 2007 and merged with the Sealift Coordination Centre into 

the MCCE, some EAC personnel were transferred into the EATC 

implementation team.147

Germany was also a key player in the establishment of the Strategic Airlift Interim Solution, available to both NATO and the 

EU.148 Since early 2006, two Antonov An-124-100 heavy transport 

aircraft are permanently stationed at the German airport LeipzigHalle to fill the European strategic airlift gap pending arrival of 

the A400M aircraft.149

Another traditional field for cooperation has been training. Since 

its early days, the GAF has had a tradition of conducting pilot training in an international environment through bilateral and multilateral agreements. In the mid-1950s, the GAF basically had to be 

built up from scratch. As only a minority of the pilots were WWII 

veterans, many pilots were trained in the United States and in the 

United Kingdom.150 In the post–Cold War era, basic jet training of 

GAF pilots continued to take place in a multinational environment 

at Sheppard AFB, Texas. Moreover, German weapon system officers 

are trained together with their US Navy counterparts at the naval 

air station in Pensacola, Florida, and German SAM crews alongside 

their US Army counterparts at Fort Bliss, Texas.151 For low-level 

flight training, cooperation was also sought with Canada. From 

1980 up to 2005, Tornado, Phantom, and Transall crews were training in Goose Bay, Canada. With decreasing importance of low-level 

flights in modern air operations, however, the GAF did not extend 

its agreement with the Canadians.152

Early on, the GAF also built up close partnerships in Europe, 

particularly with the Italian Air Force. Since 1959 both air forces 

have used the Decimomannu Air Base in Sardinia for aerial 

combat training.153 A significant step in European training coop-
GERMAN Air Force │ 175

eration was the establishment of the Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment at Cottesmore, UK, in 1979. This cooperation 

was particularly aimed at achieving standardisation and interoperability amongst European Tornado operators. Divergence in 

national midlife updates, however, made the operation of a common fleet of training aircraft impracticable in the late 1990s.154

After the trilateral arrangement for Tornado training ceased 

in March 1999, the GAF transferred basic weapon systems training and advanced training on the Tornado to Holloman AFB, 

New Mexico.155 Until December 2004, when the F-4F training 

squadron was disbanded, the training of German Phantom 

crews was collocated at Holloman AFB.156 With these steps, the 

GAF centralised the entire basic training of German F-4F and 

Tornado crews in the United States.157

Almost simultaneously with this increasing involvement in 

the United States, the GAF became a member of the EAG on 12 

July 1999, a step that has fostered European standardisation 

and interoperability.158

Cooperation on an Operational Level. Besides combined air 

operations, examined in the following section, the GAF has deepened its international expertise through participation in integrated exercises, particularly the Flag exercises in the United 

States and in Canada. GAF participation at Red Flag started in 

1989. In the ensuing years, the GAF, with its MiG-29s, became a 

sought-after training partner.159

In 1995 the GAF itself established an annual integrated and 

combined air exercise in Germany, called ELITE (Electronic Warfare Live Training Exercise). Not only flying units benefit from 

this integrated exercise but also German SAM units. Apart from 

Exercise ELITE, German SAM units have regularly participated in 

the annual exercise Roving Sands in Texas and New Mexico and 

in the Dutch exercise series Joint Project Optic Windmill.160

How Has the German Air Force Responded 

to the Challenges of Real Operations?

During the Cold War, the German armed forces were involved 

in a number of humanitarian operations to alleviate the effects of 
176 │ GERMAN Air Force

natural disasters. Planning and conduct of these operations were 

assigned to a particular service, mostly the Air Force.161 Germany 

also supported the United Nations financially and logistically. In 

1973, for instance, GAF units airlifted Nepalese troops to Lebanon. Operations of a predominantly military nature, however, 

were confined to NATO territory. Despite self-imposed restrictions on the use of military force, international expectations for a 

more solid German participation in international burden sharing 

had grown since the Federal Republic’s accession to the UN in 

1973.162 In 1987, for the first time since the end of WWII, Germany was asked by its allies to deploy naval units to the Persian 

Gulf to protect international shipping. The Federal Republic, however, was opposed to out-of-area actions for basically four reasons. 

First, the German constitution was deemed not to provide a foundation for this kind of operation. Second, there was widespread 

concern that West German interventionism might cut off all 

contacts with Eastern Europe. Third, it was UN Security Council 

policy not to dispatch troops of divided countries such as Germany and Korea, and, finally, Germany’s historical legacy exerted 

enormous restraint internally upon any form of military action.163

Thus, a policy of gradual steps was pursued in the post–Cold War 

era, and the GAF became only incrementally involved in combat 

operations.

German Contributions to Western Air Campaigns

In the midst of the reunification process, German decision 

makers found themselves confronted with the occupation of Kuwait and its broader international consequences. For constitutional reasons, and more importantly because a German military 

deployment to the Gulf could have provoked the Soviet Union to 

put German reunification on hold, military participation in the 

American-led coalition was ruled out. Furthermore, more than 

two-thirds of the population was against any military involvement. 

Germany’s contribution to the Gulf War finally turned out to be a 

significant financial support.164 Whilst the Federal Republic did 

not get directly involved in Operation Desert Storm, it was asked 

by NATO to support Turkey against potential Iraqi incursions. 

Only after some hesitations did Germany finally agree to dispatch 

18 Alpha Jets. The United States and Turkey were not pleased by 
GERMAN Air Force │ 177

Germany’s lukewarm response to the request. Later on, Germany 

reinforced its deployment by sending 11 air defence batteries.165

Germany’s and the GAF’s reactions to Desert Storm can be 

characterised by discomfort, both politically and militarily. Uneasiness with offensive air power doctrine in deployed operations 

led to a heated political debate regarding the proper interpretation 

of the German constitution, as is examined in the following pages. 

Militarily, uneasiness with offensive air power doctrine—as demonstrated during Desert Storm—led to a gap in doctrinal thought 

throughout the 1990s. The GAF published its first air power doctrine on 22 March 1991, immediately after Desert Storm. Yet it 

was still firmly embedded in a Cold War setting, and no reference 

was made to the revolutionary developments of Desert Storm. 

Unlike in the case of the RAF, no successful attempt at revising the 

doctrine was made to reflect the lessons of Desert Storm. This 

doctrinal gap was mirrored in a lack of a broader doctrinal debate 

in the form of publications, as is analysed further below. In terms 

of equipment, particularly in the area of precision-guided air-toground munitions, the GAF started to implement the lessons of 

Desert Storm only belatedly. At the time of Allied Force in 1999, 

there were still no LGB-capable German Tornados available. This 

can be related to two further issues: a strained budget situation in 

the wake of German reunification and the main defensive mission 

of the German armed forces. As regards the former, the 1994 Defence White Book announced that any major equipment programmes for the main defence forces would be deferred to the 

period after 2000. As regards the latter, Russia’s military potential 

remained a significant factor in Germany’s threat perception 

throughout the 1990s. Accordingly, territorial defence continued 

to be the constitutional bedrock for the German armed forces and 

determined their size and structure. This, in turn, led to a continuation of Cold War concepts. For instance, unlike the RAF, which 

disposed of its submunitions dispenser system partly as a consequence of Desert Storm, the GAF retained its equivalent system as 

the main armament of its Tornado fleet throughout the 1990s, as 

is analysed further below.

From October 1992, German AWACS personnel contributed to 

the airspace surveillance of the no-fly zone over Bosnia.166 Whilst 

this represented the only German contribution to Operation Deny 
178 │ GERMAN Air Force

Flight, it nevertheless aroused staunch political opposition.167 The 

junior government party as well as the major opposition party appealed to the Federal Constitutional Court.168 There was disagreement principally on how to interpret Article 24, paragraph 2, of 

the constitution. The specific article stated that the German Federation could participate in collective security systems for the 

preservation of peace.169 Up to that point, this article had been 

considered to limit combat operations to collective territorial alliance defence. On 8 April 1994, the court declared that German 

participation in Deny Flight did not violate the constitution.170

Hence, with the reestablishment of full German sovereignty and 

in light of NATO’s first deployed combat operations, a flexible interpretation of the article was deemed appropriate. The main answer of the court as of 12 July 1994 stated that the Federal Republic could assume full responsibility as a member of a collective 

security system, including armed out-of-area operations. Yet, the 

court added that for such operations, parliamentary approval was 

a prerequisite.171 This development allowed the GAF to be employed in militarily robust operations beyond alliance territory.

While the verdict of the Federal Constitutional Court did not 

explicitly consider a UN mandate a precondition, it was commonly assumed that a UN mandate would lay the foundation of 

any German military intervention, as had been the case so far. 

Despite this new interpretation of the German constitution, the 

foreign and defence ministers made it clear at the time that Germany would continue to adhere to a policy of restraint and that 

missions outside of Europe would remain an exception.172

In the course of Operation Deny Flight, particularly in late 

1994, pressure upon German decision makers to make a more robust contribution grew. NATO authorities regarded German Tornado ECRs, especially conceived for the SEAD role, as valuable 

assets for ongoing operations. Despite the recent verdict by the 

constitutional court, German decision makers proved reluctant to 

respond immediately to any external requests and preferred to 

pursue the accustomed policy of self-imposed restraint.173

Finally on 30 June 1995, the German parliament voted in favour of a more robust military commitment in the context of the 

Bosnian civil war. The core of the German contribution encompassed eight Tornado ECR and six reconnaissance Tornado air-
GERMAN Air Force │ 179

craft.174 A deployment of combat troops was ruled out on the 

grounds of Germany’s historical legacy. Moreover, nationally imposed rules of engagement provided a very narrow margin for 

German aircraft to operate in. Their employment was restricted to 

supporting defensive actions of the multinational RRF, which had 

only recently been inserted to protect UNPROFOR’s potential 

withdrawal. As a consequence, German Tornado aircraft were not 

entitled to directly participate in UN mandated air campaigns 

such as Deny Flight.175

At the request of the RRF, GAF Tornados flew their first reconnaissance mission against the backdrop of Operation Deliberate 

Force on 1 September 1995. Approval by the German MOD was a 

prerequisite.176 While the alliance could not directly draw upon 

German SEAD aircraft for Operation Deliberate Force, it was argued that the mere presence of German Tornado ECR aircraft inhibited hostile SAM activity.177

Up to this moment, German Tornado crews had not been exposed to real operations. Yet, this lack of experience was effectively compensated for by GAF participation in integrated exercises such as Red Flag or Maple Flag. The deployed Tornados were 

also specifically optimised for operations over the Balkans, 

which—despite German political caveats—provided the GAF 

with leverage amongst its allies.178 Moreover, officers of the former 

East German Air Force provided a unique insight into Soviet procedures that the Bosnian Serb SAM crews employed.179

Subsequent to the air campaign, the German Tornado contingent was put at the disposal of the Implementation Force (IFOR) 

with the particular purpose of surveying SAM activity as well as 

the disentanglement of hostile troops. Alongside the Tornado aircraft, the GAF provided 12 C-160 Transalls.180

Events in the Balkans, particularly the massacre of Srebrenica, 

proved to have a considerable impact upon German public opinion and the political decision-making process in the medium 

term. The slogan “never war again from German soil” was replaced by the slogan “never Auschwitz again, never Srebrenica 

again.” Accordingly, public support for German participation in 

IFOR was robust. However, this shift in public opinion did not yet 

embrace classical combat operations.181
180 │ GERMAN Air Force

At the end of the 1990s, the Kosovo crisis confronted the Federal Republic with the dilemma of contributing to an allied air 

campaign against the backdrop of a humanitarian disaster, but 

without a UN mandate. German decision makers eventually argued in favour of participating militarily.182 The German contingent contained 10 Tornado ECRs and four reconnaissance Tornados after the decision on 16 April 1999 to withdraw two 

reconnaissance Tornados and to supplant them with two Tornado 

ECRs.183 German combat aircraft accounted for 1.37 per cent of 

the allied aircraft fleet, which in the course of the campaign was 

increased to 1,022 assets, or 1.33 per cent of allied sorties.184

Nevertheless, German Tornados released a significant number of 

HARM missiles—236 out of a total of 743 expended throughout 

the entire campaign.185

Though the military significance of the German contribution 

was limited, the political significance was more important. For 

the first time, the GAF participated as an “equal partner” in a 

peace-enforcement operation.186 With regard to German public 

opinion, support amounted to slightly less than two-thirds and 

remained stable throughout the air campaign. Any potential employment of ground forces in a high-intensity scenario was, 

however, clearly declined.187

Courtesy GAF; photo by Herbert Albring

Recce Wing 51 reconnaissance Tornado in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
GERMAN Air Force │ 181

Germany’s participation in Allied Force, which pursued clear-cut 

humanitarian goals, did not mean that German politicians would in 

the future easily participate in any allied air campaign. As such, the 

GAF’s contribution to Enduring Freedom was relegated to NATO 

AWACS aircraft deployments to the United States and to military 

airlift in support of deployed naval, Army, and special forces units 

as well as of allies.188 Though the GAF played a vital role in the running of Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan, as described in 

the following section, the German Parliament decided to dispatch 

reconnaissance Tornados to Afghanistan in support of the ISAF 

only in early 2007.189 Three newly acquired Heron-type MALE 

RPAs reinforced the six Tornados in early 2010.190 These Tornado 

aircraft were deployed back to Germany in late 2010.191

Against the backdrop of Operation Iraqi Freedom, German 

crews manning NATO AWACS aircraft patrolling Turkish airspace in early 2003 again aroused sensitive political debates. In 

May 2008, the Federal Constitutional Court concluded that those 

missions would have actually required parliamentary consent, as 

they did not represent routine missions.192

Though Germany pursued an evolving path throughout the 

1990s, which finally culminated in the GAF’s participation in Allied Force, the main emphasis of Germany’s military contribution 

has remained upon stabilization operations.193 Despite Germany’s 

strong commitment to the NRF and the EU battle groups in recent years, it is unlikely that German decision makers will commit 

combat forces if a humanitarian purpose is not obvious. Moreover, sensitive political debates and the need for parliamentary 

consent might inhibit German participation in multinational 

rapid reaction formations. The prerequisite of support by a broad 

parliamentary majority for armed operations was formalised in 

March 2005, when the so-called Parliamentary Participation Act 

came into effect.194

Humanitarian Operations and Troop Deployments

In the post–Cold War era, airlift missions continued to be the 

GAF’s main contributions to out-of-area operations. In the immediate aftermath of Desert Storm, the German armed forces embarked with approximately 2,000 troops upon their most comprehensive humanitarian operation thus far in the Iranian-Turkish 
182 │ GERMAN Air Force

border area.195 The operation included the establishment of an 

intratheatre air bridge which was run by GAF and German Army 

aviation units.196 Almost simultaneously, two GAF C-160 Transall 

and three Army aviation CH-53 helicopters were deployed to 

Bahrain and Iraq to support the UNSCOM in Iraq.197

The year after, it was decided that GAF transport aircraft were 

to participate in humanitarian missions both in Bosnia and Somalia.198 In August 1992, two C-160 Transalls were dispatched to 

Kenya and participated in an airlift effort to relieve Somalia’s 

capital of Mogadishu. With the arrival of a German logistics battalion in mid-1993 in Somalia, the GAF transferred its base from 

Kenya to Djibouti.199

Simultaneously, from 4 July 1992, two GAF Transalls participated in the international air bridge to Sarajevo.200 For the first 

time since WWII, German transport aircraft were exposed to a 

constant GBAD threat, giving this mission an entirely new quality. 

Aircraft had to be fitted immediately with a self-protection suite 

and additional armour.201 Nevertheless, these measures could not 

prevent a German Transall from being damaged by GBAD in February 1993.202 Despite the fact that German aircraft were shot at 

several more times, the GAF was, alongside the USAF, the RAF, 

the FAF, and the Canadian Air Force, the only air force that constantly contributed to the air bridge to Sarajevo.203 Furthermore, 

GAF Transalls air-dropped relief supplies in Eastern Bosnia together with American C-130 Hercules and French C-160 Transalls from 28 March 1993 to 19 August 1994. The missions had to 

be flown at night and entailed a significant exposure to Bosnian 

Serb GBAD.204

GAF transport aircraft and helicopters were also involved in 

various other humanitarian operations such as in Iran (1990), 

Rwanda (1994), and Mozambique (2000), which had been seriously devastated by floods.205 From October 1999 to February 

2000, two German Transalls, configured as medevac aircraft, 

made it as far as Darwin in northern Australia when Germany 

received a request from the UN to evacuate wounded from crisistorn East Timor.206 Medevac as such has become one of the 

GAF’s specialities.207

GAF transport aircraft proved indispensable not only for humanitarian missions but also for the deployment and resupply of 
GERMAN Air Force │ 183

German contingents. Airlift shuttles between Germany and the 

Balkans and, since 2002, between Germany and Afghanistan have 

benefited both the German armed forces as well as Germany’s allies. Furthermore, in Operation Artemis in mid-2003, German 

aircraft transported 300 tons of materiel to Uganda, and in late 

2004, the GAF deployed troops of the African Union to Sudan.208

Courtesy GAF; photo by Helge Treybig

GAF Airbus A310 supporting the African Union’s mission to Darfur, Sudan

The Federal Republic’s participation in ISAF operations put one 

of the highest demands upon GAF airlift capacities, revealing significant shortfalls in the GAF’s airlift capacities. Ukrainian and 

Russian transport aircraft had to be chartered in the initial phase 

(as described in the section on air mobility). Nevertheless, the 

GAF finally managed to establish an air bridge to Kabul in early 

2002. It ran from Cologne through Termez Airport in Uzbekistan 

to Kabul. Whereas for the first leg Airbus A310s were used, the 

second leg was served by C-160 Transall aircraft, which were 

equipped with self-protection suites. At Termez Airport in Uzbekistan, a German base was established that hosted up to seven 

C-160s, one of them configured as a medevac aircraft. This route 

became an important lifeline not only for the German but also for 

the entire ISAF contingent. Furthermore, from February 2003 till 
184 │ GERMAN Air Force

June 2004, the GAF was responsible for the running of Kabul 

International Airport. What originally was supposed to be a sixmonth assignment ended as a 15-month assignment, as no other 

nation was prepared to take on the succession.209 As of 2010, GAF 

C-160 Transalls were providing significant airlift support for the 

ISAF, operating out of Mazar-i-Sharif.210

In 2006 the German armed forces played a significant role in 

Operation EUFOR in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After 

Operation Artemis in 2003, EUFOR was the second autonomous 

military operation of the European Union in Africa, which aimed 

at providing security during the elections in conjunction with 

other civilian crisis management cells of the EU. With a German 

general in charge of the conduct of the operation and the Operations Command in Potsdam serving as the operations headquarters, the GAF and the German Army deployed airlift assets, including heavy CH-53 helicopters and C-160 Transalls.211

Air Policing and Subsidiary Tasks

Since 19 November 1990, with the reestablishment of full German sovereignty, GAF fighter aircraft and tactical air control units 

have been assigned with air policing, requiring constantly available resources. To draw upon NATO’s C2 network and sensors, air 

policing has been conducted in the framework of the alliance’s integrated air defence. Engagement of hostile aerial vehicles, however, requires consent from German authorities.212 Prior to 11 

September, air policing procedures were strictly confined to military targets. In the immediate aftermath of the terror attacks, the 

chief of the Air Staff intensified airspace surveillance and enhanced the readiness status for air defence fighters.213 In contrast 

to military targets, the interception of civilian aircraft has to be 

conducted solely with national assets and under national command.214 Despite this restriction, German fighter aircraft can be 

supported by NATO AWACS during major events such as the 

2006 football world championship.215 Though the new importance 

of air policing was especially underlined by the 2003 Defence 

Policy Guidelines, the potential downing of a civilian aircraft led to 

intense disputes.216 On 15 February 2006, the Federal Constitutional Court issued a verdict stating that the downing of civilian 
GERMAN Air Force │ 185

airliners is not reconcilable with the constitution.217 This again 

shows the complexity of civil-military relations in Germany.

On behalf of NATO, the GAF has also regularly contributed to 

air policing over the Baltic. For this particular purpose, German 

F-4F Phantoms were for the first time dispatched to Latvia from 

30 June to 30 September 2005. Since Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia do not have adequate aircraft for this type of mission at their 

disposal, other NATO nations alternately provide a detachment of 

four fighter aircraft for a period of approximately three months.218

In September 2009, the GAF deployed its Eurofighters to the Baltic, representing the first operational deployment to involve this 

aircraft type. Since the start of the alliance mission in April 2004 

up to September 2009, 14 NATO member states provided air policing duties. As of 2009, this multinational effort was expected to 

last until around 2018.219 Besides the Baltic, the GAF started to 

contribute to NATO air policing missions over Iceland in 2010.220

Furthermore, a number of subsidiary tasks in support of civil 

authorities fall within the GAF’s responsibility. The 1994 Defence 

White Book explicitly states that the GAF gathered and forwarded 

Courtesy GAF; photo by Toni Dahmen

During floods in Germany, GAF units provided assistance and flew rescue missions. In particular, the GAF A310 medevac fleet evacuated patients from hospitals.
186 │ GERMAN Air Force

findings about environmental pollution and assisted the civilian 

SAR service.221 Particularly during the 1997 and 2002 floods in 

Germany, GAF helicopters provided assistance and flew rescue 

missions.222 In the course of the 2002 floods, Tornados were also 

tasked with reconnaissance missions, and the GAF medevac fleet 

evacuated patients from hospitals.223 Moreover, Airbus medevac 

aircraft have evacuated wounded German and European citizens 

on numerous occasions from abroad.224

How Has the German Air Force Responded 

to the New Intellectualism in Air Power 

Thinking and Doctrine?

During the second half of the Cold War, German airmen were 

particularly concerned with the GAF’s role within the Western Alliance and especially with the strategy of flexible response. With 

the end of the Cold War, there was no longer a need to ponder 

these issues. Instead, German air power thinking had to be directed towards the new challenges of the post–Cold War era. Particularly, the recent defence reforms have given German air power 

thinking a new impetus.

Air Power Doctrine

The establishment of the Air Power Centre (Luftmachtzentrum

or LMZ) represents the GAF’s most significant step in tackling 

conceptual and doctrinal aspects in the post–Cold War era. The 

centre itself is a product of the adoption of Air Force Structure 

6.225 As such, it can also be regarded as an attempt to respond to 

the requirements of military transformation. The Air Power Centre is responsible for the development of national air power doctrine, German contributions to allied air power doctrine, and concept development and experimentation.226 Moreover, as previously 

mentioned, Germany was also the lead nation in setting up the 

JAPCC, which became operational in early 2005 in Germany.

During the Cold War, the GAF did not have national basic air 

power doctrine manuals. According to a RAND study of 1986, 

such documents were believed to violate the “spirit and purpose” 

of the GAF’s integration into NATO.227 Consequently, attempts to 
GERMAN Air Force │ 187

publish a national strategic air power doctrine failed during the 

1970s and 1980s, and NATO air power doctrine documents remained the bedrock of German air power education.228 This did 

not mean, however, that the GAF did not operate according to 

distinct national doctrinal features. For instance, while the 1984 

USAF basic doctrine stated that the principal objective of each 

service is to win the battle in its specific environment, the German 

chief of the Air Staff argued in the late 1970s that there is “no independent battle on land, in the air, or on the sea.”229

Towards the late 1980s, however, supporters of a national basic 

air power doctrine grew in number.230 In March 1991, the GAF 

finally published its first Air Force service instruction, LDv 100/1, 

which corresponds to a basic doctrine document. The introduction states that LDv 100/1 complements NATO doctrine documents by elaborating on the fundamental nature of air power.231

The document itself was doctrinally still anchored in the later 

stages of the Cold War. While the role of aerial forces for alliance 

defence, particularly in the context of flexible response, is dealt 

with in depth, air power in support of peace support operations is 

not treated.232 Regarding the conduct of the air war, the document 

reveals some specific German features. It argues, for instance, that 

the primary goal is to gain a favourable air situation and not necessarily air superiority.233

In the ensuing years, the staff college in Hamburg made two 

attempts to revise LDv 100/1. Yet, these attempts did not lead to 

revised editions. This was partly due to the fact that NATO doctrine documents were considered to provide a solid basis for the 

conduct of national air operations.234 Finally in late 2005, the 

chief of the Air Staff ordered the 1991 edition to be revised.235

The ongoing reform of the German armed forces highlighted the 

need to doctrinally anchor the GAF.236 National, NATO, and EU 

documents provided the framework for the revision. Guidelines 

for the GAF’s C2 structure and air policing were principally 

drawn from national documents. For planning processes, however, the instruction strictly adhered to NATO procedures since 

the GAF had deliberately foregone implementing a national process. The revised LDv 100/1 was primarily designed for staff officer courses.237 While it was issued in April 2009, it was not released to the wider public.238
188 │ GERMAN Air Force

Teaching of Air Power Thought

The Führungsakademie (FüAk), their Armed Forces Command and Staff College, in Hamburg is the highest military educational institution of the German armed forces. Its main responsibility is the training and education of German staff officers. In 

the wake of the reconstitution of the West German armed forces, 

the FüAk was inaugurated in 1957.239 It runs a basic staff officers’ 

course as well as other courses, but the flagship of the FüAk is 

the national general/admiral staff course.240 On average, 17 per 

cent of the officer corps of the three service branches is selected 

for attending this two-year course. Education and training embrace basically five areas of study—the military within the state 

and society, the conduct and employment of armed forces, the 

German armed forces, capabilities and structures of armed 

forces, and personal leadership.241

The educational emphasis is unambiguously placed upon the 

conduct and employment of armed forces, with slightly less than 

half of the course devoted to this subject matter, which also encompasses the “conduct of aerial forces.”242 The latter is—with 

the exception of joint planning exercises—exclusively taught to 

Air Force officers and lays the foundation for air power related 

input into both national and multinational joint planning exercises. Allied Joint Publication (AJP)-5, Allied Joint Doctrine for 

Operational Planning; NATO’s Guidelines for Operational Planning; AJP-01, Allied Joint Doctrine; and NATO AJP-3.3, Joint Air 

and Space Operations Doctrine form the bedrock for air power 

education and guarantee commonality in thinking with NATO 

and other European allies. The evolution of air power education 

at the FüAk has therefore become closely interrelated with the 

revision of NATO planning processes and doctrine.243

The primary goal of air power education is to make future general staff officers understand the planning responsibility of an air 

component commander. Consistent with this goal, course participants are first familiarised with operational planning principles 

and then participate in two major planning exercises at the end of 

the module on conduct of aerial forces. While the course emphasises operational planning processes and, to a lesser degree, the 

aerospace industry, literature by air power thinkers and historians 
GERMAN Air Force │ 189

is in general not studied.244 This omission was confirmed by an 

RAF officer attending the national general staff course at the FüAk 

in the first half of the 1990s. Nevertheless, this RAF officer argued 

that the great advantage of the FüAk was that original, even maverick, thought was not obstructed. For instance, he was free to 

choose his own air power subject for study in-depth—in his case 

the “fallacy of the strategic air campaign,” for which he received 

the Clausewitz Medal.245 In the course from September 2006 to 

September 2008, a week’s seminar on air campaigns was introduced. Students primarily studied six case studies—ranging from 

the Cuban missile crisis, the Vietnam War, the Soviet-Afghan 

War, and the Falklands War to Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. 

While this seems to be an improvement, there was—in the view of 

an international course participant—still no adequate treatment 

of the theoretical aspects of air power. American air power theorists such as John Warden or Robert Pape were used as a point of 

reference, yet on a very superficial level.246

Nevertheless, depending upon personalities, the FüAk curriculum is flexible enough to allocate time for air power history and 

theory. Col John Olsen, a well-known European air power theorist from the Royal Norwegian Air Force, experienced a four-week 

air power theory and history seminar series when attending the 

FüAk from August 2003 to September 2005. His tutor had a keen 

interest in air power doctrine, theory, and history and asked Olsen 

to co-organise the seminar series. Various schools of thought 

ranging from Douhet, Marshal of the RAF Hugh Trenchard, and 

Mitchell to Warden and Pape were discussed, and air campaigns 

were accordingly examined. Yet, Olsen added a caveat, arguing 

that his course might rather represent an exception.247 Hence, it 

can be concluded that while personal attempts succeed in boosting air power history and theory in the air power studies curriculum, they have so far failed to be properly institutionalised.

The overall rather operational and technical approach to air 

power is also reflected in the general staff course dissertations and 

in other course writings. In 2005–6, dissertation topics ranged 

from European missile defence and intelligence gathering in the 

theatre of operations to multinational logistics in out-of-area operations and military use of the national airspace. Against this 
190 │ GERMAN Air Force

backdrop, topics such as effects-based operations or the challenges 

of modern conflicts are rather rare.248

Education and training at the FüAk have been influenced by 

the major reforms of the German armed forces since the end of 

the 1990s. For instance, the primary educational goal of making 

students understand the planning responsibilities of an air component commander goes hand in hand with the German armed 

forces’ thrust towards more autonomous planning responsibility, 

which became particularly apparent with the establishment of the 

GAF Air Operations Command in late 2001. Furthermore, in line 

with the reform of the German armed forces and the particular 

emphasis upon jointness, the FüAk presented in 2004 a concept 

for the reform of the staff officer courses.249 Consequently, education and training at the FüAk have to a very high degree become 

joint regarding both organisation and content.250 Along with this 

reform, teaching modules—which can be attended by staff officers 

during the remainder of their professional careers—have been introduced.251 Air power modules have so far focused on the GAF’s 

ongoing reforms.252

In line with Germany’s deep integration into NATO and the 

emerging ESDP, about a quarter of the participants on the national 

general/admiral staff course come from NATO and/or EU countries. Besides the national course, there also exists an international 

general/admiral staff course for participants from non-NATO/EU 

countries, which lasts one year. Furthermore, an American exchange officer from the USAF is integrated in the Air Force branch 

of the teaching staff, and four to eight GAF officers are annually 

sent abroad to staff colleges in France, the United Kingdom, and 

the United States.253 As in the case of France, this thrust towards 

multinational education has been complemented since 2001 by 

the Euro exercise CJEX.254 Conducted in close cooperation with 

the staff colleges of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain, 

this exercise represents a high spot at the FüAk.255

While air education at the FüAk thoroughly prepares officers 

for staff work, the teaching of the underlying theory and history of 

air power is hardly dealt with and certainly not properly institutionalised. Moreover, as of 2006, no link existed between the military historical research office in Potsdam and the FüAk with regard to teaching.256 Hence, one can make the argument that 
GERMAN Air Force │ 191

Germany’s historical legacy has led to an ahistorical approach towards air power teaching. This view was cautiously shared by a 

retired high-ranking GAF general officer who particularly highlighted the German public’s sensitivity with regard to the country’s history. Moreover, the ahistorical approach can be regarded 

a product of Innere Führung, or moral military leadership—a 

cornerstone of the German officer’s self-image. While the concept emphasises tradition and focuses on the Prussian Army reforms of the early nineteenth century, the military resistance to 

the National Socialist regime, and the history of the postwar 

German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, it implicitly blanks out 

whole segments that are particularly pertinent to the evolution 

of air power theory.257

Courtesy GAF; photo by Ingo Bicker

F-4F Phantom II from Fighter Wing 71 Richthofen getting readied for 

takeoff

Dissemination of Air Power Thought

Since the mid-1980s, the FüAk has hosted annual air power 

seminars. The circle of participants, including the chief of the Air 

Staff, has been restricted to a small number of GAF officers and 

officers from other service branches. Topics ranged from doctrinal 

issues such as air attack, through the consequences of the Helsinki 

Headline Goals for the GAF, to logistical support for out-of-area 

operations.258 In 2000 the air power seminar was held together 
192 │ GERMAN Air Force

with the first EURAC air power colloquium. The seminar particularly highlighted recent developments of the ESDP and NATO 

and their impact upon European air power.259

These days, Army and Navy officers are routinely present at the 

air power seminars, reflecting the German armed forces’ thrust 

towards jointness.260 A significant change also took place regarding content. Whereas until 2000, the primary goal of the air power 

seminars was to educate lieutenant colonels and colonels on a specific air power topic and to further air power thinking, the air 

power seminars have since become product oriented. The new focus is to make a concrete contribution to the GAF’s conceptual 

development that the Air Staff can draw upon.261 From 2002 to 

2006, topics included network-centric warfare, conduct of joint 

operations, RPAs, and the GAF’s position in relation to space.262

Regarding the dissemination of German air power thought in 

journals and books, there used to be a GAF yearbook between 

1964 and 1981. Topics ranged from weapon systems and force 

structuring to air power in light of NATO’s deterrence strategy 

and doctrinal issues, such as the meaning of depth and time for 

aerial forces.263 Furthermore, though the GAF has never published 

a journal similar to the Royal Air Force Air Power Review or Penser 

les ailes françaises, GAF officers used to pronounce their views 

during the 1980s in defence journals such as Wehrtechnik (Defence Technique), Europäische Wehrkunde (European Defence Information), or, on a more international level, NATO’s Sixteen Nations. The articles were commonly written by high-ranking GAF 

general officers as well as mid-career officers working at the MOD. 

Topics included force planning, mission priorities, air defence, 

missile defence, and joint operations.264

In the post–Cold War era, GAF officers posted at the MOD primarily voiced their views in the journal Europäische Wehrkunde, 

which was renamed Europäische Sicherheit (European Security) 

in January 1991. The emphasis of the various contributions has 

been clearly put upon force structuring, procurement, airlift, or 

air defence, and accounts of Western air campaigns in the post–

Cold War era have been rare, and very often with a predominantly technical focus, as was the case in the wake of Operation 

Desert Storm.265 Only after Operation Allied Force can the first 

true account of a modern air campaign be found in Europäische 
GERMAN Air Force │ 193

Sicherheit.

266 This is in line with Germany’s first full integration 

into a combat operation.

Almost in the same vein as the old yearbook, the GAF has had 

an annual journal published since 2002, the so-called CPM Forum. 

The publication appears alternately in English and German and 

basically provides a comprehensive survey of the adoption of new 

Air Force structures as well as the GAF’s new capabilities profile. 

But more doctrinal issues have also been dealt with recently, such 

as the GAF’s perspective upon network-centric operations.267

Regarding books on the postwar GAF, the military historical 

research office in Potsdam published in 2006 Die Luftwaffe 1950 

bis 1970 (The Air Force from 1950 to 1970), scrutinising organisation, technical aspects, and the integration into NATO.268 Up to 

the time of writing, this book represents the only major military 

historical research project on the postwar GAF. In general, there is 

no research that deals with the relationship between German 

military history and modern GAF doctrine, as was already argued 

by an American study of 1987.269 A retired high-ranking GAF 

general officer underlined that a premium had always been put 

upon discontinuing Wehrmacht (refers to the German armed 

forces of WWII) traditions. As such, German WWII history is to 

be avoided in military education as well as in air power doctrine.

How Have German Defence Planners Attempted 

to Maintain a Relevant Air Force in Light of 

Escalating Costs and Advanced Technologies?

Against the backdrop of massive unification costs, the 1992 Defence Policy Guidelines stated that any security concept had to take 

into account the strained budgetary situation.270 Moreover, there 

was a growing expectation of significant peace dividends.271 In 

light of a continuing tense budget situation, the 1994 Defence 

White Book went so far as to argue that the equipment of the main 

defence forces, then representing the bulk of the German armed 

forces, need only be modernised after 2000.272

In this context, international cooperation in major defence programmes was identified as a way to reduce costs.273 During the 

Cold War, Germany had already pursued a path towards indus-
194 │ GERMAN Air Force

trial cooperation. The most prominent example is the trilateral 

British-Italian-German Tornado aircraft programme. Though, as 

outlined previously, there was evidence that European cooperative ventures cost up to a third more than hypothetical purchases 

from US firms, the absence of a European aerospace industry 

might have exposed European air forces to US monopoly prices.

Moreover, from a German point of view, there is more to industrial cooperation than just cost savings, as it has contributed significantly to closer alliance and European relations and therefore 

has enhanced European security.274 Accordingly, all of the GAF’s 

current major procurement programmes are perceived to 

strengthen European as well as transatlantic relationships.275

Hence, NATO and EU initiatives such as NATO’s Defence Capabilities Initiative or the European Headline Goal have been considered the GAF’s principal guidelines for identifying areas of action and removing military deficits.276 In line with Germany’s 

2002–3 defence reform, force structuring has no longer been 

guided by worst-case scenarios but by most likely scenarios and 

Germany’s international commitments.277

Combat Aircraft

With the end of the Cold War and against the backdrop of 

Air Force Structure 4, entire aircraft systems were phased out 

in order to reduce costs. While the light ground-attack aircraft 

Alpha Jet as well as the reconnaissance aircraft RF-4E Phantom 

were decommissioned, the fighter aircraft F-4F Phantom and 

the Tornado were kept in service.278 Henceforth, the Tornado 

IDS (interdiction-strike) fleet was to shoulder both aerial reconnaissance and air attack.279

With German participation in real operations over Bosnia in 

1995, ad hoc upgrades for the Tornado aircraft involved became 

necessary. The earmarked aircraft were equipped with enhanced 

communication devices and GPS. Moreover, the engines were 

modified in order to increase thrust.280 In the late 1990s, the entire Tornado fleet was about to undergo various life extension 

and upgrade programmes, including improvement of avionics as 

well as the integration of a laser-designator pod for the employment of LGBs.281
GERMAN Air Force │ 195

With the upgrade programmes still under way, however, Operation Allied Force was too “early” for the GAF. While ECR and reconnaissance Tornados were ready for employment, the main bulk 

of the German Tornado fleet was not, as it could not yet deliver 

PGMs.282 Even in the case of the Tornado ECR, ad hoc improvements, such as the integration of night goggles, proved necessary.283

Against the backdrop of Air Force Structure 6, it was decided to 

reduce the Tornado fleet to 85 aircraft by 2013.284 While the remaining aircraft were planned to undergo further upgrades, the retired 

airframes have become a cost-effective source of spare parts.285

In the air defence role, German reunification offered the opportunity of integrating an F-4F Phantom and an East German MiG-29 

squadron into one wing. Combined, both aircraft types could 

complement each other.286 To remain relevant pending delivery of 

the Eurofighter, however, the F-4F had to undergo significant upgrades. By December 1996, 65 F-4F Phantom IIs had been delivered. The most essential components of the retrofit included the 

integration of the APG-65 radar and the integration of the AIM120 AMRAAM missile.287

The MiG-29 was also considered an interim air defence aircraft. 

Though it had excellent flying performance, particularly regarding climb rate and manoeuvrability, it also had significant shortfalls in avionics and communications. Moreover, the engines consumed too much fuel for Western standards, significantly reducing 

range, and the airframe had a very limited lifespan.288 For these 

reasons, the 1994 Defence White Book states that, beginning in 

2002, the MiG-29 and the F-4F Phantom fleet would be replaced 

by a modern fighter aircraft.289 In 2003–4, the German MiG-29 

aircraft were finally transferred to the Polish Air Force.290

Through German participation in the quadrilateral Eurofighter 

project, a European design has been envisaged for the replacement of the F-4F fleet. Since the technical specifications had been 

laid down during the Cold War with the ultimate aim of tackling 

new capabilities of the Warsaw Pact air forces, the project faced 

significant problems during the early 1990s.291 The Eurofighter 

(original designation Fighter Aircraft 90) was conceived in 1985 

to be optimised for air superiority with a limited ground attack 

capability. At the time, a 1995 in-service date was agreed upon, 

and Germany and the UK planned to acquire 250 aircraft each.292
196 │ GERMAN Air Force

With the end of the Cold War, the project became highly contentious, particularly in Germany, where unification costs started 

to have an impact upon the defence budget.293 Germany seriously threatened to bail out of the common project in the early 

1990s, and alternative options to the Eurofighter were being 

discussed.294 Amongst the discussed alternatives were either 

American designs, such as the F-16, the F-18, the F-15, and the 

F-22, or the Soviet MiG-29. Bailing out would, however, have 

caused a considerable loss of trust among Germany’s European 

allies.295 Furthermore, some were concerned that if an American 

fighter aircraft were procured, Germany would become fully dependent upon the United States for any future system upgrades.296 Moreover, it was recognised that bailing out of the 

project would represent a major blow to the German aerospace 

industry and would imperil a significant number of jobs as well 

as the technological base.297

In the early 1990s, future GAF Eurofighters were conceived solely 

for the air-to-air role, and Germany indicated that it would commit 

itself to a specific number of aircraft only at later stages in the programme, and then closer to 140 than 250, as originally intended.298

Technical difficulties and the German reassessment finally led to 

significant delays in the project.299 In April 2004, nine years after the 

original in-service date, the first Eurofighters were delivered to a 

German fighter wing.300 Against the backdrop of Air Force Structure 6, the GAF planned to procure a total of 180 Eurofighters 

equipped with an advanced self-protection suite, the defensive aids 

subsystem, and the Link-16 terminal MIDS.301 Yet as of mid-2010, 

this number was likely to be reduced to 143 aircraft.302

For aerial combat, the GAF has been introducing new weapons. 

Besides the AIM-120B AMRAAM for medium ranges, the Eurofighter is being equipped with the IRIS-T for short ranges. The 

AMRAAM will be supplanted by the Meteor missile from 2014 

onwards.303 Both the Meteor and the IRIS-T are co-development 

projects of several European nations. The lead nation in the development of the latter, Germany plays an important role in the 

replacement of the aging AIM-9L Sidewinder missile.304 In the 

medium term, the GAF’s air-to-air armament will thus be entirely 

of European origin.
GERMAN Air Force │ 197

In the field of air-to-ground armament, the GAF started to implement the lessons of modern warfare relatively late. Throughout 

the 1990s, the GAF retained the submunitions dispenser system 

MW-1, designed for low-level attacks against area targets, as the 

main armament of its Tornado IDS fleet.305 Precision-guided 

standoff weapons and LGBs were only introduced in the wake of 

the major air campaigns over the Balkans. Defence Minister 

Scharping’s key document of 2000 explicitly argues that, while 

main weapon systems were to be reduced, standoff and precision 

strike capabilities had to be improved.306 In 2001 the GAF acquired 

a precision strike capability by means of the GBU-24 LGB.307 In 

2005 a further milestone was reached when the first of 600 Taurus 

cruise missiles were delivered and integrated on the Tornado attack aircraft.308 Moreover, the need for weather-independent, 

short-range PGMs became apparent. The German Eurofighter 

fleet is to be equipped with the all-weather-capable GBU-48 PGM, 

combining a semiactive laser with a combined inertial measuring 

unit/GPS receiver, from 2012 onwards. As a standoff weapon, 

Taurus cruise missiles are planned to be integrated on German 

Eurofighters at a later stage.309

Throughout the post–Cold War era, the GAF has retained specific niche capabilities. This has been particularly apparent in the 

domain of SEAD. Growing concerns over improvements in Warsaw Pact air defences in the later stages of the Cold War rendered 

a robust SEAD capability indispensable. Accordingly, a batch of 

35 specialised Tornado ECR aircraft carrying the American 

HARM missile was procured.310 Due to changing requirements in 

the post–Cold War era and the need to avoid collateral damage, 

the United States, together with the European HARM users Germany and Italy, conducted a HARM upgrade programme.311

Along with this programme, Germany also embarked upon a national and a bilateral programme together with France to develop 

a new anti-radiation missile in the late 1990s. France, however, 

bailed out of the bilateral programme, and the national programme called Arminger was abandoned, too.312

Air Mobility

The end of the Cold War revealed significant shortfalls in the 

GAF’s airlift capacity. In early 1991, for instance, the GAF was not 
198 │ GERMAN Air Force

in a position to deploy German SAM batteries to Erhac, Turkey.313

Instead, American C-5 Galaxies had to execute this task.314 The 

GAF’s air transport fleet proved insufficient not only for cargo capacities but also for self-protection systems, which became particularly essential in an era of zero-casualty tolerance. When the 

GAF started to participate in the airlift effort to Sarajevo, protection of the C-160 Transall transport aircraft was limited to armour 

plates beneath the cockpit. In an unbureaucratic fashion, financial 

means were made available to remedy these significant shortfalls. 

Soon, German Transall aircraft flying to Sarajevo were fitted with 

radar warning receivers, chaff, flares, and other self-protection devices.315 While the C-160 Transall transport aircraft, acquired 

from 1968 onwards, continued to be the German workhorse for 

medium ranges, the capacity for long-range transportation was 

increased through the acquisition of seven A310 MRT aircraft in 

the 1990s, the first three of which were former East German aircraft. The C-160 fleet was planned to be supplanted by the Future 

Large Aircraft (FLA), later known as the Airbus A400M.316 In 

2000 Germany signed a preliminary contract for the acquisition 

of 73 aircraft, the largest share among the European partners.317

Significant improvements in the GAF’s power projection had not 

been reached by the turn of the century. Consequently, German 

equipment for operations in Afghanistan had to be deployed by 

An-124 heavy-lifters from the Ukraine and Russia.318 Moreover, 

Courtesy Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, www.eurofighter.com

German Eurofighter in flight test with an A310 MRTT as part of the 

clearance process for air-to-air refuelling (October 2008)
GERMAN Air Force │ 199

GAF Transall transport aircraft were initially only able to dispatch 

German troops to Turkey. For the final leg, Turkey to Kabul, they 

were flown in Dutch C-130 Hercules aircraft, as not all German 

Transall transport aircraft had adequate self-protection suites.319

Though Defence Minister Scharping’s key document of 2000 

explicitly stated that improvements in Germany’s power projection capability would have first priority, the financing of the German A400M became a major bone of contention in the German 

parliament. This, in turn, caused significant delays for the entire 

international airlift programme and irritation amongst Germany’s 

allies, France and Great Britain, which wanted the A400M to be 

delivered as soon as possible.320 In addition to the delays, the German A400M order was reduced to 60 aircraft.321 Mired in the adverse economic conditions of 2010–11, the aircraft order was 

again further reduced to 53.322 Yet the GAF might field only 40 

aircraft, with the remainder being sold.

Throughout the 1990s, the only aircraft in the GAF’s inventory 

to be used in the air-to-air refuelling role was the Tornado by 

means of a buddy-buddy refuelling suite. The air-refuelling capacity was, however, very limited. Hence, employment of Tornados as tanker aircraft has been primarily relegated to training, 

which has been essential for German participation in combined 

air operations.323 Only within the context of Air Force Structure 6 

did the GAF acquire a strategic AAR capability by the conversion 

of four Airbus A310 MRTs into A310 MRTTs.324 In addition, a 

number of A400M aircraft are planned to be equipped for air-toair refuelling of both combat aircraft and helicopters.325 These 

planned assets represent a significant improvement, though still 

falling short of British or French AAR levels.

A further specialised element of air mobility is medevac, which 

has become one of the GAF’s specialities. Since 1994 the GAF has 

continuously built up its medevac capability, starting with a medevac installation kit for its C-160 Transall aircraft and ending with 

two dedicated A310 MRT medevac Airbuses. On an international 

level, this capability is state of the art.326 The GAF’s medevac capacities are further increased by the acquisition of two new Airbus 

A319 CJ and two secondhand Airbus A340 VIP aircraft from early 

2010 onwards, which can be converted into medevac platforms.327
200 │ GERMAN Air Force

C4ISTAR

In the field of C4ISTAR, the GAF has been particularly able to 

benefit from multilateral cooperation. In the later stages of the 

Cold War, the GAF became one of the most prominent contributors to NATO’s Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, 

based on German territory. Germany has shouldered a third of 

the programme, and the country is also likely to bear a significant share of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Core 

project.328 Through NATO AGS Core, multilateral cooperation is 

transferred to the field of large-area ground surveillance. Early 

on, it was clear to German decision makers that the existing capability gap in this area could only be closed through acting together with partner nations.329

In the field of satellite reconnaissance as well, Germany has 

been taking significant steps in recent years. While during the 

1990s, German participation in the French-led Helios II project 

failed due to financial bottlenecks in the defence budget, the project of establishing a national strategic reconnaissance capability 

has been pursued vigorously since the beginning of the defence 

Courtesy Airbus Military; photo by L. Olivas

A400M on its first flight. The GAF is likely to field between 40 and 53 

A400M transport aircraft.
GERMAN Air Force │ 201

reform in 1999–2000.330 In late 2006, the first of five syntheticaperture radar Lupe satellites was launched.331 In addition to this 

national capability, an agreement to secure a satellite data exchange between Germany and France was implemented in early 

2008.332 In accordance with this new emphasis upon strategic reconnaissance assets, Germany seeks to make a meaningful contribution to the EU and NATO in early warning of crises.333

Throughout the first two decades of the post–Cold War era, the 

GAF’s principal airborne reconnaissance asset was the Tornado aircraft with its reconnaissance pod integrating electro-optical and infrared sensors. In the second half of 2009, the RecceLite reconnaissance pod, providing real-time intelligence by means of data link, 

became operational on German Tornados in Afghanistan. Simultaneously, one of two Tornado reconnaissance squadrons was disbanded and replaced by an RPA squadron initially operating the 

Israeli MALE RPA system Heron. In the field of HALE RPA systems, the GAF is about to acquire the Euro Hawk for SIGINT, based 

upon the Global Hawk platform, with Germany developing the 

SIGINT avionics. Development began in 2005, and the first test 

flight was conducted in California on 29 June 2010.334

With regard to C2, the GAF has always been a strong proponent of centralised control over NATO aerial forces. To overcome 

the divisions between the different command posts for air defence 

and offensive air operations within NATO, the GAF by the 1980s 

already supported the development of the allied ACCS. It provides 

a single C2 structure for composite air operations combining defensive, offensive, and supporting air warfare elements of all 

NATO nations in Central Europe.335 After an extended development phase, ACCS is being introduced as an integral part of Air 

Force Structure 6.336 This thrust towards network-centric warfare 

is further enhanced through the introduction of MIDS Link-16 

terminals on all major weapon systems, including the remaining 

Tornado aircraft.337

Moreover, parallel to the adoption of Air Force Structure 5 and 

6, the tactical air control service has been fundamentally modernised and cut by half. Despite this reduction, a qualitative capability improvement is expected, and in line with Germany’s thrust 

towards expeditionary warfare, a deployable air surveillance capability is being established.338
202 │ GERMAN Air Force

Ground Based Air Defence 

In the post–Cold War era, the GAF adopted the concept of extended air defence, which aims at countering not only aircraft and 

helicopters but also theatre ballistic and cruise missiles.339 The 

concept does not, however, cover strategic ballistic missile defence.340

To meet the goals of extended air defence, German Patriot systems 

underwent various upgrade programmes, particularly with regard 

to sensor performance and C2. The PAC-3 missile was to be introduced with half of the remaining German Patriot units from 2007 

onwards, giving German Patriot systems a TBMD capability 

against theatre ballistic missiles with a range of up to 1,000 km.341

With the Patriot the only viable system for the full spectrum of 

EAD, Hawk and Roland SAM systems were disbanded by 2005, 

earlier than expected, to achieve rapid cost-saving effects.342 Currently and in the medium term, 24 Patriot units represent the 

GAF’s only GBAD assets in the context of EAD.343 These drastic 

reductions occurred against the background of the Struck reform, 

which saw a further adaptation of Air Force Structure 5 and the 

elaboration of Air Force Structure 6 as indispensable in light of a 

strained defence budget.

The 2003 Defence Policy Guidelines explicitly underlines the importance of EAD in general and TBMD in particular. It emphasises the protection of deployed forces against rockets and missiles.344 There is a resultant shift from territorial defence to 

expeditionary warfare in the field of GBAD.

In the medium term, the acquisition of 12 Medium Extended 

Air Defence System (MEADS) units was planned. Yet the necessity of this highly mobile system, configured for the PAC-3 missile 

and a surface-launched version of the IRIS-T, was being reassessed 

in the first half of 2010, particularly against the backdrop of depleted public budgets in general and of delays and cost increases 

to the trinational US-German-Italian project.345

Conclusion

In the post–Cold War era, the GAF has evolved from a force 

primarily geared up to forward defence in NATO’s central region 

and restrained by Germany’s particular historical legacy to a force 
GERMAN Air Force │ 203

that is preparing itself to commensurately take on its share in the 

international arena.

At the outset of the post–Cold War era, German reunification 

required the GAF to swiftly take on the responsibility for air policing across the entire reunified territory, a task that had so far been 

accomplished by the USAF and RAF in Western Germany. Moreover, integration of former East German Air Force personnel presented a particular challenge that was successfully met. For the 

remainder of the 1990s, however, German decision makers only 

reluctantly transformed the German armed forces and adhered to 

Cold War principles. A reorientation started only in 1999–2000. 

Particularly, Struck’s adjustments of the ongoing reform during 

2002–3 represented the most decisive milestone step in Germany’s 

military transformation since the end of the Cold War. No longer 

did the most perilous operations determine the structure of the 

German Armed Forces, but the most likely operations. As a consequence, out-of-area operations became the defining criterion. 

As such, Struck’s adjustments were de facto a reform in their own 

right. Only three years later, however, the White Paper 2006 partially reversed the progressive keynote of the Defence Policy Guidelines 2003 by reemphasising national and collective defence in the 

Courtesy GAF; photo by Oliver Fischer

GAF Patriot unit during Exercise ELITE in Germany
204 │ GERMAN Air Force

classical sense. Nevertheless, the White Paper 2006 affirmed the 

GAF’s ongoing transformation.

In line with the realignment of Germany’s defence policy and 

due to financial constraints, the GAF has undergone a continuous 

force transformation and significant force reductions. For instance, flying wings were reduced from 18 to seven and might 

drop even lower. Yet at the same time, new capabilities and assets 

have been or are planned to be acquired such as an autonomous 

air operations planning capacity, HALE and MALE RPA systems, 

a precision strike capability, strategic air mobility, AAR, deployable air command and control units, or a TBMD capability. With 

regard to intertheatre airlift, the GAF is about to emerge as an 

important European player, as Germany placed a significant order 

for A400M transport aircraft. Moreover, it has retained specific 

niche capabilities such as SEAD, which provide leverage against 

the backdrop of alliance operations, as was the case in the course 

of Operation Allied Force. The GAF released slightly less than a 

third of all HARM missiles employed.

In the field of alliance policy, it has always been a core interest 

of German policy to balance American and European—primarily 

French—interests. Consistent with this policy, the GAF has played 

a bridging function between the FAF and the American armed 

forces, be it through training establishments in the United States 

or through ventures such as setting up the European Air Transport Command with France. Germany’s deep embedding into alliance structures also required the GAF to make meaningful contributions to cooperative ventures in the field of rapid force 

deployments such as the NRF or the EU Air RRC. Yet, these will 

require a further balancing between the shaft and the spear. Moreover, from a political point of view, a dilemma between Germany’s 

strong emphasis upon the transatlantic partnership as the bedrock for German security and the country’s reluctance to employ 

military force across the spectrum of military force, a prerequisite 

when closely operating with American forces, is likely to persist. It 

is to be seen whether the GAF’s new operational potential will be 

translated into effective operational output.

In line with Germany’s alliance policy, defence programmes 

cannot solely be judged in terms of value for money. From a German point of view, a multilateral defence programme is not only a 
GERMAN Air Force │ 205

means to an end but also an end in itself, as it deepens alliance 

cohesion as well as European relations. Consistently, Germany has 

taken a leading role in European and transatlantic defence programmes such as the NAEW&CF, the A400M, or the Eurofighter. 

All current major defence programmes of the GAF are multilateral. As such, they decisively shape Europe’s defence landscape 

and further European integration as well as transatlantic cohesion. Given the requirements of deployed operations and the allies’ expectation for increased German responsibility in international security matters, the GAF has gradually evolved into an 

increasingly balanced air force. Yet, it has to be underlined that 

the acquisition of a precision strike capability or AAR certainly 

represents an improvement, albeit from a very low starting point, 

and brings the GAF finally to a reach and strike standard that has, 

with the exception of air-launched cruise missiles, long been held 

by the RAF or the FAF. The GAF’s AAR capacity still falls short of 

British or French capacity levels. This shortfall is compounded by 

the German armed forces’ general shortcomings in the area of logistics, as is highlighted by Germany’s NRF contributions. Due to 

logistics bottlenecks, the Army and Air Force can only make major contributions consecutively. Given these logistics and AAR 

shortcomings, theoretical plans to contribute up to 80 combat aircraft for potential EU operations appear too ambitious. Moreover, 

the GAF lacks the experience of deploying large numbers of combat aircraft to distant theatres. For Operation Allied Force, for instance, the GAF made available only 14 Tornados which could 

operate from well-prepared NATO air bases in Italy. Yet, a significant step in the GAF’s power projection capability can be expected 

with the introduction of the A400M transport aircraft.

Germany and the GAF reacted to the offensive air power doctrine as demonstrated in Desert Storm with uneasiness. Only 

gradually did the GAF become involved in deployed operations. 

Though it has—due to political and constitutional restraints—

contributed in a limited way to Western air campaigns, the GAF 

nevertheless proved to be a professional force that can seamlessly 

plug into highly complex air operations. In this regard, GAF participation in major integrated air exercises such as Red Flag or 

Maple Flag proved pivotal and made up for lack of experience. 

While the GAF has been gradually geared up for expeditionary 
206 │ GERMAN Air Force

warfare, operations at the upper level of the spectrum of force are 

likely to remain an exception. A clear-cut humanitarian purpose 

will certainly remain a crucial prerequisite. Nevertheless, with the 

earmarking of combat aircraft to the NRF and to German-led EU 

battle groups, missions across the spectrum of force might become a reality at any time. Reluctance to contribute to offensive 

missions, however, did not imply that the GAF was not ready to 

expose its personnel to increased levels of risk, as was revealed by 

Germany’s contribution to airlift operations in Bosnia.

Germany’s unease about deployed offensive operations might 

have led to a lack of top-down support for doctrine development 

and might have caused a gap in doctrinal thought throughout the 

1990s. Only Struck’s reform of 2002–3 helped to put an end to 

doctrinal stagnation. Against the backdrop of Air Force Structure 

6, the Air Power Centre was established in order to grasp the latest 

developments doctrinally. In the same vein, the revision of the Air 

Force Service Instruction LDv 100/1, a basic air power doctrine 

document, was ordered in late 2005. Yet, air power thinking is still 

cultivated in a very top-down manner. For the top echelons of the 

GAF, there is an annual air power seminar series. However, forums for broader audiences to further a genuine air power debate 

to shape the Air Force’s future—conferences or a specific air power 

journal—do not yet exist. This top-down manner is also reflected 

by the fact that the revised LDv 100/1, published in April 2009, is 

not available to the wider public. In the specific German case, air 

power thinking is moreover inhibited by the country’s historical 

legacy. Historical aspects with regard to both military education 

and air power doctrine are hardly dealt with. Officers attending 

the staff college in Hamburg acquire intensive training in staff 

work for combined air operations. Yet, they are not systematically 

exposed to air power theory and history. On the positive side, a 

joint approach to teaching has been adopted, reflecting the integrated nature of deployed operations.

Notes

1. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 200–202.

2. Ibid., 205.

3. Ibid., 209–12.
GERMAN Air Force │ 207

4. Hans-Werner Jarosch, ed., Immer im Einsatz: 50 Jahre Luftwaffe (Hamburg, Germany: Verlag E. S. Mittler & Sohn, 2005), 170.

5. “Das Kommando Operative Führung Luftstreitkräfte,” in CPM Forum: 

Luftwaffe 2004, managing directors/ed. Harald Flex and Wolfgang Flume, in 

cooperation with the GAF staff, MOD, Bonn, and editorial coordinator Lt Col 

(GS) Rainer Zaude (Sankt Augustin, Germany: CPM Communication Presse 

Marketing GmbH, 2004), 56.

6. Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (Federal Ministry of Defence, Germany), Weiβbuch 1985 zur Lage und Entwicklung der Bundeswehr [White book 

1985: the state and development of the Bundeswehr] (Bonn, Germany: MOD, 

1985), § 160.

7. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994 zur Sicherheit der Bundesrepublik 

Deutschland und zur Lage und Zukunft der Bundeswehr [White book 1994: the 

security of the Federal Republic of Germany and the state and future of the 

Bundeswehr] (Bonn, Germany: MOD, 1994), § 604; and Meiers, Zu neuen 

Ufern?, 267.

8. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien für den Geschäftsbereich des Bundesministers für Verteidigung: Erläuternder Begleittext (Berlin: 

MOD, 21 May 2003), chap. 2.

9. Richard von Weizsäcker, director, Gemeinsame Sicherheit und Zukunft 

der Bundeswehr: Bericht der Kommission an die Bundesregierung (Berlin: Kommission Gemeinsame Sicherheit und Zukunft der Bundeswehr, May 2000), 3.

10. Rudolf Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21. Jahrhundert: Eckpfeiler 

für eine Erneuerung von Grund auf (Bonn/Berlin: MOD, 2000); and Tom Dyson, 

“German Military Reform 1998–2004: Leadership and the Triumph of Domestic Constraint over International Opportunity,” European Security 14, no. 3 

(September 2005): 367–68.

11. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 2003, chap. 2.

12. MOD, Germany, White Paper 2006: German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr (Berlin: Federal Ministry of Defence, August 2006), 9.

13. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien für den Geschäftsbereich des Bundesministers der Verteidigung (Bonn, Germany: MOD, 26 November 1992), § 9, 19, 20–21, 23, 25.

14. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 230, 233–34.

15. Von Weizsäcker, Gemeinsame Sicherheit, § 15.

16. Peter Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines for the Area of Responsibility of 

the Federal Minister of Defence (Berlin: MOD, 21 May 2003), § 19, 31, 80.

17. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 19–20.

18. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 37.

19. Ibid., § 44.

20. Ibid., § 38.

21. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 508.

22. Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21 Jahrhundert, § 3, 15, 20, 22.

23. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 5.

24. Ibid., § 71.
208 │ GERMAN Air Force

25. See also MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 2003, chap. 11.

26. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, 2003, § 57.

27. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 9.

28. Ibid., 9.

29. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, “Verhandlungen mit den Vier 

Mächten: Zwei-plus-Vier-Verhandlungen,” Deutsche Teilung—Deutsche Einheit, 

http://www.bpb.de/themen/9VUO61,0,0,Verhandlungen_mit_den_Vier_M

%E4chten.html.

30. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 38, § 47; 

MOD, Weiβbuch 1994, § 517; and Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 320.

31. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 533.

32. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 326–27.

33. Ibid., 312.

34. Von Weizsäcker, Gemeinsame Sicherheit, § 4, 6.

35. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 199.

36. Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21. Jahrhundert, § 54, 56.

37. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 349.

38. MOD, Germany, Outline of the Bundeswehr Concept (Berlin: MOD, 10 

August 2004), 23–25.

39. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 3, 62.

40. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 61.

41. Ibid., 9.

42. Henning Bartels, “Kommentar: Die Reform der Bundeswehr und das 

Sparen,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 7 (July 2010): 3; and “Bundeswehrtagung in 

Dresden: Signal der Veränderung,” Bundesministerium der Verteidigung 

(MOD) website, 22 November 2010, http://www.bmvg.de.

43. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1985, § 160.

44. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 322.

45. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 48; and 

MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 604.

46. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 323–25.

47. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 154.

48. Susanne Lichte, “Einsatzführung—Alles in einer Hand,” Bundeswehr, 

http://www.bundeswehr.de, 11 September 2006.

49. Bundeswehr, “Das Operative Hauptquartier der Europäischen Union in 

der Henning-von-Tresckow-Kaserne in Geltow,” accessed 28 September 2006, 

http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de.

50. MOD, Germany, “Berliner Erlass: Weisung zur militärischen Spitzengliederung vom 21. Januar 2005,” http://www.bmvg.de.

51. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 128–29.

52. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, 118.

53. Ibid., 118.

54. Lt Gen Axel Kleppien, GAF, retired (commander, 5th Air Division, 1 

October 1991–mid-1993), telephone interview by the author, 16 July 2008.

55. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, 118.
GERMAN Air Force │ 209

56. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 1989–90

(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1989), 64.

57. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 130; and MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 532.

58. Lt Gen Jörg Kuebart, “Perspektiven und Parameter der Luftwaffenstruktur 

4: Umbau nicht zum Null-Tarif,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 9 (September 

1991): 504; and Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 136.

59. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 636.

60. “The German Air Force Structure 5: Principles, Structures, Capabilities,” in CPM Forum: German Air Force—Structure and Organisation, Equipment and Logistics, Programmes and Perspectives, ed. Wolfgang Flume, in cooperation with the GAF staff, MOD, Bonn, and ed. coordinator Lt Col (GS) Rainer 

Zaude (Sankt Augustin, Germany: CPM Communication Presse Marketing 

GmbH, 2003), 20.

61. Ibid., 19.

62. Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21. Jahrhundert, § 71.

63. “German Air Force Structure 5,” 20.

64. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 156.

65. “Das Kommando Operative Führung Luftstreitkräfte,” 56–57.

66. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 158.

67. Lt Col (GS) Guido Leiwig, GAF (MOD, Bonn, Germany), interview by 

the author, 26 April 2006; and “Further Development of the Luftwaffe—Luftwaffe Structure 6,” in CPM Forum: Luftwaffe 2005—The German Air Force Today and Tomorrow, managing director Wolfgang Flume and project director 

Jϋrgen Hensel (Sankt Augustin, Germany: CPM Communication Presse Marketing GmbH, 2005), 46.

68. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 2003, chap. 2.

69. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 165.

70. Lt Col (GS) Nicolas Radke, GAF, MOD, Bonn, Germany, to the author, 

e-mail, 28 November 2006.

71. MOD, Germany, Outline of the Bundeswehr Concept, 32.

72. “Luftwaffenstruktur 6,” Wehrtechnischer Report: Fähigkeiten und Ausrüstung 

der Luftwaffe, no. 3 (Bonn: Report Verlag GmbH, 2006), 14.

73. MOD, Germany, Outline of the Bundeswehr Concept, 32.

74. “Luftwaffenstruktur 6,” 14.

75. Lt Col (GS) Eberhard Freiherr von Wintzingerode-Knorr, “Weiterentwicklung des ‘Jägers’ Eurofighter für den Luft-/Boden-Einsatz,” Europäische 

Sicherheit, no. 11 (November 2006): 43.

76. “Rote Liste für den Baron,” sueddeutsche.de, accessed 7 July 2010, http://

www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/sparkurs-im-verteidigungsministerium-rote

-liste-fuer-den-baron-1.971018; and Thomas Newdick, “A Change in the Air,” 

Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, no. 22 (2 June 2010): 30.

77. Lt Col (GS) Frank Gräfe, “Die Mehrrollenfähigkeit des Waffensystems 

EUROFIGHTER,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 4 (April 2010): 55.

78. “Further Development of the Luftwaffe—Luftwaffe Structure 6,” 45–46.

79. Federal Ministry of Defence, German Security Policy, 92–94.
210 │ GERMAN Air Force

80. MOD, Germany, Outline of the Bundeswehr Concept, 32; and Luftwaffe, 

“Luftwaffenstruktur 6—Die Luftwaffe im Wandel,” accessed 2 August 2006, 

http://www.luftwaffe.de.

81. “Further Development of the Luftwaffe—Luftwaffe Structure 6,” 46–47.

82. “Luftwaffenstruktur 6,” 14.

83. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 1990–91, 68; 

and International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 2002–03, 43.

84. Kleppien, interview.

85. Lt Gen Walter Jertz, GAF, retired, to the author, e-mail, 26 June 2008. In 

1995 Jertz was the GAF contingent commander for air operations over the Balkans. He left his final posting as commandant, German Air Force Command, in 

June 2006.

86. Ibid.; and Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 112.

87. “Verwertung des Wehrmaterials,” Information für die Truppe: Armee der 

Einheit, no. 5 (May 1998): 46.

88. Heinz von Knobloch, Bundesluftwaffe intern: Aufbau, Wandel, Einsätze 

(Stuttgart, Germany: Motorbuch Verlag, 2008), 257.

89. Lt Gen Hans-Werner Jarosch, GAF, retired, telephone interview by the 

author, 16 July 2008; and Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 113. The Airbuses might 

have had a dual-use function, militarily for the East German Air Force and in a 

civilian role for the East German airline Interflug. They do not appear in the 

orders of battle as provided by The Military Balance. See International Institute 

for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 1990–91, 49.

90. Jertz to the author, e-mail, 26 June 2008.

91. Rüdiger Wenzke, “Die Nationale Volksarmee 1989/90,” Information für 

die Truppe: Armee der Einheit, no. 5 (May 1998): 15.

92. Ove Ovens, Die Nationale Volksarmee der DDR zwischen “Wende” und 

Auflösung: Der Untergang der NVA im Lichte des Zusammenbruchs der DDR

(Regensburg, Germany: Universität Regensburg, 2003), 417.

93. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 115.

94. Ibid., 110–11.

95. Von Knobloch, Bundesluftwaffe intern, 255; and Jarosch, interview.

96. Lt Gen Axel Kleppien, GAF, retired, to the author, e-mail, 17 July 2008; 

and Kleppien, interview.

97. Jertz to the author, e-mail, 26 June 2008; and Norbert Straka, “Die Teilung 

überwinden: Erfahrungen eines Offiziers mit der deutschen Einheit,” in Jarosch, 

Immer im Einsatz, 247.

98. Kleppien to the author, e-mail; and Kleppien, interview.

99. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 122.

100. Kleppien, interview; and Jarosch, interview.

101. Jarosch, interview.

102. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 40–41.

103. Lt Gen Rolf Portz, Inspector, GAF, “The Future of Air Power (IV): Germany,” Military Technology, no. 10 (1999): 14.
GERMAN Air Force │ 211

104. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 1990–91, 

67–68.

105. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 2002–03, 43.

106. Sascha Lange, Neue Bundeswehr auf altem Sockel: Wege aus dem Dilemma: SWP-Studie (Berlin: Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, 2005): 14–15.

107. Ibid., 7.

108. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1985, § 160.

109. Hanns W. Maull, “Germany and the Use of Force: Still a ‘Civilian 

Power’?,” Survival 42, no. 2 (Summer 2000): 69.

110. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 8.

111. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 255, 319.

112. MOD, Germany, Verteidigungspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 29–36.

113. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 125, 136–37, 167–69.

114. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 32, 40, 46.

115. Franz-Josef Meiers, “Germany’s Defence Choices,” Survival 47, no. 1 

(Spring 2005): 153.

116. Hubert Zimmermann, “Security Exporters: Germany, the United 

States, and Transatlantic Cooperation,” in The Atlantic Alliance under Stress: 

US-European Relations after Iraq, ed. David M. Andrews (Cambridge, UK: 

Cambridge University Press, 2005), 129, 150–51.

117. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 233, 246.

118. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 33.

119. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 24.

120. Ibid., 41.

121. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 11, 41.

122. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 22.

123. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 52.

124. Radke to the author, e-mail; and Wolsztynski, “La contribution de l’Armée de l’Air,” 11.

125. Trautermann to the author, e-mail.

126. European Union, Headline Goal 2010, 3.

127. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1985, § 443.

128. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 626.

129. Ibid.‚ § 632.

130. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 129–30.

131. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 633.

132. Lt Col (GS) Jens Asmussen, GAF, MOD, Bonn, Germany, to the author, e-mail, 12 January 2007.

133. NATO, “NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force,” 1.

134. Schmidt, interview.

135. Ibid.

136. Lt Gen Hans-Joachim Schubert (GAF, executive director, JAPCC, Kalkar, 

Germany), interview by the author, Üdem, Germany, 5 May 2006.

137. JAPCC, “History”; and Asmussen to the author, e-mail.

138. Gregory, French Defence Policy, 138.
212 │ GERMAN Air Force

139. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 541.

140. Lebert, “Einrichtung eines Europäischen Lufttransportkommandos,” 20.

141. Havenith, interview; and Lt Col (GS) Armin Havenith, GAF, MOD, 

Bonn, Germany, to the author, e-mail, 19 June 2006.

142. Lebert, “Einrichtung eines Europäischen Lufttransportkommandos,” 20.

143. Havenith, interview.

144. Jean-Laurent Nijean, “L’Armée de l’Air et l’Europe: gros plan—au coeur 

de l’Europe de la défense,” Air actualités, no. 605 (October 2007): 38; and Luftwaffe, “Startschuss für das Europäische Lufttransportkommando,” 25 February 

2010, http://www.luftwaffe.de.

145. Luftwaffe, “Abschied vom Lufttransportkommando in Münster,” 6 July 

2010, http://www.luftwaffe.de.

146. Havenith, interview; and Havenith to the author, e-mail.

147. Lt Col (GS) Carsten Rietsch, GAF, assistant air attaché, German Embassy in London, to the author, e-mail, 5 August 2009.

148. Bundeswehr, “16 Nationen, eine Transportlösung,” Leipzig-Halle, 23 

March 2006, accessed 9 August 2006, http://www.bundeswehr.de.

149. BMVg, “Verlässlicher Zugriff.”

150. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 14.

151. Bernd Vetter and Frank Vetter, Luftwaffe im 21. Jahrhundert (Stuttgart, 

Germany: Motorbuch Verlag, 2005), 112, 118, 133.

152. Ibid., 141–42.

153. Ibid., 146.

154. Mason, Air Power, 249–50.

155. Luftwaffe, “Das Fliegerische Ausbildungszentrum der Luftwaffe,” accessed 18 September 2006, http://www.luftwaffe.de.

156. Vetter and Vetter, Luftwaffe im 21. Jahrhundert, 122–23.

157. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 153.

158. European Air Group, “History of the EAG.”

159. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 149.

160. Ibid., 149–51.

161. Dieter Stockfisch, “Das Führungszentrum der Bundeswehr,” in Von 

Kambodscha bis Kosovo: Auslandeinsätze der Bundeswehr, ed. Peter Goebel 

(Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Report Verlag, 2000), 183.

162. Klaus Dau, “Auslandeinsätze zwischen Politik und Verfassungsrecht,” 

in Goebel, Von Kambodscha bis Kosovo, 22–23.

163. André Herbrink, Bundeswehr Missions Out-of-Area, NUPI Report no. 

227 (Oslo, Norway: The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, 1997), 13.

164. Ibid., 15.

165. Lawrence Freedman and Efraim Karsh, The Gulf Conflict (London: 

Faber and Faber, 1994), 355.

166. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, 71.

167. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 139.

168. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 272–73.
GERMAN Air Force │ 213

169. Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Basic Law for the 

Federal Republic of Germany [German constitution]), 23 May 1949, art. 24, 

para. 2, http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/gg/gesamt.pdf.

170. Jertz, Im Dienste des Friedens, 14.

171. Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court of Germany), 

AWACS 1: BverfG 2 BvE 3/92 u.a. (Karlsruhe, Germany: 12 July 1994), http://

www.jur-abc.de/cms/index.php?id=606.

172. Ibid.; and Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 275–77.

173. Ibid., 281.

174. Walter Jertz, “Einsätze der Luftwaffe über Bosnien,” in Goebel, Von 

Kambodscha bis Kosovo, 140.

175. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 283–84.

176. Jertz, “Einsätze der Luftwaffe über Bosnien,” 146–47.

177. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 287. See also Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 140.

178. Lt Gen Walter Jertz, GAF, retired, to the author, e-mail, 23 June 2007.

179. Ibid., 26 June 2008.

180. Jertz, “Einsätze der Luftwaffe über Bosnien,” 152–53.

181. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 291–92.

182. Ibid., 295–96.

183. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 141; and Jertz, Im Dienste des Friedens, 146.

184. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 301.

185. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 145; and Lambeth, NATO’s Air War for 

Kosovo, 110.

186. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 302.

187. Ibid., 308.

188. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 159–60.

189. Robert Wiedmann and Herbert Albring, “‘Professionelle Gelassenheit’ 

bei den Immelmännern vor ihrem Auslandeinsatz,” 14 March 2007, Luftwaffe, 

http://www.luftwaffe.de.

190. Nicholas Fiorenza, “First German Heron 1 Arrives in Afghanistan,” 

Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, no. 11 (17 March 2010): 32.

191. Presse- und Informationsstab BMVg, “Abzug der Aufklärungs-Tornado 

aus Afghanistan,” Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, 23 September 2010, 

www.bundeswehr.de.

192. Bundesverfassungsgericht, “Einsatz deutscher Soldaten in AWACSFlugzeugen über der Türkei bedurfte der Zustimmung des Bundestags,” press 

release no. 52/2008, judgement of 7 May 2008—2 BvE 1/03, Karlsruhe, Germany, 

http://www.bundesverfassungs gericht.de/pressemitteilungen/bvg08-052.html.

193. Lange, Neue Bundeswehr auf altem Sockel, 9.

194. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 56.

195. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, 72.

196. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 137.

197. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 254.

198. Peter Goebel, “Von der Betroffenheit zur Selbstverständlichkeit,” in 

Goebel, Von Kambodscha bis Kosovo, 15.
214 │ GERMAN Air Force

199. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 137.

200. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, 70.

201. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 139.

202. Roger Evers, “Transportflieger in humanitärem Auftrag,” in Goebel, 

Von Kambodscha bis Kosovo, 94.

203. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 139; and Evers, “Transportflieger in humanitärem Auftrag,” 91–92.

204. Evers, “Transportflieger in humanitärem Auftrag,” 86, 100.

205. Reinhart Hoppe, “First In and Last Out: Lufttransport im weltweiten 

Einsatz,” in Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 214.

206. Ibid., 213.

207. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 146.

208. Ibid., 145–46.

209. Ibid., 160–61.

210. Lt Gen Aarne Kreuzinger-Janik, chief of the Air Staff, “Die Luftwaffe 

im Gesamtsystem Bundeswehr,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 6 (June 2010): 24.

211. Nijean, “L’Armée de l’Air et l’Europe: opération EUFOR RDC,” 34–35.

212. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 136.

213. Ibid., 157.

214. Schmidt, interview.

215. Leiwig, interview.

216. See Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 86; and “Kein Abschuss entführter Flugzeuge in Deutschland: Urteil des Verfassungsgerichts,” NZZ Online, 

15 February 2006, http://www.nzz.ch/2006/02/15/al/newzzEJPFU4C8-12.html.

217. Bundesverfassungsgericht, “Abschussermächtigung im Luftsicherheitsgesetz nichtig,” press release no. 11/2006, judgement of 15 February 2006—1 

BvR 357/05, Karlsruhe, Germany, http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de

/pressemitteilungen/bvg06-011.html.

218. Jan Kuebart, “Air Policing Baltikum,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 12 

(December 2005): 32.

219. “German Eurofighters Arrive for Baltic Air Policing Debut,” Flight 

International 176, no. 5205 (8–14 September 2009): 18; see also Hoyle, “Baltic 

Exchange,” 33.

220. Kreuzinger-Janik, “Die Luftwaffe im Gesamtsystem Bundeswehr,” 23.

221. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 627.

222. Hoppe, “First In and Last Out,” 214.

223. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 145; and Hoppe, “First In and Last Out,” 214–15.

224. Ibid., 215–16.

225. Col (GS) Reinhard Vogt, GAF, LMZ, Cologne Wahn, Germany, to the 

author, e-mail, 26 October 2006.

226. Col (GS) Reinhard Vogt (GAF, LMZ, Cologne Wahn, Germany), interview by the author, 28 April 2006.

227. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 9.

228. Vogt to the author, e-mail.

229. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 76–77.
GERMAN Air Force │ 215

230. Vogt to the author, e-mail.

231. MOD, Germany, Luftwaffendienstvorschrift: Führung und Einsatz von 

Luftstreitkräften, LDv 100/1 VS-NfD (Bonn, Germany: MOD, March 1991), 

introduction.

232. Ibid., § 501–15.

233. Ibid., § 407.

234. Lt Col Manfred Brose, GAF, FüAk, Hamburg, Germany, to the author, 

e-mail, 9 November 2006.

235. Vogt, interview.

236. Brose to the author, e-mail.

237. Lt Col (GS) Arnt Kuebart, GAF, LMZ, Cologne Wahn, Germany, to the 

author, e-mail, 20 October 2006.

238. Rietsch to the author, e-mail, 28 August 2009.

239. Lt Col Manfred Brose (GAF, FüAk, Hamburg, Germany), interview by 

the author, 3 May 2006.

240. Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, “Lehrgänge an der Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr,” 22 July 2008, http://www.fueakbw.de/index.php?Show

Parent=345&show_lang=de; and Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, “Nationaler Lehrgang Generalstabs-/Admiralstabsdienst,” 6 April 2009, http://www

.fueakbw.de/index.php?ShowParent=244&show_lang=de.

241. Brose, interview.

242. FüAk Kommandeur, Lehrplan für den Lehrgang Generalstabsdienst/

Admiralstabsdienst National (Hamburg, Germany: FüAk, 20 July 2005), 11.

243. Brose, interview.

244. Col (GS) Thomas Lorber, GAF (FüAk, Hamburg, Germany), interview 

by the author, 3 May 2006.

245. Simon Pearson, to the author, e-mail, 19 January 2007. Pearson served 

three years as an RAF officer on exchange with the Luftwaffe, JaboG 49, at 

Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany, followed by two years at the FüAk in Hamburg.

246. International course member attending the FüAk, Hamburg, Germany, 

to the author, e-mail, 11 September 2007.

247. Lt Col John Olsen, dean of the Norwegian Education Command and 

head of the Department for Strategic Studies at the Norwegian Command and 

Staff College, Oslo, Norway, to the author, e-mail, 6 September 2007.

248. List of the 2005–6 Lehrgangsarbeiten provided by Lt Col Manfred 

Brose, FüAk, Hamburg, Germany, 3 May 2006.

249. Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, “Konzeption Stabsoffiziersaubildung,” 

10 November 2008, http://www.fueakbw.de/index.php?ShowParent=2678&

show_lang=de.

250. Lorber, interview.

251. Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, “Module an der Führungsakademie 

der Bundeswehr,” 24 November 2009, http://www.fueakbw.de/index.php?Show

Parent=446&show_lang=de.

252. Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr, “Seminar Luftwaffe in der Transformation,” accessed 20 October 2006, http://www.fueakbw.de; and Führungs-
216 │ GERMAN Air Force

akademie der Bundeswehr, “Seminar Perspektiven von Luftmacht im 21. Jahrhundert,” 14 October 2009, http://www.fueakbw.de/index.php?ShowParent=

2614&show_lang=de.

253. Brose, interview.

254. CID, “Enseignement Opérationnel.”

255. FüAk Kommandeur, Lehrplan, 16.

256. Lt Col (Dr.) Wolfgang Schmidt, GAF, Military-Historical Research Office, Potsdam, Germany, to the author, e-mail, 13 June 2006.

257. MOD, Germany, German Security Policy, 59.

258. Col (GS) Burkhard Potozky and Lt Col (GS) Stefan Klenz, GAF (MOD, 

Bonn, Germany), interview by the author, 26 April 2006.

259. Lt Col (GS) Stefan Klenz, GAF, MOD, Bonn, Germany, to the author, 

letter, 6 July 2006.

260. Potozky and Klenz, interview.

261. Klenz, letter.

262. Potozky and Klenz, interview.

263. Examples include Frank Dorn, “Bessere Handhabung durch bessere 

Technik—am Beispiel des Waffensystems Tornado,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, 

no. 14 (Munich, Germany: Bernard und Graefe, 1981), 68–78; Lt Gen Eberhard 

Eimler, “Die Alliierten Luftstreitkräfte Europa-Mitte,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, 

no. 14, 13–22; Lt Col Manfred Erl, “Die Bedeutung der Faktoren Raum und 

Zeit fϋr Luftstreitkräfte,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 14, 80–85; Lt Col Hans 

Felde, “Der taktische Wert des Tornado,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 14, 60–66; 

Lt Col Hans-Werner Jarosch, “Tiefe des Raumes: ein Faktor für Land- und 

Luftstreitkräfte von Warschauer Pakt und NATO,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, 

no. 14, 51–58; Maj Gen Jörg Kuebart, “Die Luftverteidigung Mitteleuropas unter 

Beteiligung der deutschen Luftwaffe,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 14, 24–31; 

Lt Gen Gerhard Limberg, “Herausforderung: Die Kampfkraft der Luftwaffe 

muss erhöht werden,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 12 (Bonn-Duisdorf, Germany: Wehr und Wissen, 1975), 15; Lt Gen Friedrich Obleser, Inspector GAF, 

“Die Rolle von Luftstreitkräften in Mitteleuropa und der Beitrag der Luftwaffe,” 

in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 14, 8–12; Lt Gen Guenter Rall, Inspector GAF, 

“Die Luftwaffe im NATO Buendnis: Die Entwicklung der Luftwaffe in Abhängigkeit von den militär-strategischen Konzeptionen der NATO,” in Jahrbuch 

der Luftwaffe, no. 10 (Darmstadt, Germany: Wehr und Wissen, 1973), 14–21; 

Col Heinrich Starke, “Die neuen Waffensysteme der Luftwaffe,” in Jahrbuch der 

Luftwaffe, no. 12, 118–24; Lt Gen Johannes Steinhoff, chief, Air Staff, “Wir planen die Luftwaffe der 80er Jahre,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 7 (1970), 8–11; 

and Bernard Wolf and Konrad Wolf, “Trends bei der Entwicklung von Kampfflugzeugen,” in Jahrbuch der Luftwaffe, no. 11 (Koblenz, Germany: Wehr und 

Wissen, 1974), 25–33.

264. Examples include Maj Gen Jörg Bahnemann, “Air Defense in Central 

Europe,” in NATO’s Sixteen Nations, no. 7 (1985): 40–46; Lt Gen Eberhard Eimler, 

“Die Luftverteidigung im NATO-Bereich,” in Europäische Wehrkunde, no. 9 

(1983): 410–20; Lt Gen Eberhard Eimler, “Besonders wichtig ist die Verlage-
GERMAN Air Force │ 217

rung des Planungsschwerpunktes zur Luftverteidigung,” in Wehrtechnik, no. 12 

(December 1983): 24–29; Wolfgang Flume, “Luftverteidigung heute und morgen: 

neue Bedrohung durch taktische ballistische Raketen.”

265. Examples of this emphasis include Lt Gen Gerhard Back, Inspector 

GAF, “Reform der Luftwaffe—Konzentration auf unmittelbare Einsatzaufgaben,” 

Europäische Sicherheit, no. 6 (June 2001): 14–19; Brig Gen Dirk Böcker, “Operative Fähigkeiten der Luftwaffe in der Zukunft,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 12 

(December 1994): 600–604; Dieter Büscher, “Die Zukunft im Lufttransport,” 

Europäische Sicherheit, no. 3 (March 1996): 19–22; Eberhard Eckert, “‘Gerätevorhaben der Luftwaffe,’ ” in Europäische Sicherheit, no. 3 (March 1995): 26–30; 

Lebert, “Einrichtung eines Europäischen Lufttransportkommandos,” 20–24; Lt 

Gen Bernhard Mende, Inspector GAF, “Die Luftwaffe auf dem Weg in die Zukunft,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 5 (May 1996): 12–18; Ferdinand Mertes, 

“Wahrung der Unversehrtheit des Luftraumes: Luftverteidigung unter neuen 

Rahmenbedingungen,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 5 (May 1992): 273–80; Holger 

H. Mey and Karl P. Sasse, “Erweiterte Luftverteidigung zwischen europäischer 

und transatlantischer Kooperation,” Europäsiche Sicherheit, no. 9 (September 

1994): 466–71; Lt Col Reinhard Mittler, “Luftangriff im Aufgabenspektrum der 

Luftwaffe,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 12 (December 2001): 31–39; Christian 

Philipp, “Abstandswaffen für die Luftwaffe,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 6 (June 

1995): 33–34; Pitsch, “Modulare Abstandswaffe Taurus,” 39–43; Lt Gen Rolf 

Portz, Inspector GAF, “Bedeutung von Luftmacht bei der Krisenbewältigung,” 

Europäische Sicherheit, no. 5 (May 1998): 10–15; Lt Col Hans-Joachim Ratzlaff, 

“Lufttransport-Erfahrungen aus Krisenreaktionseinsätzen,” Europäische Sicherheit, 

no. 1 (January 2000): 35–38; Col Gero Schachthöfer and Lt Col Stefan Preschke, 

“Sicherheit im Luftraum,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 9 (September 2003): 15–18; 

Scheibl and Schad, “Combat Search and Rescue,” 42–45; Ludwig Schiller, “Future 

Large Aircraft: Ein ‘Wooden Wonder’ oder Realität,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 

11 (November 1995): 28–32; Stütz, “Luftbetankung,” 17–20; Lt Col Klaus Vogelsang, 

“Lufttransportkommando—Grenzen der Leistungsfähigkeit,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 12 (December 1996): 28–32; Lt Col Wilhelm Vitzthum, “Lufttransport im 21. Jahrhundert,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 7 (July 1997): 16–20; and 

Niklas von Witzendorff, “Luftverteidigung—wohin?,” Europäische Sicherheit, 

no. 5 (May 1995): 9–10.

266. Lt Gen Jürgen Höche, “Erfahrungen aus den Luftoperationen der 

NATO im Kosovo,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 2 (February 2000): 24–27.

267. See CPM Forum issues 2002–2005.

268. Luftwaffe, “Neue Einblicke,” Potsdam, Germany, 23 March 2006, accessed 17 October 2006, http://www.luftwaffe.de.

269. Lt Col (Dr.) Wolfgang Schmidt, GAF, Military-Historical Research Office, Potsdam, Germany, to the author, e-mail, 12 June 2006; and Thompson, 

Political and Military Components, 94.

270. MOD, Germany, Verteidiguntgspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 4.

271. Ibid., § 43.

272. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 571–72.
218 │ GERMAN Air Force

273. MOD, Germany, Verteidiguntgspolitische Richtlinien, 1992, § 43; and 

Schön and Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 48.

274. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 22–23.

275. Maj (GS) Markus Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der 

Luftwaffe,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 10 (October 2005): 34.

276. “German Air Force Structure 5,” 22.

277. Schön and Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 

38–39; and Groβ, “Revision der Reform,” 118.

278. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 131.

279. Lt Col Walter Fleischer, “Schwert und Schild der Luftwaffe,” Europäische 

Sicherheit, no. 5 (May 1991): 293.

280. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 139–40; and Jertz, “Einsätze der Luftwaffe 

über Bosnien,” 142.

281. Volker Schmitt, “Modern Aircraft and Helicopters for the German 

Armed Forces,” Military Technology 23, no. 2 (February 1999): 60.

282. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 302.

283. “Wirken gegen Ziele am Boden,” Wehrtechnischer Report: Fähigkeiten 

und Ausrüstung der Luftwaffe, no. 3 (2006): 50.

284. Col (GS) Hans-Dieter Schön, GAF (MOD, Bonn, Germany), interview 

by the author, 27 April 2006.

285. “Wirken gegen Ziele am Boden,” 49–50.

286. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 148.

287. “European Military Aircraft Programmes Revisited,” 8.

288. Franz Mendel, “Jagdflugzeug 90: Eine Dauerdiskussion ohne Ende,” 

Europäische Sicherheit, no. 11 (November 1991): 652; and “MiG-29 bleibt,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 8 (August 1991): 437.

289. MOD, Germany, Weiβbuch 1994, § 582.

290. Stefan Petersen, “Die ‘Rote Diva’ fliegt nach Polen,” Aktuell: Zeitung für 

die Bundeswehr, no. 14 (5 April 2004): 9.

291. Willett, Gummet, and Clarke, Eurofighter 2000, 1.

292. Ibid., 4–5.

293. Ibid., 6; and Fides Krause-Brewer, “Jäger 90: Die Kosten des Ausstiegs—vier bis fünf Milliarden allein für die Partner?,” Europäische Wehrkunde, 

no. 9 (September 1990): 544.

294. Willett, Gummet, and Clarke, Eurofighter 2000, 9.

295. Krause-Brewer, “Jäger 90,” 546; and Mendel, “Jagdflugzeug 90,” 650.

296. Krause-Brewer, “Jäger 90,” 546.

297. Mendel, “Jagdflugzeug 90,” 652.

298. Krause-Brewer, “Jäger 90,” 546; and Willett, Gummet, and Clarke, 

Eurofighter 2000, 7.

299. Ibid., 39.

300. Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe.” 24; and 

Schön and Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 40.

301. Von Wintzingerode-Knorr, “Weiterentwicklung des ‘Jägers’ Eurofighter,” 

42–43.
GERMAN Air Force │ 219

302. Newdick, “Change in the Air,” 30.

303. Gräfe, “Mehrrollenfähigkeit des Waffensystems EUROFIGHTER,” 50–51.

304. “Wirken gegen Ziele in der Luft,” 44.

305. Lt Col Wilfrid Schmidt, “Bewaffnung für die Kampfflugzeuge der Luftwaffe: Sachstand-Konzepte-Planungen,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 10 (October 1998): 38.

306. Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21. Jahrhundert, § 49.

307. Lt Gen Walter Jertz, “Unser Schwerpunkt ist der Einsatz: Das Luftwaffenführungskommando auf dem Weg in die Zukunft,” Strategie & Technik, 

March 2006, 23.

308. Ibid., 22.

309. Gräfe, “ Mehrrollenfähigkeit des Waffensystems EUROFIGHTER,” 52–54.

310. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 88.

311. Alfons Erwes, “Zukünftige SEAD-Flugkörper,” Europäische Sicherheit, 

no. 7 (July 2001): 25.

312. Lehmann, “Further Development of Luftwaffe’s Equipment,” 53–54; 

and Erwes, “Zukünftige SEAD-Flugkörper,” 26.

313. Goebel, “Von der Betroffenheit zur Selbstverständlichkeit,” 14.

314. Dr. Hermann Hagena, brigadier general, GAF, retired, “FLA, Antonow 

70 oder C-130J: wird nur einer gewinnen?,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 4 (April 

1999): 37.

315. Evers, “Transportflieger in humanitärem Auftrag,” 90–91.

316. Lehmann, “Further Development of Luftwaffe’s Equipment,” 54–55.

317. Agüera, “Zwischen Hoffnung und Verzweiflung,” 47.

318. Hagena, “Charter oder Leasing?,” 35.

319. Agüera, “Zwischen Hoffnung und Verzweiflung,” 47.

320. Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21. Jahrhundert, § 48; and Agüera, 

“Zwischen Hoffnung und Verzweiflung,” 48–49.

321. Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 26.

322. “Frankreich attackiert Deutschland wegen A400M,” Handelsblatt, 31 

January 2011, http://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/airbus

-frankreich-attackiert-deutschland-wegen-a400m;2743458.

323. Lt Col Peter Stütz, “Luftbetankung,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 7 (July 

1999): 18.

324. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 2010

(Abingdon, Oxfordshire: published by Routledge for the IISS, February 2010), 136.

325. Schön and Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 40.

326. Hoppe, “First In and Last Out,” 215; and Schön, interview.

327. Luftwaffe, “Luftwaffe modernisiert Regierungsflotte mit A319 CJ,” 25 

March 2010, http://www.luftwaffe.de.

328. Lange, Neue Bundeswehr auf altem Sockel, 10.

329. Lehmann, “Further Development of Luftwaffe’s Equipment,” 52.

330. Meiers, Zu neuen Ufern?, 156; Scharping, Die Bundeswehr sicher ins 21. 

Jahrhundert, § 48; and Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 92.

331. Schön, interview.
220 │ GERMAN Air Force

332. LPM 2009–2014, rapport annexé, 6.

333. “Nachrichtengewinnung und Aufklärung,” Wehrtechnischer Report: 

Fähigkeiten und Ausrüstung der Luftwaffe, no. 3 (2006): 33.

334. “Auflösung der 2. Aufklärungsstaffel,” Strategie & Technik, October 

2009, 49; Schetilin, “Material- und Ausrüstungsplanung der Luftwaffe,” 30; 

Luftwaffe, “Recce Lite: Ein groβer Fortschritt,” 10 November 2009, http://www

.luftwaffe.de; and Luftwaffe, “Erfolgreicher Erstflug des Euro Hawk symbolisiert Zukunft der Luftwaffe,” 2 July 2010, http://www.luftwaffe.de.

335. Thompson, Political and Military Components, 115–16.

336. Jertz, “Unser Schwerpunkt ist der Einsatz,” 22.

337. Schön, interview.

338. “German Air Force Structure 5,” 22; and MOD, Germany, Outline of 

the Bundeswehr Concept, 32.

339. Lehmann, “Further Development of Luftwaffe’s Equipment,” 52.

340. Von Hoyer-Boot, “Erweiterte Luftverteidigung,” 506.

341. Lt Col Ralf Gosch, “Luftverteidigung—Veränderungen in der neuen 

Struktur,” Europäische Sicherheit, no. 3 (March 2005): 48; and Schön, interview.

342. Jarosch, Immer im Einsatz, 165.

343. Gosch, “Luftverteidigung,” 46.

344. Struck, Defence Policy Guidelines, § 92.

345. “Germany Faces Pressure to Re-evaluate MEADS,” Jane’s Defence 

Weekly 47, no. 11 (17 March 2010): 5.
Chapter 5

Royal Netherlands Air Force

(Koninklijke Luchtmacht)

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), or Koninklijke 

Luchtmacht, has its roots back in 1913, when it consisted of a single 

aeroplane and a unit of merely six men. After World War II, in 

1953, the RNLAF was formed as an independent service.1

 Fiftyseven years later, it had become a professional service branch employing approximately 9,500 personnel.2

 Particularly in the post–

Cold War era, the RNLAF has gained a reputation of a highly 

efficient and capable Air Force out of proportion to its relatively 

small size, providing the Netherlands government with an effective tool for combined out-of-area operations.

When Gen Charles A. Horner, the air component commander of 

Operation Desert Storm, was asked to comment upon the RNLAF, 

he particularly highlighted the Air Force’s outstanding qualities 

regarding professionalism, equipment, training, and attitude. 

Moreover, he took the view that in the course of Allied Force, the 

RNLAF proved to be highly interoperable and able to cover a 

broad panoply of air power missions, including offensive air combat missions. As such, the air component commander could rely 

upon the RNLAF to execute difficult missions, with other NATO 

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by Frank Visser

RNLAF F-16 at Kandahar Airfield in November 2008
222 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

allies relegated to more supporting roles due to deficiencies in 

equipment, training, or attitude.3

By examining how the RNLAF has responded to the air power 

challenges of the post–Cold War era, the following examination explores how a relatively small nation, whose defence spending is below the European NATO average, can have an effective Air Force. 

The RNLAF has also been one of the main drivers of European air 

power integration while retaining its strong transatlantic link.

How Has the Royal Netherlands Air Force 

Adapted to the Uncertainties Created by 

Shifting Defence and Alliance Policies?

This section first analyses the Netherlands’ post–Cold War defence policy and its influence on the RNLAF’s evolution. The 

Netherlands’ alliance policies are described next, along with a 

view towards how they have affected its Air Force. 

Defence Policy

Between 1990 and 2003, four major defence reports were published—the Defence White Paper 1991, the Defence Priorities Review 1993, the Defence White Paper 2000, and the Prinsjesdag Letter 2003. The Netherlands’ proactive defence policy exerted 

far-reaching impulses for Dutch air power and put the RNLAF 

relatively swiftly on an expeditionary footing. As such, the flexible 

and responsive Dutch defence policy turned the RNLAF into a 

relevant foreign policy tool.

Threat and Risk Perception. The Netherlands’ defence posture 

has been closely related to its threat and risk perception, as military reforms followed the most recent security assessments. The 

Defence White Paper 1991 clearly recognised that European security had markedly improved and emphasised crises and armed 

conflicts outside Europe. While the Soviet Union was still considered a major military power, a strategic surprise attack was ruled 

out as a contingency. Nevertheless, the white paper suggested that 

NATO ought to maintain an equal and balanced military capability to meet that of the Soviet Union.4
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 223

Partly as a reaction to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 

1991, the Defence Priorities Review was published in 1993. It considered the armed forces of the states of the former Soviet Union 

no longer a major factor in the Netherlands’ security equation.5

Moreover, the Defence Priorities Review defined the new security 

environment in political, social, economic, ecological, and humanitarian terms instead of a merely military dimension. Countries in the developing world that were experiencing internal and 

external conflicts shifted into the focus of Dutch defence policy.6

More than half a decade later, the Defence White Paper 2000 

clearly recognised the unpredictability of future crises as the biggest problems that planners are confronted with: “where, when, 

with whom, under what circumstances and for what task the units 

of our armed forces are deployed in the future is uncertain.”7

 To 

meet these future challenges, the Defence White Paper 2000 particularly called for further improvements in combat readiness and 

a significant enhancement of the deployability of the Netherlands 

armed forces.8

The 2003 Prinsjesdag Letter partly reiterated the views of the 

1993 Defence Priorities Review and the 2000 Defence White Paper, 

stating that the Netherlands need no longer be concerned about a 

large-scale attack with conventional weapons on alliance territory. 

The situation in the Balkans had stabilised, though it needed constant attention, and the expansion of NATO and the EU were fostering security in and around Europe.9

 As a consequence of the 

11 September attacks, however, the Prinsjesdag Letter argued that 

the world as a whole had not become a safer place. The contemporary external security situation was linked to the future internal 

security of the Netherlands. Therefore, it was considered essential 

that Western values be protected and promoted together with the 

Netherlands’ allies and partners.10

Tasks of the Armed Forces. According to this shift in the threat 

and risk perception from a potential major onslaught on NATO 

alliance territory to asymmetric threats, the missions of the Netherlands armed forces have changed. Whereas the Defence White Paper 

1991 still perceived the Soviet Union as a potential threat, it already laid the foundation for the future of expeditionary warfare. 

Hence, it stressed the importance of mobility, flexibility, rapid deployment, interoperability, and the ability to carry out operations 
224 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

outside the NATO treaty area.11 Though the Netherlands government emphasised the importance of non-military means for conflict prevention, it clearly stated that “if necessary . . . the Netherlands is prepared to use military means to uphold the international 

rule of law, to withstand aggression and to safeguard fundamental 

economic interests [outside the NATO treaty area].”12

Two years later, the Defence Priorities Review, aside from the 

defence of national and allied territory, particularly emphasised 

out-of-area crisis management operations.13 Seven years later, the 

Defence White Paper 2000 reiterated these broad guidelines of 

Dutch defence policy and outlined the core tasks of the armed 

forces as follows:

•  protecting the integrity of national and Allied territory, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba;

•  advancing the international rule of law and stability; [and]

•  assisting the civil authorities in the context of law enforcement, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid, both nationally 

and internationally.14

Published in 2003, the Prinsjesdag Letter was in many ways a 

response to the events starting with the terrorist attacks on 11 

September. It reconfirmed the importance of expeditionary warfare, as internal security can be threatened by conditions far away 

from the national territory.15 It also concluded that the armed 

forces must be able to make a credible contribution to national 

and international peace and security, even if this might involve the 

risk of casualties.16

Towards Expeditionary Warfare and Professional Armed 

Forces. In the period from 1990 to 2003, the Netherlands armed 

forces transitioned from being primarily relegated to territorial 

defence to an expeditionary defence posture. While, at the outset 

of the post–Cold War era, a premium was put upon peacekeeping 

operations at the lower end of the spectrum of military force, a 

gradual shift towards more robust operations occurred.17 The 2003 

Prinsjesdag Letter states that operations based on chapter 7 of the 

UN Charter—which do not require the consent of the warring 

parties—had become the preferred mode of operating. It further 

underlines that such crisis management operations were con-
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 225

ducted under the aegis of NATO, the EU, or an ad hoc coalition, 

with the UN’s role limited to issuing the mandate.18

Because of these developments, a premium was put upon the 

ability to operate at the high end of the spectrum of force, even 

in traditional peacekeeping operations. Hence, it was deemed 

necessary to concentrate on technologically advanced military 

contributions. Only by so doing would the Netherlands remain 

interoperable with the most important allies.19 In 2004 the 

Netherlands defence minister, Henk Kamp, reconfirmed the importance of expeditionary warfare: “Participation in non-Article 

5 crisis response operations must now also be regarded as a contribution to the security of our territory and that of our citizens, 

in its broadest sense. The fact is we are going to the problems 

before they come to us.”20

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by Frank Visser

RNLAF AH-64D at Tarin Kowt in the province of Uruzgan in November 

2008

Emphasis upon out-of-area operations across the entire spectrum of military force led to the abolition of the obligation to enlist for military service in early 1996.21 A further major reform step 

occurred in 2005, when the commanders in chief of the individual 

services were phased out and superseded by a single joint commander, relegating the single services to “mere” force providers.22

The reorganisation was completed in 2006. Besides the Army, 
226 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

Navy, and military police, the Air Force became one of four operational commands. The Command of the Air Forces directly 

reports to the commander of the armed forces.23 Given the great 

autonomy Dutch single-service commanders wielded throughout 

the Cold War, this represents a significant step towards more integrated armed forces.24

Defence Policy and Its Impact upon the Royal Netherlands 

Air Force. In 1991 the RNLAF continued the nuclear task of its 

F-16s since the potential military threat of the Soviet Union had 

not yet completely vanished.25 Nowadays, only one F-16 squadron 

is assigned with a nuclear task.26 In terms of conventional air 

power, great importance was attached to a good air defence capability of the F-16 fighter aircraft, as the Soviet Air Force continued 

to receive a new generation of fighter aircraft. The Netherlands 

government thereby reconfirmed its interest in an integrated air 

defence of Europe. Air defence as a purely national responsibility 

was deemed to lead to the disintegration of the Deep Multi-Layered 

NATO Integrated Air Defence System into small national pockets 

with a consequent reduction in warning and reaction times.27

Both measures—the maintenance of the nuclear task of the F-16 

and the emphasis on an advanced air defence capability—reflect 

the security assessment of the Defence White Paper 1991. Yet, 

there was also change due to the relaxation of Cold War tensions. 

As such, it was intended to reduce the number of operational 

combat aircraft available to NATO from 162 to 144. These remaining F-16s were planned to undergo a midlife update (MLU).28

Also, a more decentralised and flatter C2 and organisational 

structure was assumed by the mid-1990s. One outcome is that 

squadron commanders became fully responsible for combat readiness of their units.29

The role of the F-16 fighter aircraft shifted considerably in the 

post–Cold War era. Whereas the Defence White Paper 1991 put a 

premium upon an advanced air defence capability, the Prinsjesdag 

Letter stated in 2003 that the Netherlands military capabilities 

were foremost geared up to influence the situation on the ground.30

To make a relevant contribution to deployed operations, an efficient 

air-to-ground capacity was considered essential by Dutch decision makers.31 This development clearly reflects the Netherlands’ 

shift from territorial alliance defence to out-of-area operations.
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 227

While the Defence White Paper 1991 announced a reduction in 

the RNLAF’s F-16 fleet, a need for improved mobility and flexibility called for an enhanced air transport capability against the 

backdrop of a more active UN peacekeeping role outside the 

NATO treaty area. Particularly through the acquisition of tanker/

transport aircraft, it was intended to establish a strategic airlift capacity.32 Regarding intratheatre mobility, the Defence White Paper 

1991 announced the establishment of an airmobile brigade, integrating helicopters and light infantry.33 The helicopter force was 

subsequently put under the command of the Air Force and underwent far-reaching developments from light reconnaissance helicopters such as the Alouette III to some of the most advanced 

combat and transport helicopters forming the Tactical Helicopter 

Group (THG). The THG was fully incorporated into Air Force 

structures, with the Royal Netherlands Army determining the operational requirements.34

Table 4 shows the development of the RNLAF’s aircraft inventory from 1991 to 2005. To meet the political demands of enhanced mobility and combat readiness, the combat aircraft fleet 

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by H. Keeris

An RNLAF CH-47 Chinook on Exercise Snow Falcon in Norway. The 

THG, combining transport and Apache combat helicopters, and the Royal 

Netherlands Army’s 11th Air Mobile Brigade are integrated into the “bluegreen” Air Manoeuvre Brigade.
228 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

was reduced, upgraded, and standardised. The F-5A, procured in 

the second half of the 1960s, was phased out at the beginning of 

the post–Cold War era.35 Reduction and standardisation also applied to the RNLAF’s GBAD systems. The GBAD inventory was 

solely concentrated upon the Patriot system, as it provides a limited TBMD capability and fully meets the requirements of deployed operations. Yet, the necessary swift buildup in intra- and 

intertheatre mobility led to a heterogeneous force structure.

Table 4. RNLAF aircraft/GBAD inventory and personnel

1991 1998 2005

Combat Aircraft

181 F-16A/Bs (plus 23 

in store)

170 F-16A/Bs (plus 11 

in store)

108 F-16A/B MLUs 

(plus 29 in store) 

(all aircraft converted 

under the European 

MLU programme)

Transport Aircraft

14 Fokker F-27 tactical 

transport aircraft

2 C-130 Hercules,

6 Fokker F-50/F-60 

tactical transport aircraft

2 C-130 Hercules,

6 Fokker F-50/F-60 

tactical transport aircraft

AAR Aircraft

None 2 KDC-10s 2 KDC-10s

Helicopters

4 SAR helicopters 81 helicopters (including 12 AH-64A combat 

helicopters, 13 CH-47D 

Chinooks, 17 Cougars)

72 helicopters (including 30 AH-64D combat 

helicopters, 13 CH-47D 

Chinooks, 17 Cougars)

GBAD

4 Patriot fire units,

16 Hawk fire units,

75 radar-controlled guns 

and 25 radars,

100 Stingers

4 Patriot fire units,

16 Hawk fire units,

75 radar-controlled guns 

and 25 radars,

100 Stingers

4 Patriot fire units (being 

upgraded to PAC-3), 

some Stingers

Personnel

12,500 (plus 3,500 

conscripts and 11,200 

reservists for immediate 

recall)

11,980 (plus 10,000 

reservists for immediate 

recall)

11,050 (plus 5,000 

reservists for immediate 

recall)

Adapted from International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), The Military Balance 1991–92

(London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1991), 66–67; IISS, The Military Balance 1998–99 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, October 1998), 60–2; and IISS, The Military Balance

2005–06 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, October 2005), 83. Data on Patriot 

and Hawk GBAD fire units was provided by Col Peter Wijninga, RNLAF, commander, De Peel 

AFB, to the author, e-mail, 30 July 2010 (forwarded by 1Lt Ton Steers, RNLAF).
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 229

Major developments after 2003 were outlined in the Prinsjesdag

Letter. It announced that the F-16 arsenal would be further reduced from 137 to 108, aimed at lowering operating costs and improving deployability of the remaining aircraft. Along with this 

reduction, one of three air bases was to be closed by 2007.36 In 

contrast, air transport capacities were boosted by two additional 

C-130s and one DC-10.37 Moreover, the increasing demands in 

intertheatre airlift capacities led to cooperative multi- and bilateral 

arrangements as well as shared ownership. These developments 

are examined further below.

Developments in the post–Cold War era also impacted the personnel structure (see table 4). However, the abolition of conscription was not a revolutionary step for the RNLAF since it always 

consisted mainly of professionally employed personnel.

In the 1990s, the RNLAF developed from a static air force 

geared up for the defence of Central Europe into an expeditionary 

air force deployable across the entire spectrum of military operations. While certain specialised capabilities such as dedicated 

SEAD assets or CSAR have not yet been acquired, the RNLAF has 

been transformed into a more balanced air force. Balance was 

achieved through a shift in resource allocation from the combat 

aircraft fleet and GBAD units to the buildup of the THG as well 

as to the acquisition of C-130 Hercules and modified DC-10 aircraft. In this transformational process, role specialisation was to 

be avoided. Accordingly, the Prinsjesdag Letter of 2003 stated, 

“The Netherlands armed forces concentrate on a limited number 

of advanced capabilities, without following a path of excessive 

role specialisation and without unduly limiting the choice of deployment options.”38

Following the announcements of further budget cuts in July 

2007, the RNLAF further reduced its F-16 fleet to 87 aircraft, including 72 assigned to five operational squadrons. Despite this 

reduction, the number of operational squadrons was kept constant. Accordingly, squadron strength was reduced from 18 to 14 

or 15 aircraft.39

Another important step was the establishment of the Defence 

Helicopter Command on 4 July 2008. This new joint command is 

in charge of all military helicopter operations and reports to the 
230 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

Command of the Air Forces and, as such, absorbed the Royal 

Netherlands Navy’s Maritime Helicopter Group.40

Emphasis upon Air Power. In 2003 the Netherlands spent 1.6 

per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, below 

the European NATO average of two per cent.41 Also, from a longterm perspective, the Netherlands has never allotted a relatively 

high percentage of its GDP to defence.42 In the chart below, the 

single-service budget allocations throughout the 1990s are presented. (Tabular comparisons of the national defence expenditures are provided in chap. 7.)

The Army received by far the largest part of the annual defence 

budget, though a slight trend towards increased spending on the 

sister services became visible. This imbalanced funding has its 

roots in the Cold War. In an effort to stifle interservice feuds, the 

Netherlands introduced a division of the defence budget accord0

10

20

30

40

50

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Army

Year

Per Cent

Navy Air Force

Figure 4. Budget allocation to the single services (Netherlands). 

(Adapted from J. Franssen, chairman, Van wankel evenwicht naar 

versterkte defensieorganisatie: advies van de Adviescommissie Opperbevelhebberschap [From a precarious balance to a reinforced 

defence system: advice from the advisory committee supreme command] [The Hague: Adviescommissie Opperbevelhebberschap 

[Advisory Committee Supreme Command], 19 April 2002], background information, part B, De verdeling van de budgetten die in de 

afgelopen tien jaren aan de krijgsmachtdelen zijn toebedeeld [Budget allocation to the single services in the last ten years].) 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 231

ing to the 1:2:1 formula, allocating half of the budget to the Army 

and approximately a quarter each to the other services.43

According to the broad approach to air power which this book 

takes, the air power assets of the Navy and Army have to be included as well. In the 1990s, the Army operated between 60 and 95 

Gepard self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft guns, between 60 

and 131 towed anti-aircraft guns, and approximately 300 Stinger 

man-portable air defence systems. Furthermore, the Navy operated 22 Lynx helicopters and 13 P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft.44 While the P-3Cs were sold to Germany and Portugal, the 21 remaining Lynx airframes, including four kept in 

non-flyable condition, were brought under the auspices of the 

Command of the Air Forces in 2008.45 In addition to these aircraft, the Navy operated between 10 and 14 frigates, all equipped 

with air defence systems.46 If these systems are included, air power 

expenditure is greater than the funding of the single services 

might suggest. However, it is still considerably lower as a proportion than that of the United States. This state of affairs prompted 

an RNLAF lieutenant colonel to maintain, “I see no recognition of 

the fact that . . . air power is at the core, at the heart of the European military capability gap.”47

Despite the relatively low budget, the RNLAF became from the 

early 1990s up to 2002 the weapon of choice in operations at the 

upper end of the spectrum of military force. According to a Dutch 

commentator, the RNLAF gained quite a reputation among politicians in the wake of the air operations over the Balkans. Contrary 

to the Army’s troublesome experience in Bosnia, Dutch air power 

was perceived to add to the Netherlands’ prestige abroad. As a 

result, from 1999 to 2002, the RNLAF was indeed the preferred 

instrument—at least in the eyes of major factions in The Hague 

and in the media. An example is the Parliament’s insistence that 

the Dutch land contribution to the operation United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) in 2000–2001 was to be 

accompanied by Apache combat helicopters. Yet, according to an 

interviewee, the Dutch perspective on air power has become less 

enthusiastic.48 This might be because stabilisation operations in 

Iraq and Afghanistan have required relatively large ground force 

contingents. Against this backdrop, the Royal Netherlands Army 

has also gained respect for its international commitments. During 
232 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

2004 no less than 40 per cent of the Army’s operational personnel 

were deployed overseas, well above the NATO average. In the future, the Dutch Parliament might also deploy the Royal Netherlands Army for high-intensity warfare. From January to June 2005, 

4,000 Dutch troops—mostly combat—went on standby for NATO 

Response Force 4.49

Alliance Context

In 1985 the Dutch scholar Jan Siccama observed that “the failure of neutrality in 1940 enhanced the tendency towards alignment after World War II in the same way as the success of neutrality 

in 1914 had fostered the continuation of that policy during the 

interbellum period.”50 Since the signature of the North Atlantic 

Treaty on 4 April 1949, Dutch security has been viewed exclusively in transatlantic terms. The Netherlands’ colonial legacy and 

once more prominent position in international affairs have created a self-image of an influential, albeit small, nation. Cooperation has been regarded as the main lever for gaining influence on 

the international stage.51

Since a premium was put upon a firm American commitment 

to European security, attempts at establishing an independent European defence structure outside NATO in the early 1990s were 

feared to undermine cohesion within the NATO alliance. Yet, a 

shift from an outspoken transatlantic orientation to a more European stance was discernable in the mid-1990s. While the first 

Bush administration discouraged attempts at European defence 

cooperation, President Clinton supported the development of the 

European Security and Defence Identity and encouraged European cooperation through initiatives such as the CJTF concept 

within NATO. The Clinton administration argued that a more integrated European defence policy would serve peace and security 

better than fragmented national defence initiatives. This shift in 

American behaviour prompted Dutch defence policy to move in a 

more European direction. The Dutch government has been vigorously pursuing the goal of integrating its armed forces into supranational defence structures. Accordingly, the Royal Netherlands 

Marine Corps has been closely integrated with units of the British 

Royal Marine Corps since the days of the Cold War, and in August 

1995, the Netherlands integrated its Army into a Dutch-German 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 233

Corps. As for naval forces, the Dutch and Belgian navies established a combined operational staff in 1995.52

A Dutch scholar concluded in the mid-1990s that shifts in 

Dutch defence policy were the consequence of not only shrinking 

resources for the armed forces but also international circumstances. Dutch defence planners realised that American commitment to NATO and Europe would paradoxically be put at risk if 

European NATO allies refused to integrate their efforts and to 

provide a more robust contribution to the transatlantic defence 

burden.53 Against the backdrop of transatlantic and European tensions over the Iraq crisis in 2003, the Prinsjesdag Letter particularly underlined that NATO continued to be the most important 

pillar of Dutch defence policy, as it epitomised the alliance with 

the United States. Hence, the ESDP was regarded as complementing NATO.54

Since larger unilateral military expeditions are inconceivable 

for the Netherlands, Dutch military units are to operate closely 

with allied armed forces under the auspices of international organisations or ad hoc coalitions. Already in the Defence White Paper 1991, it was stated that the Netherlands would only act in conjunction with other countries and that the contribution of the 

Netherlands would therefore always be of a complementary kind.55

In alliance with others, preferably the United States, Dutch politicians and militaries have been willing and capable of exercising 

violence and of using air power as a coercive tool.56

Due to the Netherlands’ strong commitment to NATO and European integration, a premium is put upon interoperability. The 

Defence White Paper 2000 emphasises the ability of the armed 

forces to participate in an international context. As such, the 

Netherlands armed forces are considered as a system of modules, 

each of which can operate in groups led by NATO, the UN, the 

EU, or an ad hoc coalition.57 The capability of easily fitting into 

multinational forces is considered to provide the Netherlands 

armed forces with the required flexibility for multinational missions. The Netherlands government is firm in its belief that without far-reaching international cooperation, smaller countries 

would be unable to maintain relevant and affordable armed forces 

over the long term.58 Hence, the pooling of national resources 

with other countries has been seen as an attractive way of dealing 
234 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

with the soaring costs of defence expenditure. On top of that, bilateral and multilateral cooperation have been believed to foster 

mutual trust and interoperability.

Alliance Policy and Its Impact upon the 

Royal Netherlands Air Force

Encouraged by NATO initiatives such as the CJTF concept of 

1994, the RNLAF has been at the forefront of European cooperative 

ventures, which it has considered as important force multipliers 

against the backdrop of constrained national defence resources.

ESDP and NATO Context. In the 2003 Prinsjesdag Letter, 

Dutch decision makers expressed their intention to reduce the 

Netherlands’ contribution to out-of-area operations in the 

framework of NATO or the ESDP from three to two squadrons, 

each with 18 fighter aircraft.59 This reduction was probably based 

upon a more realistic assumption of the force level that can actually be sustained in deployed operations over a longer period of 

time. In terms of combat aircraft, this represented almost half of 

the number potentially put at the disposal of the EU by Germany 

or France, with the GAF and the FAF originally intending to 

contribute up to 80 combat aircraft. Hence, the RNLAF has been 

striving to make a contribution which is out of proportion to the 

country’s size. Moreover, the Netherlands has subscribed to the 

importance of the NRF by allocating 12 F-16s to the response 

force on a structural basis, as well as a significant fraction of its 

other main weapon systems.60

Bilateral and Multilateral Organisational Relationships. The 

RNLAF was the driving force behind the creation of the European 

Participating Air Forces’ Expeditionary Air Wing (EPAF EAW), a 

multinational European F-16 wing. The EPAF EAW is rooted in 

the mid-1990s, when air operations over the former Yugoslavia 

were in full swing. The RNLAF and the Belgian Air Force signed 

an MOU in October 1994. It was intended that the Belgians 

would take on about one-third of the RNLAF’s efforts in Operation Deny Flight. However, the first Belgian F-16 detachment was 

deployed to Italy only in October 1996—well after Operations 

Deny Flight and Deliberate Force.61 The Belgians teamed up with 

their Dutch counterparts in the framework of the newly established Deployable Air Task Force (DATF). The DATF enabled the 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 235

two air forces to work closely together in Operation Allied Force 

in 1999, reducing redundancies in areas such as logistics and operational planning.62 For instance, the DATF incorporated a combined planning cell for the preparation of contingency plans.63

Moreover, the Luxembourg Army provided a tailored ground security force for deployed operations.64 The concept was particularly furthered because both air forces were operating F-16 

fighter-bombers and because it was fully in line with NATO’s 

combined joint task force concept, endorsed by the alliance in 

January 1994.

Prior to the establishment of the DATF, the RNLAF together 

with the Belgian, Danish, and the Norwegian Air Forces set up the 

European Participating Air Forces (EPAF). EPAF members were 

all F-16 customers, and the concept was originally conceived for 

procurement purposes to pool national requirements and to gain 

bargaining leverage (an issue that is discussed in the section on 

procurement). The EPAF particularly laid out the common requirement for the MLU of the European F-16 Block 15 A/B.65

With a Dutch, Danish, and Norwegian EPAF deployment to 

Central Asia in 2002, DATF concepts were transferred into an 

EPAF context. Together with the Danish and Norwegian Air Forces, 

the RNLAF participated in the air operations over Afghanistan. 

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by H. Keeris

A KDC-10 refuelling an F-16 in midair over Central Asia in the course of 

Operation Enduring Freedom
236 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

The combined EPAF deployment proved to be quite effective despite some legal and procedural obstacles. To further improve cooperation between the European F-16 users, Gen D. L. Berlijn, the 

RNLAF commander in chief, took the initiative to approach his 

Belgian, Danish, Norwegian, and Polish counterparts to ask for 

their views upon a possible expansion of the DATF concept, finally resulting in the EPAF EAW. The participating air forces intend to make optimum use of available and complementary assets 

in out-of-area operations to increase efficiency. For example, during the operations over Afghanistan, the Netherlands and Denmark provided targeting pods free of charge for common use, 

while Norway provided a hangar and a deployable communication module.66

The EPAF EAW is inherently flexible, as it allows for deployments involving two or more air forces, depending on the particular circumstances. Through this approach, national sovereignty is 

respected, with each participating nation defining its level of commitment.67 Moreover, it was also intended to make the EPAF EAW 

available to the NRF.68 The MOU for the EPAF EAW was finally 

signed by the defence ministers of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal during the NATO summit in Istanbul 

on 28 June 2004.69 The essential benefit of the EPAF EAW concept 

is synergy. Through their combined commitment, EPAF nations 

as a group can deploy more robust and sustainable force packages 

than autonomous national efforts would allow.

While the EPAF EAW is a form of enhanced cooperation and 

pooling, it does not extend to role specialisation, which is seen to 

curtail deployment options. This thrust is completely in line with 

Dutch decision makers’ ideas about military cooperative arrangements. While the government views cooperation as a prerequisite 

for smaller countries to retain relevant armed forces, it considers 

a certain degree of autonomy essential to remain functional.70

Analogous to the DATF model, the Netherlands proposed 

combining American, German, and Dutch Patriot guided missile 

units into a deployable combined unit for TBMD in deployed 

NATO operations.71 In 1999 the trinational Extended Air Defence 

Task Force was established in Germany. Its tasks are to enhance 

interoperability by planning training and exercises and to provide 

liaison for US, Dutch, and German Patriot units.72 Thus far, Dutch 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 237

ambitions regarding the establishment of multinational units for 

deployed operations turned out to be too ambitious.

In addition to these cooperative ventures, the RNLAF became a 

full member of the EAG on 12 July 1999 to further shape European standardisation and interoperability.73 Moreover, as the host 

nation of the EAC, the Netherlands signed in May 2007 the agreement to establish the EATC in Eindhoven, Netherlands.74

As regards pilot training, the RNLAF has been pursuing a 

transatlantic path. After elementary pilot training in the Netherlands, both fighter and helicopter pilots are trained in the United 

States. Like their German counterparts, future fighter pilots undergo basic jet training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, in a multinational 

environment. Subsequently, initial F-16 training takes place 

within the Netherlands Detachment Springfield Ohio (NDSO). 

The NDSO was established in April 2007, after 306 Squadron, the 

RNLAF’s operational conversion unit, relocated to Springfield Air 

National Guard (ANG) Base to provide initial qualification training. The squadron is part of the Ohio ANG’s 178th Fighter Wing 

and operates six dual-seat and eight single-seat F-16s. Prior to the 

establishment of the NDSO, initial qualification training was provided by the Arizona ANG’s 162d Fighter Wing at Tucson, using 

Tucson-based Dutch F-16s from 1990 to 1995 and the wing’s own 

F-16s thereafter. Mission qualification training takes place in the 

Netherlands in one of the operational squadrons.75

Dutch helicopter pilots attend the initial-entry rotary wing 

course at Fort Rucker, Alabama. While future Apache and Chinook pilots proceed to type-specific training in the United States, 

Cougar pilots learn to fly the UH-60 Black Hawk before converting to their destined type in the Netherlands and in simulators 

abroad. Initial mission qualification training of Dutch Apache pilots is provided by the Netherlands Apache Training Detachment 

(NATD) at Fort Hood, Texas. The detachment also conducts annual tactical training courses for operational Apache pilots. Moreover, Dutch Apache training includes a mountain flying course in 

Italy and weapons qualification in Germany. Analogous to the 

combat helicopter syllabus, the RNLAF considered, as of 2009, 

establishing a permanent Chinook detachment for advanced 

training in the United States.76
238 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

Cooperation on an Operational Level. Against the backdrop 

of Operation Allied Force, General Horner highlighted that the 

Dutch had been easy to integrate into an American-led multinational force with regard to equipment as well as training.77 Operational ties with the USAF have been strong in the post–Cold 

War era. For instance, American exchange pilots were embedded 

into RNLAF F-16 detachments during Enduring Freedom. In the 

course of Operation Iraqi Freedom, RNLAF Patriot units stationed in Turkey were in a position to receive American intelligence on potential missile launches.78 Hence, a high degree of mutual trust and understanding has indeed existed between the 

USAF and the RNLAF. Moreover, the RNLAF has only participated in air campaigns with the United States acting as lead nation, which is expected to remain the case.79

Due to its embedding into NATO, the RNLAF has in general 

acquired great experience in operating with allied air forces. It has 

been participating in the most demanding integrated exercises, 

such as Red Flag in the United States and Maple Flag in Canada. 

Furthermore, 323 TACTESS (Tactical Training, Evaluation, and 

Standardisation Squadron), the Dutch “Top Gun” squadron, organises its own annual integrated exercise. Up to eight nations 

regularly participate in exercise Frisian Flag over the Netherlands 

and the North Sea.80 Analogous to its flying counterparts, the 

RNLAF Missile Group has been organising TBMD defence exercises in the Joint Project Optic Windmill series since 1996.81

Throughout the 1990s, the RNLAF also conducted low-level flying exercises in Goose Bay, Canada. Yet, in the aftermath of Allied 

Force, low-level flying diminished in importance, and it was decided to terminate the low-flying training programme in Canada.82 The definite field test for combined operations was the succession of air campaigns over the former Yugoslavia.83

How Has the Royal Netherlands Air Force 

Responded to the Challenges of Real Operations?

In the post–Cold War era, the Netherlands has been using its 

armed forces as an instrument for intervention abroad. Nowadays, the Netherlands armed forces are almost exclusively geared 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 239

towards expeditionary warfare.84 Dutch politicians have been willing to employ air power across the entire spectrum of force to 

fulfil the goals set by their defence policy. In a speech in early 

2004, the Dutch defence minister underlined that allied solidarity 

must not only be apparent from a country’s military capabilities 

but also from its willingness to share risks. Hence, the ability to 

engage at the higher end of the military spectrum of force became 

an important pillar of Dutch foreign and defence policy. He particularly argued that if politicians are to contribute to stability and 

security, they must have the courage to shoulder responsibility for 

operations entailing fatal casualties.85

In line with the Netherlands’ defence policy, all of the RNLAF’s 

main weapon systems have been engaged in deployed operations 

since the end of the Cold War. From 1993 to 2001, Dutch F-16s 

were stationed in Italy as part of the air operations over the Balkans. From late 2002 up to 2010, they were contributing to operations in Afghanistan. RNLAF AH-64 helicopters have also been 

employed across a broad spectrum of force in out-of-area operations. Not only the RNLAF’s airborne assets but also its guided 

missile units have proven to be important in the post–Cold War 

environment. Dutch Patriot units were deployed in the context of 

Desert Storm in 1991 and Iraqi Freedom in 2003. On top of these 

combat contributions, the RNLAF has played a role in humanitarian relief operations and troop deployments with its airlift fleet.

Dutch Contributions to Western Air Campaigns

As early as 1991, the Dutch government was willing to commit 

F-16 fighter aircraft to combat missions. During the 1990–91 Gulf 

crisis, the Netherlands was actively seeking participation in the 

coalition against Saddam Hussein. Due to the concentration of 

extremely large numbers of aircraft in the Gulf region, though, all 

hosting options for Dutch F-16s turned out to be exhausted.86

The Netherlands’ immediate reaction to Desert Storm was to 

draw lessons from the near deployment to the Gulf area. On a 

political level, it sought to speed up the political decision-making 

process for any future crisis management operations. On an operational level, squadrons were geared up for rapid deployment.87

In the remainder of the 1990s and beyond, Dutch decision makers 

indeed proved capable of swiftly committing the armed forces to 
240 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

operations across the spectrum of military force, and the RNLAF 

was able to respond effectively to the challenges of real operations. 

Overall, Desert Storm was not so much about a paradigm change, 

as in the case of the FAF, but a matter of recalibrating already existing Dutch defence capabilities. It is noteworthy that in doctrine 

development and the acquisition of an air-to-ground precision 

strike capability, Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force 

proved to be more critical for the RNLAF than Desert Storm (as is 

analysed later). Hence, there appears to be a difference between 

just observing an operation and fully participating in it.

While the RNLAF could not immediately contribute to Desert 

Storm, it did so indirectly. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 

1990, NATO decided to send Patriot units to Turkey for protection against Iraqi SCUD missiles. Two Dutch Patriot missile batteries were sent to Diyarbakir in eastern Turkey. This deployment 

was soon to be reinforced with two more Hawk missile squadrons 

and Stinger units. The RNLAF also deployed a Patriot missile battery to Israel.88 Whereas Dutch fighter aircraft were not able to 

participate in Operation Desert Storm, the rapid deployment of 

Patriot and Hawk missile units was a clear sign of the Netherlands 

government’s willingness to actively contribute to international 

crisis management. Moreover, Patriot deployments in the TBMD 

role fitted with NATO’s new extended air defence and rapid deployment concepts. With the Cold War over, the RNLAF’s guided 

missile units were withdrawn from the Deep Multi-Layered 

NATO Integrated Air Defence System in Germany and freed for 

out-of-area operations.89

When Operation Deny Flight was launched on 12 April 1993, 

Dutch F-16s and US Navy F/A-18s flew the first CAP missions 

over Bosnia on the same day. A mere 10 days later, RNLAF F-16s 

were among the first to fly night CAP missions. The initial Dutch 

detachment consisted of 18 F-16s, roughly 10 per cent of the 

overall allied commitment to Operation Deny Flight. After the 

UN had authorised air-to-ground strikes including CAS in mid1993, Dutch F-16s were prepared for the execution of these missions. The RNLAF’s fighter-bombers were basically configured 

for three roles—air defence, air-to-ground strikes, and tactical 

reconnaissance.90 The first air strikes against ground targets by 

Dutch F-16 aircraft were conducted on 21 November 1994. The 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 241

strikes were directed at the airfield at Udbina in the Kraijna region. In the planning process, RNLAF personnel played a key 

role, and a Dutch major acted as the overall tactical mission 

commander during the attack itself.91

In the Srebrenica massacre in July 1995, where lightly armed 

Dutch peacekeepers played a controversial role, the inflexible 

chain of command—wherein NATO and UN consent were required—delayed air strikes. By the time Dutch F-16s were authorised to attack ground targets, Srebrenica had already been overrun by Bosnian Serb troops.92

During Operation Deliberate Force, RNLAF F-16s were again 

used in a wide spectrum of missions covering air defence and airto-ground strikes, as well as reconnaissance missions.93 Out of a 

total of 1,026 weapons released, the RNLAF accounted for approximately 13 per cent, with Dutch F-16s exclusively dropping unguided bombs.94 In an interview with the author, a high-ranking 

RNLAF officer explained that Dutch F-16s had been able to place 

unguided bombs accurately by diving below the minimum flight 

altitude. Yet putting a premium upon avoiding unintended harm 

and destruction, the American air component commander assigned targets involving less risk of collateral damage to NATO air 

forces without precision weapons at their disposal.95

The RNLAF displayed further distinct national approaches to 

air power in the air campaigns over Bosnia. Towards the end of 

the Cold War, the RNLAF introduced the so-called swing-role 

concept. According to this concept, aircraft and pilot can execute 

multiple tasks on the same sortie.96 While other European F-16 

customers were employing the aircraft in one fixed role only, the 

RNLAF had been exploring the swing-role concept since the mid1980s.97 All Dutch F-16 pilots have been trained in both the air-toair and air-to-ground roles.98 Because Dutch F-16s could be retasked while executing a mission, the CAOC at Vicenza, Italy, had 

some extra leeway.99 During Deliberate Force, on several occasions RNLAF F-16s were flying air defence missions with bombs 

attached to their underwing pylons and, minutes later, were rerolled for an air-to-ground mission.100

Dutch aircrews put a premium upon flexibility not only for the 

swing-role concept but also for force packaging. When it was announced in November 1994 that all missions had to be escorted 
242 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

by SEAD aircraft, some allies, including Dutch pilots, expressed 

their doubts about this far-from-flexible way of operating.101 Instead of overreliance on SEAD and standoff jamming assets, 

Dutch pilots preferred to make their flight patterns as unpredictable as possible.102

Though the air operations over Bosnia represented the first 

real operations for Dutch fighter pilots, some of the most experienced aircrews were appointed leaders of large multinational 

formations scheduled to perform difficult missions. According 

to Lt Gen H. J. W. Manderfeld, RNLAF commander in chief 

from 1992 to1995, factors in this outstanding performance were 

sound training and education.103

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by R. Frigge

A Dutch F-16 with two AMRAAMs and two LGBs leaves the busy flight 

line at Amendola in southern Italy during Operation Allied Force

For Operation Allied Force, a total of 20 Dutch F-16s and two 

KDC-10 tanker aircraft were made available to NATO. Transport 

aircraft were flying almost round the clock carrying the right type 

of munitions on schedule to Amendola Air Base in southern Italy, 

from where the Dutch F-16s were operating. Through these efforts, a high operational tempo could be achieved and an average 

degree of readiness of over 95 per cent could be sustained. 

Throughout Allied Force, Dutch F-16s flew approximately 700 airto-air, 450 air-to-ground, and 50 reconnaissance and battle dam-
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 243

age assessment sorties over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. 

The RNLAF delivered more than 850 air-to-ground weapons, including 246 LGBs and 32 Maverick missiles. Given these figures, 

the RNLAF played a substantial role in Allied Force and provided, 

according to Dutch sources, approximately 7.5 per cent of the offensive NATO sorties.104 To put the number of expended PGMs 

into context, the RNLAF accounted for approximately 3.5 per cent 

of the total number of PGMs employed during the campaign and 

released slightly more than the RAF, which employed 244 LGBs 

and six ALARMs.105

On top of this, a Dutch F-16 downed one of three Serb MiG-29s 

destroyed by the alliance during the first night of the operation. 

Indicating the sensitivity of this incident, the Dutch chief of defence, Adm Lukas Kroon, expressed concerns about too much 

publicity to Gen Wesley Clark.106 Moreover, the option of ground 

forces was never considered by the Netherlands government.107

Three years later during the first half of 2002, the RNLAF supported Operation Enduring Freedom by dispatching a KDC-10 

tanker aircraft to Qatar’s Al Udeid airfield, from where it carried 

out missions in close cooperation with US tanker aircraft for 

nearly three months.108 RNLAF participation in operations over 

Afghanistan became more robust in autumn 2002, when a combined F-16 detachment—consisting of 18 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway—supported by an RNLAF KDC-10 

tanker aircraft deployed to Manas International Airport in Kyrgyzstan, its base for operations over Afghanistan.109 The Dutch 

aircraft alone logged 804 sorties and 4,640 flying hours, regularly 

providing CAS to ground troops. Approximately one year later, 

the European F-16 detachment returned home.110

In 2005 an EPAF EAW F-16 detachment was directly deployed 

to Kabul International Airport for NATO operation ISAF. In the 

second half of 2005, Belgium and the Netherlands provided four 

aircraft each; in February 2006, Norwegian F-16s replaced the 

Belgian contingent. The multinational detachment regularly carried out reconnaissance and CAS missions.111 In November 2006, 

Dutch F-16s relocated to Kandahar Airfield against the backdrop 

of NATO’s expanded ISAF mission in southern Afghanistan.112

As in the case of Desert Storm, the RNLAF did not directly 

participate in the high-intensity phase of Operation Iraqi Free-
244 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

dom, but indirectly by deploying guided missile units to Turkey in 

early 2003. In February the Dutch government received an official 

Turkish request for three Patriot units and additional Stinger 

teams to be stationed in eastern Turkey.113 Operation Display Deterrence was primarily designed to protect NATO air bases. In less 

than a month from the receipt of the Turkish request, these Patriot 

units were operational in Turkey.114

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History

A Dutch Patriot unit at the Turkish air base Diyarbakir in 2003 during 

Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was the second deployment to the Middle 

East since the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 1991 during Operation Desert 

Storm, RNLAF Patriots were dispatched to Turkey and Israel.

Against the backdrop of the Netherlands’ defence spending—

below the NATO average—real operations throughout the post–Cold 

War era have offered a new opportunity to show alliance solidarity. 

Air power has been perceived by Dutch politicians as allowing 

participation in high-intensity conflicts without the prospect of 

suffering heavy casualties. Furthermore, the RNLAF’s excellent 

performance in conflicts at the upper end of the spectrum of military force restored the image of the Netherlands armed forces in 

the wake of Srebrenica.115 Yet this excellent performance—particularly during the course of Allied Force—was deliberately played 

down internally to avoid too militaristic of an impression, potentially irritating the Dutch constituency.116 The issue of having rela-
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 245

tively fragile political support for military operations came to the 

fore in February 2010, when the main coalition partner of the ruling party did not support a further extension of the Dutch military presence in Afghanistan. The Netherlands armed forces began to leave Afghanistan in August 2010.117

AH-64D Apache Combat Helicopter Deployments

The massacre of Srebrenica in 1995, where Dutch peacekeepers 

could not prevent genocide among the Muslim population, taught 

a crucial lesson to Dutch decision makers. In 2000 a Netherlands 

Marine unit together with four heavy Chinook transport helicopters was deployed to the Horn of Africa to support a UN mission 

in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This time, the Dutch parliament requested 

that a detachment of four Apaches be stationed in nearby Djibouti, providing the Marine unit with escalation dominance and 

guaranteeing a secure retreat if necessary.118 According to Dutch 

sources, the deployment to Djibouti was the first combat deployment of the AH-64D version worldwide, and the RNLAF developed new concepts for the employment of the AH-64D under 

desert conditions.119

Soon afterwards, the RNLAF Apaches became a key asset for 

alliance operations. On 30 January 2004, the Netherlands governCourtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by 302 Squadron

RNLAF AH-64D Apache combat helicopters deployed to Djibouti in 

early 2001.
246 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

ment agreed to a NATO request and put six Apache combat helicopters at the disposal of ISAF in Afghanistan.120 Reportedly, these 

helicopters measurably increased the ISAF’s self-protection and 

reconnaissance capabilities.121 Moreover, on 21 May 2004, it was 

announced that the Netherlands would send six Apache combat 

helicopters to Iraq to provide the Dutch ground contingent with 

enhanced situational awareness and firepower.122 While Dutch 

forces pulled out of Iraq in the spring of 2005, Dutch Apaches returned to Afghanistan in April 2006, supporting ISAF operations.123

Humanitarian Operations and Troop Deployments

The RNLAF has also played a role in humanitarian relief and 

crisis management operations throughout the 1990s and beyond. 

Though very modest at the outset of the post–Cold War era, 

RNLAF airlift capacities have grown over the years from small 

transport planes such as the Fokker F-27s to larger aircraft such as 

the C-130 Hercules and the KDC-10 strategic airlift and air-to-air 

refuelling aircraft.

After the collapse of the Berlin Wall and in the wake of Desert 

Storm, humanitarian relief missions targeted Eastern Europe and 

the Middle East. With the advent of the first C-130 Hercules, the 

RNLAF was able to shift its attention to hot spots in Africa and 

elsewhere. The genocide in Rwanda triggered a considerable number of Dutch C-130 airlift sorties.124 Combining combat support 

and humanitarian missions, the RNLAF’s transport aircraft fleet 

has excelled in flexibility. During Allied Force, for instance, an 

RNLAF KDC-10 conducted an air-to-air refuelling mission over 

the Adriatic and subsequently flew to Macedonia, evacuating 

refugees to the Netherlands.125 The RNLAF has also conducted 

relief missions in the wake of natural disasters. When the city of 

Bam in Iran was shattered by a heavy earthquake in late 2003, a 

KDC-10 transport aircraft delivered 45 tonnes of emergency relief 

supplies on behalf of the Netherlands Red Cross.126

Supporting operations in Afghanistan, the RNLAF maintained 

an air bridge to Kabul from January to February 2002.127 Additionally, it airlifted German troops to Afghanistan.128 Not only fixed 

wing but also rotary wing assets have contributed to stabilisation 

operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Afghanistan.129
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 247

Air Policing

In the context of NATO’s integrated air defence, the RNLAF 

permanently maintains a two-ship of F-16 aircraft on QRA. After 

11 September, aircraft on high readiness were increased from two 

to six for approximately one month. In the aftermath, Dutch QRA 

aircraft became—alongside NATO duties—also available for national air policing tasks.130

After the Baltic states had become members of NATO in 2004, 

four Dutch F-16s were deployed to Lithuania in 2005 to conduct 

QRA and air policing missions over the Baltic. Since Lithuania, 

Estonia, and Latvia do not have adequate aircraft for this type of 

mission at their disposal, other NATO nations alternately provide 

a detachment of four fighter aircraft for approximately three 

months.131 As of 2009, this alliance mission was expected to last 

until around 2018.132

How Has the Royal Netherlands Air Force 

Responded to the New Intellectualism in 

Air Power Thinking and Doctrine?

The RNLAF’s close relationship with the USAF and its early involvement in real operations facilitated sound approaches to deal 

with the intellectual challenges of the post–Cold War era.

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by H. Keeris

A Dutch C-130 Hercules over the impressive landscape of Central Asia
248 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

Air Power Doctrine

In the latter half of the Cold War, experiences acquired during 

integrated NATO exercises as well as NATO doctrine laid the 

foundation for the RNLAF’s approach to air power. As thinking 

was dominated by NATO doctrine, RNLAF officers rarely took 

the initiative to promulgate a national air power doctrine.133

Only in the first half of the 1990s was a doctrine advisory group 

(DAG) set up with the aim of producing an indigenous air power 

doctrine. The DAG was a non-permanent committee consisting of 

experienced officers with fighter jet, GBAD, logistics, and administrative backgrounds. Furthermore, it included two defence college graduates as well as ad hoc members.134 In the environment of 

operations in the Balkans and elsewhere, a conceptual grasp of air 

power doctrine was deemed essential to translate limited political 

goals into military actions.135 In his foreword to the first formalized RNLAF air power doctrine in 1996, the commander in chief, 

Lt Gen B. A. C. Droste, established an explicit link between the 

employment of the RNLAF in deployed operations during the 

early 1990s and the need for adequate air power doctrine.136

According to Lt Gen P. J. M. Godderij, former chairman of the 

DAG, the Balkans operations—particularly Operation Deny 

Flight, representing the RNLAF’s first real F-16 deployment—

gave a great impetus for Dutch doctrine development. During 

that period, the RNLAF gained a lot of experience in operational 

deployments, and it was considered necessary to write the lessons 

learned in black and white—both from a doctrinal as well as from 

an organisational point of view. The goal was for Dutch officers to 

acquire enough air power doctrine knowledge to put them on par 

with their most experienced—particularly American—counterparts in deployed operations.137 While the first RNLAF air power 

doctrine in 1996 embraced many traditional concepts such as the 

counterair or the anti-surface force campaigns, it began to reflect 

the altered context of the post–Cold War era.138 It is noteworthy 

that the doctrine divided the principles of war—in Dutch parlance, principles of military action—into three groups: principles 

for operations without consent of all parties, general principles for 

all operations, and principles for operations conducted with the 

consent of all parties and humanitarian operations. Principles 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 249

such as transparency, credibility, minimal use of force, impartiality, 

and mutual respect specifically revealed awareness of the multilayered and complex environment of peace support operations.139

The DAG must have drawn to a great extent upon UK air power 

thought when devising the 1996 air power doctrine. Its chapter 

structure is almost identical to that of the first and second editions 

of the RAF’s AP 3000 air power doctrine manuals published in 

1991 and 1993, respectively. The chapter on air power in peace 

support and humanitarian operations, though, can be regarded as 

genuinely Dutch.140

To make the first edition of the RNLAF air power doctrine 

available for international scrutiny, it was translated into English 

in 1999. Special correspondence was established with Dr. Alan 

Stevens, RAAF historian, and GPCAPT Shaun Clarke, Royal New 

Zealand Air Force. Though the outcome of this international correspondence is not available, Dr. Stevens reportedly proved to be 

a valuable interlocutor for the RNLAF due to his extensive study 

on doctrinal issues within the RAAF, as did Group Captain Clarke 

due to his specific study on small air forces. The RNLAF was particularly keen to receive input from the RAAF because of the similar size of both air forces.141

In 2002 the RNLAF published an updated version of the RNLAF 

air power doctrine. In contrast to its predecessor, it did not simply 

copy the chapter structure of a foreign air power doctrine, and it 

highlighted RNLAF specifics. One section was devoted to the 

swing-role concept, which had allowed Dutch F-16 aircraft to 

carry out several tasks on the same mission, and also related the 

benefits of European airlift cooperation.142 Moreover, the Netherlands government’s willingness to employ the armed forces across 

the spectrum of military force was reflected in the appendix “Future 

Developments,” which attempted to anticipate trends in the future 

operational and strategic environment such as enhanced European 

integration or an increase in joint and expeditionary operations.143

It becomes apparent that while the first edition represents an 

effort to come to terms with the new strategic environment and 

with air power doctrine as a conceptual construct, the second edition reflects a shift towards an increased self-awareness by featuring distinct national specifics. Successful participation in major 

Western air campaigns over the Balkans certainly contributed to 
250 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

this increased self-awareness. Operations in Central Asia are likely 

to further shape RNLAF air power doctrine.

In 2005 the joint defence staff published a national defence doctrine. In his foreword, Gen D. L. Berlijn, chief of the defence staff, 

underlines that the Netherlands Defence Doctrine (NDD) filled 

the gap between the single-service doctrines and Dutch defence 

policy.144 As a consequence, future single-service doctrines were 

to be harmonised with the NDD.145 While the joint defence staff, 

the Army, and the Navy established doctrinal departments institutionalising the doctrinal development process, the RNLAF 

has—as of mid-2010—not yet installed a dedicated doctrine entity or published an air power doctrine in line with the NDD.146

This current relative lack of doctrinal activities leads to the realization that the 1990s—with its numerous Western air campaigns—provided a more fertile ground for air power doctrine in 

the Netherlands. 

Since the RNLAF is fully aware of its limited size, one of its 

goals is interoperability with the larger air forces not only in 

terms of hardware and software but also in terms of doctrine. In 

the mid-1990s, RNLAF officers were already stressing the value 

of international cooperation in air power doctrine. At a Dutch 

air power colloquium in 1997, an air commodore raised the idea 

of establishing a European air warfare centre, bringing together 

multinational expertise for developing doctrine, conducting education and training, and planning and organising multinational 

operations.147 The establishment of NATO’s Joint Air Power 

Competence Centre in 2005 is fully in line with the air commodore’s vision of a combined approach to developing air power 

doctrine. Again, the RNLAF can draw upon a multinational institution as a force multiplier to compensate for relatively limited national resources.

Teaching of Air Power Thought

In 1992 the Netherlands armed forces collocated the singleservice advanced staff courses and established the Netherlands 

Defence College (NDC), underlining the thrust towards joint education. A limited number of midcareer officers are selected to attend the year-long advanced staff course. It originally consisted of 

several modules, including one on air power and strategy.148
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 251

In the later stages of the Cold War, the air power curriculum 

began to shift from an emphasis not only on staff work but also on 

military and air power history and theory. In 1987 it was more a 

coincidence than a well-considered RNLAF policy that led to a 

relationship between the Netherlands Air Force Staff College and 

the USAF’s Air University. Nevertheless, the RNLAF leadership’s 

support proved essential. When Lt Col Jan van Angeren received 

orders to become an air power strategy instructor in the advanced 

staff course, he suggested that—for the purpose of thorough preparation—he might be sent either to AU or to the Führungsakademie 

in Hamburg. This finally led to close contact with AU. Based upon 

Colonel Van Angeren’s advice, the RNLAF leadership continued 

to send his successors to AU. Prof. Dennis Drew at SAASS proved 

to be indispensable in integrating the RNLAF officers.149 Throughout the 1990s, the assistance to the RNLAF was a self-paced, yearlong reading programme, personally directed by Professor Drew 

and conducted on an ad hoc basis.150 This programme was formalised in 2000 as the Air Power Strategy Instructor Course, 

which only RNLAF officers have attended up to the time of this 

writing.151 The Dutch example is a good case in point of how a 

bottom-up approach—with the necessary top-down backing—can 

radically alter and improve the quality of teaching.

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by Frank Visser

RNLAF F-16s before takeoff at Kandahar Airfield in November 2008
252 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

RNLAF officers returning from the United States have developed 

a comprehensive air power studies curriculum. While they were 

influenced by the US approach, they went beyond it to include 

British thinking on international relations and strategy as well as 

specific investigations of a more national and European flavour. 

Grant T. Hammond, director of the Center for Strategy and Technology, AU, appraises the air power studies syllabus at the NDC as 

rigorous, wide-ranging, and theoretically oriented to assess the 

current debates on what air power can and cannot do.152

The air power and strategy course at the NDC was designed 

with the belief that a thorough study of military theory and history would better prepare Air Force officers to anticipate and tackle 

the problems and issues of the future. It emphasises strategy, the 

evolution of air power, NATO air power doctrines, the operational 

decision-making process in designing an air campaign and conducting an air war, and the utility of air power as an instrument of 

foreign policy.153 To establish a link to the more staff-work-related 

aspects of an air campaign, RNLAF students attended joint air 

campaign planning exercises at the Joint Services Command and 

Staff College in the UK towards the end of the course.154

In late 2004, a movement towards enhanced joint teaching developed at the NDC. The 11-week single-service air power and 

strategy course was supplanted by a 13-week joint “art of war” module. The module includes a four-week block in which students separate to study the theories and concepts of their own environments.155

Furthermore, the air power faculty at the NDC began to run 

seminars and courses with its Belgian counterparts in 2001.156

This cooperation on an educational level perfectly complemented 

the operational cooperation both air forces had realized for several years by then. The international dimension is also fostered by 

the invitation of foreign guest speakers to the NDC. Experts such 

as Tony Mason, Drew, Mark Clodfelter, and James Corum, as well 

as military experts from Israel and other countries who had gained 

experience in various conflicts, presented their thoughts and 

theories to Dutch air power students.157 Moreover, foreign air force 

officers from Germany, Belgium, and Norway have attended the 

advanced staff course, despite the teaching language being Dutch. 

In addition, the RNLAF sends one student every year to the Air 

War College at Maxwell Air Force Base and another to the Belgian 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 253

Staff College. Furthermore, a Dutch Air Force officer is sent to the 

Führungsakademie and to the JSCSC in the UK every four years.158

Dissemination of Air Power Thought

Though the RNLAF had already organised air power symposia 

during the days of the Cold War, it was particularly in the aftermath of major air operations over Bosnia that the RNLAF began 

to organise air power symposia.159 Hence, they can be understood 

as a means to come to terms with the new security environment 

and air power’s role in deployed operations.

Symposia and colloquia were specifically designed to benefit 

doctrine development not only within the RNLAF but also beyond by discussing the challenges of joint operations.160 Particularly interesting are a symposium organised by the NDC in April 

1996 and a colloquium organised by the DAG in November 1997. 

Both events lasted an entire week, during which the RNLAF 

hosted some of the most esteemed air power practitioners and 

theorists of the Western world. Besides Dutch speakers, foreign 

speakers included Mason (RAF); Drew (SAASS); David Deptula 

(USAF); Robert Pape (US); Clodfelter (USAF); Robert Owen 

(USAF), the editor of the final report of the Air University Balkans 

Air Campaign Study; and Martin van Creveld (Israel).161 These 

events provided the RNLAF with an opportunity to enrich its 

doctrinal thought with some of the most sophisticated and latest 

thinking on air power. They largely coincided with the publication 

of the RNLAF’s first air power doctrine. Thereafter, it was predominantly major air campaigns or military operations that provided additional impetus for colloquia or symposia. 

In the aftermath of Allied Force, the topic of coercion was especially emphasised to reflect NATO’s air campaign. From 6 to 8 

June 2000, for instance, the NDC organised a three-day colloquium. Besides Dutch speakers, scholars from the United States 

such as Benjamin Lambeth, Karl Mueller, and Hammond were invited.162 In 2003 the 50th anniversary of the RNLAF and the role 

of air power in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom 

provided the opportunity for a high-level air power symposium. 

Areas addressed included the RNLAF’s history and significance, 

the military transformation process, and effects-based operations. 

Amongst the international guests was Gen Tommy Franks.163 In 
254 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

many of its post–Cold War conferences, the RNLAF has managed 

to invite a wide range of well-established air power experts and 

practitioners from the United States, the UK, and elsewhere.

In terms of publications on air power doctrine and theory, the 

RNLAF has remained rather passive. Yet, it is interesting to point 

out that a former air power studies lecturer at the NDC wrote his 

thesis on John Boyd’s theories and published it as a book.164

How Have Dutch Defence Planners Attempted 

to Maintain a Relevant Air Force in Light of 

Escalating Costs and Advanced Technologies?

The Netherlands has a modest defence industrial base. Apart 

from naval systems and some Army vehicles, the Netherlands 

does not have the capacity to produce complete main weapon systems such as major battle tanks or fighter aircraft.165 As a rather 

small country, the Netherlands is in many ways dependent upon 

foreign defence manufacturers. To gain bargaining leverage with a 

particular supplier, the Netherlands has been interested in pooling its requirements with other nations.166 This procurement policy 

has its roots in the early days of the Cold War when the Netherlands, together with Belgium, procured and produced under licence British Hawker Hunters in the mid-1950s and American 

F-104 Starfighters in the early 1960s.167

The Cold War era largely shaped the RNLAF’s reliance upon 

American suppliers. Apart from the Hunters from Britain, the 

Netherlands selected American over French aircraft types on three 

occasions in the remainder of the Cold War era. According to a 

Swedish scholar, the outcomes were not coincidental since the 

Netherlands had always been more transatlantic than European in 

national security matters. However, in the second half of the 

1960s, the Netherlands was actually on the brink of leaving its 

path of procuring and assembling American combat aircraft under licence. The Netherlands together with the other Western European F-104 Starfighter operators—the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, and Belgium—held talks about designing an 

uncomplicated multipurpose aircraft as a successor for the F-104. 

As other partners joined the project, it became more and more 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 255

difficult to determine common performance specifications. As a 

result, the Netherlands withdrew from the programme in May 

1969. Subsequently, potential contenders for an F-104 Starfighter 

successor narrowed down to an American combat aircraft, the 

Cobra by Northrop; the Mirage F1 by Dassault; and the Swedish 

Viggen. In the mid-1970s, the Dutch decided to go with the F-16 

by General Dynamics, which won a USAF competition against 

the Cobra. There were those, however, particularly in the Dutch 

aerospace industry, who would have preferred Dassault as a potential partner for politico-industrial reasons.168

In the post–Cold War era, the Netherlands has continued to 

buy primarily American as this has been perceived to deliver low 

unit costs combined with high quality. Yet, as the country has become almost exclusively dependent upon foreign suppliers, Dutch 

defence industrialists are concerned that purchasing off-the-shelf 

technology could reduce the Netherlands’ research and development capabilities.169

Combat Aircraft

Along with Belgium, Denmark, and Norway, the Netherlands was 

one of the four initial European customers for the F-16 combat aircraft. Dutch F-16s were assembled at Fokker, and the first delivery to 

the RNLAF was in June 1979. Overall, the Netherlands procured 213 

aircraft. As examined above, this number had to be considerably reduced in the post–Cold War era, and by 2003, all remaining operational F-16A/Bs had undergone an MLU programme.170

Initially, the aircraft’s operational service life was estimated at 

20 years. But developments in avionics technology made it possible to extend the operational life span of the F-16 aircraft considerably. Accordingly, the Netherlands, along with Belgium, Denmark, and Norway, opted for a thorough MLU rather than 

replacing the aircraft. For about 25 per cent of the original procurement costs, the operational life span of the Dutch F-16 aircraft was planned to be extended by 10 to 15 years in the late 

1990s.171 Planning for 2006 actually foresaw maintaining the capability of deploying at least one F-16 squadron up to 2020.172 As has 

been previously noted, this MLU occurred under the EPAF framework. In 1993 the F-16 MLU contract was awarded to Lockheed 

Martin.173 The RNLAF, remaining tightly involved in the pro-
256 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

gramme, established a multinational operational test and evaluation centre at Leeuwarden Air Base in 1997.174 Amongst the four 

European services involved in the multinational MLU programme, the RNLAF had the lion’s share, with 138 of its 183 F-16 

A/Bs being progressively refurbished and modernized.175 For Allied Force, a number of upgraded F-16s were already available.176

In the course of NATO’s air campaign, F-16A/B MLU aircraft 

proved to be a valuable asset as modern multirole-capable combat 

aircraft were still in short supply in Europe.177 In line with the 

Netherlands’ push towards expeditionary warfare, the Ministry of 

Defence announced in 2003 that it would reduce the number of 

F-16A/B MLU aircraft by approximately 30 to a total of 108, with 

the aim of lowering operating costs and improving deployability 

of the remaining aircraft.178 When further budget cuts were announced in mid-2007, the F-16 fleet was further reduced to 87 

aircraft. Retirement of these remaining aircraft is currently foreseen for the period between 2015 and 2021, with an average airframe age of 31 years. The remaining frontline aircraft are planned 

to undergo further upgrade programmes.179

A relatively cost-effective way to improve a fighter aircraft’s effectiveness is to attach avionics pods. The RNLAF made extensive 

use of this solution. In the wake of Operations Deny Flight and 

Deliberate Force, the RNLAF ordered 60 night-vision pods (forwardlooking infrared or FLIR) and 10 targeting pods (low-altitude 

navigation and targeting infrared for night). Delivery of these systems was expected to start in 1999. Yet, pending delivery of the 

LANTIRN pods prior to Operation Allied Force, the commander 

in chief, General Droste, took the personal initiative to ask his 

American counterpart for pods from USAF arsenals. The USAF 

finally lent three LANTIRN pods to the RNLAF for the duration 

of Allied Force. To make optimum use of these pods, the Dutch 

normally flew in packages of two aircraft, with one plane fitted 

with a targeting pod providing buddy-lasing for the second F-16. 

For less dangerous missions, these packages grew bigger. In the 

aftermath of the air operations over Kosovo and Serbia, the Dutch 

increased their initial order of 10 LANTIRN pods to a total of 

20.180 In the meantime, the LANTIRN pods were supplemented 

with 22 Litening Block II advanced targeting pods.181 The close 

relationship between the USAF and the RNLAF was especially 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 257

highlighted by the unorthodoxy in making targeting pods available for Allied Force.

With the experience gained over the Balkans, the armament of 

the F-16 aircraft had to be constantly adapted to the latest demands. In the wake of Deliberate Force, it was decided to acquire 

a precision ground-attack capability by the procurement of AGM65G Maverick air-to-ground missiles.182 These would complement 

LGBs already available in RNLAF stocks. Originally, these LGBs 

were supposed to be released with RAF Buccaneer aircraft providing buddy-buddy lasing, as Dutch combat aircraft did not have 

laser-designator pods at their disposal in the early 1990s.183 Continuing its path of acquiring PGMs, the Ministry of Defence announced in 2003 the introduction of the GPS-guided JDAM beginning in 2004 and the acquisition of long-range air-to-surface 

precision weapons beginning in 2007.184 The acquisition of the latter was deferred and is currently foreseen to take place between 

2012 and 2016.185

As regards air-to-air armament, the RNLAF made a major leap 

by the introduction of the “fire-and-forget” AIM-120 AMRAAM, 

its first medium-range air-to-air missile. In 1995 the contract was 

awarded to Hughes/Raytheon.186 It was by means of an AMRAAM 

that a Dutch pilot downed a Serb MiG-29 during the first hours of 

Allied Force.187

While the F-16’s lifespan was significantly extended, a potential 

successor was evaluated. Though no firm decision was taken in 

2002, the Netherlands joined together with nine other nations to 

establish the partnership for the system development and demonstration phase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Besides the United 

States as lead nation, there are different levels of partnership. The 

US-led co-operative JSF programme is structured hierarchically 

according to different levels of participation (Levels I, II, and III). 

The Netherlands participates as a “Level II” partner. Level II partnership was restricted to no more than two countries, with Italy as 

the second Level II partner and the UK as the only “Level I” partner. In 2003 the total development cost of the JSF was estimated at 

about $26 billion. At the time, the Netherlands intended to contribute $800 million, of which the direct government contribution 

was expected to be limited to $200 million, with Dutch industry 

providing the remaining $600 million. In return, the Netherlands 
258 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

is supposed to receive a proportional share of levies on sales to 

third parties. Furthermore, the various international partners of 

the programme are entitled to receive their aircraft ahead of other 

potential customers.188

Courtesy US Air Force

An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter manoeuvres during its first flight over Eglin 

AFB, FL, 23 April 2009. The jet is a stealth-capable multirole strike fighter.

A Dutch defence official confirmed in a 2004 interview with the 

author that contrary to European offers such as the Eurofighter or 

the French Rafale, only the JSF would offer full interoperability 

with the USAF. He added that American manufacturers were expected to provide the aircraft at low unit costs due to high production runs, as had already been the case with the F-16 combat aircraft. Thus, Dutch combat aircraft procurement decisions have 

been primarily driven by operational requirements and low unit 

costs rather than by the need to further a European defence industrial base.

It has to be reemphasised that the Dutch participation in the 

JSF project does not offer equal partnership as, for instance, a European cooperative venture might have done.189 In mid-2009, RNLAF 

procurement planning foresaw the acquisition of 85 F-35 JSFs. At 

that point in time, the Netherlands government had committed to 

one aircraft for operational test and evaluation and was awaiting 

parliamentary approval of a second.190 One year later, the decision 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 259

on the second aircraft was still pending. Moreover, amidst the 

Dutch elections in mid-2010, some parliamentarians suggested a 

new aircraft evaluation, as the projected JSF’s acquisition unit cost 

had soared significantly by over 50 per cent from its original baseline cost estimate.191 As of June 2010, a decision on the Netherlands’ continued participation in the system development and 

demonstration phase was expected to be part of a deal on a new 

coalition government.192 Given Dutch industry’s relatively strong 

involvement in this phase, the Netherlands is likely to continue its 

participation in the JSF programme.193

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by Frank Visser

RNLAF F-16 after sunset at Kandahar Airfield in November 2008

Air Mobility

Up to the mid-1990s, the transport capacity of the RNLAF consisted of 13 light Fokker transport aircraft that had been built in 

the 1960s.194 In accordance with the increasing Dutch involvement in peace support operations, the 1993 Defence Priorities Review identified a need for larger transport planes. All in all, two 

C-130 Hercules aircraft, four light Fokker utility transport aircraft, and two KDC-10 tanker/transport aircraft were to be procured.195 In June 1992, two DC-10 aircraft were purchased from 
260 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

the Dutch airline Martinair. These DC-10s were modernised and 

converted to the KDC-10 standard. In April 1996, both aircraft 

were officially commissioned at Eindhoven Air Base.196 In 2003 it 

was decided to acquire a third civilian DC-10. To make better use 

of the air-to-air refuelling capacity of the two available KDC-10 

aircraft, this DC-10 is restricted to cargo and personnel.197 In the 

same vein, the C-130 fleet was expanded to four aircraft by purchasing and modernising two former US Navy planes.198

According to a Dutch commentator, the transformation of the 

Dutch air mobility capacities is one of the most radical examples 

of how an air force adapted to the post–Cold War requirements 

in the 1990s. Yet the need to respond to a plethora of demands 

almost simultaneously—combined with a tight budget—led to a 

heterogeneous air mobility force, with the related logistical challenges. Particularly, the Dutch KDC-10 tankers are marred by 

interoperability problems. The modified commercial DC-10s 

have many non-standard features as compared to the USAF’s 

KC-10A Extender. More importantly, RNLAF KDC-10 aircraft 

do not have hose-and-drogue refuelling facilities, making interoperability with air forces from the United Kingdom, France, 

or Germany impossible.199

Given the challenges of swiftly building up an airlift capacity 

with limited funding, Dutch defence planners have been open to 

unorthodox options compromising national sovereignty but offering cost-effective solutions. In 2000, for instance, the Dutch defence minister proposed contributing to the procurement costs of 

German A400M transport aircraft in exchange for freeing up German airlift capacities for Dutch requirements.200 Moreover, the 

Netherlands is a member of NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability, 

centred on the shared ownership of three C-17 Globemasters. The 

Netherlands MOD plans to use 500 of the 3,500 C-17 flying hours 

projected annually.201 The country is also a member of SALIS, 

which makes Ukrainian wide-body, long-range strategic transport aircraft available for both NATO and EU operations.202 (Both 

cooperative ventures are highlighted in chap. 2.) In the medium 

term, the RNLAF’s participation in the EATC is supposed to become a further force-multiplier in the field of air mobility.203 As of 

mid-2009, with the Netherlands armed forces partially relying 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 261

upon the chartering of IL-76 and An-124s for transport flights, 

these measures still needed to take full effect.204

In the field of rotary wing air mobility, the Defence White Paper 

1991 put a high premium upon battlefield mobility. Accordingly, 

it was decided to establish an air mobile brigade, which should be 

able to participate in crisis management operations outside the 

NATO treaty area.205 In line with this, the 1993 Defence Priorities 

Review announced the procurement of 13 heavy CH-47 Chinook 

transport helicopters and 17 lighter transport helicopters, which 

later turned out to be French Cougar helicopters.206 The order of 

13 Chinook transport helicopters included seven secondhand 

Chinooks from Canada and six new machines from Boeing. The 

ex-Canadian helicopters underwent an MLU programme and 

have been operational since 1996. Delivery of the French Cougar 

transport helicopters started in 1996.207

After two Chinooks were lost in 2005, the MOD ordered six 

CH-47Fs to augment the RNLAF’s Chinook fleet to 17 aircraft. As 

of 2009, it was planned to supplement the transport helicopter 

fleet with eight NH90s. As a consequence, the fleet will slightly fall 

short of the 2004 MOD capacity review, which foresaw a requirement of 20 Chinooks, 17 Cougars, and 10 NH90s.208

Combat Helicopters

These transport helicopters were to be augmented with combat 

helicopters. In November 1996, the RNLAF received 12 AH-64A 

Apaches on lease from the US Army. They would be operated until the delivery of 30 AH-64D Apaches had been completed. The 

leasing of US Army AH-64As allowed Dutch crews and mechanics to familiarise themselves with the system. Together with the 

Chinooks and Cougars, the Apaches form the RNLAF THG.209 In 

July 1998, the first AH-64D arrived in the Netherlands, and by 

May 2002, the delivery of the new Apaches was completed.210 During the combat helicopter evaluation process, the Netherlands received four offers, two from the United States and two from Europe. It finally boiled down to a decision between the AH-64D 

Apache and the Franco-German Tiger combat helicopter. Weighing heavily against the Tiger was that neither Germany nor France 

had yet signed production contracts. Finally, in early 1995, the 

cabinet decided in favour of the Apache. The earlier availability of 
262 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

the Apache was considered to be a decisive factor.211 Moreover, the 

chances that in any future operation Dutch combat helicopters 

would be deployed alongside US forces were deemed to be highly 

likely.212 To modernise the Dutch Apache fleet, the Prinsjesdag

Letter proposed reducing the operational fleet of 30 aircraft to 24. 

Thanks to this measure, savings in operating costs were expected 

in order to free resources to modernise the remainder of the fleet 

with improved sensors.213 As in the case of the F-16A/B MLU fleet, 

operational concerns outweighed quantitative aspects. Accordingly, the Netherlands defence minister argued in late 2003 that 

“the number of units on paper is not what counts, but rather the 

number of deployable units that can be fully committed at very 

short notice and with sufficient support.”214

In 2006 efforts to sell the surplus aircraft had been of no avail. 

As a consequence, the government decided to keep them in storage as operational reserves. As of 2009, the RNLAF operated 16 

AH-64Ds, with a further eight helicopters at the NATD at Hood 

Army Airfield for pilot training. In 2004 one combat helicopter 

was lost in Afghanistan.215

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by Frank Visser

RNLAF AH-64D at Tarin Kowt in the province of Uruzgan in November 

2008
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 263

The THG, combining transport and Apache combat helicopters, and the Royal Netherlands Army’s 11th Air Mobile Brigade 

are integrated into the “blue-green” Air Manoeuvre Brigade. As of 

October 2003, the brigade reached full operational readiness in 

Poland.216 It can be deployed as a whole or in smaller modules.217

The well-balanced mixture of transport and combat helicopters 

gives the THG the ability to carry out diverse tasks across the entire spectrum of force, and it underlines the thrust towards integrated air-land operations.

C4ISTAR

 Multinational cooperation in the domain of C4ISTAR is fully 

in line with the Netherlands’ defence and alliance policy. Being 

closely integrated into NATO and the emerging ESDP, the Netherlands can benefit from international cooperation and thereby 

overcome the limits imposed by the size of its GDP. It is for exactly 

this reason that the Netherlands became a member of NATO’s 

Airborne Early Warning and Control Force in the early 1980s.218

On a tactical level, reconnaissance pods have provided the RNLAF 

with an autonomous air-to-ground reconnaissance capability. The 

latest systems in the arsenal of the RNLAF are six Israeli-supplied 

Rafael RecceLite sensor pods equipped with electro-optical cameras and data links for providing real-time intelligence. The contract was signed on 17 November 2005.219

Due to financial restraints, however, the Netherlands forewent 

a number of bi- and multilateral projects in the field of reconnaissance and surveillance in recent years. As such, it bailed out of the 

French-led Helios 2 satellite programme as well as a Franco-Dutch 

MALE RPA project.220 As of 2009, the Netherlands—against the 

logic of the Dutch cooperation rationale—is also no longer a 

member state in the multilateral NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Core project.221 Due to this lack of national intelligence assets, the Dutch Patriot units stationed in Turkey during Operation 

Iraqi Freedom relied upon American intelligence on potential 

missile launches, and the RNLAF fighter community as well had 

sufficient access to US intelligence in air campaigns, which was 

provided on a need-to-know basis.222
264 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

Ground Based Air Defence

For GBAD, including TBMD, the RNLAF has also focused 

upon quality and deployability. Systems no longer considered of 

immediate relevance in the current threat environment have been 

decommissioned to free resources for state-of-the art equipment. 

Accordingly, the RNLAF’s radar-guided anti-aircraft artillery for 

point defence of air bases was phased out in 2000.223 The decommissioning of the Hawk SAM batteries and the Stinger missiles 

followed suit in 2004 and 2007, respectively. The latter is still in 

service with the Royal Netherlands Army together with the Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) II that 

entered Army service in 2009. NASAMS II is a medium-range air 

defence system based on the ubiquitous AMRAAM.224

In line with NATO’s post–Cold War extended air defence concept embracing TBMD, the RNLAF has put a premium upon the 

modernisation of its Patriot batteries. For further improvement, 

PAC-3 radar modifications were ordered in 1996, with the intention 

of upgrading missiles and launchers to PAC-3 standard at a later 

stage.225 Finally, in February 2004, the modernisation of the Patriot 

launchers and the procurement of an initial batch of 32 PAC-3 missiles were announced in Parliament.226 Since deployability and 

modernisation of available systems for the TBMD role were deemed 

more important than increasing their number, plans for the acquisition of additional Patriot batteries from German surplus were finally shelved in 2003.227 As examined in the section on employment 

(“Dutch Contributions to Western Air Campaigns”), the RNLAF 

has gained leverage through its TBMD capability in deployed operations. As of 2010, the RNLAF and Royal Netherlands Army 

GBAD units underwent a process of amalgamation.228

Conclusion

The Netherlands’ changing security assessment, the redefinition of the tasks of the armed forces, and the shift away from territorial defence to expeditionary warfare have brought with them 

far-reaching impacts upon air power. Despite reducing its fighter 

aircraft fleet in response to its defence policy, the Netherlands has 

an enhanced ability to project power beyond NATO’s boundaries. 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 265

In parallel, the RNLAF has embarked upon a number of cooperative ventures. In fact, they represent a response to the Air Force’s 

limited size and shrinking resources. Dutch decision makers believe that air forces of a limited size without far-reaching cooperation would not remain relevant on the international stage. The 

establishment of the European Participating Air Forces’ Expeditionary Air Wing is so far the most significant Dutch-led cooperative effort. Nowadays, the RNLAF has well-established links to the 

USAF. Simultaneously, it is well anchored in the emerging European defence architecture. This provides Dutch politicians with a 

broad array of political choices and deployment options. Therefore, it can be concluded that the RNLAF has grasped the uncertainties created by shifting defence and alliance policies as a 

chance to benefit from international synergies. Cooperation has 

not yet led to role specialisation, as this has been seen as unduly 

limiting deployment options. Nevertheless, certain capabilities 

have been kept at a minimum level, such as intertheatre airlift. 

Given its limited number of C-130 transport aircraft, the Netherlands hinges upon international cooperation, which could be seen 

as limited role specialisation.

Due to far-reaching transformation in the early post–Cold War 

era and its proactive stance in the field of multinational cooperation, the RNLAF has been able to punch above its weight. With its 

below average NATO defence budget, this is a remarkable achievement. However, the Netherlands’ limited intertheatre airlift capacity 

might constrain its planned goal of deploying 36 F-16 combat aircraft in the context of NATO or EU operations. While the RNLAF 

proved capable of dispatching and sustaining up to 20 combat aircraft over a prolonged period for air operations over the Balkans, 

more distant theatres involving operations from bare bases might 

turn out to be too challenging. The RNLAF operated only contingents no larger than 10 combat aircraft in Central Asia. In this 

regard, an imbalance in the RNLAF’s force structuring can be 

pointed out. While a number of advanced combat helicopters 

were purchased in the 1990s, the procurement of intertheatre air 

mobility was not given equal priority. The Prinsjesdag Letter addresses this imbalance by proposing a reduction of operational 

combat helicopters. In parallel, the RNLAF transport fleet gained 

two C-130 Hercules as well as one modified DC-10 aircraft by 
266 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

2007. However, this imbalance could only be mitigated through 

these measures.

On an operational level, cooperation has fostered mutual trust. 

In the post–Cold War era, the RNLAF has gained a reputation of 

being a reliable partner, even in dangerous situations. The lessons 

of the “near deployment” to the Gulf area in 1990–91 were swiftly 

implemented, and the new emphasis on crisis intervention in the 

early 1990s led to a substantial Dutch contribution to the air campaigns over the former Yugoslavia. In the wake of the terrorist attacks in 2001, the RNLAF actively took on its share in the fight 

against terrorism. It provided the weapon of choice in operations 

at the upper end of the spectrum of military force and has made 

Dutch alliance solidarity visible. In the post–Cold War era, all of 

the RNLAF’s major weapon systems have been deployed to outof-area operations. The Dutch contributed to the air campaigns 

over the Balkans in terms of not only quantity but also quality. 

Dutch aircrews were prepared to execute dangerous frontline missions. RNLAF AH-64 combat helicopters and Patriot missile units 

provided sought after capabilities to deployed multinational operations. Due to its flexibility, the Dutch transport/tanker fleet has 

also shown an outstanding performance. Despite a below average 

budget, the RNLAF has proved to be a member of the A-team, 

partly explained by its can-do mentality. Even in cases where 

Dutch equipment did not meet the latest Western standards, the 

RNLAF achieved respectable results by making the best of the 

available means. For instance, devoid of an air-to-ground precision strike capability, Dutch F-16s released unguided air-toground weapons with great accuracy against ground targets during NATO’s air operations over Bosnia.

In the final years of the Cold War, bottom-up attempts were already being undertaken to enhance education in air power theory 

and history. Some RNLAF officers understood that air power had 

to be mastered not only in technical terms but also in terms of 

theoretical and intellectual developments. This bottom-up approach was backed by the upper echelons of the RNLAF leadership and finally led to an institutionalised relationship with SAASS 

at Maxwell. It ensured that there has been a corps of educated 

Dutch officers throughout the post–Cold War era. This educational relationship has particularly been in line with RNLAF policy 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 267

of putting a high premium upon interoperability with the USAF. 

Moreover, the RNLAF’s participation in air operations over Bosnia 

led to the first formal strategic air power doctrine in the mid-1990s 

and to air power symposia conveying the close interrelationship 

between operations and air power precepts. These seminars can 

be considered an integral, though implicit, part of the RNLAF’s 

lessons learned process. The RNLAF senior command has been 

receptive to sound education, perceiving it as one of the fundamentals for operational performance.

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by W. F. Helfferich

RNLAF CH-47 Chinook flying through a narrow valley in the former 

Yugoslavia
268 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

Since the Netherlands does not have the capacity to produce 

complete main weapon systems nationally, the RNLAF has procured its major weapon platforms from abroad, primarily from 

the United States. Buying American is in line with the Netherlands’ transatlantic orientation, and it reflects the RNLAF’s combat experience in air campaigns with the USAF being the lead air 

force. While this approach makes the Netherlands dependent 

upon foreign suppliers, the RNLAF’s procurement policy can be 

directed more by combat experience than by politico-industrial 

aspects. Undoubtedly, this approach has benefited from shortterm bargains—such as the procurement of secondhand Chinook 

transport helicopters from Canada—and has enhanced the RNLAF’s 

combat effectiveness at relatively low costs. Yet, it does not contribute to the overarching goal of a capable European defence industrial base. Another factor contributing to the RNLAF’s outstanding performance has been the reduction of certain key assets. The numbers of available F-16 aircraft, Patriot batteries, and 

Apache combat helicopters have been deliberately kept low or reduced to improve deployability of the available systems. Moreover, certain systems were completely phased out. Amongst the 

major GBAD systems from the Cold War era, only the Patriot has 

remained in service; this system also has a TBMD capability and 

is thus particularly suited for the current threat spectrum. Through 

this constant focus upon the requirements of deployed operations, 

the RNLAF has effectively played in the league of the major European air forces.

Notes

1. Lt Gen Dick L. Berlijn, commander in chief, RNLAF, “The Significance 

and Evolution of Air Power: The Royal Netherlands Air Force: One Team, One 

Mission,” Military Technology, no. 6 (2003): 50.

2. IISS, The Military Balance 2010 (Abingdon, Oxfordshire: published by 

Routledge for the IISS, February 2010), 149.

3. John Olsen, “Effects-Based Targeting through Pre-Attack Analysis,” in 

RNLAF Air Power Symposium, 19 November 2003, 52.

4. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991: The Netherlands Armed 

Forces in a Changing World, abridged version (The Hague: MOD, 1991), 6, 18.

5. MOD, Netherlands, Defence Priorities Review, abridged version (The 

Hague: MOD, 1993), 4.

6. Ibid., 5.
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 269

7. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 2000, English summary (The 

Hague: MOD, November 1999), 11.

8. Ibid., 12.

9. MOD, Netherlands, The Prinsjesdag Letter—Towards a New Equilibrium: 

The Armed Forces in the Coming Years, English translation (The Hague: MOD, 

2003), 13.

10. Ibid., 49.

11. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 6.

12. Ibid., 13.

13. MOD, Defence Priorities Review, 6.

14. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 2000, 9.

15. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 9.

16. Ibid., 48.

17. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 15; and MOD, Netherlands, Defence Priorities Review, 2.

18. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 23.

19. Ibid., 25–26.

20. Henk Kamp, minister of defence (address, Royal Netherlands Association of Military Science, Nieuwspoort Press Centre, The Hague, 1 March 2004).

21. Niels Lutzhöft, “Die Niederlande und die Wehrpflicht,” interview, Lt 

Gen Hans Couzy, commander in chief, Royal Netherlands Army, Europäische 

Sicherheit, no. 6 (June 1996): 33; and MOD, Netherlands, Defence Priorities Review, 2.

22. Lt Gen Dirk Starink, commander in chief, RNLAF, briefing (presented 

at Shephard Air Power Conference, London, 25–27 January 2005).

23. Kees van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” Air Forces 

Monthly (July 2009): 40.

24. Jan Willem Honig, Defense Policy in the North Atlantic Alliance: The 

Case of the Netherlands (Westport, CT: Praeger, 1993), 229.

25. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 19.

26. Erwin van Loo, RNLAF History Unit, The Hague, to the author, e-mail, 

9 September 2004.

27. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 30–33.

28. Ibid., 32–33.

29. Air Commodore P. J. M. Godderij, “The Evolution of Air Power Doctrine in the Netherlands,” in RNLAF Air Power Symposium [15–19 April 1996] 

(The Hague: RNLAF, April 1996).

30. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 20.

31. Dr. Sebastian Reyn (senior policy advisor, MOD, The Hague), interview 

by the author, 23 June 2004.

32. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 33–34.

33. Ibid., 19.

34. Godderij, “Evolution of Air Power Doctrine in the Netherlands.”

35. IISS, Military Balance 1990–91, 75; and Ingemar Dörfer, Arms Deal: The 

Selling of the F-16 (New York: Praeger Publishers, 1983), 109.
270 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

36. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 41–42.

37. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 47.

38. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 26.

39. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 44.

40. Ibid., 45.

41. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 9–10.

42. Michael P. D’Abramo, Military Trends in the Netherlands: Strengths and 

Weaknesses (Washington, DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 

31 August 2004), 5.

43. Alfred van Staden, “The Netherlands,” in The European Union and National Defence Policy, ed. Jolyon Howorth and Anand Menon (London: Routledge, 1997), 92; and Honig, Defense Policy in the North Atlantic Alliance, 229.

44. IISS, The Military Balance 1994–95 (London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 

1994), 59; and IISS, Military Balance 2000–01, 70.

45. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 47; and Kees van der 

Mark, “Joint Helicopter Ops Dutch Style,” Air Forces Monthly, August 2008, 66, 68.

46. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 31; and IISS, Military Balance 

1994–95, 59.

47. Question and answer session with Colonel Warden and Lt Col Osinga, 

RNLAF Air Power Symposium, 19 November 2003.

48. Janssen Lok, international editor, Jane’s International Defence Review, 

and special correspondent, Jane’s Defence Weekly, to the author, e-mail, 10 December 2004.

49. Ibid.

50. Jan G. Siccama, “The Netherlands Depillarized: Security Policy in a 

New Domestic Context,” in NATO’s Northern Allies: The National Security Policies of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, ed. Gregory Flynn 

(Totowa, NJ: Rowman & Allanheld, 1985), 117.

51. Ibid., 117.

52. Van Staden, “The Netherlands,” in European Union and National Defence Policy, ed. Howorth and Menon, 96–98.

53. Ibid., 102–3.

54. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 12–13.

55. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 15.

56. Joseph Soeters, professor for organisation studies and social sciences, 

Royal Netherlands Military Academy and War College, to the author, e-mail, 13 

December 2004.

57. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 2000, 11.

58. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 50.

59. Ibid., 25, 27.

60. Starink, briefing.

61. Wim H. Lutgert and Rolf de Winter, Check the Horizon: De Koninklijke 

Luchtmacht en het conflict in voormalig Joegoslavië 1991–1995 (The Hague: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie van de Staf van de Bevelhebber der Luchtstrijdkrachten, 

2001), 512–13.
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 271

62. Erwin van Loo, Crossing the Border: De Koninklijke Luchtmacht na de 

val van de Berlijnse Muur (The Hague: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie van de Staf 

van de Bevelhebber der Luchtstrijdkrachten, 2003), 749–50.

63. Droste, “Shaping Allied TBM Defence,” 50.

64. Dave L. Orr, “The Benelux Deployable Air Task Force: A Model for EU/

NATO Defense Force Integration,” Air and Space Power Journal 17, no. 3 (Autumn 2003): 93.

65. GlobalSecurity.org, “F-16C/D Fighting Falcon,” http://www.globalsecurity

.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-16cd.htm, 19 March 2010.

66. Col Henk Bank, “Development of the EPAF [European Participating 

Air Forces] Expeditionary Air Wing” (presentation, European Air Chiefs Conference, Noordwijk Aanzee, Netherlands, 20 November 2003).

67. Memorandum of Understanding between the Minister of Defence of the 

Kingdom of Belgium, the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Denmark, the 

Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Minister of Defence of 

the Kingdom of Norway and the Minister of State and National Defence of the 

Portuguese Republic concerning the Establishment of the European Participating 

Air Forces’ Expeditionary Air Wing (Istanbul, Turkey, 28 June 2004), secs. 3.3, 4.1.

68. Bank, “Development of the EPAF Expeditionary Air Wing.”

69. Maj Edwin Altena, RNLAF (Headquarters RNLAF, The Hague), interview by the author, 23 June 2004.

70. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 50–53.

71. Droste, “Shaping Allied TBM Defence,” 50–52.

72. Extended Air Defense Task Force, “History,” http://www.eadtf.org; and 

Extended Air Defense Task Force, “Mission,” http://www.eadtf.org.

73. European Air Group, “History of the EAG.”

74. Nijean, “L’Armée de l’Air et l’Europe: gros plan—au coeur de l’Europe de 

la défense,” 38.

75. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 42, 48.

76. Ibid., 45, 48.

77. Horner quoted in Olsen, “Effects-Based Targeting,” 52.

78. “For a New Dutch Defence Posture: Interview with Cornelis van der 

Knaap, State Secretary for Defence of the Netherlands,” Military Technology 28, 

no. 2 (2004): 48; and Lok to the author, e-mail.

79. Col Henk Bank (former head, Policy Integration Branch, RNLAF), interview by the author, Royal College of Defence Studies, London, 4 May 2004.

80. Lt Col Peter Tankink, RNLAF, commander, 323 TACTESS, to the author, e-mail, 11 July 2004.

81. Kees van der Mark, “Firing Patriots in Greece,” Air Forces Monthly, February 2010, 40.

82. Starink, briefing.

83. Lutgert and De Winter, Check the Horizon, 516.

84. Maj Gen Kees Homan, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, retired 

(Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Clingendael), interview by 

the author, 22 June 2004.
272 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

85. Kamp, address.

86. Lutgert and De Winter, Check the Horizon, 500.

87. Ibid., 500–501.

88. Rinus Nederlof, Blazing Skies: De Groepen Geleide Wapens van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht in Duitsland, 1960–1995 (The Hague: Sectie Luchtmachthistorie van de Staf van de Bevelhebber der Luchtstrijdkrachten, 2002), 534.

89. Ibid., 535.

90. Lutgert and De Winter, Check the Horizon, 503–4, 506, 508.

91. Ibid., 511.

92. Ibid., 514.

93. Ibid., 515.

94. Tankink to the author, e-mail, 21 January 2005; calculation of percentage is based upon figures from Sargent, “Weapons Used in Deliberate Force,” 

258, 265.

95. Owen, “Summary,” 491; and John A. Tirpak, senior editor, “Deliberate 

Force,” Air Force Magazine 80, no. 10 (October 1997), https://www.afa.org

/_private/Magazine/Oct1997/1097deli.asp.

96. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 30.

97. Starink, briefing.

98. Lt Gen B. A. C. Droste, commander in chief, RNLAF, “Decisive Airpower Private: The Role of the Royal Netherlands Air Force in the Kosovo Conflict,” NATO’s Nations and Partners for Peace, no. 2 (1999): 129.

99. Lutgert and De Winter, Check the Horizon, 510.

100. Tankink to the author, e-mail, 11 July 2004; and Godderij, “Evolution 

of Air Power Doctrine in the Netherlands.”

101. Lutgert and De Winter, Check the Horizon, 511.

102. Air Commodore J. L. H. Eikelboom, RNLAF (Headquarters RNLAF, 

The Hague), interview by the author, 22 June 2004.

103. Lt Gen H. J. W. Manderfeld, retired, commander in chief, RNLAF, 

1992–95, to the author, e-mail, 27 December 2004.

104. Droste, “Decisive Airpower Private,” 127–28; and Rolf de Winter and 

Erwin van Loo (RNLAF History Unit, The Hague), interview by the author, 24 

June 2004.

105. MOD, UK, Kosovo: Lessons from the Crisis, Report to Parliament by the 

Secretary of State for Defence (London: The Stationery Office, 2000), annex f; 

calculation of percentage is based upon figures from Cordesman, Lessons and 

Non-Lessons, 4.

106. Clark, Waging Modern War, 197–98.

107. Adm Lukas Kroon, retired, chief of defence staff 1998–2004, Netherlands armed forces, to the author, e-mail, 5 January 2005 (forwarded by Maj 

Gen Kees Homan, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, retired, Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Clingendael).

108. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence,” The 

Hague, 5 April 2002, accessed 14 June 2004, http://www.defensie.nl; and ibid., 

27 June 2002, accessed 14 June 2004.
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 273

109. Ibid., 26 September 2002, accessed 14 June 2004; and Baldes, “Les Mirages français passent le relais,” 34.

110. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence,” 6 October 2003, accessed 14 June 2004, http://www.defensie.nl.

111. Capt Inge van Megen, “Dutch and Norwegian F/16s Maintaining 

ISAF’s Security Presence Round the Clock,” ISAF Mirror, February 2006, accessed 27 February 2005, http://www.afnorth.nato.int.

112. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 43.

113. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence,” 11 February 2003, accessed 14 June 2004, http://www.defensie.nl.

114. Ibid., 3 March 2003.

115. Soeters to the author, e-mail.

116. Maj Gen Kees Homan, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, retired, 

Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Clingendael, to the author, 

e-mail, 5 January 2005; and Soeters to the author, e-mail.

117. David Charter and Tom Coghlan, “Dutch Confirm Afghan Troop 

Pullout Sparking Fears of Domino Effect,” The Times, 22 February 2010, http://

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ afghanistan/article7035719.ece.

118. Van Loo, Crossing the Border, 748.

119. De Winter and Van Loo, interview.

120. Government of the Netherlands, “Netherlands to Send Helicopters to 

Afghanistan,” Government.nl, 30 January 2004, http://www.government.nl.

121. Anne-Claude Gouy, “Apache Helicopters Arrive in ISAF,” NATO, 1 

April 2004, http://www.nato.int/shape/news/2004/04/ i040401.htm.

122. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence,” 21 May 

2004, accessed 14 June 2004, http://www.defensie.nl.

123. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 43.

124. Lutgert and De Winter, Check the Horizon, 499.

125. De Winter and Van Loo, interview.

126. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence,” 29 December 2003, accessed 14 June 2004, http://www.defensie.nl.

127. Ibid., 22 January 2002, accessed 15 June 2004; and ibid., 20 February 2002.

128. Ibid., 5 February 2002.

129. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 43.

130. Tankink to the author, e-mail, 8 January 2006.

131. Kuebart, “Air Policing Baltikum,” 32.

132. “German Eurofighters Arrive for Baltic Air Policing Debut,” 18.

133. Godderij, “Evolution of Air Power Doctrine in the Netherlands.”

134. Lt Gen P. J. M. Godderij, RNLAF, military representative of the Netherlands to NATO, to the author, e-mail, 4 January 2006.

135. Godderij, “Evolution of Air Power Doctrine in the Netherlands.”

136. Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Power Doctrine (The Hague: RNLAF, 

1999). Originally published as KLu Air Power doctrine voor het basis- en operationele 

niveau [RNLAF basic and operational level doctrine] (The Hague: RNLAF, 1996).

137. Godderij to the author, e-mail.
274 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

138. Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Power Doctrine, table of contents.

139. Ibid., II-3–II-8.

140. Ibid., table of contents; AP 3000, Royal Air Force Air Power Doctrine, 

1991, vii; and AP 3000, Royal Air Force Air Power Doctrine, 2nd ed., 1993, vii.

141. Col Peter Wijninga, RNLAF (head, Policy Integration Branch), telephone interview, 21 December 2004; and Col Peter Wijninga, RNLAF, head, 

Policy Integration Branch, to the author, e-mail, 20 July 2005 (forwarded by Lt 

Col Erik Wijers, RNLAF).

142. RNLAF, Airpower Doctrine (The Hague: RNLAF, April 2002), 1, 84, 86–87.

143. Ibid., 98–101.

144. MOD, Netherlands, Netherlands Defence Doctrine, trans. Netherlands 

Ministry of Defence Translation Service (Netherlands Defence Staff: The 

Hague, 2005), i.

145. Lt Col (Dr.) Marcel de Haas, Royal Netherlands Army (Netherlands 

Institute of International Relations, Clingendael), telephone interview by the 

author, 17 August 2007. During his most recent assignment at the Defence 

Staff, De Haas was responsible for the drafting of the first edition of the Netherlands Defence Doctrine.

146. Lt Col Eric A. de Landmeter, head, Joint Doctrine Branch, MOD, The 

Hague, to the author, e-mail, 30 June 2010.

147. Air Commodore J. T. Bakker, “Air Power in Peace and Humanitarian 

Operations: A Dutch Perspective” (paper presented at the RNLAF Air Power 

Colloquium, “Air Power: Theory and Application,” The Hague, 24–28 November 1997). 

148. Col Lex Kraft van Ermel, RNLAF, former director of studies, NDC, to 

the author, e-mails, 13 June and 22 June 2005.

149. Col Jan F. W. van Angeren, RNLAF, retired, to the author, e-mail, 9 

January 2006.

150. Col Dennis M. Drew, USAF, retired, professor and associate dean, 

SAASS, to the author, e-mail, 9 July 2004.

151. Ibid., 21 December 2005; and Lt Col Vincent Scharrenberg, RNLAF, 

NDC, The Hague, to the author, e-mail, 9 January 2006.

152. Dr. Grant T. Hammond, director, Center for Strategy and Technology, 

USAF, Air University, Maxwell AFB, AL, to the author, e-mail, 1 July 2004.

153. Syllabus, Strategy, Doctrine, and Air Power Course, 2000–2001, NDC, 

The Hague, 2–4.

154. Ibid., 12.

155. Van Ermel to the author, e-mail, 13 June 2005.

156. Ibid.

157. Ibid.

158. Ibid.

159. For symposia during the Cold War, see, for instance, RNLAF Air 

Power Symposium, “The Future of Air Power,” The Hague, 13–14 October 1988.

160. RNLAF Air Power Symposium, “Air power en doctrinevorming [Air 

power and doctrine development],” The Hague, 21 September 1995; and RNLAF 
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 275

Air Power Symposium, “De rol van air power bij gezamenlijk optreden [The 

role of air power in joint operations],” The Hague, 27 September 1996.

161. RNLAF Air Power Symposium, 15–19 April 1996; and RNLAF Air 

Power Colloquium, 24–28 November 1997. 

162. RNLAF Air Power Colloquium, “Coercive Air Strategies,” The Hague, 

6–8 June 2000.

163. RNLAF Air Power Symposium, 19 November 2003, table of contents.

164. Lt Col Frans Osinga, RNLAF (Netherlands Institute of International 

Relations, Clingendael), interview by the author, 24 June 2004; and Frans 

Osinga, Science, Strategy and War (London: Routledge, 2006).

165. “Sustaining Modern Armed Forces,” interview with Dr. Jan Fledderus, 

Netherlands national armaments director, Military Technology, no. 8 (1997): 19.

166. “We want the Best Materiel for the Best Price,” interview with Dr. Jan 

Fledderus, Netherlands national armaments director, Military Technology 24, 

no. 12 (December 2000): 26–27.

167. Dörfer, Arms Deal, 107.

168. Ibid., 106–8, 116, 122, 128–29.

169. D’Abramo, Military Trends in the Netherlands, 28–29.

170. De Winter and Van Loo, interview.

171. Maj Gen Marcel Wagevoort, “Materiel Projects in the RNLAF,” Defence 

Procurement in the Netherlands, Military Technology, no. 8 (August 1997): 45.

172. Joris Janssen Lok, “RNLAF Concerns Increase over Targeting Pod Acquisition Being Slow to Hit the Mark,” Jane’s International Defence Review, 

April 2006, 6.

173. “Sustaining Modern Armed Forces,” 13.

174. De Winter and Van Loo, interview.

175. The Military Balance 2002–2003 (Oxford, England: Oxford University 

Press for the IISS, October 2002), 51.

176. Droste, “Decisive Airpower Private,” 127.

177. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 41.

178. Ibid., 41.

179. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 44–45.

180. De Winter and Van Loo, interview.

181. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 44.

182. Wagevoort, “Materiel Projects in the RNLAF,” 45.

183. Tankink to the author, e-mail, 21 January 2005.

184. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 40–41.

185. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 44.

186. “Sustaining Modern Armed Forces,” 13.

187. Van Loo, Crossing the Border, 679.

188. Dreger, “JSF Partnership takes Shape,” 28–31.

189. See “Norway Commits Funding to Gripen Development,” Gripen 

News, no. 1 (2007): 2, http://www.gripen.com.

190. John R. Kent, F-35 Lightning II Communications, Lockheed Martin 

Aeronautics Co., to the author, e-mail, 3 August 2009; and Hans de Vreij, 
276 │ ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force

“Dutch Reveal Plan to Purchase Two JSF Test Aircraft,” Jane’s Defence Weekly 

45, no. 11 (12 March 2008): 13.

191. Gerrard Cowan and Craig Caffrey, “Dutch Parliament Casts Doubt on 

F-35 Deal . . ,” Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, no. 21 (26 May 2010): 6.

192. Gerrard Cowan, “Future of Dutch Aerospace Sector ‘Depends on JSF,’ ” 

Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, no. 25 (23 June 2010): 15.

193. Col Robert J. Geerdes, RNLAF, F-16 Replacement Office, Defence Material Organisation, to the author, e-mail, 28 July 2010.

194. Wagevoort, “Materiel Projects in the RNLAF,” 50.

195. MOD, Netherlands, Defence Priorities Review, 14–15.

196. Van Loo to the author, e-mail, 21 October 2004.

197. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 42-43.

198. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 47.

199. Joris Janssen Lok, “Revamping Dutch Airlift in a Post–Cold War Environment,” Jane’s International Defence Review 32 (February 1998): 27.

200. “We Want the Best Materiel for the Best Price,” 24; and Lange, “Lufttransport,” 40.

201. NATO, “Strategic Airlift Capability”; and Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 48.

202. BMVg, “Verlässlicher Zugriff.”

203. See section on “Alliance Policy and Its Impact upon the Royal Netherlands Air Force.”

204. Van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 48.

205. MOD, Netherlands, Defence White Paper 1991, 27.

206. MOD, Netherlands, Defence Priorities Review, 15.

207. Wagevoort, “Materiel Projects in the RNLAF,” 46.

208. Van der Mark, “Joint Helicopter Ops Dutch Style,” 65; and Van der 

Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” 47.

209. Van Loo, Crossing the Border, 742.

210. Van Loo to the author, e-mail, 21 October 2004.

211. Air Commodore Dirk Starink, “The Apache Programme,” Military 

Technology: Defence Procurement in the Netherlands, no. 8 (August 1997): 53–55.

212. Ian Bustin, “Apache Country: The Selection of the AH-64 Apache by 

the Royal Netherlands Air Force,” Military Technology, no. 7 (July 1995): 30.

213. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 43.

214. Henk Kamp, minister of defence, opening address, in RNLAF Air 

Power Symposium, 19 November 2003, 10.

215. Van der Mark, “Joint Helicopter Ops Dutch Style,” 65, 67.

216. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence: 11 Air 

Manoeuvre Brigade makes the Grade,” 29 October 2003, accessed 16 October 

2004, http://www.defensie.nl.

217. Kamp, opening address, 10.

218. NATO, “NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force,” 1.

219. Lok to the author, e-mail; and Lok, “RNLAF Concerns Increase,” 6.
ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 277

220. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 31; and Mercier to the author, 

e-mail.

221. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 41; and NATO, “NATO’s Allied 

Ground Surveillance Programme.”

222. Lok to the author, e-mail.

223. Van Loo to the author, e-mail, 21 October 2004.

224. Van der Mark, “Firing Patriots in Greece,” 42.

225. Wagevoort, “Materiel Projects in the RNLAF,” 50.

226. MOD, Netherlands, “Latest News of the Ministry of Defence,” 16 February 2004, accessed 16 October 2004, http://www.defensie.nl.

227. MOD, Netherlands, Prinsjesdag Letter, 44.

228. Col Peter Wijninga, RNLAF, commander, De Peel AFB, to the author, 

e-mail, 30 July 2010 (forwarded by 1Lt Ton Steers, RNLAF).

Chapter 6

Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet)

In June 1925, the separate Army and Navy air corps were unified in an independent air force, the then Royal Swedish Air 

Force.1

 Despite its early birth, the Swedish Air Force could only 

muster slightly more than 100 operational aircraft at the dawn of 

World War II. Due to lack of spare parts from the United Kingdom, a large number of fighters were grounded.2

 This deplorable 

situation was a wake-up call and resulted in an intensive rearmament process. At the end of the war, the Air Force had more than 

800 aircraft at its disposal. The domestic aircraft industry continued 

to deliver new aircraft after the war, resulting in the SwAF becoming the fourth largest air force in the Western world, operating 

some 1,000 aircraft.3

The 1958 long-term Defence Act put a clear emphasis upon air 

power in the Swedish overall defence posture. As a consequence, 

the Navy had to absorb significant budget cuts at the hands of the 

SwAF.4

 The naval budget shrank from 18 to 13 per cent of the total 

defence budget, as combat aircraft were considered to be more 

versatile and less vulnerable than surface ships.5

The Swedish defence rationale of the late 1950s considered the 

national territory of secondary priority for potential enemies.6

 It 

was assumed that no major power would and could allocate major 

defence resources for an attack against Sweden and, therefore, that 

a potent Swedish defence would have a sufficient deterrent effect. 

The Swedish armed forces were geared up towards a multilayered 

anti-invasion defence, which aimed at striking a potential aggressor outside Swedish territory.7

 This was primarily the task of the 

SwAF and the submarine fleet. The main task of the Army was to 

defend the land border with Finland as well as southern Sweden.8

During the 1950s, the acquisition of nuclear weapons for the 

Swedish armed forces was also debated but never realised. With 

the signature of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968, this debate 

came to an end.9

Whereas Swedish defence doctrine concentrated exclusively 

upon defence against full-scale invasion in the early periods of the 
280 │ Swedish Air Force

Cold War, defence planners during the 1970s started to envisage 

the possibility of limited surprise attacks directed against Sweden’s 

key infrastructure. Soviet submarine incursions into Swedish 

coastal waters during the early 1980s corroborated this concern. 

Henceforth, preparation for defence against limited attacks was 

given particular emphasis.10 Simultaneously, adherence to a defencein-depth doctrine was reiterated. Sweden’s ability to engage invasion forces beyond the national border and coast by combat aircraft and submarines was considered important.11

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Stefan Kalm

JAS 39D Gripen dual-seat combat aircraft

Notwithstanding the country’s neutral status, Sweden played a 

key role in Western defence plans of Scandinavia.12 A large and 

powerful SwAF was regarded as pivotal by NATO defence planners, given the relatively weak Norwegian Air Force. In the later 

stages of the Cold War, Sweden possessed indeed one of the largest and best equipped air forces in Europe.13 Other impressive features were its modern early warning and command systems, an 

extensive dispersed basing system, and its indigenous combat aircraft designs, such as the advanced JA 37 Viggen, tailored to Sweden’s defence requirements.14

Given Sweden’s proximity to Russia and its considerable autonomous defence effort throughout the Cold War, the Swedish de-
swedish Air Force │ 281

fence establishment only slowly adapted to the altered security 

paradigms of the post–Cold War era. Sweden’s Cold War legacy 

exerted significant inertia upon defence reforms throughout the 

1990s.15 It also had consequences on a technical and tactical level. 

Interoperability was hampered by equipment, particularly in the 

field of command and control. For these reasons, the SwAF could 

not be deployed to out-of-area operations during the 1990s, with 

the exception of its transport unit.16

Only in the late 1990s did a defence reform process set in, with 

the vast Cold War defence complex beginning to be dismantled.17

Nowadays, the SwAF finds itself in a transformation process, 

which is leading to enhanced interoperability and deployability. 

Sweden’s EU membership since 1995 has been a major catalyst in 

this process.

How Has the Swedish Air Force Adapted 

to the Uncertainties Created by Shifting 

Defence and Alliance Policies?

This section first analyses Swedish post–Cold War defence policy 

and the SwAF’s response to it. It then analyses Sweden’s alliance 

context and its influence on the SwAF.

Defence Policy

Sweden’s changing defence posture in the post–Cold War era is 

closely related to its threat and risk perception. Over the centuries, 

Russia was the dominant factor in the Swedish strategic calculus. 

It took Sweden almost a decade to adapt to the post–Cold War 

realities, and the Nordic state finally shifted away from a predominantly Russia-centric view to an international one, which resulted 

in a significant impact upon its Air Force.18 Sweden’s relatively 

slow defence policy transformation can to a large degree be ascribed to its geostrategic location. Accordingly, integration of the 

Baltic states into NATO and the European Union was of major 

significance for Swedish decision makers. Yet, the Russian intervention in Georgia as of August 2008 led to an increased emphasis 

on national defence again, while not reversing previous developments in Sweden’s defence-political opening process.
282 │ Swedish Air Force

Threat and Risk Perception. During the Cold War, SovietSwedish relations reached periods of considerable tension. As described later, Soviet fighters shot down at least one Swedish aircraft over the Baltic Sea in 1952, and in the early 1980s, Soviet 

submarines intruded into Swedish waters.

In 1990 Swedish authorities urged caution in the Swedish response to the events unfolding in Eastern Europe. They were indeed very suspicious of the permanence of the developments in 

the Soviet Union. A setback in Soviet reforms by communist hardliners was still regarded as a possibility.19 Only after the dissolution 

of the Soviet Union in late 1991 did the process of gradually transforming the Swedish defence posture start. While the immediate 

threat of a major armed invasion across coastal or land borders 

was ruled out from then onwards, such a scenario was required to 

be met after one year of preparation. Yet, it was deemed necessary 

that the armed forces be capable of dealing with limited strategic 

surprise attacks against key targets in Sweden at any time.20

In 1996–97 the Swedish government concluded that the security situation had further evolved in a positive way. This development was mainly attributed to the stabilising function of an enlarging European Union.21 However, it was only in 1999 that the 

threat of an invasion ceased to be the dominant factor in shaping 

Sweden’s defence architecture. Henceforth, a full-scale invasion of 

Swedish territory did not seem feasible within the time span of 10 

years, provided that Sweden had a basic defence capability at its 

disposal. These fundamental improvements in the security assessment initiated a development towards smaller but qualitatively 

advanced armed forces, with the aim of effectively using them 

both nationally and internationally. However, limited surprise attacks, primarily from the air, were still deemed a potential threat 

that could occur any time with the aim of coercing Swedish decision makers.22

Government Bill 1999/2000:30, The New Defence, thus represented a milestone step in Swedish defence policy.23 According to 

the former director of the Defence Commission, Michael Mohr, 

reduced financial resources played a significant role in this reorientation in 1999. A balance had to be struck between tasks and 

resources. As a result, Swedish decision makers were forced to accept the realities of a changed security environment.24
swedish Air Force │ 283

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, nonstate actors shifted into the focus of Swedish security policy. It was 

emphasised that conflicts with local origins could have repercussions far outside the actual area of conflict, endangering global 

stability as a whole. Regardless, Sweden’s regional security was 

deemed positive.25 Finally in 2003, any form of armed attack on 

Sweden by another state was not expected to be likely within the 

space of at least 10 years.26 This positive assessment can be related 

to the Baltic states being integrated into NATO and the EU, which 

was perceived to strengthen decisively Sweden’s own security.27 With 

the integration of these countries into established European structures, 

the Baltic region—the buffer zone between Sweden and Russia—

was no longer seen as a grey zone in Swedish security policy, which 

fundamentally changed the strategic situation in the immediate 

vicinity. These developments reinforced the shift in Sweden’s security policy from one primarily emphasising territorial defence to 

one aiming at robust contributions to international security.

The positive security assessment within Sweden’s neighbourhood stood in stark contrast to other regions of the world. Swedish 

Government Bill 2004/05:5, Our Future Defence, underlines the 

concerns about stability in the wider world. Regional conflicts 

were not believed to be restricted to a single country or region; 

instead, they could produce ripple effects. Leni Björklund, minister of defence at the time, concluded that by participating in international operations for peace and security, Sweden would enhance 

its own security.28 This is a significant conclusion, given Sweden’s 

legacy of neutrality. The fact that Sweden wanted to be perceived 

as a reliable partner amongst Western states certainly contributed 

to a stronger Swedish involvement in international security affairs, as is examined in the section on alliance policy.

However, the 2008 Russian military intervention in Georgia 

was received by Swedish decision makers with a certain degree of 

concern and gave new impetus to the importance of a capability to 

counter limited but rapidly occurring military crises. In 2009 a 

new government bill, A Functional Defence, was issued to meet 

these concerns. While it argued that both NATO and the EU exerted a stabilising influence upon the Baltic region and that the 

threat of invasion from a previous superpower had disappeared, 
284 │ Swedish Air Force

the risk of military incidents either on or around the Baltic Sea 

could not be discounted.29

Tasks of the Armed Forces. Throughout the post–Cold War 

era, the changing threat perception has had a major influence 

upon the formulation of the tasks for the armed forces. Accordingly in 1991, the tasks of the armed forces were primarily relegated to defensive tasks against various kinds of military threats to 

Sweden, ranging from full-scale invasion to limited strategic attacks. Safeguarding Sweden’s neutrality was considered pivotal. In 

particular, the integrity of Swedish airspace was emphasised.30

Persistent emphasis upon territorial defence reflects the doubts of 

Swedish decision makers who—despite the considerable relaxation 

in the East-West relationship—reckoned with a possibility that 

the situation might deteriorate again.

Only the 1999–2000 government defence bill brought about a 

significant shift towards out-of-area operations. Broad participation in European defence cooperation and contributions to crisis 

management were henceforth regarded as essential means to safeguard Sweden’s own security, reflecting the 1999 turning point in 

Swedish defence policy.31 Finally in 2004–5, involvement in international operations was given first priority in relation to other 

tasks. The Ministry of Defence stated that the “objective for Sweden’s total defence is to preserve the country’s peace and independence by helping to manage and prevent crises in the world around 

us, asserting our territorial integrity, defending Sweden against 

armed attack, [and] protecting the civilian population and safeguarding the most important societal functions.”32

Accordingly, Swedish decision makers, both political and military, were very clear in the aftermath of the 1999–2000 reform on 

the need for restructuring the armed forces and making international operations the number one priority.33 The 2009 government bill, however, partially reversed this one-sided emphasis on 

the international dimension. In particular, it was decided to significantly improve the readiness of Sweden’s defence resources to 

counter a limited but rapidly unfolding military crisis lasting only 

a couple of days—a reference to Russia’s 2008 military intervention in Georgia that lasted five days and was decided in two. Yet at 

the same time, the government also announced a significant increase in deployed personnel on peace support operations.34
swedish Air Force │ 285

Towards Expeditionary Warfare and Deployable Armed 

Forces. Sweden had already developed a tradition of contributing 

to UN peacekeeping operations in the Cold War. For instance, it 

participated in the first UN mission—the ceasefire supervision 

mission in the Middle East—commencing in 1948. It sent infantry 

units to Suez in 1956, and in 1960–64, Sweden engaged at the upper end of the spectrum of military force in the former Belgian 

Congo, representing the first Swedish combat operation since 

1814.35 Yet, this militarily robust deployment remained an exception throughout the Cold War. Despite a relatively strong commitment to UN missions, anti-invasion defence was by far the most 

important concern for the Swedish armed forces. The political 

leadership proved to be restrictive in using military power as a 

security policy instrument abroad.36

Throughout the 1990s, international operations gradually 

gained in importance. As a first step towards a more robust international commitment, the 1996–97 defence bill put forward the 

creation of an international command, the purpose of which was 

to organise, train, and support international missions.37 But as the 

establishment of a separate command reveals, the international 

dimension remained divorced from the main bulk of the Swedish 

armed forces.

Only since 1999 have Swedish international ambitions intensified significantly. Regarding European security, two major events 

Courtesy Swedish Air Force

Swedish C-130 Hercules in Afghanistan
286 │ Swedish Air Force

took place during this year, serving as catalysts for Sweden’s defence transformation. First, the Kosovo campaign showed the inadequacies of European defence postures. Second, at the European Council in Cologne in June 1999, EU member states asserted 

the need for the EU to become a strategic actor. In line with these 

developments, the 1999–2000 government defence bill stated that 

the defence organisation was to be restructured for both national 

and international missions. Particular reference was made to the 

conflict in Kosovo by concluding that Sweden’s ability to participate in an international operation rapidly and with interoperable 

equipment was to be improved.38 Sweden’s contribution to the development of a European rapid reaction capacity was seen as the 

foremost factor shaping Swedish defence transformation in the 

ensuing years.39 At the Council of Defence Ministers in Brussels 

on 22 November 2004, it was declared that Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Estonia intended to establish a multinational battle group 

based on the EU battle group concept, with Sweden being the lead 

nation. Out of 1,500 troops, Sweden contributes approximately 

1,100. The Nordic Battle Group’s (NBG) first standby period lasted 

from 1 January to 30 June 2008.40 The EU battle group concept is 

likely to have a profound impact upon the entire Swedish Army. 

The 2009 government bill announced that the main bulk of the 

ground units were to be organised in battle groups, which can be 

employed nationally or multinationally.41

Since the late 1990s, preparedness of Swedish decision makers 

to engage in actual combat has increased significantly. In 2003 the 

Defence Commission stated that the ability to engage in armed 

conflict, both nationally and internationally, was the single most 

key factor governing the development of Swedish military capabilities, implying a shift towards more robust peace support operations, including peace enforcement.42

Despite these ambitions towards increased power projection, 

the Swedish defence establishment continued to underline its adherence to conscription. In the 1999–2000 defence bill, it was explicitly stated that the units used for both territorial defence and 

international operations would be based on conscription. The bill 

also mandated that the number of conscripts should be kept to the 

lowest possible level.43 In the same vein, the supreme commander 

of the Swedish armed forces argued in 2004 that the willingness to 
swedish Air Force │ 287

serve in international missions ought to be taken into consideration 

in the recruitment of new conscripts.44 Particularly the establishment of the Swedish-led EU battle group called for modifications 

in the recruiting system, as it required Sweden to have military 

personnel available at very short notice. Accordingly, the 2004–5 

defence bill foresaw national servicemen being employed for a 

number of years.45 As described later, the SwAF set up rapid reaction units depending upon contracted personnel.

Only in 2009 was the abolishment or temporary annulment of 

compulsory conscription seriously considered. As an alternative, 

the Ministry of Defence proposed voluntary military service.46

This shift towards a voluntary force can be explained by the 2009 

government bill’s goal to strengthen Sweden’s defence capability 

by creating immediately employable armed forces. The bill stated 

that “the entire operational organisation of some 50,000 people 

will be able to be used within a week after a decision on heightened alert.”47 Moreover, readily available armed forces also allow 

Swedish decision makers to increase deployed personnel on peace 

support operations.

Finally, on 19 May 2010, the Swedish Parliament formally suspended compulsory military service. On 1 July 2010, the Ministry 

of Defence initiated the transition to a 100 per cent professional 

and contract force.48 The Swedish armed forces are projected to 

total 55,200 personnel by 2014, including civilians and 22,000 in 

the home guard units, largely comprised of part-time soldiers. The 

planning figure for the SwAF—including the Armed Forces Helicopter Wing—is 3,350 personnel, approximately 650 of whom are 

part-time professionals.49

Defence Policy and Its Impact upon the Swedish Air Force. 

At the outset of the post–Cold War era, the SwAF operated one of 

the largest combat aircraft fleets in Europe, numbering more than 

400 aircraft all of domestic manufacture.50 Sweden’s threat and 

risk perception has determined the size as well as structure of the 

SwAF in the post–Cold War era.

During the Cold War, the Swedish armed forces were structured in a way that would have allowed them to conduct a defence 

in depth. The SwAF attack aircraft fleet, like the Swedish submarine 

force, was intended to attack invading forces far out in the Baltic 

Sea. Moreover, the coastal defences would have been supported by 
288 │ Swedish Air Force

maritime strikes, and the limited ground attack capacity—primarily in the air interdiction role—would have been concentrated 

in northern Sweden.51

In the later stages of the Cold War, the attack aircraft fleet consisted 

of AJ 37 Viggen and SK 60 aircraft. The SK 60 was primarily used as 

a trainer, but it also had a limited attack and photoreconnaissance 

capability. Aerial reconnaissance was largely the function of the 

SF 37 and SH 37 Viggens. The former was a dedicated photoreconnaissance aircraft, whereas the latter was a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Air defence was primarily carried out by the JA 

37 Viggen, an all-weather interceptor that first entered service in 

1979. Furthermore, older but modified J 35J Draken aircraft supported the JA 37 Viggens in the air defence task into the 1990s. To 

enhance survivability in a high-intensity conflict scenario, dispersed basing of its squadrons was a crucial pillar in the SwAF’s 

defence doctrine. Besides the main operating bases with their 

large underground storage facilities, the SwAF also maintained 

wartime reserve air bases. At the end of the Cold War, the SwAF 

had an extensive network of as many as 30 main and reserve air 

bases and approximately 50 additional operating sites, including 

civilian airports, at its disposal.52

According to Swedish post–Cold War security assessments 

made in the early 1990s, the size and structure of the SwAF continued to be determined by a potential invasion and also by the 

threat of limited aerial surprise attacks. Subsequently, priority was 

placed upon air defence, and it was planned that the SwAF should 

be capable of better countering a limited surprise attack against 

Swedish territory by 1997. In line with this goal, the defence planning programme for 1993–98 emphasised enhancing the recognised air picture. Particularly, the introduction of an airborne radar surveillance system before the turn of the century was expected 

to enhance considerably Swedish air defence capabilities. It was 

furthermore decided to retain all eight JA 37 Viggen air defence 

squadrons. Additionally, the acquisition of a new medium-range 

air-to-air missile was to improve the air defence capability. In contrast, the acquisition of new reconnaissance pods was to be delayed until well after the turn of the century. Furthermore, the 

SwAF pursued a modification programme for its AJ 37 attack and 

reconnaissance Viggens to AJS 37 standard. These aircraft would 
swedish Air Force │ 289

bridge the gap till the introduction of 16 planned JAS 39 Gripen 

squadrons was completed.53 In the mid-1990s, the number of 

planned Gripen squadrons was further reduced to 12.54

In accordance with the strategic security assessment, the Government Defence Bill 1996/97 reiterated the emphasis upon air defence. Therefore, the bulk of the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft was planned 

to be configured in the air defence role. Furthermore, the JA 37 air 

defence Viggen squadrons were to be retained. In contrast, the 

AJS 37 attack and reconnaissance Viggen squadrons were planned 

to be reduced significantly in the ensuing years.55

Force modernisation programmes throughout the 1990s were 

an integral part of the Flygvapnet 2000 (Swedish Air Force 2000) 

concept. It was conceived in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with 

the purpose of turning the SwAF into a network-based air force, 

implying free flow of information across multiple levels.56 From a 

material point of view, this meant concentration upon a new generation of systems.57 Besides the combat aircraft fleet, this programme particularly hinged upon a modernisation of the SwAF’s 

C2 structure (see section on maintaining a relevant air force). In 

parallel to these developments, the command structure was 

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Frans Dely

ASC 890 Erieye airborne early warning and control aircraft escorted by 

a Gripen C and D. The Erieye significantly enhances the SwAF’s air defence capabilities.
290 │ Swedish Air Force

streamlined. In the early 1990s, the four air defence sectors were 

superseded by three air commands, and in July 2000, these air 

commands were replaced by a single air force command.58 The 

SwAF thus shifted from a decentralised command structure to a 

centralised one. Moreover, the command and control battalions 

were reduced from 11 in 1990 to three in 2005, with only one 

planned for 2006.59 The streamlining process within the SwAF was 

part of a larger streamlining process of the Swedish armed forces 

as a whole. In 1993–94 a major organisational reform was initiated which elevated the position and authority of the supreme 

commander and relegated the formerly independent peacetime 

commanders of the single services to inspectors. For this purpose, 

the joint armed forces headquarters was established in September 

1993, replacing the separate staff functions of the three services.60

Initiating Sweden’s most fundamental defence reform in the 

post–Cold War era in 1999 had a significant impact upon the organisation of the SwAF. Yet already prior to 1999, a certain shift 

away from the primacy of air defence can be noticed. As such, the 

inspector general of the SwAF announced in 1998 that a planned 

midlife update of approximately 60 JA 37 air defence Viggen fighters was likely to be reduced or even cancelled. Instead, requirements for international operations would be investigated.61 In 

1999 plans for the reorganisation and reduction of the wartime 

and peacetime air bases were decided upon.62 Moreover, the 

ground support units were to experience considerable cuts.63 A 

particularly significant step was the disbandment of all JA 37 air 

defence Viggen squadrons by 2005, which led to a substantial reduction of the air defence capability in quantitative terms.64 These 

cuts can be directly related to the positive security assessment in 

Sweden’s immediate neighbourhood.

With Sweden’s increasing thrust towards international operations across the spectrum of military force, interoperability became a specifically important issue and had a far-reaching impact 

upon the SwAF’s force inventory. Only Gripen squadrons equipped 

with the NATO interoperable JAS 39C/D version have been considered operational from 2005 on. The remaining squadrons, 

purely equipped with the JAS 39A/B version, lost operational 

squadron status and were either disbanded or have been used for 

conversion training and tactical evaluation. Accordingly, the 
swedish Air Force │ 291

number of operational Gripen squadrons was reduced from seven 

in 2004 to three in 2005 and increased to four again in 2006, with 

more JAS 39C/Ds delivered.65 These squadrons are to be fully 

equipped with the JAS 39C/D version.66 Moreover, while the air 

defence capability had lost in relative importance, the CAS capability gained unprecedented emphasis, as it was regarded as a critical capability for robust peace support operations.67 This shift in 

priorities went hand in hand with Sweden’s efforts in setting up a 

Nordic EU battle group.

Yet against the backdrop of a reasserting Russia, the 2009 government bill, A Functional Defence, declared that “the air force 

must primarily develop the capability to operate in our region. It 

should also be able to participate in air operations together with 

other countries, in Sweden and within and outside our region.”68

With the SwAF and the Swedish Navy readopting a more national 

focus, the Swedish Army was expected to carry the main bulk of 

international missions.69 As regards the SwAF, these developments 

represented a shift away from the rather one-sided thrust towards 

deployed operations. Yet, interoperability remained the cornerstone of the SwAF’s transformation. Moreover, this did not preclude potential deployed operations. The Navy, with its similar 

regional focus, was increasingly involved in the EU’s anti-piracy 

mission off Somalia, Operation Atalanta, and in April 2010, a 

Swedish rear admiral became the force commander of the European Union Naval Force. This maritime effort was supported by 

helicopters from Sweden’s Armed Forces Helicopter Wing.70

While table 5 (next page) clearly reveals the prioritisation of 

air defence in the 1990s, it also shows the massive force reductions and thrust towards a homogenous combat aircraft fleet after 

1999. These reductions can be attributed to a perceived improvement in security in Sweden’s close neighbourhood and the demands of potential international operations and interoperability. 

Deployable combat aircraft units require larger investments than 

units tasked solely for territorial defence. For instance, the JAS 

39C/D rapid reaction units demand intense training, particularly in the areas of planning and executing multinational operations and close air support.71 Prior to the SwAF’s significant force 

reductions, such intense focus upon training was not conceivable. In the later stages of the Cold War, the average flying hours 
292 │ Swedish Air Force

of a fully trained pilot were significantly below NATO’s minimum requirement. This situation was further aggravated by a 

very low pilot-to-aircraft ratio.72 A parliamentary report published in 1992 highlights serious shortcomings in training, modern air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, and spare parts in 

general.73 Difficulties in generating enough training hours per 

combat pilot persisted up to 2001.74 Hence, it can be argued that 

the SwAF’s force structure had actually been overstretched and 

only became more stable against the backdrop of Sweden’s increasing commitment to out-of-area operations.

Table 5. SwAF combat aircraft inventory

Aircraft Type 1990 1997 2001 2005 2012

(planned)

J 35 Draken

(air defence)

72 60 - - -

JA 37 Viggen

(air defence)

139 133 91 - -

AJ/S/AJS/SK 37 

Viggen

(attack, recce, 

standoff jamming)

147 104 32 19 -

JAS 39A/B Gripen

(multirole)

- 37a 95 124 -

JAS 39C/D Gripen

(multirole)

- - - 27 100

SK 60

(training, recce, 

CAS)

105 105b 105 103 ?

Adapted from IISS, The Military Balance 1990–91 (London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1990), 93; IISS, 

The Military Balance 1997–98 (London: Oxford University Press, 1997), 96; IISS, The Military Balance 2001–2002 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2001), 100; IISS, The Military Balance 

2005–2006 (London: Oxford University Press, 2005), 128; and MOD, Sweden, “A Functional Defence,” fact sheet, March 2009. 

a Primarily employed in the air defence role. MOD, Regeringens proposition 1996/97:4: Totalförsvar 

i förnyelse—etapp 2 [Government defence bill 1996/97:4: renewal of total defence—stage 2] (Stockholm: MOD, 12 September 1996).

b

 In 1996 the SK 60 ceased to be used in the reconnaissance and close air support role. Col Bertil 

Wennerholm, SwAF, retired, Stockholm, to the author, e-mail, 11 February 2008.

Emphasis upon Air Power. A 1991 RAND analysis considered 

the SwAF to be the most important branch of the Swedish armed 

forces, as it would have provided the first line of defence in a highintensity conflict scenario with the Soviet Union.75 Viewed from a 
swedish Air Force │ 293

Nordic perspective, Swedish emphasis upon air power made 

sense. While Finland was expected to become bogged down in 

close quarter battles due to its large land border with the Soviet 

Union, the SwAF together with the Swedish submarine fleet constituted a manoeuvre element across the Baltic Sea. Not only military considerations but also politico-industrial considerations explain Sweden’s emphasis upon air power. With the end of the Cold 

War, this emphasis upon air power remained, as the single service 

budget allocations from 1989 to 2002 reveal (see fig. 5).

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

1989/90 1990/91 1992/93 1993/94 1995/96 1999 2000 2001 2002

Army Navy Air Force

Year

Per Cent

Figure 5. Budget allocation to the single services (Sweden). The 

overall defence budget further includes expenditure on the central 

administration (support and command), military assistance including 

UN peacekeeping, and other. Until 1995–96, Sweden had a fiscal 

year from 1 July to 30 June. (Author developed figure based on percentages from Bengt-Göran Bergstrand [senior analyst, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Defence Expenditures Project, Stockholm], interview by the author, 11 February 2005.)

According to the broad approach to air power which this 

study takes, the air power assets of the Swedish Army and Navy 

have to be included as well. From 1994 to 2002, the Army operated up to 600 air-defence guns plus a considerable number of 

SAM systems, mostly MANPADS but also a small number of 

upgraded Hawk systems and other advanced systems. Furthermore, the Army and Navy air arms operated up to 100 training, 
294 │ Swedish Air Force

liaison, rescue, transport, anti-tank, and anti-submarine warfare 

helicopters. If these systems are taken into account, air power 

has featured even more prominently in the Swedish defence architecture and accounted for significantly more than a third of 

the Swedish defence expenditure.76

This book argues that, against the backdrop of an increasing 

shift towards out-of-area operations, it became increasingly difficult for the SwAF to retain its prominent position within the 

Swedish defence architecture. Apart from the SwAF’s transport 

unit, Swedish air power was basically relegated to control of the 

Swedish airspace and to territorial defence up to the year 2000.77

Air power could not be integrated into multinational air campaigns due to the lack of interoperability, nor was the Navy in a 

position to participate in the embargo operations against the former Yugoslavia in the absence of appropriate blue-water assets.78

In the 1990s, this did not really matter, as Swedish authorities still 

reckoned with the possibility of strategic surprise attacks, the 

countering of which demanded a sophisticated air defence capability. Yet with Sweden’s increasing involvement in European security from 1999 onwards, readiness to participate in multinational operations had become a key factor. So far, the main 

burden of international missions has been carried by the Army. 

Army contingents up to battalion strength served in Lebanon, the 

former Yugoslavia, and Liberia.79 With the setting up of the Nordic Battle Group, this trend continued. Hence, it was in the SwAF’s 

own interest to focus upon international missions and to redress 

this imbalance. However, recent events, particularly the Russian 

intervention in Georgia, partially reversed this logic. The SwAF, 

together with the Navy, might again be seen as the first line of defence in a potential military incidence in the Baltic area.

Alliance Context

Prior to the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet 

Union, Swedish neutrality policy was defined as military nonalignment in peace, implying neutrality in war. In early 1992, 

Swedish neutrality in war was no longer deemed an imperative. 

Instead, a flexible approach was adopted, whereby neutrality was 

regarded as one option amongst others. Henceforth, the purpose 

of being non-aligned has been to enable Sweden to remain neutral 
swedish Air Force │ 295

in the event of a conflict in its vicinity, should Sweden wish to do 

so.80 Despite the policy of non-alignment, the UN, the EU, and 

NATO have played a significant role in Sweden’s defence policy. 

The UN is regarded as the ultimate responsible body for maintaining international peace and security.81 As such, a UN mandate is 

regarded as imperative for Swedish participation in peace support 

operations.82 Since the late 1990s, the EU has exerted an unprecedented influence upon the Swedish defence architecture. In contrast to the UN, the ESDP has had an immediate impact upon 

Swedish military transformation.

Sweden joined the EU in 1995 and embraced the 1999 Cologne Declaration stating that the EU should acquire the necessary civilian and military capacities to engage in crisis management operations. Due to its policy of non-alignment, Sweden 

did not endorse an EU solidarity clause, calling for collective defence.83 To reconcile ESDP membership and the policy of military non-alignment, Swedish officials identified elements incompatible with this policy early in the process.84 Especially, 

Sweden together with Finland pushed for the ESDP to be focused upon the Petersberg Tasks, which include crisis management and exclude collective defence arrangements.85

The embedding into the ESDP changed the basis of Sweden’s 

defence policy.86 Accordingly, the 2004–5 defence bill argues that 

the new Swedish focus should be on making a relevant contribution to the EU’s power projection capabilities, particularly in the 

domain of rapid reaction capabilities.87 The setting up of a multinational Nordic Battle Group has been one of Sweden’s greatest 

military endeavours. Though there were several reasons for a defence reform, the ESDP process has no doubt been important in 

speeding up the process of military transformation.88 In early 

2004, the supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces expressed his intention to give ever more weight to European cooperation: “I see the steadily growing European cooperation as a 

basic starting point for our continuing defence reform.”89

Throughout the 1990s, special attention was also given to NATO 

and to the US presence in Europe. Both were seen as fundamental 

pillars for Swedish security. The social democrats openly acknowledged that Swedish non-alignment policy depended upon a clear 

and unambiguous American commitment to European security.90
296 │ Swedish Air Force

This development stood in clear contrast to the Cold War era, 

when a linkage between Sweden’s security and the Americandominated NATO had been carefully avoided in public statements.91 Swedish NATO membership was, however, not aspired to 

during the 1990s. A reason was that Swedish or Finnish NATO 

membership would with certainty have been viewed negatively by 

Russia and therefore would not have contributed to stability in the 

Baltic Sea region.92

Nevertheless, Swedish rapprochement towards NATO took place, 

particularly when the country joined the Partnership for Peace in 

May 1994 and when it established a formal national delegation, in 

fact a NATO embassy, within the NATO headquarters in Brussels 

in the late 1990s.93 The tight bonds between Sweden and NATO 

were again underlined in the 2004–5 defence bill that called for a 

continuation and reinforcement of Sweden’s cooperation with the 

alliance through PfP.94 In relation to NATO, Sweden’s ambition is 

to be seen as a non-ally that is ready to “give and not only to take.”95

When the Baltic states were invited as NATO membership candidates, this development was clearly welcomed by Swedish decision makers. The enlargement of NATO in 2004 was considered to 

be conducive to sustaining a long-term American commitment to 

northern Europe, which had been a key issue for Sweden throughout the 1990s.96

Against the backdrop of a reasserting Russia, the Swedish Ministry of Defence declared in early 2009 that the country would show 

solidarity with other EU member states or Nordic countries in case 

of a military attack, and it implicitly stated that Sweden would expect reciprocal assistance.97 This represents a cautious attempt at 

formulating an informal Nordic collective defence framework.

Alliance Policy and Its Impact upon the Swedish Air Force

Sweden’s alliance policy has indeed influenced the SwAF. Nowadays, it can be regarded as one of the most important factors dominating force transformation. With Sweden’s commitment to PfP 

and especially the ESDP, Swedish combat aircraft have been made 

available for international operations since the turn of the century. 

Furthermore, the SwAF started to participate in and to conduct 

international exercises. This has enhanced interoperability with 

other air forces on a tactical level. Sweden’s alliance policy and 
swedish Air Force │ 297

increased commitment to out-of-area operations have also had 

direct repercussions upon the SwAF at the technical level. 

ESDP and PfP Context. In 2001 Minister of Defence Björn 

von Sydow stated that the internationalisation process permeated 

the Air Force organisation as a whole, from doctrine, training, exercises, staff procedures, procurement, and language training to 

the air base and C2 structure.98 Immediately following the 1999 

defence reform, 2000 and 2001 were indeed key years for the 

SwAF. In June 2000, the Swedish government decided to set up a 

dedicated Air Force rapid reaction unit for international peace 

support operations within the framework of the UN, the EU, or 

NATO’s PfP. The SwAF’s rapid reaction force became operational 

on 1 January 2001 and consisted of two units—the Swedish Air 

Force AJS 37 Rapid Reaction Unit (SWAFRAP AJS 37) and 

SWAFRAP C-130.99 Both units were on a 30-day standby for international contingencies.100 SWAFRAP AJS 37 was a tactical reconnaissance unit consisting of six AJS 37 photoreconnaissance Viggens 

and approximately 220 professional and contracted personnel. 

Potential deployment could last up to a six-month period.101 At 

the same time, the SwAF transport unit readied four C-130 Hercules aircraft and the major portion of its personnel for rapid deployment in the context of SWAFRAP C-130.102

Though SWAFRAP AJS 37 was never deployed for real operations, 

it allowed the SwAF to gain international experience through parCourtesy Gripen International; photo by FMV

FAF C-135FR tanker refuelling Gripen C and D in midair
298 │ Swedish Air Force

ticipation in various exercises.103 SWAFRAP AJS 37 was replaced 

by a new rapid reaction unit, SWAFRAP JAS 39, which became 

operational on 1 January 2004. The unit was originally equipped 

with eight JAS 39A Gripen aircraft, and the contracted and professional personnel numbered approximately 260.104

Against the backdrop of the NBG going on standby during the 

first half of 2008, NATO interoperable JAS 39C Gripen combat 

aircraft provided part of an air component. This NBG Gripen detachment replaced SWAFRAP JAS 39 and was designated Stridsflygenhet 01 (SE01—Combat Aircraft Unit 01). Its mission spectrum encompassed air defence, reconnaissance, and precision 

strike. CAS was especially regarded as an important capability. 

The SwAF contribution to the NBG was eight JAS 39C Gripen 

multirole fighters, four Hercules transport aircraft, and an air base 

unit. Moreover, the Armed Forces Helicopter Wing was ready to 

dispatch seven transport helicopters. SE01 could also be deployed 

outside the framework of the NBG, effectively taking over the role 

of SWAFRAP JAS 39.105 In the near future, all operational JAS 

39C/D Gripen squadrons are planned to be deployable.106

The SwAF’s NBG contribution was also listed in the EU Force 

Catalogue 2006, which earmarked deployable military forces for 

major EU operations.107 Moreover, the SwAF’s S 102B Korpen signals 

intelligence aircraft can also be made available for international 

operations, and a possible future deployment of Swedish airborne 

early warning assets was discussed in 2005.108 With a retrofit (see 

“C4ISTAR” section), two S 100 Argus airborne early warning aircraft were readied for international deployments. Hence in the 

future, all the SwAF’s major weapon systems are likely to be available for international operations.

Cooperation on an Operational Level. During the Cold War, 

it was very unusual for the SwAF to participate in international 

exercises, and the mindset of SwAF officers was almost exclusively geared up for national defence scenarios. In this regard, the 

post–Cold War era brought about a significant shift. To facilitate 

the SwAF’s thrust towards increased interoperability, English became the language of tactical aircraft-to-aircraft communication. 

Furthermore, PfP provided a platform for participation in multinational exercises.109 The SwAF’s rapid reaction units have particularly been subject to rigorous training abroad. From its very be-
swedish Air Force │ 299

ginning, SWAFRAP AJS 37 participated in NATO exercises, and 

SWAFRAP C-130 crews were able to improve their skills in integrated exercises such as Maple Flag in Canada.110 Nowadays, JAS 

39 Gripen units participate in various multinational exercises in 

Europe, primarily northern Europe.111

In accordance with the SwAF’s evolving international commitment, the SwAF’s rapid reaction units first concentrated on lowintensity PfP exercises.112 With SWAFRAP JAS 39 becoming operational in early 2004, Swedish combat aircraft have participated 

in several multinational integrated air exercises, such as the Nordic Air Meet in Sweden, Frisian Flag in Holland, and Cold Response in Norway. Moreover, participation in Exercise Red Flag in 

the United States or the NATO Air Meet in Europe was considered in 2007. Against the backdrop of the NBG, Swedish JAS 

39C/D Gripen combat aircraft were also deployed to Alaska to 

practise CAS under realistic conditions.113

Besides Sweden, Hungary and the Czech Republic are European JAS 39 Gripen operators. The SwAF has been providing 

training assistance for Czech and Hungarian Gripen pilots and 

technicians. This kind of cooperation has fostered the SwAF’s international expertise. For instance, training with the Czechs took 

place in English, and all training material was translated into English for this purpose.114 Furthermore, Swedish Gripen aircrews 

had the opportunity to participate in exercises in Hungary.115 This 

close training cooperation led to considerations of a more forCourtesy Gripen International; photo by Gunnar Åkerberg

JAS 39B Gripen at the multinational Exercise Cold Response in Norway
300 │ Swedish Air Force

malised partnership amongst the European Gripen operators, 

which could cover aspects such as training and logistics.116

How Has the Swedish Air Force Responded 

to the Challenges of Real Operations?

Sharing the Baltic Sea with the Soviet Union led to a number of 

military incidents during the Cold War. For the SwAF, probably 

the most significant incidents were the June 1952 alleged shootdown of a DC-3 signals intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea and 

the ensuing Soviet fighter downing of a Swedish Catalina flying 

boat that was searching for the DC-3 crew. These events marked 

the beginning of a comprehensive alert service involving roundthe-clock radar surveillance of the Swedish airspace, with fighter 

as well as reconnaissance aircraft in a high state of readiness.117

During the Cold War, Swedish aircraft on numerous occasions 

had to scramble to intercept foreign aircraft. Aerial readiness for 

interception missions varied over the years. During the 1950s, 

1960s, and 1970s, it was particularly high, and readiness was maintained around the clock. Contacts with foreign military aircraft over 

the Baltic Sea were common for Swedish pilots. During certain 

years, there were as many as 250 aerial contacts. These occasions 

were particularly valuable for information gathering, and it was a 

way to show Swedish determination. Furthermore, reconnaissance 

aircraft were on standby to identify Soviet and Western military 

vessels and to monitor foreign maritime exercises. Aerial readiness 

placed a considerable burden upon the SwAF, which was shared 

among the various wings. In the 1980s, the SwAF often used mixed 

pairs consisting of one JA 37 air defence Viggen and one AJ 37 attack Viggen for interception missions. The reason for this was to 

diminish the burden on the JA 37 interceptor wings. At the same 

time, the attack Viggens provided a very good maritime picture.118

Probably the tensest situation with the Soviet Union in the latter half of the Cold War occurred during the submarine incident 

in 1981. When a Soviet submarine grounded in the Swedish archipelago, Soviet surface vessels closed in on the Swedish coast to 

cover a rescue attempt. The SwAF answered by having JA 37 attack Viggens constantly in the air.119
swedish Air Force │ 301

Yet, Swedish combat and reconnaissance aircraft were not 

purely relegated to border watch missions and territorial defence 

tasks. They also actively participated in UN missions, as in 1958 

when five Swedish aircraft were sent to Lebanon for surveillance 

missions.120 Soon afterwards, Swedish combat aircraft were readied for a UN mission in the former Belgian Congo. After the declaration of the country’s independence, the Katanga province also 

declared independence and separated itself from the rest of the 

country, which led to a civil war. To stabilise the situation, the 

Swedish government deployed combat aircraft in late 1961. On 

two occasions, Swedish pilots conducted successful offensive 

counterair missions against the Katanga Air Force, wiping out 

substantial parts of it on the ground. Moreover, Swedish aircraft 

protected UN convoys and gave fire cover to UN ground forces. 

First supported by Indian and Ethiopian combat aircraft, the 

Swedish unit operated on its own in the autumn of 1962, when the 

situation became tense again. The mission lasted until 1963.121 Not 

only Swedish combat aircraft but also transport aircraft contributed their share during the Cold War. In 1952 the SwAF’s transport unit conducted its first international relief flights to Holland, 

and very soon, it expanded its missions to numerous disaster areas 

around the world.122

In the post–Cold War era, the SwAF has continued to be ready 

for real operations. With regard to international operations, the 

Air Force’s contributions have so far been confined to the lower 

spectrum of military force, given the country’s legacy of neutrality.

Swedish Aerial Readiness and Potential Future Scenarios

The SwAF has continued to patrol the Swedish airspace and the 

Baltic Sea in the post–Cold war era. Swedish combat aircraft have 

remained ready to scramble in case of an emergency. While the 

number of military flights over the Baltic Sea has considerably 

decreased, 11 September underlined the importance of aerial 

readiness.123 In the immediate aftermath of the attacks against 

New York and Washington, Swedish fighters patrolled the sky 

over Stockholm.124 The SwAF also maintained combat air patrols 

during important events such as Pres. George W. Bush’s visit to the 

EU summit in Göteborg, Sweden, from 13 to 15 June 2001, or 

during the memorial service for the minister of foreign affairs, 
302 │ Swedish Air Force

Annah Lindh, in late 2003.125 Yet as of 2004, rules of engagement 

did not allow for rogue planes to be downed.126 The SwAF also 

maintained aerial readiness together with the Norwegian Air 

Force, as was the case during the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Security Forum in Åre, Sweden, from 24 to 25 May 2005. Besides fighter aircraft, Swedish S 100 Argus airborne early warning 

aircraft were on station.127

Courtesy Swedish Air Force; photo by Peter Liander

In the early 1990s, 13 SF 37 reconnaissance Viggens were upgraded to 

the AJSF 37 standard.

Despite the rather relaxed situation, missions over the Baltic 

Sea were not without risk in the 1990s. At the end of the Cold War, 

the Soviets lost a fighter aircraft following a Swedish reconnaissance Viggen, and on 16 October 1996, the SwAF lost a fighter 

aircraft between the island of Gotland and Latvia. Executing a 

low-level pass for identification of a Russian warship, the Viggen 

collided with the water surface.128

In the future, Swedish combat aircraft might not only be employed in the aerial readiness role. With JAS 39 Gripens getting 

readied for out-of-area interventions, Swedish aircraft are likely to 

conduct operations across the spectrum of military force within the 

framework of robust peace support operations. In the post–Cold 

War era, Swedish decision makers have already proven that they are 

willing to share risks. In mid-2003, during the EU operation Artemis 

in the Democratic Republic of Congo, some 70–80 Swedish special 
swedish Air Force │ 303

forces conducted missions at the upper level of the spectrum of 

military force together with their French counterparts. This FrancoSwedish force provided the EU task force with a highly effective 

capability to engage and neutralize armed threats.129 Again in 2004, 

the Swedish government deployed heavily armed troops to Liberia. 

The unit consisted of 231 soldiers with armoured personnel carriers, 

acting as a standby force for quick intervention in particularly difficult situations.130 Hence, it can be concluded that it might only be 

a question of time until JAS 39 fighter-bombers will engage in deployed operations, despite the new emphasis upon regional scenarios 

in the wake of the crisis in Georgia. This assumption is corroborated by a 2004 opinion poll. According to this survey, half of the 

Swedish population supported robust military operations at the request of the UN or the EU, even if they entailed fatalities.131

The option of potentially employing offensive forces in deployed 

operations was pursued incrementally. In 2001 the minister of defence, Björn von Sydow, declared that SWAFRAP AJS 37 would be 

relegated to reconnaissance and air-defence missions. Groundattack missions were regarded as too risky, involving a high probability of collateral damage. The minister, however, added that this 

position might be reconsidered in the future.132 Already in 2003, 

the Swedish Defence Commission argued that the capacity to engage in deployed armed conflict is considered to be a key competence of the Swedish armed forces.133 In an interview with the author in February 2006, the state secretary for defence, Jonas Hjelm, 

declared that once JAS 39 fighter-bombers are able to deliver 

LGBs, this capability could in principle be employed within a robust peace support operation, provided there is a UN mandate 

and tight political control of potential air strikes.134 Gaining political leverage might certainly have played a major role in Sweden’s decision to consider joining in the early entry phase of an 

operation. Moreover, it has become an international norm for 

troops involved in peace support operations to have a robust escalation capacity at their disposal.

Humanitarian Operations, Troop Deployments, 

and Subsidiary Tasks

Since the delivery of the first C-130 in 1965, Swedish C-130 

Hercules transport planes have participated in relief operations 
304 │ Swedish Air Force

around the world, mostly for the International Committee of the 

Red Cross and the UN. The first major relief operations were conducted by the SwAF transport unit at the formal request of the 

Red Cross in Ethiopia, when the country was struck by successive 

famine disasters in 1985 and 1988.135 The task of the SwAF transport unit was to provide intratheatre airlift for delivering food and 

aid packages from the ports to the more remote and mountainous 

regions of the country.136 The SwAF transport unit also supported 

the UN Transition Assistance Group mission in Namibia in 1989. 

Moreover, throughout the 1980s, Swedish Hercules aircraft resupplied Swedish UN contingents in Cyprus and Lebanon.137

The first significant troop and materiel deployment supported 

by the air transport unit in the post–Cold War era occurred during Desert Storm, when Swedish C-130s airlifted a Swedish field 

hospital with 500 staff from Sweden over Cyprus to Riyadh, Saudi 

Arabia. The operation lasted three weeks and pushed the organisation, a total of eight aircraft and approximately 150 personnel, to 

its limits. A major lesson learned was to keep enough spare parts 

in storage. In 1993 the transport unit again transported a Swedish 

field hospital to Mogadishu.138

Soon after Desert Storm, the Swedish transport unit again became involved in a major operation. In mid-1992, one Swedish 

C-130 transport aircraft, based at Zagreb International Airport in 

Croatia, was contributing to the UN air bridge to Sarajevo from 

the very beginning of the operation. Yet when it became known 

that the warring parties tracked transport planes with air defence 

radars, and after the Swedish C-130 Hercules came under mortar 

fire at the airport of Sarajevo, it was decided to withdraw the 

Swedish contingent after less than two months of operations and 

prior to the shootdown of an Italian aircraft on 3 September 1992. 

After its C-130 Hercules fleet had been retrofitted with self-defence 

systems, the SwAF rejoined the airlift effort in 1994, operating 

from Ancona, Italy. Whereas in 1992 the SwAF detachment had to 

rely upon Canadian intelligence, a Swedish intelligence officer actively contributed to the intelligence gathering process in 1994. 

Besides supply sorties, the Swedish unit also conducted medical 

evacuation missions.139

In the post–Cold War era, the Swedish air transport unit has 

also facilitated Swedish power projection. In this task, the C-130 
swedish Air Force │ 305

Hercules aircraft have been complemented by civilian airliners.140

The Swedish transport unit also flew personnel and supplies for 

the Austrian, Danish, and Finnish armed forces to the Balkans or 

Afghanistan.141 The Swedish C-130s were, however, not considered 

adequate for intertheatre airlift in the context of the NBG (see section on maintaining a relevant air force). 

Africa has remained a hot spot for the Swedish transport unit. 

In 1996, for instance, one Swedish C-130 Hercules was based in 

Nairobi, Kenya, for missions on behalf of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic 

Republic of Congo.142 But also countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, and Thailand received logistical support from Swedish C-130s 

after having been struck by natural disasters.143

The Swedish air transport unit has a long tradition in assisting 

civilian authorities. In November 2004, for instance, it conducted 

evacuation flights out of the civil-war-torn Ivory Coast.144 Within 

Sweden itself, the SwAF transport unit has executed relief missions in case of natural disasters.145

The SwAF has played a crucial role in providing logistical support for UN operations as well. Within the framework of UN operation Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies en République 

Courtesy Swedish Air Force

Swedish C-130 Hercules in Afghanistan
306 │ Swedish Air Force

Démocratique du Congo (UN mission in the Democratic Republic 

of Congo), the SwAF took on responsibility for the UN’s airport 

service in the town of Kindu from June 2003 to June 2004. The 

Swedish unit consisted of professional and reserve officers, as well 

as civilians, who provided the main bulk of personnel and had 

previously worked at different civilian airports in Sweden. The 

tasks of the Swedish unit were comprehensive, ranging from air 

traffic control to air terminal security.146

The deployment of a Swedish airport support unit to the Democratic Republic of Congo was in certain aspects a forerunner to 

the future Swedish base battalion concept. While base battalions 

were originally designed to service Swedish combat and transport 

aircraft in Sweden only, from 2008 onwards, Swedish base battalions are to operate autonomously in an international environment. With the NBG on standby in the first half of 2008, deployable air base units were a critical requirement.147

Signals Intelligence

A rather veiled Swedish contribution to international operations is SIGINT. Within the scope of Sweden’s participation in the 

UN missions in Bosnia and Kosovo, S 102B Korpen SIGINT aircraft conducted electronic intelligence missions.148 As of 2005, 

these aircraft were made available only for PfP and ESDP operations within the closer vicinity of Europe, yet this was expected to 

change.149 To what degree signals intelligence is shared with partner nations remains confidential. Hence, the international leverage gained by these operations cannot be assessed.

How Has the Swedish Air Force Responded to the New 

Intellectualism in Air Power Thinking and Doctrine?

Milestone steps in the evolution of air power doctrine development and military education have been closely related to the steps 

Sweden made towards opening up its defence policy in the late 

1990s. As such, Sweden has increasingly cooperated with other 

countries, and its armed forces have become more interoperable 

(e.g., SwAF’s rapid reaction units). According to a Swedish scholar, 

the demands of international operations required the military to 
swedish Air Force │ 307

rethink the Swedish approach to doctrine and education. To foster 

interoperability, it was considered necessary to embed Swedish 

military thinking into a common Western—or rather AngloSaxon—discourse.150

Air Power Doctrine

In 1996–97, the doctrinal development process within the 

SwAF started as a bottom-up approach, when a mid-career officer 

attending the Swedish National Defence College (SNDC) wrote a 

draft of an air power doctrine. This draft was well received by the 

higher echelons, and a small study group was set up within the 

SwAF to elaborate on it. Yet officers in charge could only work 

part-time on the project, and it soon faded out.151 According to 

the officer who started this bottom-up approach, one of the main 

obstacles was the very limited number of officers educated in air 

power theory and doctrine.152 Another unsuccessful attempt was 

reportedly undertaken in 2001. Only in 2002 did the doctrinal 

development process within the SwAF receive a solid institutional 

foundation, when the Air Tactical Command decided to implement a project team that would work full-time on doctrinal issues 

for a year in order to produce a draft version of a national air 

power doctrine.153 It can be argued that this reorientation was 

closely linked to the publication of an overarching military-strategic 

doctrine. Published in May 2002, it already anticipated joint and 

single service doctrines.154 Hence, an exogenous factor provided 

the necessary impetus for properly institutionalising the doctrine 

development process within the SwAF.

The doctrine team consisted of three officers working full-time 

and a number of other officers, researchers, and staff personnel 

helping out on a part-time basis. Officers returning from foreign 

staff colleges gave their input on an ad hoc basis. In contrast to the 

earlier attempts at developing a national air power doctrine, a 

steering committee headed by a general as well as an expert panel 

had taken on responsibility for the work in progress.155 As a result, 

the doctrine development process was well anchored and monitored within the institution and led to a published air power doctrine in early 2004.

The chapters of the 2004 air power doctrine were structured according to a genuine logic, which started out with the air environment and 
308 │ Swedish Air Force

air power’s abilities and principles. As a further step, the single mission 

types were analysed. To conclude, the international dimension of air 

operations and an outlook for the future were presented.156 Moreover, 

the 2004 edition introduced a broad panoply of topics, from interwar 

air power thought in Europe and the United States, through Western 

air power thought in the aftermath of World War II, to modern air 

power theory. The section on modern air power was dominated by 

American thinkers and concepts. As such, it referred to concepts by 

John Warden and John Boyd and also dealt with the concept of parallel 

warfare.157 With regard to Swedish specifics, a particular reference was 

made to the provision of indigenous equipment.158

Given Sweden’s defence political opening process, it was an explicit aim to harmonise the national air power doctrine with NATO 

doctrine. This thrust towards doctrinal interoperability had already been underlined by Sweden’s Military-Strategic Doctrine of 

2002, which stated that “our participation in multinational operations within the framework of the UN, NATO and European crisis 

management entails certain harmonisation with multinational 

doctrine, primarily NATO’s Allied Joint Doctrine (AJP-01).”159 In 

certain areas, such as the categorisation of air operation or the 

CJTF concept, the alliance’s air power doctrine, Joint Air and Space 

Operations Doctrine, AJP-3.3, served as an example, though Swedish specifics were taken into account. For instance, so-called strategic air operations were not introduced as a separate topic.160

Air power seminars held annually at the SNDC served as a 

platform for input from a wider audience during the doctrine 

development phase. During the first seminar in 2002, for instance, the essence and value of doctrine were discussed in general terms. Representatives from the military strategic, joint, and 

single service doctrine working groups discussed the progress of 

their work. During the 2003 seminar, an entire day was exclusively devoted to the outline and progress of the Swedish air 

power doctrine. In a number of workshops, its contents were 

discussed and suggestions to improve the draft were given.161

Undoubtedly, these phases of reflection prevented the SwAF 

from merely copying the structure and outline of already existing Anglo-Saxon air power doctrines.

The 2004 Air Power Doctrine was bestowed only draft status, as 

the decision was taken that the single service doctrine had to be 
swedish Air Force │ 309

harmonised with the joint doctrine that was still being developed, 

primarily by Army officers. To comply with the demands for harmonisation, the 2004 air power doctrine was amended without 

further delay, and an updated edition was published in early 2005 

alongside the joint doctrine. The preliminary version of 2004 

served as a basis for the revisions.162 Despite its unofficial status, it 

nevertheless represented a milestone step for the SwAF.

The updating process focused primarily upon rearranging existing material. As such, the structure of the revised air power 

doctrine was brought completely in line with the joint doctrine.163

Yet, topics such as interwar air power thought or American concepts, explicitly referred to in the 2004 edition, were heavily reduced or completely omitted.164 The harmonisation process occurred against the backdrop of the general Swedish view that there 

was actually only one doctrine with several volumes rather than 

different doctrines.165 This thrust can be considered an integral 

part of the ambition to create a joint mentality.

The doctrine development process within the Swedish armed 

forces in general and within the SwAF in particular followed the 

major defence reform in 1999. It can therefore be argued that Sweden’s increasing engagement in international operations as well as 

the shift from a threat-driven defence towards a capability-based 

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

Split from Gripen dual-seat cockpit
310 │ Swedish Air Force

defence represented the key motivations for grasping doctrinal issues. Yet, the revision of the first edition represents an institutional 

evolution and not an intellectual one.

Teaching of Air Power Thought

A SwAF career officer undergoes three courses in which air 

power history and theory are taught in greater depth. The first 

course is the seven-month junior staff officer (JSO) programme. 

Next, majors attend the general staff officer programme I and II 

(GSO I & II) at the SNDC, each of them taking one year. The JSO 

and GSO programmes were established in the 1960s, though with 

different names. Until the late 1990s, these courses put a premium 

upon the study of tactics and staff work. While the courses were 

almost exclusively intraservice, GSO II allocated brief interludes 

for joint training and education.166

Since the late 1990s, which marked the starting point of an educational reform, the SNDC has been evolving from a purely military institution to an institution embracing academic standards, 

education, and research. In particular, in 2002 completely new 

curricula putting a premium upon military theory and history 

were introduced.167 This crucial step was facilitated by a Norwegian professor, Nils Marius Rekkedal, who was employed at the 

Department of War Studies at the SNDC in 2001.168 The air faculty 

within that department had rediscovered the classical and modern air power theorists in 1999 and included them into the curricula and reading lists for the JSO and GSO courses. The 2002 reform thus underlined and reinforced the approach the air faculty 

had already taken three years before.169

The JSO curriculum and reading list serve to introduce SwAF 

officers to military theory in general and air power theory in particular. In terms of air power, the reading list focuses upon American authors such as Warden and Phillip S. Meilinger. Moreover, the 

SNDC’s own air power publications are part of the required reading 

list. Besides these theoretical writings, doctrinal writings form an 

important part of the JSO reading list. Air Force officers study not 

only Swedish air power doctrine but also military strategic and 

joint doctrine. Furthermore, NATO doctrine publications such as 

AJP-3.3 or the NATO Guidelines for Operational Planning are part 
swedish Air Force │ 311

of the readings, which clearly reveals the SwAF’s thrust towards 

interoperability on a doctrinal level.170

The GSO reading list elaborates on the JSO reading programme, 

reiterating the general topics as well as broadening and deepening 

the contents. Particular attention is devoted to military theory, the 

classics of military thought, grand strategy, and security policy. 

Furthermore, the programme exposes the students to the basic 

theories of their sister services. With regard to air power theory, 

the programme again puts a clear emphasis upon Anglo-Saxon 

literature. Books, publications, and articles by authors such as 

Tony Mason, Robert A. Pape, David A. Deptula, and James Corum 

are studied. The students are also introduced to topics such as the 

evolution of air power theory, John Boyd’s decision-making concept, effects-based operations, air power and coercion, and air 

power in low-intensity conflict, as well as Russian military aviation.171

Regarding the dissemination of doctrinal thought, Swedish air 

power doctrine is also taught at the GSO level. While it is introduced in rather rudimentary form at the JSO level, students at the 

GSO level are encouraged to reflect upon air power doctrine, to 

analyse it in its entire depth, and even to present alternative suggestions to the “absolutes” stated in the SwAF’s formal doctrine.172

Since the beginning of the reform in the late 1990s, the development of a joint culture and mindset has been a major ambition at 

the SNDC.173 The curricula for the JSO and GSO programmes are 

divided into interservice and intraservice sequences, facilitating a 

mutual understanding and at the same time furthering professionalism in one’s own branch.174 In the same vein, the study of 

Swedish joint doctrine can be regarded as a fundamental element 

on the way towards an enhanced interservice culture and joint 

mindset.

Sweden’s security political reform had an impact not only upon 

joint education but also upon international cooperation. In the 

late 1990s, the SwAF started to send officers to the Air War College 

or the Air Command and Staff College at the Air University at 

Maxwell AFB.175 Today, about 10 selected students annually complete their GSO II programmes at non-Swedish military institutions such as the Finnish Military Academy, the Staff College in 

Oslo, the Führungsakademie in Hamburg, the JSCSC in the UK, 

or—as just mentioned—AU.176 Upon their return from foreign 
312 │ Swedish Air Force

staff colleges, some SwAF officers serve in the staff of the air faculty at the SNDC. Through their first-hand experience of foreign 

views and nuances in air power thinking and theory, they are supposed to improve the quality of the SNDC curriculum. Moreover, 

approximately 10 foreign students study at the SNDC each year. 

The basic requirement is a fairly good grasp of a Nordic language, 

which obviously limits the number of potential candidates. Over 

the past few years, some British, American, and German, but primarily Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish, students took advanced 

courses at the SNDC. Particularly, the Norwegian students offer 

an insight into NATO procedures.177 In general, links with the 

Norwegian defence establishment are strong. As such, Col John 

Olsen, the dean of the Norwegian Defence University College and 

a prolific air power scholar, is also a visiting professor of operational art and tactics at the SNDC.

An educational goal of the SNDC air faculty is to form officers 

capable of informed judgement in the field of air power and beyond. It is assumed that academic warriors have a better chance 

of accomplishing their objectives due to a broader range of insights. After having attended the GSO programmes, airmen are 

expected to be capable of accomplishing their tasks in combined 

and joint air operations. This goal is supported by combining the 

teaching of the operational art with historical case studies from 

the Second World War up to the latest air campaigns and conflicts. The concept of defensive counterair operations, for instance, is exemplified by studying the Battle of Britain, while offensive counterair operations are introduced by scrutinising the 

air campaign of Desert Storm. Operation Allied Force for its 

part is deemed an adequate example for the study of multinational operations. Furthermore, the teaching of air power 

theory heavily draws upon the historical evolution. A particular 

emphasis is put upon air power thinking in the interwar years, 

with particular reference to the situation in Sweden.178

Dissemination of Air Power Thought

The annual air power seminars held at the SNDC became an 

important vehicle to further the intellectual air power debate 

within the SwAF. Furthermore, publications on air power theory 

produced by the SNDC underline the SwAF’s thrust towards 
swedish Air Force │ 313

achieving a professional grasp of the new intellectualism in air 

power thinking.

From 2002 to 2005 air power seminars were organised annually. The 2002 seminar dealt with the nature and essence of military doctrine. It was basically run by Swedes.179 In the following 

years, the air power seminars received an international or rather 

Anglo-Saxon character. Speakers such as Mason, Meilinger, 

Warden, or Philip Sabin were invited to share their latest views 

upon the application of Western air power in a dynamically changing environment.180 The seminars lasted two days, with the first 

day conducted in English and the second in Swedish. Whereas the 

first day was dominated by Anglo-Saxon speakers, the second day 

was reserved for internal debates. To debate and to transfer the 

Anglo-Saxon dimension into a Swedish context, workshops and 

panel debates are held. In 2004, for instance, the future development of Swedish air power capabilities was pondered. The year 

after, the status and the mission types of the SWAFRAP JAS 39 

squadron as well as the threat of “air” terrorism were debated.181

Hence, foreign—particularly Anglo-Saxon—ideas are put into a 

Swedish context and not just copied without any further reflection.

In addition to the annual air power seminars, the SNDC started 

to produce its own publications on air power theory, with a particular focus on the application of air power in the post–Cold War 

era.182 Though not with an explicit air power focus, the SNDC has 

also published volumes that have a strong relevance for air power 

theory, such as a publication on effects-based operations.183

A particularly interesting publication is Daidalossyndromet: 

Om luftmakt 2005 (The Daedalos Syndrome: Thoughts on Air 

Power 2005).184 It is composed of essays written by previous SNDC 

students and presentations given by international speakers at the 

annual air power seminars. According to the head of the SNDC 

air faculty, this publication was supposed to be food for thought 

for a doctrinal air power debate. In particular, it relates to the sort 

of missions the Swedes expect to be dispatched to as part of the 

EU Battle Group concept, revealing the intertwined relationship 

between air power education and Sweden’s changing defence political orientation.185 Hence it can be concluded that, though the 

air power debate in Sweden is dominated by Anglo-Saxon ideas, 
314 │ Swedish Air Force

continuous efforts are made to generate genuine Swedish thinking 

on air power.

How Have Swedish Defence Planners Attempted 

to Maintain a Relevant Air Force in Light of 

Escalating Costs and Advanced Technologies?

Throughout the Cold War, Sweden maintained a vast defence 

industrial complex capable of producing complete main weapon 

systems. A particular concern was the development and production of indigenous fighter aircraft. The roots of the Swedish aircraft and aerospace industry reach back before World War II. In 

1937 Svenska Aeroplan was founded and later became known as 

Saab. Originally, activities were relegated to building foreign aircraft under license, but being cut off from foreign supplies during 

World War II forced the Swedes to design and manufacture their 

own aircraft. As a result, since the 1940s, the procurement of domestically designed, developed, and manufactured combat aircraft 

has been considered an important pillar of the Swedish defence 

posture. Throughout the Cold War era, the Swedish aerospace industry proved its capacity to turn out very sophisticated aircraft 

such as the Draken or the Viggen. Yet, components threatening to 

overstretch Sweden’s industrial base, such as jet engines or air-toair missiles, were built under licence. The American C-130 Hercules is a rare example where an off-the-shelf procurement policy 

was adopted.186 In line with Sweden’s policy of neutrality, the goal 

was to be as self-reliant as possible in the supply of defence materiel. The Swedish defence industry was able to cover 85 to 90 per 

cent of the Swedish armed forces’ acquisition programmes in the 

later stages of the Cold War.187

With the end of the Cold War and with an increasing need for 

Western power projection in peace support operations, the need 

for international interoperability increased dramatically. Consequently, the legacy of the autonomous Swedish defence architecture of the Cold War era led to inertia. Since equipment was not 

compatible with NATO standards, air power could not be deployed to out-of-area operations.188 To remedy this situation, solutions have also been sought on an industrial level.
swedish Air Force │ 315

Throughout the 1990s, a major reform within the Swedish defence industrial complex took place. It was acknowledged that autarchy in armaments production was no longer economically and 

technically reasonable. Sweden therefore began to pursue a process of consolidating and rationalising its national defence industrial base, thereby focusing upon core competencies and promoting arms exports. This process was accompanied by a vigorous 

thrust towards international cooperation.189 It was even argued by 

Swedish decision makers that international cooperation would 

help to ensure reliable access to defence material in the event of a 

deteriorating security situation—an argument standing in stark 

contrast to Sweden’s Cold War approach to defence procurement.190 In the same vein, government subsidies ceased in the 

1990s, and large parts of the defence industrial base were sold to 

foreign investors.191 In 1995 Saab and British Aerospace, now BAE 

Systems, joined together in order to export the JAS 39 Gripen.192

In 2003 British BAE Systems owned 35 per cent of Saab. Moreover, there is no state ownership in the Swedish defence industry 

anymore.193 This thrust towards international cooperation was 

also embraced by the Swedish armed forces. In early 2004, the supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces, Gen Hakan 

Syren, stated that the future modernisation of equipment would 

be based on procuring systems together with other countries with 

similar requirements and needs. In this context, the European Defence Agency was expected to play an important role.194

Combat Aircraft

Undoubtedly, the development, manufacture, and introduction 

of the JAS 39 Gripen into the SwAF were the most important 

achievements of the Swedish defence industry in the 1990s. To 

bridge the gap between earlier aircraft designs and the Gripen, the 

SwAF pursued a path of upgrading operational aircraft designs. 

Since the delivery of the first JA 37 interceptor Viggen to the SwAF 

in 1978, the aircraft had been constantly upgraded, primarily in 

the area of software, and a data link allowing aircraft-to-aircraft 

communication was integrated in 1986.195 Moreover, between 

1993 and 1995, 86 attack and reconnaissance Viggens were modified to AJS 37 standard. The AJS 37 had a limited multirole capability and was designed to carry all JAS 39 air-to-ground weapons 
316 │ Swedish Air Force

planned at the time. Hence, familiarisation with the AJS 37 platform reduced conversion time on the Gripen.196

In the second half of the 1990s, the JAS 39 Gripen was introduced into operational service. The Gripen is the result of project 

studies that began in the early 1970s. In the late 1970s, alternatives 

to a future Swedish aircraft design were considered. These included the purchase of foreign aircraft such as the F-16 or F-18. 

Yet in June 1982, the development of a Swedish multirole aircraft 

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Katsuhiko Tokunaga

The Gripen is a versatile weapons platform. For ground and maritime 

strike missions, the Gripen can carry the indigenously designed Saab Bofors 

Dynamics RBS 15F anti-ship missile and the ubiquitous AGM-65 Maverick 

air-to-ground missile.
swedish Air Force │ 317

was approved by the Swedish parliament. Despite being an indigenous programme, the JAS 39 Gripen is an expression of Sweden’s 

defence industrial opening process. A substantial part of the aircraft’s components have been procured from abroad, which also 

helped to break the cost spiral.197

The aircraft has a swing-role capability, allowing it to switch between interception, ground attack, and reconnaissance tasks 

within one mission. The more advanced C and D versions offer a 

crucial improvement in that they meet not only domestic but also 

international requirements. They are fully NATO interoperable, 

have an in-flight refuelling capability, an integrated GPS navigation suite, and the latest NATO standard IFF equipment. In response to international requirements, all system information is 

presented in English. In the tradition of Swedish combat aircraft 

designs, the Gripen is able to operate from very short strips and 

thus fits into the Swedish doctrine of dispersed basing. Furthermore, the aircraft is easy to maintain and delivers a high readiness 

and sortie rate.198 A total of 204 Gripens were ordered for the 

SwAF in the mid-1990s—140 JAS 39A/B models plus 64 C/D 

models.199 As it finally turned out, more JAS 39C/D and fewer JAS 

39A/B aircraft than originally planned were procured. Against the 

backdrop of the fundamental reorganisation of the SwAF in the 

wake of the 1999 defence reform, the number of Gripens being 

procured proved too great. As a consequence, the SwAF has been 

attempting to sell surplus aircraft. Twenty-eight JAS 39C/D aircraft were, for instance, delivered to the Czech Republic and to 

Hungary, while the operational SwAF squadrons have been 

equipped with the more advanced C/D version. Currently, approximately 30 JAS 39A/B Gripens are being upgraded to achieve 

the force goal of 100 JAS 39C/D aircraft by 2012.200

A combat aircraft’s versatility depends to a large degree upon 

the array of weapons it can deliver. In this regard, the Gripen is 

indeed a very versatile weapons platform. For ground and maritime strike missions, the Gripen can carry a variety of standoff 

weapons. Among them are the indigenously designed Saab Bofors 

Dynamics RBS 15F anti-ship missile and the ubiquitous AGM-65 

Maverick air-to-ground missile.201 With Sweden’s increasing commitment to out-of-area operations, the SwAF also saw the need to 

acquire LGBs for close air support missions. In 2005 Mark 82 
318 │ Swedish Air Force

Paveway II LGBs as well as Litening III laser-designator pods were 

procured for the Gripen fleet.202 In the air-to-air role, the JAS 39 

Gripen can be fitted with a variety of advanced weapons such as 

the IR-guided AIM-9L Sidewinder and the AIM-120 AMRAAM 

active radar-guided missile.203 Currently, the AIM-9L Sidewinder 

is being supplanted by the IRIS-T.204 In the coming years, the 

Gripen will be equipped with the Meteor for medium and long 

ranges. Sweden has been involved in the development of both airto-air weapons, the IRIS-T, and the Meteor.205

In the future, the JAS 39 Gripen system is likely to be complemented by remotely piloted combat aircraft. Together with five 

partner nations, Sweden is currently participating in the French-led 

Neuron remotely piloted combat aircraft programme, providing a 

significant budget share.206

Courtesy Gripen International

SwAF C-130 refuelling Gripen C and D in midair

Air Mobility

The SwAF was the first European air force to buy the C-130 Hercules and took delivery of its first C-130 in February 1965. It bought 

a total of eight aircraft, the bulk of them in the early 1980s.207 During their lifespan, the Swedish C-130 aircraft have been continu-
swedish Air Force │ 319

ously upgraded. The transport unit’s engagement in the air bridge to 

Sarajevo was a major catalyst for an upgrade with self-protection 

suites. After the Swedish C-130 had been pulled out of Croatia in 

1992, the upgrades were implemented without any further delay. 

Politicians recognised that force protection in real operations was of 

the highest importance, and the required budget was approved immediately.208 A major midlife update was scheduled for 2007, with 

the SwAF participating in a major USAF C-130 modernisation programme. The upgrade programme was supposed to focus primarily 

upon aircraft avionics.209 Moreover, one C-130 Hercules was converted into an air-to-air refuelling aircraft in 2004 so that Gripen 

pilots can train in air-to-air refuelling procedures.210

As the lead nation of the NBG, Sweden is responsible for intertheatre deployment. Despite continuous upgrades of the Swedish 

C-130 fleet, these aircraft are not to be used for intertheatre airlift 

but for providing intratheatre airlift.211 Since the buildup of an autonomous strategic airlift capability would go beyond Sweden’s 

national resources, Sweden has been engaging in two multinational NATO and EU projects. On 23 March 2006, Sweden became a member of the Strategic Airlift Interim Solution, and it is 

also participating in NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability, centred 

on the shared ownership of C-17 Globemasters. Sweden’s role in 

the latter is particularly prominent, as the SwAF provides the 

deputy commander for the multinational military structure operating the C-17s.212 (Both initiatives were examined in chap. 2.)

Insufficient power projection capabilities also became apparent 

against the backdrop of the establishment of the SwAF’s rapid reaction units. Though all necessary support functions were contained within the unit, SWAFRAP JAS 39 was dependent upon 

lead nation support in deployed operations, especially when operating from so-called bare bases.213

The most important Swedish rotary-wing programme of the 

post–Cold War era is the acquisition of 18 Eurocopter NH90s.214

In the late 1990s, the helicopters from the three services were 

united in the Armed Forces Helicopter Wing. The wing is composed of a broad array of helicopters, from transport, search and 

rescue, anti-submarine warfare, and liaison to training helicopters.215

The streamlining of the helicopter force avoids unnecessary redundancies between the services and hence is a cost-saving factor.
320 │ Swedish Air Force

C4ISTAR

Due to Sweden’s strategic position and proximity to the Soviet 

Union, early warning and rapid response were crucial for Swedish 

defence preparations throughout the Cold War era. Hence, a sophisticated intelligence gathering, processing, and response system 

was indispensable. For this purpose, a highly integrated C2 system, the Stril 60, was procured in the 1960s and early 1970s.216

Stril 60 contained up to 40 surveillance radar stations, both stationary and mobile, and other surveillance devices. Furthermore, 

it could be fed with data from reconnaissance and patrol Viggens. 

By means of data links, Swedish combat aircraft could be directed 

under conditions of radio silence. Stril 60 was also connected with 

Army GBAD batteries, the coastal surveillance and Navy C2 systems, 

and the national civil defence organisation.217 As such, Stril 60 was 

an early attempt at modern network-centric warfare concepts.

Given Sweden’s emphasis upon the ability to counter limited 

strategic attacks throughout the 1990s, the need for situational 

awareness was given particular priority in the aftermath of the 

Cold War. The Flygvapnet 2000 concept was specially designed for 

this purpose, allowing for a free data flow between the different 

systems, with the combat aircraft itself serving as an intelligence 

collection platform.218 As a consequence of these developments, the 

integrated C2 system Stril 60 was supplanted by a new system, the 

Stric, which became operational in October 1999.219 Simultaneously, a new data link system, the Taras, was introduced, particularly 

designed to comply with the demands for an extension of data 

transfer and the demands of electronic warfare–resistant communications.220 Moreover, Taras was supposed to have a joint dimension by linking naval and other platforms with Air Force assets.221

The Flygvapnet 2000 concept also foresaw the introduction of 

an autonomous Swedish airborne early warning capability, particularly suited for detecting targets at low altitudes and at long 

distances. The Swedish airborne radar surveillance system was 

called FSR 890, while the complete system including the aircraft 

was known as S 100 Argus.222 According to the SwAF’s networkbased defence approach, the FSR 890 had been designed to be 

fully integrated into the Stric C2 system. By means of the Taras 

data link, the airborne FSR 890 radar could be remotely controlled 
swedish Air Force │ 321

from ground-based Stric C2 posts, with the recognised air picture 

being generated on the ground.223 The SwAF operated a total of six 

S 100 Argus airborne early warning aircraft.224

Yet, given Sweden’s fundamental strategic reorientation in the 

late 1990s and the changing security environment in the Baltic in 

the ensuing years, the Flygvapnet 2000 concept had to be adapted. 

With the thrust towards out-of-area operations, it was discussed 

in 2006 whether to put four of the SwAF’s Saab S 100 Arguses up 

for sale and to upgrade the two remaining aircraft to airborne 

early warning and control aircraft with permanently installed operator workstations and a Link-16 data link. This allows the upgraded Argus to operate outside the country’s national air defence 

ground environment and to be deployed on multinational operations.225 By mid-2009, two aircraft, designated S 100B Argus or 

ASC 890 Erieye, had been upgraded and handed over to the SwAF, 

with the remainder of the original S 100 Arguses progressively 

sold abroad or decommissioned.226 This development again shows 

Sweden’s reorientation. While two advanced and NATO interoperable airborne early warning aircraft do not allow the country 

to maintain 24/7 surveillance of its airspace over an extended period of time, they provide a key capability in multinational operations. In this regard, the 2009 government bill also put a premium 

upon interoperability in regional defence scenarios.227 Since these 

scenarios conceived limited and rapidly unfolding military crises 

of short duration, a fleet of two airborne surveillance and control 

aircraft might have been deemed sufficient.228

To increase the situational awareness of its combat pilots, the 

SwAF was amongst the pioneers of data links. Already during the 

1960s, the first Swedish combat aircraft were equipped with a 

simple ground-to-air data exchange system. In the 1980s, more 

advanced links were introduced in the JA 37 air defence Viggen 

fleet.229 Hence, the SwAF could draw upon a pool of experience, 

when network-centric or network-based approaches came to the 

fore in the post–Cold War era. Yet given Sweden’s legacy of neutrality, a major problem that emerged in the wake of Sweden’s strategic reorientation in the late 1990s was how to make the SwAF’s 

advanced C2 structure interoperable with partner nations.230 As 

such, Sweden’s increased engagement in the ESDP and PfP had a 

direct impact upon the data-link architecture of the SwAF. The 
322 │ Swedish Air Force

JAS 39C/D Gripens are not being equipped with the Taras, the 

latest Swedish fighter link, but with the NATO interoperable 

Link-16 terminal MIDS.231 Furthermore, the aircraft are receiving 

a NATO-compatible IFF.232 This necessity for interoperability on a 

technological level was backed by the highest Swedish decision 

makers. As such the 2004–5 defence bill argues that Swedish networkbased defence developments were to be coordinated with international developments.233

Since a network-based defence depends upon control of the 

electromagnetic spectrum, the SwAF also made efforts to retain 

its expertise in airborne standoff jamming. For this purpose, 10 

two-seat Viggens were modified into dedicated electronic warfare 

platforms in the late 1990s. These so-called SK 37E Viggens were 

phased out in mid-2007. As a next step, the JAS 39D Gripen might 

be further developed into an electronic warfare platform. Yet the 

project does not have the highest priority for the SwAF.234 Against 

the backdrop of European shortfalls in airborne standoff jamming, however, the SwAF potentially could gain significant leverage through its long-standing experience in this area. The SwAF 

also uses the electromagnetic spectrum as a means for intelligence 

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Frans Dely

ASC 890 Erieye airborne early warning and control aircraft escorted by 

Gripen fighter aircraft
swedish Air Force │ 323

gathering. Since 1974 two Sud Aviation Caravelles had been in 

SwAF service as SIGINT aircraft. These aircraft were replaced by 

two modified Gulfstream G-IVSPs, with the SwAF designation 

S 102B Korpen.235 The S 102B systems were commissioned in 1997 

and 1998.236

In the area of tactical air-to-ground reconnaissance, the SwAF 

had two dedicated reconnaissance Viggen versions at its disposal 

during the 1980s, the SF 37 Viggen (reconnaissance-land) and the 

SH 37 Viggen (reconnaissance-sea). In the early 1990s, 13 SF 37 

Viggens and 25 SH 37 Viggens were upgraded to AJSF 37 and 

AJSH 37 standard, respectively. To carry out their reconnaissance 

tasks, the AJSF 37 Viggens used optical cameras and the AJSH 37 

Viggens air-to-ground radar, particularly suited for maritime reconnaissance.237 With the introduction of the JAS 39 Gripen combat system, the SwAF entered into an era where specifically dedicated reconnaissance aircraft are no longer required. The JAS 39 

Gripen’s radar is particularly suited for maritime reconnaissance, 

and for ground reconnaissance missions, the Gripen received in 

2007 an indigenously developed modular reconnaissance pod system, fitted with a secure data link to provide real-time information 

to ground stations.238 Up to the introduction of this new reconnaissance pod, 10 AJSF 37 reconnaissance Viggens were kept in 

the SwAF’s inventory.239 In the future, the SwAF’s reconnaissance 

capability might be augmented by RPAs. In this domain, the 

Swedish aerospace industry is pursuing a cooperative approach.240

Conclusion

During the post–Cold War era, the SwAF has come a long way 

from an air force almost exclusively geared up to autonomous territorial defence to an air force that can operate in an international 

environment. Yet, in an era where power projection and combined 

operations have become increasingly important, Sweden’s Cold 

War legacy exerted significant inertia upon reforms. Only in the 

late 1990s was the Swedish defence establishment ready to forego 

fundamental principles such as the focus upon autonomous territorial defence. The defence reform, commencing in 1999, had 

far-reaching consequences for the SwAF. As such, it underwent 

massive force cuts. In fact, the SwAF seems to have reached a 
324 │ Swedish Air Force

critical force level for autonomous territorial defence scenarios. 

Such drastic reductions were particularly justified in light of 

NATO’s expansion to the Baltic, which was perceived to have a 

stabilising effect upon the region. Moreover, the SwAF accepted a 

setback in its very advanced course towards an autonomous networkbased defence approach when it forewent the indigenous Taras 

data link and instead opted for a Link 16–compatible terminal for 

its combat aircraft. Particularly, the decision to reduce the operational S 100 Argus fleet from six to two upgraded and NATOinteroperable airborne early warning and control aircraft underlines the importance that Swedish defence policy attaches to the 

multinational dimension. Defence is no longer understood in 

purely national terms. The 2009 government bill made it clear that 

the SwAF should be able to conduct combined air operations in 

the Nordic region. Immediately available and interoperable resources to counter rapidly unfolding military crises of short duration are considered more important than a large autarchic defence 

that requires a significant time span to reach operational readiness.

Despite drastic force cuts and the abandonment of an advanced 

Swedish data link, the SwAF has—in the context of territorial defence—remained a full-spectrum air force, allowing it to reconstitute in a time of heightened tension. For instance, unlike many 

other European air forces, it has acquired airborne SIGINT and 

retained an expertise in airborne standoff jamming. Moreover, the 

planned number of 100 JAS 39C/D Gripens is still significant, 

given the size of the Swedish state and compared, for instance, to 

the GAF, which originally planned to acquire 180 Eurofighters.

Besides the 1999 defence reform and a reduced defence budget, 

the SwAF’s considerable force cuts can be related to the requirements of deployed operations. Whereas the Cold War was characterised by deterrence postures and hence dominated by how many 

squadrons an opponent could potentially muster, the ability to 

generate air power has become much more dependent upon other 

factors than primarily airframes. Already suffering from overstretch during the Cold War and throughout the 1990s, the SwAF 

could no longer sustain an oversized combat aircraft fleet. To operate across the spectrum of military force in deployed scenarios, 

sophisticated training and professionalism could no longer be 

compromised in order to retain an excessive aircraft fleet. SwAF 
swedish Air Force │ 325

rapid reaction units regularly participated in multinational integrated exercises and exclusively drew upon professional and contracted personnel for potential deployed operations. Moreover, 

the demands of interoperability dictated the SwAF’s force structure. Only NATO interoperable combat aircraft are retained in the 

operational squadrons. Force reductions have been partly made 

up through force multiplying factors such as increased situational 

awareness as well as swing-role-capable combat aircraft and advanced armament. It can be concluded that Sweden’s alliance policy 

and emphasis upon power projection were the driving factors behind the SwAF’s transformation since 1999. Yet, against the backdrop of a reasserting Russia, Nordic defence scenarios in cooperation with other neighbouring states will most likely become the 

cornerstone of the SwAF’s continuing adaptation.

During the Cold War and throughout the 1990s, international 

operations were completely divorced from Sweden’s main defence 

effort. The SwAF’s implicit response to Desert Storm was not to 

emulate its Western counterparts but to improve its air defence for 

countering the new capabilities of precision air power. Today, it is 

the declared aim to generate defence resources which are polyvalent and can be used in both a national and international context. This dual-use approach combined with the indigenous combat aircraft industry has restricted the buildup of adequate force 

enablers for deployed operations. A relatively large strategic airlift 

fleet only makes sense in the international context, and Sweden’s 

aircraft industry required economy of scale to avoid excessive 

costs. Therefore, given Sweden’s limited defence budget, the imbalance between strike assets and force enablers could not substantially be redressed. Through cooperative ventures such as 

SALIS or NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability initiative, these 

shortcomings can most likely only be mitigated. As in the case of 

SWAFRAP JAS 39, it can be assumed that the NBG Gripen detachment is still dependent upon foreign assistance in deployed 

scenarios, particularly when operating from bare bases.

Sweden’s shift towards enhanced deployability also had an impact upon the prioritisation of the SwAF’s air power roles. Whereas 

air defence was the predominant mission in the 1990s, the ability 

to influence events on the ground has gained in importance. This 

shift in importance is closely related to the changing threat and 
326 │ Swedish Air Force

risk perception. Limited strategic attacks against Swedish key 

infrastructure were considered a major threat scenario during the 

1990s. To counter them, a good air defence and early warning capability were considered crucial. Yet, with the thrust towards international operations at the end of the century, air-to-ground 

capabilities have become more important. Particularly against the 

backdrop of the buildup of rapidly deployable Army units, the 

SwAF had to develop from scratch an advanced CAS capability.

Due to its tradition of neutrality and the fact that most of its air 

power assets were not interoperable throughout the 1990s, the 

SwAF contributed only in a limited way to deployed operations. It 

did this mainly through the provision of airlift at the lower level of 

the spectrum of military force, which nevertheless entailed significant risks for the crews involved. Since the turn of the century, 

the SwAF has readied rapid reaction units for international operations, also involving fighter-bombers. While SWAFRAP AJS 37 

was primarily relegated to reconnaissance, the NBG Gripen detachment is able to deliver CAS for ground troops. The capability 

to act across the spectrum of military force in deployed operations 

became a key criterion for the Swedish armed forces in general 

and for the SwAF in particular. These requirements demanded a 

high degree of professionalism, which was met by the SwAF’s 

rapid reaction units.

Not only with regard to hardware and software but also in terms 

of the intellectual mastery of air power, the SwAF has become increasingly interoperable. Both the revision of the air power curriculum at the SNDC and the air power doctrine development 

process coincided with Sweden’s defence reform and hence reflected the shift away from an emphasis upon autonomous territorial defence towards a combined and expeditionary mindset. The 

defence reform itself provided the necessary top-down backing 

for these intellectual responses to the changing security environment. Though the teaching of air power theory has heavily drawn 

upon Anglo-Saxon concepts, the SNDC has been slowly emancipating itself and has produced its own publications. It can therefore be concluded that the SwAF has proactively responded to the 

new intellectual challenges since the late 1990s. Though this process has required top-down backing, individuals and personalities 

at lower levels have played a key role.
swedish Air Force │ 327

Notes

1. Kurt Karlsson, “The History of Flygvapnet,” in Flygvapnet: The Swedish 

Air Force, ed. Raymond Andersson, Kurt Karlsson, and Anders Linnér (Stockholm: Swedish Air Force, 2001), 85.

2. Ibid., 106.

3. Ibid., 124–25; and Gunnar Åselius, “Swedish Strategic Culture after 

1945,” Cooperation and Conflict: Journal of the Nordic International Studies Association 40, no. 1 (2005): 27.

4. Bertil Wennerholm, Fjärde flygvapnet i världen? Doktrinutveckling i det 

svenska flygvapnet i försvarsbesluten 1942–1958. Underlag, beslut och genomförande i nationellt och internationellt perspektiv [The fourth Air Force in the 

world? Doctrine development in the Swedish Air Force in the long-term parliamentary defence acts of 1942–1958. Foundations, resolutions and implementation in a national and international perspective] (Stockholm: SNDC, 2006), 

263; and Wolfgang A. Schmidt, Die schwedische Sicherheitspolitik: Konzeption:—

Praxis—Entwicklung, Beiträge und Berichte, monograph no. 88 (St. Gallen, 

Switzerland: Hochschule St. Gallen, December 1983), 146–47.

5. Lars Wedin, “La pensée navale suédoise après 1945,” Institut de Stratégie 

Comparée, http://www.stratisc.org/PN7_Wedin.html.

6. Schmidt, Die schwedische Sicherheitspolitik, 147.

7. Wedin, “La pensée navale suédoise après 1945.”

8. Schmidt, Die schwedische Sicherheitspolitik, 147.

9. Ibid., 147–48.

10. Wedin, “La pensée navale suédoise après 1945.” 

11. Schmidt, Die schwedische Sicherheitspolitik, 168–69; and Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 2.

12. Robert W. Komer, “Sweden’s Role in the Security System of the High 

North,” in Proceedings of a Symposium on Changing Strategic Conditions in the 

High North, ed. Ingemar Dörfer and Lars B. Walin (Stockholm: The Swedish 

National Defence Research Establishment, 1990), 77.

13. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 7, 13.

14. Ibid., 2.

15. See National Defence Academy, Report: Austrian and Swedish Security 

Policy, series 6/98 (Vienna: Schriftenreihe der Landesverteidigungsakademie, 

1998), 65, 70.

16. Ingemar Dörfer, The Nordic Nations in the New Western Security Regime

(Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press, 1997), 42.

17. Åselius, “Swedish Strategic Culture after 1945,” 25.

18. Ibid., 39.

19. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 32–33.

20. MOD, Sweden, “The New Defence,” summary of Government Bill 

1999/2000:30, presented to Parliament on 25 November 1999, http://www

.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/574/a/25639, 4; and Dörfer, Nordic Nations, 40.
328 │ Swedish Air Force

21. MOD, Sweden, Regeringens proposition 1996/97:4: Totalförsvar i förnyelse—etapp 2 [Government defence bill 1996/97:4: renewal of total defence—

stage 2] (Stockholm: MOD, 12 September 1996), 33.

22. MOD, Sweden, “New Defence,” 3–5.

23. See also Eriksson, “Sweden and the Europeanisation of Security,” 128.

24. Michael Mohr (director, Defence Commission, MOD, Stockholm), 

interview by the author, 10 February 2005.

25. MOD, Sweden, “Continued Renewal of the Total Defence,” fact sheet, 

October 2001.

26. Defence Commission, Summary: Secure Neighbourhood—Insecure 

World (Stockholm: MOD, 27 February 2003), 12.

27. Defence Commission, Defence for a New Time: Introduction and Summary (Stockholm: MOD, 1 June 2004), 3.

28. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence: The Focus of Swedish Defence Policy 

2005–2007, Summary of the Swedish Government Bill 2004/05:5 (Stockholm: 

MOD, October 2004), 5.

29. MOD, Sweden, “A Functional Defence—with a Substantially Strengthened Defence Capability,” press release, 19 March 2009, http://www.regeringen

.se/sb/d/10448/a/123010.

30. Parliamentary Defence Committee, Försvarsutskottets betänkande 1991/92 

FöU12: Totalförsvarets fortsatta utveckling 1992/93–1996/97 (Stockholm: Parliamentary Defence Committee, 1992), 2–3.

31. MOD, Sweden, “New Defence,” 3–6.

32. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence, 10.

33. Lars Wedin, “Sweden in European Security,” in Strategic Yearbook 2004: 

The New Northern Security Agenda—Perspectives from Finland and Sweden, ed. 

Huldt et al. (Stockholm: SNDC, 2003), 330.

34. MOD, Sweden, “A Functional Defence: Government Bill on the Future 

Focus of Defence,” fact sheet no. 2009.06, March 2009, http://www.sweden.gov

.se/content/1/c6/12/30/22/3ed2684c.pdf; and MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” press release.

35. Pertti Salminen, “‘Nordic Power Projection’ and International Operations: Aspects from the Past and New Opportunities,” in Strategic Yearbook 

2004, ed. Huldt et al., 181, 202.

36. Eriksson, “Sweden and the Europeanisation of Security,” 127.

37. MOD, Sweden, Regeringens proposition 1996/97:4, 87.

38. MOD, Sweden, “New Defence,” 3, 5–6.

39. Defence Commission, Defence for a New Time, 5.

40. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange 

of Information on Defence Planning: The Kingdom of Sweden [According to the]

Vienna Document 1999 (Stockholm: The Kingdom of Sweden, March 2005), 9; 

and Andersson, Armed and Ready?, 39.

41. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” fact sheet.

42. Defence Commission, Summary: Secure Neighbourhood, 13.

43. MOD, Sweden, “New Defence,” 1, 9.
swedish Air Force │ 329

44. Gen Hakan Syren, supreme commander of the Swedish armed forces, 

“The Swedish Armed Forces Today and towards the Next Defence Decision” 

(presentation, National Conference on Folk och Försvar [people and defence], 

Sälen, Sweden, 21 January 2004).

45. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence, 16.

46. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” fact sheet.

47. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” press release.

48. Bruce Jones, “Sweden Abolishes Conscription,” Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, 

no. 21 (26 May 2010): 10. 

49. Mattias Robertson, Communications and Public Affairs Directorate, 

Swedish armed forces, to the author, e-mail, 14 June 2010. 

50. Clifford Beal, “The JAS 39 Gripen: Last Swedish Fighter?,” International 

Defence Review 24, no. 10 (1991): 1,067.

51. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 9–11.

52. Ibid., 24.

53. Programplan för det militära försvarets utveckling 1993–98 (ÖB 93), huvuddokument, ÖB skr 1992-09-15 PLANL 483:62700 (Stockholm: Armed 

Forces Headquarters, 1992), 33–35.

54. “European Military Aircraft Programmes Revisited,” 16.

55. MOD, Sweden, Regeringens proposition 1996/97:4, 75–77.

56. Jan Andersson, “Flygvapnet 2000—a Vision Fulfilled,” in Andersson, 

Karlsson, and Linnér, Flygvapnet, 12.

57. Maj Gen Staffan Näsström, chief, Air Force Materiel Command, “The 

Swedish Air Force 2000—Materiel Aspects,” Military Technology: Defence Procurement in Sweden, special issue, 1996, 35.

58. Karlsson, “History of Flygvapnet,” 144; and Christer Salsing, “New Tasks 

and Requirements for a New Command System,” in Andersson, Karlsson, and 

Linnér, Flygvapnet, 16.

59. Bertil Wennerholm and Stig Schyldt, 1990-talets omvälvningar för luftstridskrafterna: Erfarenheter inför framtiden [The air power revolution of the 

1990s: experiences for the future]: Krigsvetenskapliga Forskningsrapporter [War 

scientific research report] no. 3 (Stockholm: SNDC, 2004), 61; and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange of Information, 

2005, annexe 3, 1.

60. Åselius, “Swedish Strategic Culture after 1945,” 40; and Karlsson, “History of Flygvapnet,” 144.

61. Joris Janssen Lok, “Defense Review to Refocus Sweden’s Military Forces,” 

Jane’s International Defence Review 31 (October 1998): 6.

62. Maj Gen Jan Jonsson, chief of staff, SwAF, “The Future of Air Power (II): 

Sweden,” Military Technology, no. 7 (1999): 15.

63. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange 

of Information on Defence Planning: The Kingdom of Sweden [According to the]

Vienna Document 1999 (Stockholm: The Kingdom of Sweden, March 2001), 

annexe 3, 1; and Ibid., 2005, annexe 3, 1.
330 │ Swedish Air Force

64. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange 

of Information on Defence Planning, 2005, annexe 3, 1.

65. Lt Col Anders P. Persson, SwAF, Armed Forces Headquarters, Stockholm, to the author, e-mail, 28 October 2005; Organisation for Security and 

Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange of Information on Defence Planning, 

2005, annexe 3, 1; and ibid., 2006, annexe 3, 1.

66. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” press release.

67. Lt Col Christer Björs, SwAF (chief, Air Operations [A3], Swedish Air 

Component Command), telephone interview by the author, 3 August 2005.

68. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” fact sheet.

69. Gareth Jennings, “Sweden Rethinks Strategy in Wake of Georgia Crisis,” 

Jane’s Defence Weekly 46, no. 25 (24 June 2009): 16.

70. European Union, “EUNAVFOR [European Union Naval Force] Somalia,” 

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showPage.aspx?id=1518&lang=en; and “Swedish A109s Deployed to Horn of Africa for Anti-Piracy Mission,” Air Forces 

Monthly, July 2010, 30.

71. Jan Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” Air Forces Monthly (August 

2007): 45–46.

72. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 26.

73. Parliamentary Defence Committee, Försvarsutskottets betänkande 

1991/92, 48.

74. Joris Janssen Lok, “Budget Crunch May Hit Swedish Air Operations,” 

Jane’s Defence Weekly, 5 September 2001, accessed 25 May 2007, http://search

.janes.com.

75. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 2.

76. International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 1994–95, 101–2; 

International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 2000–01, 103–4; and 

International Institute for Strategic Studies, Military Balance 2002–03, 80.

77. Stefan Helsing, Swedish Air Force Rapid Reaction Unit (SWAFRAP) 

AJS 37 information officer, “Pilots for Peace,” in Andersson, Karlsson, and 

Linnér, Flygvapnet, 62.

78. Dörfer, Nordic Nations, 42.

79. Per Klingvall, chief press and information officer, Joint Forces Command, Sweden, to the author, e-mail, 7 February 2005.

80. Mike Winnerstig, “Sweden and NATO,” in Finnish and Swedish Security: 

Comparing National Policies, ed. Bo Huldt et al. (Stockholm: SNDC and the Programme on the Northern Dimension of the CFSP conducted by the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and the Institut für Europäische Politik, 2001), 77–79.

81. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence, 7.

82. Leni Björklund, minister for defence, “Swedish Defence Policy in Times 

of Change” (speech, Bern, Switzerland, 22 October 2004).

83. Mikael af Malmborg, “Sweden in the EU,” in Huldt et al., Finnish and 

Swedish Security, 48.

84. Eriksson, “Sweden and the Europeanisation of Security,” 130.
swedish Air Force │ 331

85. Alison J. K. Bailes, “European Security from a Nordic Perspective: The 

Roles for Finland and Sweden,” in Huldt et al., Strategic Yearbook 2004, 61.

86. Björklund, speech.

87. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence, 8.

88. Eriksson, “Sweden and the Europeanisation of Security,” 129.

89. Syren, “Swedish Armed Forces Today.”

90. Af Malmborg, “Sweden in the EU,” 44.

91. Wedin, “Sweden in European Security,” 328.

92. Örjan Berner, “Sweden and Russia,” in Huldt et al., Finnish and Swedish 

Security, 136–37.

93. Dörfer, Nordic Nations, 50; and Winnerstig, “Sweden and NATO,” 86.

94. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence, 8–9.

95. Bailes, “European Security from a Nordic Perspective,” 60.

96. Defence Commission, Summary: Secure Neighbourhood, 3; and Bailes, 

“European Security from a Nordic Perspective,” 73.

97. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” press release.

98. Byörn von Sydow, minister of defence, “Flygvapnet and Network Defence,” in Andersson, Karlsson, and Linnér, Flygvapnet, 14.

99. Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” 42.

100. Maj Gen Mats Nilsson, commander, SwAF, “Air Force Revival,” in 

Andersson, Karlsson, and Anders, Flygvapnet, 9.

101. Helsing, “Pilots for Peace,” 65; Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” 42; 

and Persson to the author, e-mail, 10 May 2005.

102. Air Transport Unit: SWAFRAP C-130, leaflet (Satenäs, Sweden: 

Skaraborg Wing F 7, 2004); and Lars Eric Blad, commanding officer, SWaF 

Rapid Reaction Unit C-130, “A Load-Carrying Member in International Service,” in Andersson, Karlsson, and Linnér, Flygvapnet, 67.

103. Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” 43.

104. Ibid., 43–44; and Peter Liander, “On Alert: Continued Focus on the 

New Gripen and New Helicopters,” in The Swedish Armed Forces Forum: Insats 

& Försvar, English ed., no. 1 (2004): 23–24.

105. Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” 42, 44–46.

106. Lt Col Johan Swetoft, SwAF, F-17 Wing, Ronneby, to the author, e-mail, 

13 June 2006; and Lt Col Anders P. Persson, SwAF, chief of staff, Air Combat 

Training School, Uppsala, Sweden, to the author, e-mail, 25 August 2009.

107. Col Staffan F. Sjöberg (Swedish deputy military representative to the 

EU, Swedish Embassy, Brussels), interview by the author, 1 February 2007.

108. Persson to the author, e-mail, 10 May 2005.

109. Peter Liander (editor, Joint Armed Forces Magazine, SNDC, Stockholm), interview by the author, 11 February 2005; and Jonsson, “Future of Air 

Power (II): Sweden,” 17.

110. Helsing, “Pilots for Peace,” 64; and Blad, “Load-Carrying Member in 

International Service,” 68.

111. Liander, “On Alert,” 25.

112. Janssen Lok, “Budget Crunch May Hit Swedish Air Operations.”
332 │ Swedish Air Force

113. Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” 44, 46.

114. Peter Liander, editor, Joint Armed Forces Magazine, to the author, 

e-mail, 9 May 2005.

115. Liander, “On Alert,” 25.

116. Persson to the author, e-mail, 10 May 2005.

117. Karlsson, “History of Flygvapnet,” 132.

118. Brig Gen Göran Tode, SwAF, retired, to the author, e-mail, 7 June 2005.

119. Ibid.

120. Karlsson, “History of Flygvapnet,” 134.

121. Ibid., 134–35.

122. Ibid., 132.

123. Liander, “On Alert,” 22–23.

124. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Stockholm, “EAPC Security Forum 

2005—Media Advisory,” press release, 24 March 2005, accessed 30 September 

2005, http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/5314/a/41398 (site discontinued).

125. Tode to the author, e-mail, 7 June 2005.

126. Liander, “On Alert,” 23.

127. Björs, interview.

128. Ibid.; and Tode to the author, e-mail, 14 June 2005.

129. United Nations, Operation Artemis, 13.

130. Adam Folcker, “Commanding Officer in Liberia,” Insats & Försvar, 

English ed., no. 1 (2004): 52–53.

131. Göran Stütz, Opinion 2004 (Stockholm: Styrelsen för Psykologiskt 

Försvar, 2004), 125.

132. Brig Gen C-G Fant, “Luftstridskrafterna i ett internationell perspektiv: 

Referat från International Air Power Symposium,” in Kungl Krigsvetenskapsakademiens Handlingar och Tidskrift, no. 1 (Stockholm: The Royal Swedish 

Academy of War Sciences, 2002), 51.

133. Defence Commission, Summary: Secure Neighbourhood, 13.

134. Jonas Hjelm (state secretary for defence, Sweden), telephone interview 

by the author, 15 February 2006.

135. Brig Gen Åke Svedén, SwAF, commander, Air Transport Unit, 1983–90, 

to the author, e-mail, 22 January 2006.

136. Capt Åsa Schön, SwAF, deputy chief of public affairs, Skaraborg Wing, 

to the author, e-mail, 5 July 2005.

137. Svedén to the author, e-mail.

138. Lt Col Pepe Brolén, SwAF, retired (commander, Air Transport Unit, 

1990–1998), telephone interview by the author, 2 November 2005.

139. Ibid.

140. Anders Hedgren, head, Public Affairs Department, Swedish armed 

forces, to the author, e-mail, 8 April 2005.

141. Lt Col Lars-Eric Blad, SwAF, commander, Air Transport Unit, 1998–

2003, to the author, e-mail, 6 September 2005.

142. Brolén, interview.

143. Schön to the author, e-mail.
swedish Air Force │ 333

144. Ibid.

145. Lt Col Bertil Höglund, SwAF, commander, Air Transport Unit, to the 

author, letter, 2 August 2005.

146. Lt Col Torbjörn A. Olsson, SwAF, commanding officer, Airport Support Unit, to the author, e-mail, 18 June 2005.

147. Ibid.

148. Claes Winquist, “We See with Our Ears,” in Andersson, Karlsson, and 

Linnér, Flygvapnet, 33–34.

149. Persson to the author, e-mail, 10 May 2005.

150. Åselius, “Swedish Strategic Culture after 1945,” 40.

151. Maj Tobias Harryson, SwAF, to the author, e-mail, 12 October 2005.

152. Brig Gen Anders Silver, SwAF, commander, Air Component Command, 

to the author, e-mail, 5 February 2006 (forwarded by Maj Tobias Harryson, 

SwAF, 8 March 2006).

153. Harryson to the author, e-mail, 12 October 2005.

154. Military-Strategic Doctrine, English translation (Stockholm: Swedish 

Armed Forces, 2002), 11.

155. Harryson to the author, e-mail, 12 October 2005.

156. Doktrin för luftoperationer 2004 (Stockholm: Swedish Armed Forces, 

2004), table of contents; and Maj Tobias Harryson, SwAF (SNDC, Stockholm), 

interview by the author, 11 February 2005. Major Harryson, together with another major and lieutenant colonel, formed the air power doctrine project 

team, set up in August 2002.

157. Doktrin för luftoperationer 2004, 51–68.

158. Ibid., 33.

159. Military-Strategic Doctrine, 11.

160. Harryson to the author, e-mail, 24 April 2006; Doktrin för luftoperationer 2004, 164, 197, 207; and AJP-3.3, Joint Air and Space Operations Doctrine, 

3-2–3-6, 4-1–4-25.

161. Lt Col Jan Reuterdahl, SwAF, head, air faculty, Department of War 

Studies, SNDC, Stockholm, to the author, e-mail, 17 February 2005; Luftstridsseminarium [Air power seminar] 2002, SNDC, Stockholm, 29–30 January 2002, accessed 7 November 2005, http://www.fhs.se; and Air Power Seminar 2003, SNDC, Stockholm, 27–28 January 2003, accessed 7 November 2005, 

http://www.fhs.se.

162. Harryson to the author, e-mails, 12 October 2005 and 29 March 2006.

163. Försvarsmaktens doktrin för luftoperationer (Stockholm: Swedish Armed 

Forces, 2005), 4–6; and Försvarsmaktens doktrin för gemensamma operationer

(Stockholm: Swedish Armed Forces, 2005), 4–5.

164. Försvarsmaktens doktrin för luftoperationer, 4–6.

165. Harryson to the author, e-mail, 12 October 2005.

166. Reuterdahl to the author, e-mail, 9 June 2005.

167. Prof. Nils Marius Rekkedal, Department of War Studies, SNDC, Stockholm, to the author, e-mail, 10 January 2006.

168. Reuterdahl to the author, e-mails, 9 and 10 June 2005.
334 │ Swedish Air Force

169. Ibid., 9 June 2005.

170. Prof. Nils Marius Rekkedal, Department of War Studies, SNDC, Stockholm, to the author, e-mail, “JSO curriculum (2005),” 2 November 2005.

171. Prof. Nils Marius Rekkedal, Department of War Studies, SNDC, Stockholm, to the author, e-mail, “GSO curriculum (2005),” 2 November 2005.

172. Reuterdahl to the author, e-mail, 17 February 2005.

173. Ibid., 9 June 2005.

174. Rekkedal to the author, e-mails, “JSO curriculum” and “GSO curriculum.” 

175. Silver to the author, e-mail.

176. Reuterdahl to the author, e-mail, 9 June 2005.

177. Ibid.

178. Lt Col Jan Reuterdahl, SwAF (head, air faculty, Department of War 

Studies, SNDC, Stockholm) interview by the author, 8 February 2005.

179. Air Power Seminar 2002. 

180. Air Power Seminar 2003; Air Power Seminar 2004, SNDC, Stockholm, 

26–27 January 2004, accessed 7 November 2005, http://www.fhs.se; and Air 

Power Seminar 2005, SNDC, Stockholm, 9–10 February 2005, accessed 7 November 2005, http://www.fhs.se.

181. Reuterdahl to the author, e-mail, 17 February 2005.

182. Bo Hofvander and Nils Marius Rekkedal, eds., Luftmakt: En antologi

[Air power: an anthology] (Stockholm: SNDC, 2003); Bo Hofvander and Nils 

Marius Rekkedal, eds., Luftmakt: Teorier och tillämpningar [Air power: theory 

and application] (Stockholm: SNDC, 2004); Jan Reuterdahl, ed., Tillbaka till 

framtiden? Tankar om luftoperationerna över Irak 2003 [Back to the future? 

Thoughts on air operations over Iraq 2003] (Stockholm: SNDC, 2004); and 

Wennerholm and Schyldt, 1990-talets omvälvningar för luftstridskrafterna.

183. Johan Elg, ed., Effektbaserade operationer: Teori, planering och applicering [Effects-based operations: theory, planning and application] (Stockholm: 

SNDC, 2005).

184. Jan Reuterdahl, ed., Daidalossyndromet: Om luftmakt 2005 [The Daedalus syndrome: thoughts on air power 2005] (Stockholm: SNDC, 2006).

185. Reuterdahl to the author, e-mail, 11 November 2005.

186. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 17.

187. Schmidt, Die schwedische Sicherheitspolitik, 160.

188. Dörfer, Nordic Nations, 42.

189. Richard A. Bitzinger, Towards a Brave New Arms Industry? Adelphi 

Paper no. 356 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for IISS, 2003), 53.

190. MOD, Sweden, “Continued Renewal of the Total Defence.”

191. Åselius, “Swedish Strategic Culture after 1945,” 39.

192. Bitzinger, Towards a Brave New Arms Industry?, 57.

193. Martin Lundmark, “Nordic Defence Materiel Cooperation,” in Huldt 

et al., Strategic Yearbook 2004, 220.

194. Syren, “Swedish Armed Forces Today”; and MOD, Sweden, Our Future 

Defence, 20.
swedish Air Force │ 335

195. Sven-Olof Hökborg, “The Swedish Air Force’s Procurement Programmes,” Military Technology: Defence Procurement in Sweden, special issue, 

1993, 59; and Bengt Andersson (senior analyst, Swedish Defence Research 

Agency [FOI], Stockholm), interview by the author, 11 February 2005.

196. Karlsson, “History of Flygvapnet,” 140–41; and Anders Annerfalk, communications manager, Gripen International, to the author, e-mail, 7 July 2005.

197. Ahlgren, Linnér, and Wigert, Gripen, 12–14, 19, 52–53.

198. Ibid., 24–26, 35–36.

199. Annerfalk to the author, e-mail; and Joris Janssen Lok, “JAS 39 Gripen 

Set for Major Upgrades,” Jane’s International Defence Review 30 (December 

1997): 50.

200. Persson to the author, e-mails, 28 October 2005 and 27 November 2005.

201. Ahlgren, Linnér, and Wigert, Gripen, 41–42.

202. Persson to the author, e-mail, 10 May 2005.

203. Ahlgren, Linnér, and Wigert, Gripen, 39.

204. FMV, “Short-Range Missile Ready for Gripen,” 12 November 2009, 

http://www.fmv.se/WmTemplates/page.aspx?id=4931.

205. Ahlgren, Linnér, and Wigert, Gripen, 43.

206. Defense Industry Daily, “nEUROn UCAV Project Rolling Down the 

Runway,” 14 June 2007, accessed 27 December 2007, http://www.defenseindustry

daily.com.

207. Svedén to the author, e-mail.

208. Brolén, interview.

209. Höglund, letter.

210. “Airborne Fuelling Station,” The Swedish Armed Forces Forum: Insats & 

Försvar, English ed., no. 1 (2004): 29.

211. Andersson, Armed and Ready?, 42.

212. BMVg, “Verlässlicher Zugriff”; and NATO, “Strategic Airlift Capability.”

213. Jorgensen, “Battle Group Gripens,” 44.

214. Lundmark, “Nordic Defence Materiel Cooperation,” 218.

215. International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 

1999–2000 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 1999), 99.

216. Näsström, “Swedish Air Force 2000,” 41.

217. Bitzinger, Facing the Future, 22–23.

218. Näsström, “Swedish Air Force 2000,” 35.

219. Jonsson, “Future of Air Power (II): Sweden,” 16.

220. Näsström, “Swedish Air Force 2000,” 41.

221. Hewish and Lok, “Connecting Flights,” 41.

222. Näsström, “Swedish Air Force 2000,” 41.

223. Martin Bergstrand, “The Earth Is Round . . ,” in Andersson, Karlsson, 

and Linnér, Flygvapnet, 28; and Jonsson, “Future of Air Power (II): Sweden,” 16.

224. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange of Information on Defence Planning, 2005, annexe 8, 2.

225. Joris Janssen Lok, “Sweden Focuses on Erieye Fleet Changes,” Jane’s 

International Defence Review 39 (August 2006): 4.
336 │ Swedish Air Force

226. Persson to the author, e-mail, 25 August 2009.

227. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” fact sheet.

228. MOD, Sweden, “Functional Defence,” press release.

229. Näsström, “Swedish Air Force 2000,” 41; and Andersson, interview.

230. Wedin, “Sweden in European Security,” 330.

231. Persson to the author, e-mail, 10 May 2005; and “Link 16 Added to 

Gripen’s Datalink Systems,” Gripen News no. 1 (2007): 7.

232. Persson to the author, e-mail, 28 October 2005.

233. MOD, Sweden, Our Future Defence, 15.

234. Lars-Åke Siggelin, “Electric Saabs,” Air Forces Monthly, October 2007, 40–41.

235. Winquist, “We See with Our Ears,” 34.

236. Näsström, “Swedish Air Force 2000,” 41.

237. Annerfalk to the author, e-mail.

238. Ahlgren, Linnér, and Wigert, Gripen, 42; and Jorgensen, “Battle Group 

Gripens,” 43.

239. Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Annual Exchange of Information on Defence Planning, 2005, annexe 8, 1.

240. Annerfalk to the author, e-mail.
Chapter 7

Conclusion

As the preliminary findings demonstrate, each air force has responded to the air power challenges of the post–Cold War era according to its context. The following discussion synthesises the responses of 

the air forces examined across the four guiding challenges—shifting 

defence and alliance policies, real operations, new intellectualism in air 

power thinking and doctrine, and procurement.

Shifting Defence and Alliance Policies

Since the threat and risk spectrum of the post–Cold War era was 

no longer determined by two opposing blocs, the military-strategic 

focus shifted from territorial defence to deployed operations. Power 

projection in support of the UN, the ESDP, or NATO has become 

the determining factor in shaping Continental European air power. 

Amongst the four countries, the Netherlands was the first to accept 

these new realities; consequently, its military transformation was 

the most advanced in the period studied. Its rapid shift towards expeditionary warfare allowed the RNLAF to contribute to deployed 

operations disproportionately to the size of the country. France, under the presidency of Jacques Chirac, came to terms with the new 

realities in the mid-1990s. Whereas the country’s military strategic 

doctrine had long been dominated by the nuclear force, conventional power assumed centre stage, offering the possibility to prevent, contain, or stabilise regional crises. 

Germany and Sweden, on the other hand, only began to accept the new strategic realities at the end of the 1990s, significantly delaying the transformation of their air forces. Germany’s 

historical legacy and the vestiges of Sweden’s neutral tradition 

exacerbated these delays. Moreover, both nations had been 

frontline states, and their decision makers found it difficult to 

relax after the Cold War. The GAF had a unique experience in 

the early 1990s, when it was tasked to disband the East German 

Air Force and to integrate some of its personnel and equipment. 

This process did not lead to a hybrid between Western and East-
338 │ CONCLUSION

ern concepts—instead, West German concepts were extended 

across Germany. Carefully screening former East German officers who aspired to be reemployed was in part responsible for 

this outcome. The costs of German reunification and the socalled peace dividend led to severely reduced defence resources, 

causing delays and reappraisals of multinational acquisition programmes such as the Eurofighter. Reunification efforts probably 

also caused the German armed forces to be more preoccupied 

with themselves than with deployed operations. It can be concluded that the Netherlands entered the post–Cold War era with 

the least baggage, enabling it to adapt almost immediately to the 

altered post–Cold War strategic environment.

The sharp increase in deployed operations caused the four 

countries examined to initiate a shift towards professional armed 

forces. France and the Netherlands abolished conscription in the 

1990s—primarily due to the requirements of deployed operations 

across the spectrum of military force. Sweden suspended conscription in mid-2010, while, as of 2010, Germany still held onto 

the tradition of conscription. The suspension of conscription is 

scheduled to be implemented in July 2011.

Unlike armies, air forces are to a larger degree dependent on 

equipment. Given the exponential rise in the cost of air power 

equipment, national economic performance can significantly impact a nation’s air force. To put national defence resources and the 

size of the four examined air forces into context, the following tables compare gross national products (GNP)/GDP and defence 

expenditures (table 6), force reductions measured by manpower 

and squadrons (table 7), and aircraft numbers (table 8).

As this study shows, the size of the defence budget is only one 

determinant in shaping effective defence. Equally important is an 

air force’s approach to real operations, multinational cooperation, 

and procurement, as well as the political will to make contributions across the spectrum of military force.

Resource allocations to the air forces vary across the four countries. In 2002 France allocated the air force 17.7 per cent of its 

overall defence budget—including expenditures for the national 

paramilitary police force (Gendarmerie Nationale) and research 

and development; according to a 1999 assessment, Germany appropriated 29 per cent.1

 In the Netherlands, this figure varied 
CONCLUSION │ 339

between 23 and 28 per cent from 1989 to 2002, and in Sweden, the 

figure ranged from 29.3 to 43 per cent over the same time span 

(see fig. 4, “Budget allocation to the single services [Netherlands],” 

chap. 5; and fig. 5, “Budget allocation to the single services [Sweden],” chap. 6). Shrinking defence budgets, combined with escalating air power equipment costs, led to a reduction of operational 

squadrons and manpower, as examined in table 7.

In terms of flying frontline squadrons and air force personnel, 

the four air forces examined differ significantly. Yet, as is argued in 

this book, the operational potential does not directly correlate 

with the number of available squadrons but with the number of 

deployable and employable squadrons.

Single European states have been unable to acquire the capacities of a full-spectrum air force capable of autonomously staging 

an operation of the size of Allied Force. As table 8 shows, even five 

major European air forces combined did not get close to American capabilities in 1990 or 2000. This discrepancy in manned air 

assets is also mirrored in the domain of MALE and HALE RPAs. 

According to a JAPCC report, European NATO members (Turkey 

excluded) operated only 64 MALE/HALE RPAs in 2008 as opposed to the United States, which had more than 400.2

Table 6. Tabular comparisons of GNP/GDP and defence expenditures

1991a 2003b

GNPc

Defence 

expenditure %d GDPe

Defence 

expenditure %f

France 1,199.1 42.433 3.5 1,745.5 45.384 2.6

Germany 1,690.1 39.517 2.3 2,483.0 34.762 1.4

Netherlands 287.0 7.246 2.5 512.4 8.199 1.6

Sweden 230.3 5.543 2.4 297.3 5.352 1.8

a

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), SIPRI Yearbook 1993: World Armaments and Disarmament (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1993), 384. Calculation of 

defence expenditure as a percentage of GNP is based upon GNP and defence expenditure data. 

Hence, the figures enable an approximate comparison across the states in 1991.

b

SIPRI, SIPRI Yearbook 2005: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2005), 360–61, 366–67. Calculation of GDP is based upon defence 

expenditure and defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP data. Hence, the figures enable an 

approximate comparison across the states in 2003.

c

GNP and defence expenditures for 1991 are in US $b. at constant 1991 prices.

d

Defence expenditure as a percentage of GNP.

e

GDP and defence expenditures for 2003 are in US $b. at constant 2003 prices.

f

Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
340 │ CONCLUSION

Table 7. Force reductions measured by flying frontline squadrons 

and air force personnel

1991a 2003b

Flying

frontline 

squadronsc Manpowerd

Flying

frontline 

squadrons Manpower

FAF 28 92,900

(incl. 34,000 conscripts)

16 64,000

GAF  ̃29 103,700

(incl. 30,800 conscripts)

17 67,500

(incl. 16,100 conscripts)

RNLAF 9 16,000

(incl. 3,500 conscripts)

6 11,050

SwAF 19 7,500

(incl. 5,500 conscripts)

8 5,900

(incl. 1,500 conscripts 

and 1,600 active 

reservists)

a

IISS, The Military Balance 1991–92 (London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1991), 55, 57, 60, 67, 94.

b

IISS, The Military Balance 2003–4 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 2003), 

39, 41, 43, 51, 80.

c

Data on flying frontline squadrons is relegated to fixed-wing fighter/fighter-bomber aircraft in the 

air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance roles. For the FAF, strategic and prestrategic nuclear 

squadrons, which can also be used in a conventional role, are included.

d

Excluding reservists.

Table 8. Differential air power

1990a 2000b

Beyond 2010

(new-generation 

combat aircraft only)

Combat 

aircraft

Transport/

tanker

Combat 

aircraft

Transport/

tanker

Combat 

aircraft

Transport/

tanker

UK 790 100 520 80 245c 43d

France 630 100 530 100 286e 67f

(West) 

Germany

710 90 490 90 143g 60h

Netherlands 230 - 157 4 85i 7j

Sweden 460 8 260 8 100k 8l

Total 2,820 298 1,957 282 859 185

1,320m

(Europe 

total)

301n

(Europe 

total)

United States 6,800 1,600 4,900 1,600 3,259o 1,208p

Note: The above data is based upon approximate figures and also includes naval and marine aviation. While aircraft in store are included, jet trainers are excluded, apart from cases where they had 

a dual training/combat role as in the case of Germany and Sweden in 1990. Transport aircraft below 

the size of a C-160 Transall are excluded.
CONCLUSION │ 341

a

IISS, The Military Balance 1990–91 (London: Brassey’s for the IISS, 1990), 17, 21–24, 65–66, 68, 

75, 84–85, 93.

b

IISS, The Military Balance 2000–01 (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press for the IISS, 2000), 

28, 30–31, 59–60, 62–63, 70, 81–82, 104.

c

Figure takes into account a reduction in the UK’s projected number of Eurofighters in service from 

the original order of 232 to 107 and includes 138 F-35 JSFs. Yet, the UK’s Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 foresees a reduction of the planned number of JSFs to be acquired. The exact figure 

has not been publicly released to date. Tim Ripley, “UK Plans to Axe a Third of Typhoon Force 

by 2015,” Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, no. 28 (14 July 2010): 5; John R. Kent, F-35 Lightning II Communications, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., to the author, e-mail, 3 August 2009; and Securing 

Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review, presented to Parliament 

by the Prime Minister by Command of Her Majesty (London: The Stationery Office, 2010), 27.

d

14 Airbus A330 future strategic transport and tanker aircraft, 7 C-17s, and 22 A400Ms. The UK’s 

C-130J Hercules transport aircraft are planned to be withdrawn from service by 2022. Securing 

Britain in an Age of Uncertainty, 25, 27.

e

286 Rafales. See Xavier Pintat and Daniel Reiner, Avis présenté au nom de la commission des Affaires 

étrangères, de la défense et des forces armées (1) sur le projet de loi de finances pour 2009, adopté par 

l’Assemblée Nationale, Tome 5, défense—équipement des forces, no. 102, (Paris: Sénat, 20 November 

2008), chap. 2, sec. 4, “Engagement et combat, B. Frapper à distance ,” http://www.senat.fr/rap/a08

-102-5/a08-102-5.html.

f

Includes 14 MRTTs, 50 A400Ms, and 3 A310-300s. Pintat and Reiner, Avis présenté au nom de 

la commission des Affaires étrangères, Tome 5, chap. 2, sec. 3, “Projection, mobilité, soutien, A. La 

projection vers un théâtre d’opération.”

g

Figure takes into account a potential reduction in Germany’s Eurofighter order from 180 to 143. 

See Thomas Newdick, “A Change in the Air,” Jane’s Defence Weekly 47, no. 22 (2 June 2010): 30.

h

7 A310s (4 MRTTs, 3 MRTs) and 53 A400Ms. Yet the GAF might only commission 40 A400M aircraft. See IISS, The Military Balance 2010 (Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England: published by Routledge for 

the IISS, February 2010), 136; and “Frankreich attackiert Deutschland wegen A400M,” Handelsblatt, 31 January 2011, http://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/airbus-frankreich

-attackiert-deutschland-wegen-a400m;2743458.

i

85F-35 JSFs. Kent to the author, e-mail. 

j

2 KDC-10s, 1 DC-10, and 4 C-130Hs. Kees van der Mark, “Tall Ambitions for the Lowlands,” Air 

Forces Monthly, July 2009, 47.

k

100 Gripen C/Ds. IISS, Military Balance 2010, 193.

l 8 Hercules. Ibid.

mFigures from above, plus planned or current fleets of F-35 JSFs, JAS-39C/D Gripens, and Eurofighters in the rest of Europe: JSFs—Italy (131), Norway (56), and Denmark (48); Gripens—Hungary 

(14) and Czech Republic (14); Eurofighters—Spain (87), Austria (15), and Italy (96). Figure takes 

into account a reduction in Italy’s Eurofighter order from 121 to 96. Kent to the author, e-mail; Air 

Force Technology, “Gripen Multirole Fighter Aircraft, Sweden,” http://www.airforce-technology

.com/projects/gripen; Air Force Technology, “Eurofighter Typhoon Multirole Combat Fighter, 

Europe,” http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ef2000; and Tom Kington, “Italy, France 

Protect Vital Future Capabilities,” Defense News, 6 September 2010, 11.

n

Figures from above, plus 116 transport aircraft of the size of a C-130 and above in Austria, Belgium, 

Denmark, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. See IISS, Military Balance 2010, 121, 127, 139, 144, 152, 154, 156, 158, 163, 175; and Airbus Military, “A400M,” accessed 4 February 2008, http://www.airbusmilitary.com.

o

Includes 2,443 F-35 JSFs, 187 F-22 Raptors, 515 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, and 114 EA-18G 

Growlers. Kent to the author, e-mail; James Ludes, “The F-22 Has a Future,” Defence News (20 April 

2009), http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4045998; and John Reed, “U.S. Navy Awards Super 

Hornet Contract,” Defense News, 28 September 2010, http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=

4799993&c=AIR&s=AME. 

p

Includes 174 C-17s, 47 C-5Bs, 441 C-130E/H/Js, 34 KC-130Js, 59 KC-10As, and 453 KC-135s. 

Exact number of AAR aircraft to replace KC-135 fleet has not been decided upon. IISS, Military 

Balance 2010, 46–47.
342 │ CONCLUSION

While including other select European air forces would increase the total number of combat aircraft, they would not add 

substantially to air mobility. The UK and France, for instance, had 

the only significant European tanker fleets and were the only air 

forces to have a national and deployable airborne early warning 

component in the 1990s.3

 Moreover, the USAF long-range bomber 

and strategic airlift fleets had no equivalent in Europe, and American combat aircraft were on average more advanced than their 

European counterparts. Partly through reductions in numbers, 

the Continental Europeans attempted to generate more interoperable and deployable air power. In terms of mere numbers, the UK, 

France, and Germany were comparable. Yet unlike France, for instance, the UK had already focused upon complex conventional 

air power during the Cold War, and export potentials influenced 

aircraft specifications to a lesser degree.4

 Moreover, as Desert 

Storm proved, the RAF was the only European air force capable of 

playing a leading role in a major combined air campaign at the 

outset of the post–Cold War era.

For the foreseeable future, the United States will retain its air 

power dominance. Though Europe’s currently planned 1,320 newgeneration combat aircraft seem impressive, they are by no means 

all usable in deployed operations, particularly due to a lack of 

force enablers. European defence resources turned out to be too 

scarce for the buildup of a tanker fleet that is even remotely comparable to that of the USAF. Air bases and equipment for deployed 

operations are also lacking, as has been demonstrated by NATO 

Response Force packages. Up to the time of writing, deployable 

air bases have remained a bottleneck, and only the RAF and FAF 

have been able to provide deployable air bases on a national basis. 

On the positive side, programmes such as the A400M are under 

way to remedy the situation. This airbus is expected to become the 

backbone of the multinational European Air Transport Command and is likely to considerably enhance European intertheatre 

airlift capacities.

Shortcomings in materiel can partly be compensated for through 

bi- and multinational cooperation, as the RNLAF has proven. 

Through embedding its Air Force into multilateral approaches, 

combined with its willingness to share risks across the spectrum 

of military operations, the Netherlands has counterbalanced a 
CONCLUSION │ 343

limited defence budget. By virtue of its Air Force’s military prowess, the Netherlands has established itself as a trustworthy alliance 

partner—particularly in the view of the United States—that could 

make meaningful contributions to combined operations. It can be 

argued that the RNLAF’s limited size—combined with its natural 

inclination to play a leading role in deployed operations and its 

conducive political environment—bolstered its adaptation to the 

organisational and doctrinal challenges of the post–Cold War era.

In France and Germany, the challenges of deployed operations 

have fostered a readiness to transfer national authority into cooperative ventures that have enhanced air power’s effectiveness, particularly in air mobility. Promoted by these two countries, the 

EATC represents the culmination of European air mobility integration and is likely to appreciably cut administrative overheads. 

For rapid deployments, European nations need to be able to summon substantial airlift capabilities. The EATC provides member 

countries with an unprecedented surge capability. Another example 

of a successful cooperative venture was the establishment of a 

multinational European F-16 expeditionary air wing in 2004. So 

far, the trend has gravitated towards cooperation and pooling, 

while role specialisation has been viewed as limiting potential deployment options. Yet, role specialisation has occurred by default 

rather than by design. For instance, when its Jaguar fleet was 

phased out, the FAF also lost its dedicated SEAD capability. It was 

subsequently announced that the FAF would rely upon partners 

for this particular role in multinational air operations.

As regards alliance policy, American influence in European security matters has been welcomed by some, while others have attempted to minimise it. The Netherlands has chosen a strong 

transatlantic link, allowing it to generate effective segments of air 

power at a relatively low price. While the RNLAF has versatile and 

potent multirole combat aircraft and helicopter fleets at its disposal, it lacks essential functions such as deployable air operations 

centres, deployable air bases, or sufficient strategic airlift. The 

RNLAF is geared up for effectively plugging into American-led 

operations. In contrast, France has sought to generate independent European air power, which is nevertheless interoperable with 

US air power.
344 │ CONCLUSION

Unlike France, Germany has never had an ambition to supplant 

NATO by an independent European approach. Nonetheless, it strives 

to make the transatlantic partnership more equal, requiring the 

buildup of genuine European capabilities. Given Germany’s close 

embedment into alliance structures, efforts such as NATO’s Defence Capabilities Initiative or the Helsinki Headline Goal—

launched in the same year—have considerably influenced force 

transformation. Consequently, the GAF has developed into a 

more balanced force. Moreover, Franco-German cooperation 

might be gaining in importance. Their combined armed forces are 

expected to cover a broad range of aerospace power capabilities in 

the medium term—including airborne early warning, SEAD, 

theatre ballistic missile defence, MALE/HALE RPAs, deployable 

air operations centres, combat search and rescue, air-to-air refuelling, and strategic airlift—without recourse to commonly owned 

NATO assets. This leads to a further conclusion highlighting the 

importance of European cooperation for generating relevant air 

power. A Franco-German core of European aerospace power capabilities will be coherent and will allow smaller European nations to plug and play.

Courtesy German Air Force; photo by Ulrich Metternich

Airbus A310 MRTT refuelling GAF Tornado and Swiss Air Force F/A-18D 

Hornet in midair
CONCLUSION │ 345

European countries do not have to be capable of autonomously 

dealing with major contingencies in deployed operations, such as 

a future conflict involving a major regional military power. In 

these circumstances, it is—according to the British strategic expert Lawrence Freedman—“inconceivable that European governments would act independently of the US.”5

 However, the EU must 

be equipped to autonomously undertake peace support operations across the spectrum of military force, especially battlegroup-sized early-entry operations in failed states. After severe 

disagreements over Iraq in early 2003, it is difficult to imagine that 

the EU could have drawn easily upon NATO resources for Operation Artemis in mid-2003.

Rapid intervention operations in failed states require solid strategic airlift, ISTAR, and CAS capabilities, the latter providing escalation dominance. While a NATO C-17 airlift fleet might prove 

useful in these scenarios, ultimately, US consent will be required—

a right Americans have put a premium upon to secure their influence upon European security.6

 In contrast, cooperative arrangements that can be made equally available to NATO and ESDP 

operations, such as the EATC, offer assured availability for European operations.

NATO and the ESDP complement each other. The former guarantees a strong transatlantic link and provides for collective defence. The latter is particularly suited to respond to active requests 

by the UN secretary general against the backdrop of crises in the 

developing world. In many cases, the ESDP is the natural choice 

for the conduct of non–Article 5 crisis management scenarios. 

ESDP-led operations are seen in certain theatres as more benign 

than potential NATO operations. This specific reality was underlined by a French Air Force officer with ample experience in the 

African theatre at a 2008 NATO conference.7

 So far, the EU has 

indeed become a major actor in African security. Yet, while the 

ESDP provides a suitable framework for peace support operations 

throughout the spectrum of military force, it is less likely to provide an adequate framework for conventional high-intensity warfare in deployed operations.

With regard to European cooperation, the SwAF, for instance, 

still retains a coherent force structure for national defence scenarios 

and might be in a position to contribute key niche capabilities 
346 │ CONCLUSION

such as airborne early warning and control. Yet, the Netherlands 

and Sweden have been unable to build up capacities in resourceintensive areas, such as intertheatre airlift, similar to those of Germany and France. The SwAF has been forced to redress the imbalance between an overstretched force structure and operational 

requirements. As in the case of Germany, European headline goals 

have had a significant impact upon Sweden’s military transformation—with interoperability and rapid deployability becoming the 

determining factor for the SwAF’s force structure. Whereas during the Cold War the SwAF was able to maintain a large aircraft 

fleet through cost-effective national approaches to air power and 

the use of conscripts, deployed operations impose a number of 

minimum requirements such as participation in integrated exercises.

Challenge of Real Operations

Simultaneously with the end of the Cold War, Desert Storm 

proved to be a major catalyst for the evolution of Western air 

power. According to their national circumstances, the four air 

forces examined reacted differently to the air war in the Gulf. For 

the FAF, Desert Storm changed paradigms about interoperability 

and international integration and generated a new emphasis upon 

advanced conventional weapon systems. German decision makers felt uneasy with offensive deployed operations and continued 

to emphasise territorial alliance defence throughout the 1990s. 

This outlook led to a gap in doctrinal innovation in the GAF, 

which was only overcome with the 2002–3 defence reform. The 

Netherlands entered the post–Cold War era with the least baggage, and the country—closely aligned with the United States—

swiftly implemented lessons on a political level from its “nearfighter-deployment” to the Gulf area during Operations Desert 

Shield and Desert Storm. But on a military level, particularly for 

developing doctrine and acquiring an air-to-ground precision capability, Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force were more 

instrumental. In Sweden, lessons were not explicitly formulated. 

Yet throughout the 1990s, the capacity for countering limited strategic surprise attacks was particularly emphasised—basically an 

attempt to offset conventional precision air power. It can be concluded that amongst the four air forces examined, Desert Storm 
CONCLUSION │ 347

had the biggest impact upon the FAF, both politically and militarily. 

This is not surprising since the FAF was directly involved in the 

operation. There is a difference between “being there” and “watching an operation.” 

While Desert Storm was a watershed for the FAF, operations at 

the upper end of the spectrum of military force were nothing new 

for the French—the FAF had been deployed to African theatres in 

the days of the Cold War. In the case of the RNLAF, the political 

leadership’s willingness to employ it across the spectrum of force 

has become a significant leverage for Dutch air power. The RNLAF 

delivers proof that smaller nations can make a significant contribution to multinational operations disproportionate to their size 

when political resolve is combined with adequate military capabilities to carry out missions across the entire spectrum of military force. This is partly because the RNLAF entered the post–

Cold War era with the least baggage amongst the four air forces 

examined. Yet, even with the Netherlands, an overtly aggressive 

stance in the use of offensive air power had to be avoided. To circumvent arousing public concerns, the Dutch supreme commander deliberately imposed a low silhouette upon the RNLAF’s 

performance in Operation Allied Force. This was particularly the 

case after a Dutch F-16 downed a Serb MiG-29 in the first night of 

operations, the only European air-to-air kill in major air campaigns throughout the 1990s.

In contrast, because of their different historical experiences, 

Germany and Sweden have been hampered in employing military power in real operations and in moving away from a threatbased paradigm to a more proactive defence policy, taking on 

security challenges at a distance. Consequently, the GAF’s performance has been constrained considerably in real operations. 

German out-of-area contributions, apart from air mobility, have 

been relegated to SEAD and reconnaissance. Though readied to 

do so, the GAF has not so far dispatched ground-attack aircraft 

armed with LGBs. In the case of the SwAF, only the transport 

unit has been dispatched on out-of-area missions up to this writing. 

Both Germany and Sweden prefer the employment of their offensive capabilities against purely military targets to avoid collateral 

damage. Accordingly, the SwAF’s rapid reaction units were first 

prepared solely for reconnaissance and air-to-air tasks, and the 
348 │ CONCLUSION

NBG Gripen detachment is geared up for CAS. Nevertheless, 

both the GAF and the SwAF have exposed crews to appreciable 

risks entailing potential fatalities.

Real operations in the post–Cold War era have highlighted 

significant European air power shortfalls. Some of these deficits 

have not been due to a lack of capabilities but to national caveats. 

The GAF, for instance, has a potent SEAD component that was 

used to great effect in Allied Force, where it released nearly a 

third of all anti-radiation missiles. In light of the small size of the 

German detachment, this was a momentous achievement. While 

this capability was already available during Deliberate Force in 

1995, it could not be used to its full effect because of political 

constraints. Participation in deployed operations that might entail combat are still highly sensitive in Germany, as demonstrated 

by the recent debate about German crews manning NATO 

AWACS aircraft patrolling Turkish airspace against the backdrop of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Real operations have been a catalyst for cooperative endeavours, doctrine development, and procurement in the post–Cold 

War era. The Franco-British Air Group, the predecessor of the European Air Group, for instance, developed from Franco-British 

experiences in the air operations over Bosnia. The operational dimension itself has been shaped by the requirements of combined 

operations, which have been dominated by US air power and 

which meant the adoption of a doctrine geared up for mediumaltitude operations. Thus, while regular low-level training in 

Canada was abandoned by both the GAF and the RNLAF, integrated exercises such as Red Flag in the United States have become of pivotal importance. These exercises allowed German and 

Dutch pilots to plug seamlessly into combined air campaigns over 

Bosnia and Kosovo, despite their lack of combat experience 

throughout the Cold War. Even the SwAF, which is not a NATO 

alliance air force, came to recognise the importance of integrated 

air exercises for deployed operations. Real operations and integrated exercises led to a convergence of European air power. This 

thrust has been further facilitated through ventures such as the 

NATO Response Force in a NATO context or, more recently, the 

EU Air Rapid Response Concept in an EU context, underlining 

the importance of European air power cooperation. In the setting 
CONCLUSION │ 349

of these ventures, major European air forces, such as the RAF or 

the FAF, have gained leadership experience by taking on responsibility for combined air component commands. Yet, despite the 

adoption of a common operational doctrine, certain distinct features have been retained by the air forces examined. The RNLAF 

has employed its swing-role concept to great effect, and the FAF 

has excelled in deploying small contingents for integrated operations in Africa.

In Kosovo in 1999, air power was the weapon of choice for not 

only the United States but also for European participants. Yet unlike USAF doctrine, a fragile political environment has resulted in 

a gradualist Continental European approach to the use of air 

power—demonstrated in Allied Force. Continental Europeans are 

reluctant to get involved in “shock and awe” air campaigns, given 

the casualty sensitivity in the context of wars of choice. Germany 

and Sweden—with their particular but different legacies—prefer 

stabilisation operations, where air power is used in an integrated 

mode and plays a rather ancillary role. In fact, a transatlantic division of labour was apparent. While European nations provided 

the bulk of ground forces in Bosnia and Kosovo, Americans provided most of the assets for air operations. For instance, the 

Clinton administration steadfastly refused to commit ground 

forces to UNPROFOR in Bosnia, but the United States was the key 

player in Deny Flight and Deliberate Force.8

 France has often embedded air power into integrated operations. In 1995 the French 

military promoted the presence of a heavy ground component in 

Bosnia that could be used in conjunction with the air strikes. 

Sweden also puts a premium upon integrated operations. The NBG 

Gripen detachment is primarily geared up for the joint battle. This 

emphasis upon jointness partly explains why European air forces 

do not receive the same priority in the overall defence structure as 

American air power does. In contrast, the USAF considers the independent long-range strike role as one of its raisons d’être.

Yet, growing involvement in out-of-area operation can cause 

increased expenditure on air power. In the case of Germany, the 

A400M programme together with the Eurofighter is about to consume a significant share of the defence equipment budget. Deployed operations in general have had far-reaching implications 

for procurement, serving as a major catalyst in force protection, 
350 │ CONCLUSION

armament, and C4ISTAR. The issue of casualty aversion was addressed by a new emphasis on force protection, while highly complex combined air campaigns demanded an advanced and interoperable C2 infrastructure—as the FAF painfully learned in 

Desert Storm.

Apart from deployed air campaigns at the upper end of the spectrum of military force, the post–Cold War era has seen so-called 

non-kinetic air power used to great effect in humanitarian operations. Sweden and Germany have particularly felt more at ease with 

these kinds of operations in light of their particular legacies.

New Intellectualism in Air Power 

Thinking and Doctrine

Developments at the grand-strategic level have influenced air 

power thinking and doctrine. Sweden’s and Germany’s major defence reforms triggered, or at least supported, a more sophisticated approach to the doctrinal dimension of air power. The German Air Power Centre was set up against the backdrop of the 

2002–3 defence reform, and Germany also acted as the lead nation in setting up NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre, 

which became operational in early 2005. Similarly, the Swedish 

doctrinal debate experienced a major impetus after the country’s 

defence political process began broadening, starting in 1999, and 

with the SwAF readying units for rapid deployment. From 2002 

onwards, the SwAF organised a series of major air power conferences annually. It became involved in a doctrine development 

process that in 2004 resulted in the SwAF’s first published air 

power doctrine. In addition, the air faculty at the Swedish National Defence College started to produce its own publications on 

air power theory. Moreover, doctrine and proactive air power 

thinking provided the SwAF with a means to foster NATO interoperability. Despite Sweden’s non-membership in NATO, the 

Swedish armed forces in general and the SwAF in particular have 

deliberately transferred NATO concepts into their military doctrine manuals.

Besides developments at the grand-strategic level, real operations have triggered doctrine development and a broader air power 
CONCLUSION │ 351

debate, particularly in the case of the RNLAF and the FAF. The 

launching of the air power journal Penser les ailes françaises can be 

understood as a response to the FAF’s increased involvement in 

combined air operations. In line with its goal of being a lead European air force, the FAF has felt it necessary to also shape the air 

power debate. The RNLAF published its first air power doctrine in 

1996 as a reaction to its involvement in the air operations over 

Bosnia and other deployed operations. Two major motivations 

can be discerned for doctrinal innovation within the RNLAF—

staying compatible with its US counterparts as well as codifying 

and disseminating lessons learned from recent deployed operations. The RNLAF has viewed a doctrinal debate as contributing 

to its professionalism and enhancing its performance in combined 

air operations. As previously mentioned, General Manderfeld, 

chief of the Air Staff from 1992 to 1995, attributed the RNLAF’s 

outstanding performance over Bosnia not only to training but 

also to education.

Accordingly, the RNLAF’s efforts were well received, as General 

Horner, the Desert Storm air component commander, indicated. 

He particularly underlined the RNLAF’s outstanding qualities 

with regard to professionalism, equipment, training, and attitude. 

Courtesy Netherlands Institute for Military History; photo by Frank Visser

RNLAF F-16 at Kandahar Airfield in November 2008
352 │ CONCLUSION

RNLAF leadership envisions that a sound grasp of doctrine and 

air power theory will empower Dutch airmen to be on a par with 

the Netherlands’ most advanced allies and maximize their operational effectiveness.

As revealed by Germany’s response to Desert Storm, the GAF 

was uneasy with offensive air operations in the wake of the Cold 

War. This stance also reflected on air power doctrine. US operational dominance naturally led to US doctrinal dominance, which 

put a premium upon offensive air operations. Germany’s difficulty 

in reconciling offensive air power doctrine with its historical 

legacy resulted in doctrinal stagnation throughout the 1990s. 

Right after Desert Storm in March 1991, the GAF published its 

first air power doctrine. The document was doctrinally anchored 

in the later stages of the Cold War. Unlike the RAF, however, which 

also published its first edition of AP 3000 in 1991 and saw a need 

to revise the doctrine to codify the lessons of Desert Storm, the 

GAF was reluctant to incorporate those lessons. Whereas in the 

later stages of the Cold War, GAF officers regularly expressed their 

views on issues such as the GAF’s role within NATO’s defence 

doctrine in various journals, in the 1990s fewer GAF officers wrote 

about doctrinal issues. Only in the environment of the 2002–3 defence reform did the GAF again approach doctrinal and conceptual issues more proactively. The establishment of the Air Power 

Centre and the GAF’s lead role in the formation of NATO’s Joint 

Air Power Competence Centre are part of this reorientation, perceived as necessary in light of recent German commitments to 

cooperative endeavours such as the NATO Response Force or the 

EU Air Rapid Response Concept.

Doctrine has not only been a response to the challenges of deployed operations but has also been a carrier of institutional interests. The SwAF and FAF responded to joint doctrine manuals by 

developing single-service doctrines. The GAF started to revise its 

air power doctrine when faced with a new armed forces reform 

that put a premium upon the joint level. Its leadership perceived it 

necessary to express explicitly air power’s capabilities so as not to 

lose out relative to the other services.

The senior command echelon plays a crucial role in the doctrine development process, as particularly exemplified by the 

Royal Australian Air Force. Recognising the importance of doc-
CONCLUSION │ 353

trine, the chief of the Air Staff ordered the formation of the RAAF 

Air Power Studies Centre in 1989, providing Australia with an 

edge in doctrine development in the post–Cold War era. In France, 

the opposite occurred throughout the 1990s. Attempts at formalising doctrine were primarily driven by exogenous factors, and 

the chief of the Air Staff considered formal doctrine dogmatic, 

inhibiting innovative thinking. Only recently has doctrine development in France received top-level cover. Germany’s uneasiness 

with deployed offensive operations also might have led to a lack of 

top-down support for doctrine development. Only the defence reform starting in 2002 put an end to doctrinal stagnation.

In contrast, the Netherlands entered the post–Cold War era 

with the least historical and political baggage. Partly as a consequence of that and due to natural inclination, the RNLAF senior 

command was receptive to the importance of sound education 

and doctrine. As argued above, General Manderfeld regarded 

education as vital for operational effectiveness. His successor, 

General Droste, directly linked deployed operations to the need 

for adequate air power doctrine in his foreword to the RNLAF’s 

first published version of its air power doctrine in 1996.9

 In general, the RNLAF’s senior command echelon has been receptive to 

doctrine development as well as to education. 

The senior command’s attitude to doctrine also proved to be crucial in the case of the SwAF. Whereas the first and second attempts 

at developing a national air power doctrine were bottom-up approaches, only with sufficient top-down backing and resource allocations did the third attempt result in a published doctrine.

The Continental European air forces—particularly the senior 

command levels—have gradually recognised the value of air 

power doctrine in the post–Cold War era and have started to 

emulate their Anglo-Saxon counterparts. This is reflected not only 

in the air forces’ doctrine development but also in the dissemination and teaching of air power thought. However, they have not 

yet come up with truly innovative thinking. As the air power conferences in Sweden and the Netherlands reveal, the Western air 

power debate is still dominated by Anglo-Saxon thinkers. Moreover, though the defence colleges in the Netherlands and Sweden 

developed rigorous air power reading lists for their students, none 

of the four air forces has yet produced an intellectual air power 
354 │ CONCLUSION

study course comparable to that of SAASS in the United States. 

While ventures such as the EAG or NATO’s JAPCC are commendable and help European air forces to become more interoperable, 

they do not really address challenges on an intellectual level.

Genuine European air power also requires a conceptual grasp 

of air power theory and history. No European air power school of 

thought has yet emerged and encapsulated modern Europe’s gradualist approach to air war. This mindset is a result of Europe’s 

rather tenuous political environment and preference for integrated and stabilisation operations. If European air forces intend 

to go beyond mere pooling of forces and to be an effective tool for 

common military and foreign political goals, a conceptual grasp 

of air power is essential.

Procurement

Continental European states generally have pursued three 

approaches to procurement—national programmes, cooperative 

programmes, and buying off the shelf. The low impact of politicoindustrial concerns in the Netherlands has facilitated its ability to 

buy off the shelf, allowing the procurement of advanced American 

aircraft at relatively low unit costs. As a result, the RNLAF has 

been able to concentrate almost exclusively upon operational requirements and thereby to generate—in the short term at least—

relevant air power. Buying off the shelf freed resources which 

could be invested in swing-role training.

In contrast, the path of strategic independence, as pursued by 

France, has its price in terms of operational effectiveness. Ambitious national development programmes in times of constrained 

defence budgets have led to significant delays in acquiring new 

capabilities. Particularly, the French air transport fleet has been 

suffering from chronic shortcomings and overstretch. This leads 

to a further conclusion which has affected all of the four air forces 

to a larger or lesser degree. Essentially, they ignored the impact of 

cost escalation on procurement and adopted overambitious plans. 

Plans had to be subsequently cancelled, as was, for instance, the 

case with a planned Franco-German SEAD missile 

Despite the consequent loss of capabilities, such as dedicated 

SEAD, the FAF has been able to retain a balanced force structure, 
CONCLUSION │ 355

allowing France to stage smaller operations independently in deployed scenarios. For France, an independent defence industrial 

base is pivotal to further French ambitions. In the post–Cold War 

era, France has been the only European state to independently develop and produce not only combat aircraft but also a coherent 

range of subsystems from laser-designator pods to air-to-air and 

air-to-ground weapons. Only in cases where autonomous approaches have become excessively expensive, such as in the case of 

airborne early warning, has this principle been abandoned.

Courtesy French Air Force, Sirpa Air

Rafale flying over Afghanistan armed with AASM precision-guided munitions. The French AASM is an all-weather precision-guided bomb propelled by a rocket booster. Depending on its release altitude, it can engage 

targets at close or medium ranges, exceeding 50 km, with various options 

of terminal impact angles. In April 2008, Rafales engaged Taliban positions 

with AASMs for the first time, with the target coordinates provided by a 

Canadian forward air controller.

Germany, participating in the multilateral Eurofighter programme, has been successful in evolving towards a more balanced 

air force by striving for an improved ratio between strike assets 

and force enablers. The GAF’s force transformation was further 

facilitated through multilateral development and procurement 

programmes. This approach has been deliberately pursued to 
356 │ CONCLUSION

strengthen the interrelationship within both the NATO and EU 

alliances. It has enabled Germany to be less concerned about 

economy of scale—particularly in the area of combat aircraft—

with the burden being shared by several partners. It can hence be 

argued that the advantages of cooperation outweigh the handicaps. Yet, the GAF’s evolvement into a more balanced air force is 

unlikely to be fully translated into effective operational output as 

a dichotomy between operational potential and political acceptance still exists.

Note that the Netherlands—which did not have any major 

politico-industrial obligations in European cooperative aircraft 

programmes—has not placed a larger emphasis upon the forceenabling component of air power. Instead, it has put a premium 

upon acquiring state-of-the-art strike assets such as the AH-64 

Apache. Kinetic assets are still seen as providing for a country’s 

defence, whereas an overemphasis on force enablers is seen as role 

specialisation—supposedly only providing a narrow bandwidth of 

political options. The nation-state still dominates the shaping of 

air power; this results in a significant imbalance between the shaft 

and the spear, not only on a national level but particularly on a 

European level. Despite the fact that, for instance, the procurement of a limited number of C-17 Globemasters in the late 1990s 

by a medium-sized European state would have generated an international leverage out of proportion to the costs involved, this option has not been pursued. 

Different approaches to procurement lead to a further conclusion concerning the importance of European air power cooperation. Buying off the shelf, while promising cost-effective, shortterm bargains, has not contributed to the buildup of European 

strategic autonomy. In the case of France and to a lesser degree of 

Germany, politico-industrial concerns were paramount over operational requirements. In contrast, the Netherlands—with its 

strong transatlantic orientation—has primarily equipped its Air 

Force with sophisticated American equipment at relatively low 

unit costs. Yet, in the absence of a European aerospace industry, 

American suppliers might have had no incentive to offer their 

products at a competitive price. Hence, it can be argued that the 

Netherlands has indirectly benefited from a European aerospace 

industry. Moreover, if Meilinger’s tenth air power proposition that 
CONCLUSION │ 357

“air power includes not only military assets but an aerospace industry and commercial aviation” holds true, an aerospace industry 

is a critical requirement for at least the larger European nations.10

While the Netherlands’ approach has generated effective air 

power at low costs, such an approach might paradoxically widen 

the transatlantic air power capability gap in the long term if pursued by the major European countries. On the one hand, a number 

of European constituencies might become reluctant to spend large 

sums on air power assets not produced domestically and on equipment that can only be used effectively with US forces. On the other, 

US suppliers might potentially become less inclined to sell their 

products at competitive prices. To strengthen the transatlantic 

partnership, Europe must be able to cover a significant spectrum 

of the air power spectrum on its own. In this regard, European 

cooperation is essential, as relevant European air power is no longer a primarily national matter.

From a grand-strategic point of view, only approaches taking 

into account the importance of a credible European aerospace industry can serve a common European defence effort in the long 

term. One British commentator argued that “it would be difficult 

to envisage any credible European security policy in the second 

century of air power without a credible aerospace industrial base 

to sustain it.”11 This does not imply that all specialised assets, such 

as HALE RPAs, must be developed and manufactured in Europe.

In the post–Cold War era, technological advancements have 

compensated for reductions and limited defence resources, particularly through the increased attention upon multirole-capable 

air power assets. A 1992 RAND study’s assumption that the number of multirole squadrons would decline substantially did not 

materialise at all—quite the opposite has been the case.12 All major 

Continental European air forces have primarily opted for singleseat, multirole fighter-bombers. Technological trends in the manmachine interface have made the single-seat fighter-bomber a viable 

option. Despite this trend towards multirole aircraft, technological 

niche capabilities in the areas of SEAD or TBMD have provided 

single European air forces with leverage in deployed operations.

Technological trends have particularly played into the hands of 

the RNLAF and have allowed it to overcome its limited defence 

resources. In the 1980s highly sophisticated and specialised air-
358 │ CONCLUSION

craft such as the Tornado were required for the all-weather attack 

role. But the shift towards medium altitude combined with bolton solutions, such as laser-designator pods or GPS devices, transformed lighter fighters such as the F-16 into potent multirole aircraft. The RNLAF F-16s are expected to remain in the front line 

up to 2020. Through this extended life span, significant cost savings can be achieved. Given the relatively permissive air environment of the post–Cold War era, bolt-on solutions have also turned 

less advanced aircraft into relevant attack aircraft. In Allied Force, 

where no major air superiority battles had to be fought, French 

Jaguars equipped with laser-designator pods made significant 

contributions. The asymmetry between Western air power and 

potential opponents in general led to a new emphasis upon the 

air-to-ground role as opposed to the air-to-air role.

Technological advancements have also appreciably enhanced 

precision and firepower. The Rafale, for instance, can release a 

standard air-to-ground weapons load of four to six PGMs. In Allied Force, advanced strike aircraft such as the Tornado, the Mirage 

2000D, or the F-16 carried a standard weapons load of only two 

LGBs. Such an increase in firepower puts a British commentator’s 

argument, made in the wake of Kosovo—that Europe would have 

to increase its 500 all-weather bombers by 50 per cent—into a different perspective.13 Moreover, the FAF and GAF have made 

quantum leaps in the acquisition of cruise missiles. During Operation Allied Force in 1999, when American and British forces 

released a total of 329 cruise missiles, the Continental Europeans 

were not poised to contribute to the cruise missile campaign. 

Since then, the GAF and the FAF have together acquired over one 

thousand missiles.

Several technological benchmarks have been established. Minimum requirements have to be met to plug and play, particularly in 

the areas of interoperable C2 and precision strike. These common 

criteria no longer allow for autonomous approaches. In this regard, the way that air power has been generated has become more 

convergent. Advances in the technological dimension also helped 

to computerise C2 functions and hence facilitated leaner overall 

command structures. Only through these technological advances 

could a long-held air power tenet—unity of command over all air 

assets—be put into practice.
CONCLUSION │ 359

France’s leading role in the development of the Link-16 terminal 

MIDS is a good example of how grand-strategic ambitions and 

operational requirements have influenced each other. Its ambition 

to be a lead nation in European defence and its shortcomings in 

Desert Storm in interoperability led to France’s decision to become a key player in this crucial technological endeavour. The demands of interoperability also influenced the SwAF, which had to 

supplant its advanced national data links with NATO interoperable 

Link-16 terminals.

In general, the emphasis upon airframes has shifted to a more 

balanced approach that gives more consideration to air power 

software. In fact, air power software gained unprecedented importance at the outset of the post–Cold War era. In the wake of Desert 

Storm, Martin van Creveld argued that “no other country possesses the hardware, much less the ‘software,’ needed for mounting 

an air campaign that will even remotely compare with US capabilities in this field.”14 Since then France and Germany have been 

building up computerised C2 systems for conducting combined 

air campaigns.

While the technological dimension is without doubt of utmost 

importance for the generation of relevant air power, it has been 

less important for Continental European air forces as compared to 

the USAF. During Operations Deny Flight and Deliberate Force, 

for instance, the RNLAF alongside other European allies would 

have preferred to employ air power more flexibly instead of relying upon rigid force packages with standoff jammers and dedicated SEAD assets. This more human-centric approach was also 

revealed in logistics when the FAF deployed to Manas in Central 

Asia in early 2002. In contrast to the American detachment, the 

FAF made up for limitations in power projection by drawing as 

much as possible upon regional resupply. Accordingly, Continental Europe has not produced technological quantum leaps in air 

power but has pursued a path of gradual steps.

Assessment

Given air power’s dependence upon technology and the almost 

exponential rise in the costs of air power assets, one might expect 

materiel and defence budget resources to be the primary shapers 
360 │ CONCLUSION

of air power. Contrarily, the evidence suggests that adaptations to 

the altered strategic environment and a nation’s willingness to share 

risks across the spectrum of military operations have largely influenced Continental European air power from 1990 to 2005. These 

characteristics effectively offset economic and material limitations.

Political adaptations to the new post–Cold War realities could 

potentially be realized faster than major development programmes, 

which could not be so easily adjusted in this transition period. 

Consequently, force size was not the predominant factor in producing relevant European air power—as exemplified by the RNLAF. 

Size will be more relevant once new capabilities have been 

strengthened, particularly in the force-enabling areas. 

It is in technology and operations where Continental European 

air power has become most convergent. Combined operations 

have required common doctrinal and technological criteria. Only 

by meeting these criteria can an air force plug and play.

At the outset of the post–Cold War era, Desert Storm gave a 

vivid demonstration of modern air power. According to their national circumstances, the four air forces examined reacted differently to the air war in the Gulf. Yet in the medium and long term, 

Courtesy Gripen International; photo by Frans Dely

The ASC 890 Erieye is the SwAF’s NATO interoperable airborne early 

warning and control aircraft, shown escorted by Gripen C and D fighter 

aircraft.
CONCLUSION │ 361

each of the air forces began to implement the lessons of modern 

air warfare. Their approaches to force structuring, operations, 

procurement, and doctrine reflected these lessons.

Buying American—combined with a willingness to actually 

employ air power across the spectrum of military force—has facilitated effective air power at a relatively low price. In contrast, 

European autarchy in developing new proficiencies has led to 

shortcomings in the operational dimension, particularly in intertheatre airlift. Nevertheless, this approach is pivotal for fortifying 

European defence. As discussed above, however, meaningful European air power hinges not only upon physical but also upon 

conceptual components. A doctrinal grasp of air power that reflects Europe’s political environment and distinct approaches to 

air power is therefore a prerequisite.

Each air force has responded to the air power challenges of the 

post–Cold War era according to its context. Hence, the single air 

forces are not representative and are to a large degree sui generis. 

Yet, the four air forces combined set the benchmark for Continental European air power in its various dimensions, including a 

transatlantic, national, and European emphasis upon air power. 

While European shortfalls have led to various cooperative ventures, leading to converging European air power at the technological and operational levels, these developments are not likely to 

end up in a wider European air force. The nation-state still dominates defence policy at the strategic level.

Overall, Continental Europe places less merit upon air power 

than does the United States. Nevertheless, Continental Europe has 

been strengthening air power capabilities that have the potential 

of taking on a more prominent role on the international stage. 

Provided that planned development and procurement programmes 

are implemented, Continental Europe together with the UK will 

be capable of autonomously conducting a potential operation 

similar to Deliberate Force in Europe’s vicinity. Deliberate Force 

saw the employment of approximately 300 combat and support 

aircraft, mainly from well-prepared air bases in Italy. This number 

was slightly below the requirements stated in the EU Helsinki 

Headline Goal of 1999, which conceived the ability to deploy up 

to 400 combat aircraft for EU operations but proved too ambitious 

at the time. Yet a campaign similar to Allied Force, involving about 
362 │ CONCLUSION

1,000 aircraft in the final stages—including American long-range 

bombers—is still beyond Europe’s capability alone despite technological advances and requires significant American involvement.15

Nevertheless, in an environment of decreasing American air assets, European contributions to deployed operations might become more relevant—not only from a political point of view but 

also from an operational one. Continental European air forces 

remain natural allies for their Anglo-Saxon counterparts, and 

understanding their different approaches is indispensable for 

combined Western air operations.

Notes

1. Mathieu, La Défense nationale, 54; and Portz, “The Future of Air Power,” 14.

2. JAPCC, NATO Flightplan for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, “Annex B: 

NATO Unmanned Aircraft Systems—Operational,” accessed 4 August 2008, 

http://www.japcc.de/nato_flightplan_uas.html.

3. Gething and Sweetman, “Air-to-Air Refuelling,” 45; and International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance 1995–96 (Oxford, England: 

Oxford University Press for the IISS, 1995), 66.

4. See, for instance, Dörfer, Arms Deal, 108.

5. Freedman, “Can the EU Develop an Effective Military Doctrine?” in 

Everts et al., European Way of War, 23.

6. Gnesotto et al., European Defence, 49.

7. Lt Col Christophe Taesch, FAF, “Air Power and Rapid Reaction Interventions in Africa” (address, “Europe, NATO, and Air Power,” conference, Allied 

Air Component Command Headquarters, Ramstein, Germany, 7 October 2008).

8. Daalder and O’Hanlon, Winning Ugly, 217; and Steven R. Bowman, Bosnia: U.S. Military Operations (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service, updated 8 July 2003), 1.

9. Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Power Doctrine.

10. Phillip S. Meilinger, 10 Propositions regarding Air Power (Washington, 

D.C.: Air Force History and Museums Program, 1995), 61.

11. Mason, Air Power, 249.

12. Lorell, Future of Allied Tactical Fighter Forces, xi.

13. Garden, “European Air Power,” in Gray, Air Power 21, 114.

14. Martin van Creveld, Steven L. Canby, and Kenneth S. Brower, Air Power 

and Maneuver Warfare (Honolulu, HI: University Press of the Pacific, 2002), xiv.

15. See Lambeth, NATO’s Air War for Kosovo, 35.
Abbreviations

AAM air-to-air missile

AAP Australian air publication

AAR air-to-air refuelling

AASM armement air-sol modulaire (modular air-tosurface armament)

ACCS air command and control system

ACE Allied Command Europe

ACLANT Allied Command Atlantic

ACO Allied Command Operations

ACT Allied Command Transformation

AD air division

AFDC Air Force Doctrine Center

AFDD Air Force doctrine document

AFM Air Force manual

AFSOUTH Allied Forces Southern Europe

AGS Alliance Ground Surveillance

AIM air-intercept missile

AJP allied joint publication

ALARM air-launched anti-radiation missile

AMRAAM advanced medium-range air-to-air missile

AP air publication

ASMP air-sol moyenne portée (medium range air-toground weapon)

ATARES Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling Exchange 

of Services

ATP allied tactical publication

AU Air University

AWACS Airborne Warning and Control System

BMVg Bundesministerium der Verteidigung (Federal 

Ministry of Defence)

C2 command and control

C4ISTAR command, control, communications, computers, 

information/intelligence, surveillance, target 

acquisition, and reconnaissance

CAOC combined air operations centre

CAP combat air patrol

CAS close air support

CESA Centre d’études stratégiques aérospatiales

(Centre of Strategic Aerospace Studies)
364 │ ABBREVIATIONS

CESAM Cellule études et stratégie aérienne militaire 

(air power strategy and studies cell)

CFSP Common Foreign and Security Policy

CICDE Centre interarmées de concepts, de doctrines et 

d’expérimentations (Joint Forces Centre for 

Concept Development, Doctrine, and 

Experimentation)

CID Collège interarmées de défense (Joint Forces 

Defence College)

CJEX Combined Joint European Exercise

CJFAC combined joint force air component

CJFACC combined joint force air component commander

CJTF combined joint task force

CSAR combat search and rescue

DAG doctrine advisory group

DATF Deployable Air Task Force

DCI Defence Capabilities Initiative

DMAW deployable multinational air wing

EAC European Airlift Centre

EACC European Airlift Coordination Cell

EAD extended air defence

EAG European Air Group

EATC European Air Transport Command

EBO effects-based operations

ECR electronic combat/reconnaissance

EDA European Defence Agency

EPAF European Participating Air Forces

EPAF EAW European Participating Air Forces’ Expeditionary 

Air Wing

ESDI European Security and Defence Identity

ESDP European Security and Defence Policy

ESGA École supérieure de guerre aérienne (Advanced 

School of Air Warfare)

EU European Union

EU Air RRC EU Air Rapid Response Concept

EUFOR European Union Force

EURAC European Air Chiefs Conference

EU RRAI EU Rapid Response Air Initiative

FAF French Air Force

FBEAG Franco-British European Air Group
ABBREVIATIONS │ 365

FBW fighter-bomber wing

FLA Future Large Aircraft

FLIR forward-looking infrared

FMV Swedish Defence Materiel Administration

FüAk Führungsakademie (German Armed Forces 

Command and Staff College)

FW fighter wing

GAF German Air Force

GBAD ground based air defence 

GDP gross domestic product

GNP gross national product

GPS Global Positioning System

GS General Staff (German)

GSO general staff officer

HALE high-altitude long-endurance

HARM high-speed anti-radiation missile

HG Headline Goal

HHG Helsinki Headline Goal

IDS interdiction-strike

IFF identification, friend or foe

IFOR Implementation Force

IISS International Institute for Strategic Studies

IRIS-T Infrared Imaging System—Tail/Thrust VectorControlled

ISAF International Security Assistance Force

ISTAR intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and 

reconnaissance

JAPCC Joint Air Power Competence Centre

JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munition

JFACC joint force air component commander

JSCSC Joint Services Command and Staff College

JSF Joint Strike Fighter

JSO junior staff officer

JSTARS Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System

km kilometer

LANTIRN low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared for 

night

LGB laser-guided bomb

LMZ Luftmachtzentrum (Air Power Centre)
366 │ ABBREVIATIONS

LPM Loi de Programmation Militaire (French military 

programme bill of law)

MALE medium-altitude long-endurance

MANPADS man-portable air defence system

MCCE Movement Coordination Centre Europe

MEADS Medium Extended Air Defence System

MIDS multifunctional information distributions system

MLU midlife update

MOD Ministry of Defence

MOU memorandum of understanding

MRT multirole transport

MRTT multirole transport tanker

NAEW&CF NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control 

Force

NASAMS Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile 

System

NATD Netherlands Apache Training Detachment

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NBG Nordic Battle Group

NDC Netherlands Defence College

NDD Netherlands Defence Doctrine

NDSO Netherlands Detachment Springfield Ohio

NFZ no-fly zone

NG nouvelle génération (new generation)

NRF NATO Response Force

PfP Partnership for Peace 

PGM precision-guided munition

QRA quick reaction alert

RAAF Royal Australian Air Force

RAF Royal Air Force

RFAS Reaction Forces Air Staff

RNLAF Royal Netherlands Air Force

ROE rule of engagement

RPA remotely piloted aircraft

RRC Rapid Response Concept

RRF rapid reaction force

RW reconnaissance wing

SAASS School of Advanced Air and Space Studies

SACEUR supreme allied commander, Europe
ABBREVIATIONS │ 367

SACT Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

SALIS Strategic Airlift Interim Solution

SAM surface-to-air missile

SAMP-T sol-air moyenne portée terrestre (land-based 

medium range surface-to-air missile)

SAR search and rescue

SCCOA système de commandement et de conduite des 

opérations aériennes (air operations command 

and control system)

SE01 Combat Aircraft Unit 01

SEAD suppression of enemy air defences

SHAPE Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe

SIDM système intérimaire de drone MALE (interim 

MALE RPA system)

SIGINT signals intelligence

Sirpa Air Service d’information et de relations publiques de 

l’Armée de l’Air (FAF Information and Public 

Relations Service)

SNDC Swedish National Defence College

SwAF Swedish Air Force

SWAFRAP Swedish Air Force Rapid Reaction Unit

TACTESS tactical training, evaluation, and standardisation 

squadron

TBMD theatre ballistic missile defence

THG Tactical Helicopter Group

UK United Kingdom

UN United Nations

UNMEE United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea 

UNPROFOR United Nations Protection Force

UNSCOM United Nations Special Command

USAF United States Air Force

USMC United States Marine Corps

WEU Western European Union

WMD weapon of mass destruction

Selected Bibliography

This selected bibliography is adapted from the author’s PhD 

dissertation that contained a more extensive listing. The following 

references are those that the author consulted most often in conducting the research for this book. 

Interviews, E-Mails, and Letters

Andersson, Bengt (senior analyst, Swedish Defence Research 

Agency [FOI], Stockholm). Interview by the author, 11 February 2005.

Annerfalk, Anders, communications manager, Gripen International. 

To the author. E-mail, 7 July 2005.

Björs, Lt Col Christer, Swedish Air Force (SwAF) (chief, Air Operations [A3], Swedish Air Component Command). Telephone interview by the author, 3 August 2005.

Brolén, Lt Col Pepe, SwAF, retired (commander, Air Transport 

Unit, 1990–98). Telephone interview, 2 November 2005.

Brose, Lt Col Manfred (German Air Force [GAF], Führungsakademie

[German Armed Forces Command and Staff College], Hamburg, Germany). Interview by the author, 3 May 2006.

De Winter, Rolf, and Erwin van Loo (Royal Netherlands Air Force 

[RNLAF] History Unit, The Hague). Interview by the author, 

24 June 2004.

Duance, Wg Cdr Richard, and Wg Cdr Pete York. “An Interview 

with Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air 

Staff, Royal Air Force [RAF].” Transforming Joint Air Power: 

The Journal of the JAPCC 3 (2006): 26–29. 

Facon, Patrick, director, AIR, historical service of the armed 

forces, Château de Vincennes, Paris. To the author. E-mail, 

19 April 2006.

Godderij, Lt Gen P. J. M., RNLAF, military representative of the 

Netherlands to NATO, Brussels. To the author. E-mail, 4 January 2006.

Harryson, Maj Tobias, SwAF, 2002 air power doctrine project 

team member. To the author. E-mails, 12 October 2005, 29 

March 2006, and 24 April 2006.
370 │ BIBLIOGRAPHY

Havenith, Lt Col (General Staff [GS]) Armin, GAF (Federal Ministry of Defence [MOD], Bonn, Germany). Interview by the 

author, 26 April 2006.

Höglund, Lt Col Bertil, SwAF, commander, Air Transport Unit. To 

the author. Letter, 2 August 2005.

Janssen Lok, Joris, international editor, Jane’s International Defence Review, and special correspondent, Jane’s Defence 

Weekly. To the author. E-mail, 10 December 2004.

Jarosch, Lt Gen Hans-Werner, GAF, retired. Telephone interview 

by the author, 16 July 2008.

Jertz, Lt Gen Walter, GAF, retired. To the author. E-mails, 23 June 

2007 and 26 June 2008. (In 1995 he was the GAF contingent 

commander for air operations over the Balkans. He left his 

final posting as commandant, German Air Force Command, 

in June 2006.)

Kent, John R., F-35 Lightning II Communications, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. To the author. E-mail, 3 August 2009.

Kleppien, Lt Gen Axel, GAF, retired (commander, 5th Air Division, 1 October 1991–mid-1993). Telephone interview by the 

author, 16 July 2008.

Leiwig, Lt Col (GS) Guido, GAF (MOD, Bonn, Germany). Interview by the author, 26 April 2006.

Mercier, Col Denis, French Air Force (FAF), Air Staff, Paris. To 

the author. E-mail, 1 September 2006.

Persson, Lt Col Anders P., SwAF, Armed Forces Headquarters, 

Stockholm. To the author. E-mails, 10 May 2005, 28 October 

2005, and 27 November 2005.

———, chief of staff, Air Combat Training School, Uppsala, Sweden. To the author. E-mail, 25 August 2009.

Radke, Lt Col (GS) Nicolas, GAF, MOD, Bonn, Germany. To the 

author. E-mail, 28 November 2006.

Reuterdahl, Lt Col Jan, SwAF, head, air faculty, Department of 

War Studies, Swedish National Defence College (SNDC), 

Stockholm. To the author. E-mails, 17 February 2005, 9 and 

10 June 2005, and 11 November 2005.

Rietsch, Lt Col (GS) Carsten, GAF, assistant air attaché, German 

Embassy in London. To the author. E-mails, 5 August 2009 

and 28 August 2009.
BIBLIOGRAPHY │ 371

Schmidt, Col (GS) Lothar, GAF (MOD, Bonn, Germany). Interview by the author, 26 April 2006.

Schön, Col (GS) Hans-Dieter, GAF (MOD, Bonn, Germany). 

Interview by the author, 27 April 2006.

Silver, Brig Gen Anders, SwAF, commander, Air Component 

Command. To the author. E-mail, 5 February 2006. Forwarded by Maj Tobias Harryson, 8 March 2006.

Soeters, Joseph, professor for organization studies and social sciences, Royal Netherlands Military Academy and War College. To the author. E-mail, 13 December 2004.

“Sustaining Modern Armed Forces.” Interview with Dr. Jan 

Fledderus, Netherlands national armaments director. Military Technology, no. 8 (1997): 9–19.

Svedén, Brig Gen Åke, SwAF, retired, commander, Air Transport 

Unit, 1983–90. To the author. E-mail, 22 January 2006.

Tankink, Lt Col Peter, RNLAF, commander, 323 Tactical Training, 

Evaluation, and Standardization Squadron. To the author. 

E-mails, 11 July 2004, 21 January 2005, and 8 January 2006.

Tode, Brig Gen Göran, SwAF, retired. To the author. E-mails, 7 

June and 14 June 2005.

Trautermann, Lt Col (GS) Michael, GAF, MOD, Bonn, Germany. 

To the author. E-mail, 30 May 2006.

Vallance, Air Vice-Marshal Andrew, RAF (MOD, London). Interview by the author, 24 January 2007.

Van Ermel, Col Lex Kraft, RNLAF, former director of studies, 

Netherlands Defence College, The Hague. To the author. 

E-mails, 13 June and 22 June 2005.

Van Loo, Erwin. RNLAF History Unit, The Hague. To the author. 

E-mails, 9 September 2004 and 21 October 2004.

Vogt, Col (GS) Reinhard, GAF, Air Power Centre (Luftmachtzentrum or LMZ), Cologne Wahn, Germany. To the author. 

E-mail, 26 October 2006.

“We Want the Best Materiel for the Best Price.” Interview with Dr. 

Jan Fledderus, Netherlands national armaments director. 

Military Technology 24, no. 12 (December 2000): 17–30.
372 │ BIBLIOGRAPHY

Official Documents and Speeches 

Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 1. Air Force Basic Doctrine, September 1997.

———. Air Force Basic Doctrine, November 2003.

Air Force Manual 1-1. Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United 

States Air Force. Vols. 1 and 2, March 1992.

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A400M, 26, 52–53, 55, 60, 90, 127, 131, 135, 

168, 174, 198–200, 204–5, 260, 341–42, 349

AAR. See air-to-air refuelling

AASM. See armement air-sol modulaire 

(modular air-to-surface armament)

Abrial, Stéphane, 114

ACCS. See air command and control system

ACE. See Allied Command Europe

ACLANT. See Allied Command Atlantic

ACO. See Allied Command Operations

ACT. See Allied Command Transformation

Adriatic, 246

Advanced European Jet Pilot Training, 98

advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, 

58, 161, 195–96, 257, 264, 318. See also 

AIM-120 AMRAAM 

aerial readiness, 300–302

Aerospace Centre, 45

AFDC. See Air Force Doctrine Center 

AFDD 1. See Air Force Doctrine Document 1

Afghanistan, 1, 4, 21, 30, 37, 43, 54, 57, 92, 102, 

106–8, 117, 125, 133, 156, 180–81, 183, 

198, 201, 231, 235–36, 239, 243, 245–46, 

262, 285, 305, 355

AFM 1-1. See Air Force Manual 1-1

Africa, 4, 7, 9, 13, 38–39, 86, 92, 100–101, 

108–10, 132, 184, 245–46, 305, 349

AFSOUTH. See Allied Forces Southern Europe

AGS Core. See Alliance Ground Surveillance 

Core project

AH-64A Apache. See under aircraft by designation

AH-64D Apache. See under aircraft by designation

AIM-9L Sidewinder, 58, 196, 318

AIM-120 AMRAAM, 58, 161, 195–96, 257, 

318. See also advanced medium-range 

air-to-air missile

Air 2010 (France), 91

airborne early warning, 22, 51, 54, 172, 200, 

263, 289, 298, 302, 320–22, 324, 342, 344, 

346, 355, 360

Airborne Warning and Control System, 23, 

27, 51, 61–62, 89, 97, 106, 111, 128, 135, 

177, 181, 184, 348. See also 

E-3/E-3A/E-3F Airborne Warning and 

Control System aircraft

air bridge, 4, 34, 108–9, 111, 182–83, 246, 304, 

319

Airbus A310. See under aircraft by designation

Airbus A319 CJ. See under aircraft by designation

Airbus A340 TLRA. See under aircraft by 

designation

Air Campaign, The (John A. Warden), 5, 28–31, 

33–38, 40, 59, 102–3, 106, 120, 179–80, 312

air command and control system, 63–64, 201

Air Command and Staff College, 311

aircraft by designation

AH-64A Apache, 228, 261. See also 

Apache combat helicopter

AH-64D Apache, 225, 228, 245, 261–62. 

See also Apache combat helicopter

Airbus A310, 61, 126, 183, 185, 198–99, 

341, 344

Airbus A319 CJ, 199

Airbus A340 TLRA (très long rayon 

d’action or very long range), 127, 199

AJ 37 Viggen, 288, 292, 300

AJS 37 Viggen, 288–89, 292, 297, 315–16 

AJSF 37 Viggen, 302, 323

AJSH 37 Viggen, 323

Alpha Jet, 194

An-124 transport aircraft, 21, 54, 59, 174, 

198, 261 

Apache combat helicopter, 227, 231, 237, 

239, 245–46, 261–63, 266, 268, 356. 

See also AH-64A Apache and AH-64D 

Apache

ASC 890 Erieye airborne early warning 

and control aircraft, 289, 321–22, 360. 

See also S 100B Argus airborne early 

warning and control aircraft

C-5 Galaxy, 59–60, 198

C-130 Hercules, 34, 52, 59–61, 126–27, 

182, 199, 228–29, 246–47, 259–60, 265, 

285, 297–98, 303–5, 314, 318–19, 341

C-135FR tanker, 2, 36, 99, 103–4, 106, 

109, 128, 297

C-160NG Gabriel, 130

C-160 Transall, 34, 52, 59–60, 89, 101, 

111, 126–28, 171, 174, 179, 182–84, 

198–99, 340

CH-47 Chinook, 60, 227–28, 237, 245, 

261, 267–68

CH-53 transport helicopter, 167, 182, 184

Chinook. See CH-47 Chinook

CN-235 transport aircraft, 126

Cobra combat aircraft, 255

Cougar transport helicopter, 61, 237, 261

DC-8 Sarigue, 127, 130

DC-10, 61, 229, 259–60, 265, 341

Index
390 │ INDEX

E-3/E-3A/E-3F Airborne Warning and 

Control System aircraft, 23, 51, 61, 

106, 128. See also Airborne Warning 

and Control System 

EA-6B Prowler, 62

Eurofighter Typhoon, 52, 57–58, 63, 122–23, 

151, 161, 164, 168, 171, 195–98, 205, 

258, 338, 341, 349, 355

F-4F Phantom, 161, 164–65, 174–75, 185, 

191, 194–95

F-5A, 228

F-15, 37, 63, 196

F-16, 8, 10, 63, 133, 196, 221, 226–27, 229, 

234–43, 247–49, 255–59, 265, 268, 

316, 343, 347, 351, 358

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, 53, 57, 257–58, 

341

F-104 Starfighter, 151, 254–55

F/A-18, 63, 107, 240, 341, 344

Fokker, 228, 246, 255, 259

Gripen. See JAS 39 Gripen

IL-76, 261

J 35 Draken, 288, 292, 314 

JA 37 Viggen, 280, 288–90, 292, 300, 315, 

321

JAS 39 Gripen, 2, 51–2, 57, 99, 280, 289–92, 

297–300, 302–3, 309, 313, 315–19, 

322–26, 341, 348–49, 360

Jaguar, 6, 89, 100–103, 105, 109, 124–25, 

134–35, 343 

KC-10A Extender AAR aircraft, 260

KDC-10 (RNLAF), 235, 228, 242–43, 246, 

259–60

MiG-29, 58, 161, 165, 195–96, 257, 347

Mirage IV, 81–82, 89, 105, 128, 130

Mirage IVP, 105–6

Mirage 2000, 63, 89, 97, 102, 111, 128

Mirage 2000-5, 123, 125, 130, 134

Mirage 2000C, 104–5, 123

Mirage 2000D, 24, 91, 99, 105, 107–8, 123, 

125, 130, 133–34, 358

Mirage 2000N, 82, 105

Mirage F1, 89, 100, 103, 108–10, 134, 255

Mirage F1 CR, 102–5, 130

NH90 helicopter, 261, 319

P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft, 231

Rafale, 51–52, 57, 63, 90, 92, 122–23, 125, 

130–31, 134–35, 258, 341, 355, 358

RC-135 Rivet Joint, 62

S 100 Argus airborne early warning aircraft, 298, 302, 320–21, 324

S 100B Argus airborne early warning and 

control aircraft, 321. See also ASC 890 

Erieye airborne early warning and 

control aircraft

S 102B Korpen signals intelligence aircraft, 298, 306, 323

SF 37 reconnaissance Viggen, 288, 302, 

323

SH 37 reconnaissance Viggen, 288, 323

SK 37E electronic warfare Viggen, 322

SK 60 aircraft, 288, 292

Super Etendard (French Navy), 106

Tornado, 6, 24, 28, 52, 56–57, 63, 156, 159, 

163–64, 168, 171, 173–75, 177–81, 186, 

194–95, 197, 199, 201, 205, 344, 358

Tornado GR1, 28

Tornado GR4, 24 

Tornado electronic combat/reconnaissance (ECR), 99, 164, 178–79, 180, 

195, 197

Transall. See C-160 Transall

Viggen, 255, 280, 288–90, 292, 297, 300, 

302, 314–15, 320–23. See also AJ 37, 

AJS 37, AJSF 37, AJSH 37, JA 37, SF 

37, SH 37, SK 37E 

Air Defence and Operations Command 

(FAF), 88, 91

Air Defence Command (FAF), 88

Air Force Doctrine Center, 42

Air Force Doctrine Document 1, Air Force 

Basic Doctrine, 42–43

Air Force Manual 1-1, Basic Aerospace Doctrine of the United States Air Force, 41–43

Air Force Office (GAF), 160

Air Force Structure 4 (GAF), 159–60, 165, 194

Air Force Structure 5 (GAF), 159, 161–63, 

172, 201–2

Air Force Structure 6 (GAF), 159, 163–65, 

186, 195–96, 199, 201–2, 206 

air-launched anti-radiation missile, 59, 243 

Air Manoeuvre Brigade (Netherlands), 227, 

263

Air Operations Command and Control System. See système de commandement et de 

conduite des opérations aériennes (SCCOA)

air policing, 3–4, 7, 39, 61, 98, 111, 161, 164, 

184–85, 187, 203, 247

Air Power Centre (Luftmachtzentrum), 186, 

206, 350, 352

Air Power Development Centre (RAAF), 45, 48

Air Power Strategy Instructor Course 

(USAF), 251

air-sol moyenne portée (medium range air-toground weapon), 82

air-to-air refuelling, 25, 33, 36, 51, 55–56, 61, 

89–90, 121, 127–28, 133, 164, 171, 174, 

198–99, 204–5, 228, 246, 260, 319, 341, 344
INDEX │ 391

air-to-ground surveillance, 31, 54–55, 61

Air Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling Exchange of Services, 25

Air University (USAF), 46, 89, 251–53, 311, 341

Air University Balkans Air Campaign Study, 

253

Air War College, 252, 311

AJ 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation 

AJP. See allied joint publication

AJP-01, Allied Joint Doctrine, 188, 308

AJP-3.3, Joint Air and Space Operations Doctrine, 188, 308, 310

AJP-5, Allied Joint Doctrine for Operational 

Planning, 188

AJS 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation 

AJSF 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation 

AJSH 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation 

ALARM. See air-launched anti-radiation 

missile

Algerian War, 100

Al Khafji, 29, 61

Alliance Ground Surveillance Core project, 

54, 61, 200, 263

Allied Air Forces Central Europe, 168

Allied Command Atlantic, 20–21, 94

Allied Command Channel, 20

Allied Command Europe, 20–21, 94

Allied Command Operations, 21

Allied Command Transformation, 21 

Allied Forces Southern Europe, 94, 170

allied joint publications, 188, 308, 310

Alpha Jet. See under aircraft by designation

al-Qaeda, 37

Amendola Air Base, Italy, 242

American-led, 62, 102, 109, 121, 176, 218, 343

AMRAAM. See advanced medium-range 

air-to-air missile 

Air Publication (AP) 3000. See British Air and 

Space Power Doctrine, 4th ed., 2009, and 

British Air Power Doctrine, 3d ed., 1999

Anatolian Eagle (multinational integrated air 

exercise), 100

An-124. See under aircraft by designation

Apache combat helicopter. See under aircraft 

by designation

Apache cruise missile, 125

APG-65 radar, 161, 195

Arab Emirates, 100, 106, 110

Arizona Air National Guard, 237

Armed Forces 2000 project (France), 87–88

Armed Forces Helicopter Wing (Sweden), 

287, 291, 298, 319

Armed Forces Model 2015, 83–84, 87, 89–91, 131

armement air-sol modulaire (modular air-tosurface armament), 57, 124–26, 135, 355

Army air wing (Aviation légère de l’armée de 

terre), 91

Aconit (Operation), 103

Allied Force (Operation), 4–5, 8, 10, 16, 19, 

27, 35–36, 38, 59, 82, 99, 105–6, 121, 124, 

126, 128, 130, 133, 177, 181, 192, 195, 

204–5, 221, 235, 238, 242–44, 246, 253, 

256–57, 312, 339, 347–49, 358, 361

Anaconda (Operation), 107

Artemis (Operation), 109–10, 183–84, 302, 345

Article 5 (NATO), 21, 46, 225, 345

AS-30-L laser-guided air-to-ground missile, 

102, 124

ASC 890. See under aircraft by designation

ASMP. See air-sol moyenne portée (medium 

range air-to-ground weapon)

Atalanta (Operation), 291

ATARES. See Air Transport and Air-to-Air 

Refuelling Exchange of Services 

Ateliers de l’Armée de l’Air (Air Force conference), 117–18

Ateliers du CESA (CESA conference), 117–18, 

120

AU. See Air University

AWACS. See Airborne Warning and Control 

System

BAE Systems, 315

Baghdad, 28, 30, 55, 119

Bahrain, 182

Balkan, 3, 157

Baltic region, 111, 185, 247, 281–83, 287, 294, 

296, 300–302, 321, 324

Baltic Sea, 282, 284, 287, 293, 296, 300–2

Bam, Iran, 246

Belgian Air Force, 234

Belgian Congo, 285, 301. See also Democratic 

Republic of Congo

Belgian Staff College, 252

Belgium, 21, 23–24, 28, 34, 36, 99, 109, 173, 

236, 243, 252, 254–55, 341

Belgrade, Serbia, 106

Berlijn, D. L., 236, 250

Berlin Plus agreement, 18

Björklund, Leni, 283

Blair, Tony, 106

Bosnia, 3–4, 31–32, 34–35, 50, 61, 92, 105, 

110–11, 124, 177, 182, 194, 206, 231, 

240–42, 253, 266–67, 306, 348–49, 351

Bosnian civil war, 178

Bosnian Muslims, 33

Bosnian Serb army, 42

Bosnian Serbs, 32, 35, 105, 179, 182, 241
392 │ INDEX

Boyd, John, 254, 308, 311

British Aerospace, 315

British Air and Space Power Doctrine, 4th ed., 

2009 (AP 3000), 45, 47

British air power doctrine, 6, 40, 43, 44–45, 

47, 249

British Air Power Doctrine, 3d ed., 1999 (AP 

3000), 6, 44–45

British Hawker Hunter combat aircraft, 254

Brussels, 19–20, 94, 286, 296

budget allocation, 92, 168, 230, 293, 339

Bundeswehr, 153, 155–56, 159, 191

Burundi, 305

Bush, George H. W., 232 

Bush, George W., 301 

C2. See command and control

C4ISTAR. See command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, 

target acquisition, and reconnaissance

C-5 Galaxy. See under aircraft by designation

C-130 Hercules. See under aircraft by designation

C-135FR tanker. See under aircraft by designation

C-160NG Gabriel. See under aircraft by designation

C-160 Transall. See under aircraft by designation

Cambodia, 110–11

Canada, 23, 26, 34, 36, 174–75, 238, 261, 268, 

299, 348

CAOC. See combined air operations centre

CAP. See combat air patrol

Caracal, 128–29

CAS. See close air support 

Cellule études et stratégie aérienne militaire 

(air power strategy and studies cell), 115

Central African Republic, 109–10

Central Asia, 99, 108, 133, 235, 247, 250, 265, 

359

Centre d’études stratégiques aérospatiales 

(Centre of Strategic Aerospace Studies), 

115, 117–18, 120

Centre interarmées de concepts, de doctrines et 

d’expérimentations (Joint Forces Centre 

for Concept Development, Doctrine, and 

Experimentation), 115

CESA. See Centre d’études stratégiques aérospatiales (Centre of Strategic Aerospace 

Studies)

CESAM. See Cellule études et stratégie aérienne militaire (air power strategy and 

studies cell)

CFSP. See Common Foreign and Security 

Policy

CH-47 Chinook. See under aircraft by designation

CH-53 transport helicopter. See under aircraft 

by designation

Chad, 100–101, 109–10

Chamagne, Régis, 119

chapter 7, UN Charter, 224

Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, 38, 107–8

Chevènement, Jean-Pierre, 102

chief of the Air Staff, 43–45, 48–49, 98, 113–14, 

117, 122, 163, 167, 184, 187, 191, 351, 353

China, 1, 84

Chinook. See under aircraft by designation: 

CH-47 Chinook

Chirac, Jacques, 83, 86–87, 89–90, 94, 106, 

133, 337

CICDE. See Centre interarmées de concepts, 

de doctrines et d’expérimentations (Joint 

Forces Centre for Concept Development, 

Doctrine, and Experimentation)

CID. See Collège interarmées de défense 

(Joint Forces Defence College) 

CJEX. See Combined Joint European Exercise

CJFAC. See combined joint force air component

CJFACC. See combined joint force air component commander

CJTF. See combined joint task force

Clark, Wesley, 106, 243

Clarke, Shaun, 249

Clinton, Bill, 35, 37–38, 106, 232, 349

Clodfelter, Mark, 252–53

close air support, 30, 32, 38, 109, 115, 240, 

243, 291–92, 298–99, 317, 326, 345, 348

CN-235 transport aircraft. See under aircraft 

by designation

Cobra combat aircraft. See under aircraft by 

designation

Cold Response (Exercise), 299

collective defence, 19, 21, 156–58, 203, 295–96, 

345. See also Article 5 (NATO)

Collège interarmées de defense (Joint Forces 

Defence College), 113, 116–19

combat air patrol, 31, 240

combat search and rescue, 55, 61, 115, 128–29, 

134, 174, 229, 344

combined air operations centre, 64, 172, 241

Combined Joint European Exercise, 116, 190

combined joint force air component, 23, 97, 

162, 172

combined joint force air component commander, 42, 97

combined joint task force, 19–20, 232, 234–35, 

308

command and control, 30, 63, 103, 121, 128–29, 

132, 134–35, 151, 158–59, 161–62, 165, 
INDEX │ 393

171, 184, 187, 201–2, 204, 226, 281, 289–90, 

297, 320–21, 350, 358–59

command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, target 

acquisition, and reconnaissance, 56, 61, 

128, 200, 263, 298, 320, 350

Command of the Air, The (Giulio Douhet), 

119–20, 226–27, 229–31

Command of the Air Forces (RNLAF), 226, 

230–31

Common Foreign and Security Policy, 17–18, 

20, 169

Concept d’emploi des forces (Concept for the 

Employment of the Armed Forces), 113

Congo. See Democratic Republic of Congo 

conscription, 7, 15, 87, 152, 155, 157–58, 165, 

229, 286–87, 338

Corum, James, 252, 311

Cottesmore, UK, 175

Cougar transport helicopter. See under aircraft by designation

Council of Defence Ministers (EU), 286

Croatia, 21, 35, 304, 319

CSAR. See combat search and rescue

Cyprus, 304

DAG. See doctrine advisory group

Daguet, 92

Danube, 106

Darfur, 110, 183

Dassault Aviation, 122, 126, 255

data link, 62, 130, 201, 315, 320–21, 323–24

DATF. See Deployable Air Task Force

Dayton Accords, 33

DC-8 Sarigue. See under aircraft by designation

DC-10. See under aircraft by designation

DCI. See Defence Capabilities Initiative

decapitation strike, 30

Decimomannu Air Base, 174

Deep Multi-Layered NATO Integrated Air 

Defence System, 226, 240

Defence Capabilities Initiative (NATO), 55, 

173, 194, 344

Defence Commission, MOD, Sweden, 282, 

286, 303

Defence Helicopter Command (Netherlands), 

229

Defence Policy Guidelines 1992 (Germany), 

152–53, 155, 157–58, 168, 170, 193

Defence Policy Guidelines 2003 (Germany), 

153–56, 169–70, 184, 202–3

Defence Priorities Review 1993 (Netherlands), 

222–24, 259, 261

Defence White Book 1985 (Germany), 152

Defence White Book 1994 (France), 83–85, 87, 

89, 93, 113, 122 

Defence White Book 1994 (Germany), 152, 

154–55, 157–58, 168, 170, 173, 177, 185, 

193, 195

Defence White Book 2008 (France), 83–84, 

86–87, 91, 95–96, 110, 114, 122, 126, 133

Defence White Paper 1991 (Netherlands), 

222–23, 226–27, 233, 261

Defence White Paper 2000 (Netherlands), 

222–24, 233

de Gaulle, Charles, 81, 121

Democratic Republic of Congo, 109, 184, 302, 

305–6 

Deny Flight (Operation), 4, 31–32, 34, 105, 

177–79, 234, 240, 248, 256, 346, 349, 359

deployable air base, 22, 306

Deployable Air Task Force, 234–36

deployable multinational air wing, 25

Deptula, David A., 41, 253, 311

Desert Fox (Operation), 9, 30, 132

Desert Shield (Operation), 27–28, 61, 346

Desert Storm (Operation), 1, 5, 15, 27–29, 31, 

33, 38–44, 49, 59, 61, 64, 82, 87, 102–3, 

116, 119, 121–22, 124, 128, 131–32, 134, 

176–77, 181, 189, 192, 205, 221, 239–40, 

243–44, 246, 304, 312, 325, 342, 346–47, 

350–52, 359–60

d’Estaing, Valéry Giscard, 100

deterrence, 3–4, 14, 19, 81, 85–86, 90, 92, 

113–14, 120, 154, 192, 244, 324

differential air power, 1, 340

Display Deterrence (Operation), 244

Diyarbakir, Turkey, 240, 244

Djibouti, 86, 182, 245

DMAW. See deployable multinational air wing

doctrine advisory group (RNLAF), 248–49, 253

Doctrine interarmées d’emploi des forces en 

opération (Joint Doctrine for the Employment 

of the Armed Forces in Operations), 113

Douhet, Giulio, 112, 117, 119–20, 133, 189

Drew, Dennis, 251–53

Droste, B. A. C., 248, 256, 353

dual key command chain, 32

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 108

Dutch-German Corps, 232

E-3/E-3A/E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft. See under aircraft by 

Designation

EA-6B Prowler. See under aircraft by designation

EAC. See European Airlift Centre

EACC. See European Airlift Coordination Cell

EAD. See extended air defence
394 │ INDEX

EAG. See European Air Group

Eastern Europe, 8, 20, 153, 176, 246, 282

East German armed forces, 152, 165–66

East Germany, 165, 167, 172

East Timor, 39, 182

EATC. See European Air Transport Command

EBO. See effects-based operations

École supérieure de guerre aérienne (Advanced School of Air Warfare), 116

ECR. See electronic combat/reconnaissance

EDA. See European Defence Agency

effects-based operations, 5, 41–42, 45–46, 

190, 253, 311, 313

Eindhoven, 25–26, 173–74, 237, 260

electronic combat/reconnaissance, 99, 164, 

178–80, 195, 197. See also Tornado ECR

electronic warfare, 130, 175, 320, 322

11 September, 4, 14, 21, 37, 39, 84, 86, 98, 111, 

152, 154, 157, 162, 184, 223–24, 247, 283, 

301, 341

Entebbe, 109

EPAF. See European Participating Air Forces

EPAF EAW. See European Participating Air 

Forces’ Expeditionary Air Wing

Erhac, Turkey, 198

Eritrea, 231, 245

ESDI. See European Security and Defence 

Identity

ESDP. See European Security and Defence 

Policy

ESGA. See École supérieure de guerre aérienne (Advanced School of Air Warfare)

Estonia, 21, 54, 185, 247, 286

Ethiopia, 231, 245, 304

EU. See European Union

EU Air Rapid Response Concept, 22, 96, 132, 

171, 204, 348, 352

EU Air RRC. See EU Air Rapid Response 

Concept

EU battle group, 22, 171, 286–87, 291, 313 

EUFOR. See European Union Force

EU Force Catalogue 2006, 298

EURAC. See European Air Chiefs Conference

EU Rapid Response Air Initiative, 22, 171

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Security 

Forum, 302

Eurofighter Typhoon. See under aircraft by 

designation

Euro Hawk HALE RPA, 201

European Air Chiefs Conference, 98, 192

European Air Group, 24–26, 98, 132, 173, 

175, 237, 348, 354

European Airlift Centre, 25–26, 173–74, 237

European Airlift Coordination Cell, 25–26, 

99, 173

European Air Transport Command, 26, 56, 98, 

132, 164, 173–74, 204, 237, 260, 342–43, 345

European Defence Agency, 55–56, 315

European Participating Air Forces, 235–36, 255

European Participating Air Forces’ Expeditionary Air Wing, 234, 236, 243, 265

European Security and Defence Identity, 17, 

19–20, 93–94, 232

European Security and Defence Policy, 3, 7, 

16–19, 22, 24–26, 95–96, 115, 122, 132, 

170, 190, 192, 233–34, 263, 295–97, 306, 

321, 337, 345

European Union, 3, 6, 16–20, 22, 26, 39, 55–56, 

93, 95–96, 109–10, 132–33, 158–59, 162, 

169–71, 174, 181, 184, 187, 190, 194, 201, 

204–6, 223, 225, 233–34, 260, 265, 281–83, 

286–87, 291, 295–98, 301–3, 313, 319, 

345, 348, 352, 356, 361 

European Union Force, 109–10, 184

European Union Military Committee, 22

EU RRAI. See EU Rapid Response Air Initiative

extended air defence, 64, 202, 236, 240, 264

F-4F Phantom. See under aircraft by designation

F-5A. See under aircraft by designation

F-15. See under aircraft by designation

F-16. See under aircraft by designation

F-35. See under aircraft by designation

F-104 Starfighter. See under aircraft by designation

F/A-18. See under aircraft by designation

Facon, Patrick, 119

FBEAG. See Franco British European Air 

Group

FBW. See fighter-bomber wing

Federal Constitutional Court (Germany), 178, 

181, 184

Fifth Republic, 81

fighter-bomber wing, 151, 164

Finland, 17, 54, 279, 286, 293, 295

Finnish Military Academy, 311

FLA. See Future Large Aircraft

flexible response, 186–87

FLIR. See forward-looking infrared 

Flygvapnet 2000, 289, 320–21

Fokker. See under aircraft by designation

Forces aériennes françaises (French Aerial 

Forces), 112, 118

former Yugoslavia, 131, 234, 238, 266–67, 294

Fort Bliss, Texas, 174

Fort Hood, Texas, 237

Fort Rucker, Alabama, 237

forward-looking infrared, 256

Fourth Republic, 81
INDEX │ 395

Franco-Belgian Advanced Jet Training 

School, 98

Franco-British European Air Group, 24, 98

Franco-German army corps, 93

Franks, Tommy, 253

French military planning law, 84, 86–87, 89, 

91–92, 95, 123–28, 130

French Navy, 91, 96, 101, 108, 122, 131

Frisian flag, 238, 299

FüAk. See Führungsakademie

Führungsakademie, 188–91, 251, 253, 311

Functional Defence, A (2009 Government 

Bill, Sweden), 283–84, 286–87, 291–92, 

321, 324

Funnell, R. G., 45

Future Large Aircraft, 198

GAF Air Operations Command (Kommando 

Operative Fϋhrung Luftstreitkräfte), 

162–63, 172, 190

Gatow, 165

Gaullist, 92, 95, 135

GBAD. See ground based air defence 

GBU-12 LGB, 124

GBU-24 LGB, 197

GDP. See gross domestic product

General Dynamics, 255

general staff (Germany), 188–89

general staff officer programme (Sweden), 

310–12 

genocide, 38, 109, 245–46

Georgia, 281, 283–84, 294, 303

Gepard self-propelled, radar-guided antiaircraft gun, 167–68, 231

German Air Force Command, 160, 162–63

German Air Force Support Command, 160–61

German Air Transport Command, 160, 164, 174

German Democratic Republic, 166

German reunification, 10, 152–53, 156, 161, 

165–67, 176–77, 193, 195–96, 203, 338 

Global Hawk HALE RPA, 54, 62, 201

Global Positioning System, 31, 124, 194, 197, 

317, 358

Godderij, P. J. M., 248

Goose Bay, Canada, 174, 238

Gotland (island), 302

GPS. See Global Positioning System

gradualism, 106

Graydon, Sir Michael, 44

Great Britain, 1, 17, 29, 32, 34, 58, 98, 156, 

161, 199

Gripen. See under aircraft by designation

gross domestic product, 230, 263, 338–39

ground based air defence, 6, 28, 56, 64, 105, 

111, 115, 159, 165, 182, 202, 228–29, 248, 

264, 268, 320

Group of Eight (G8), 111

GSO programme. See general staff officer 

programme (Sweden)

Guidelines for Operational Planning (NATO), 

188, 310

Gulf War, 4, 13, 31, 41, 44, 46, 49, 86–87, 176

Guttenberg, Karl-Theodor zu, 153, 158

HALE RPA. See high-altitude, long-endurance 

remotely piloted aircraft

Hammond, Grant T., 252–53

Harding, Sir Peter, 43–44

Harfang SIDM (système intérimaire de drone 

MALE [interim MALE RPA system]), 130

HARM. See high-speed anti-radiation missile

Hawk missile, 91, 163–65, 202, 228, 240, 264, 

293

Headline Goal 2010, 18–19, 22, 26, 56, 171

Helios II, 200

Helsinki Headline Goal, 18, 22, 56, 96, 191, 

344, 361

Heron MALE RPA, 201

HG 2010. See Headline Goal 2010

HHG. See Helsinki Headline Goal

high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted 

aircraft, 54, 62, 201, 204, 339, 344, 357

high-speed anti-radiation missile, 59, 180, 

197, 204, 241

High Wycombe, UK, 24, 98

Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 175

Horner, Charles A., 221, 238, 351

Horn of Africa, 245

Iceland, 185

identification, friend or foe, 103, 121, 317, 322

IDS. See interdiction-strike

IFF. See identification, friend or foe

IFOR. See Implementation Force

IL-76. See under aircraft by designation

Implementation Force, 179

Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, 103

India, 84

Infinite Reach (Operation), 37

Infrared Imaging System—Tail/Thrust VectorControlled, 58, 196, 202, 318

integrated air defence, 151, 165, 184, 226, 240, 

247

intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, 

and reconnaissance, 56, 61–62, 130, 345

interdiction-strike, 194, 197

International Committee of the Red Cross, 

304–5
396 │ INDEX

International Security Assistance Force, 108, 

181, 183–84, 243, 246

intertheatre airlift, 53, 59–60, 204, 229, 265, 

305, 319, 342, 346, 361

intratheatre airlift, 38, 59, 61, 100, 171, 304, 

319

Iraq, 3–4, 14, 18, 27–31, 43, 55, 60–62, 64, 83, 

95, 102–3, 105, 117, 169, 182, 231, 233, 

240, 246, 345

IRIS-T. See Infrared Imaging System—Tail/

Thrust Vector-Controlled

ISAF. See International Security Assistance 

Force

ISTAR. See intelligence, surveillance, target 

acquisition, and reconnaissance

Italian Air Force, 28, 174

Ituri, 109

Ivory Coast, 109, 305

J 35 Draken. See under aircraft by designation

JA 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation

Jaguar. See under aircraft by designation

jamming, standoff, 36, 55, 62, 130, 242, 292, 

322, 324

JAPCC. See Joint Air Power Competence 

Centre

JAS 39 Gripen. See under aircraft by designation

JDAM. See Joint Direct Attack Munition

JFACC. See joint force air component commander

Johns, Sir Richard, 45

Joint Air Power Competence Centre, 23–24, 

46, 115, 173, 186, 250, 339, 350, 352, 354

Joint Direct Attack Munition, 59, 257

joint force air component commander, 42, 129

Joint Project Optic Windmill (multinational 

integrated air exercise), 175, 238

Joint Services Command and Staff College, 

47, 252–53, 311

Joint Support Service (GAF), 159, 161

Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, 61

JP233 submunitions dispenser system, 43, 59

JSCSC. See Joint Services Command and Staff 

College

JSF. See Joint Strike Fighter

JSO programme. See junior staff officer programme

JSTARS. See Joint Surveillance Target Attack 

Radar System

Jumper, John P., 43

Jung, Franz Josef, 153

junior staff officer programme (Sweden), 

310–11

Kabul, 181, 183–84, 199, 243, 246

Kamp, Henk, 225

Kandahar, 108, 221, 243, 251, 259, 351

KC-10A Extender. See under aircraft by designation

KDC-10 (RNLAF). See under aircraft by designation

Kenya, 37, 182, 305

Kommando Operative Fϋhrung Luftstreitkräfte. 

See GAF Air Operations Command

Kosovo, 4, 18, 35, 92, 106, 114, 124, 130, 180, 

256, 286, 306, 348–49, 358

Kroon, Lukas, 243

Kurdish, 29–30, 103 

Kuwait, 27–29, 102, 176, 240

Kyrgyzstan, 107, 243

Lamantin (Operation), 101

Lambeth, Benjamin, 253

LANTIRN. See low-altitude navigation and 

targeting infrared for night

L’art de la guerre aérienne (The Art of Air 

War), 119

laser-guided bomb, 105, 124, 164, 177, 194, 

197, 242–43, 257, 303, 317–18, 347, 358 

Latvia, 21, 185, 247, 302

LDv 100/1 (Luftwaffendienstvorschrift: Führung 

und Einsatz von Luftstreitkräften (GAF 

service instruction), 187, 206

Lebanon, 176, 294, 301, 304

LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and 

Education, 42

LGB. See laser-guided bomb

Liberia, 294, 303

Link 16, 62–63, 130, 134, 196, 201, 321–22, 

324, 359

Lithuania, 21, 54, 185, 247

LMZ. See Luftmachtzentrum

long-term Defence Act (Sweden, 1958), 279

low-altitude navigation and targeting infrared 

for night, 8, 256

Luftmachtzentrum. See Air Power Centre

Lupe (synthetic-aperture radar satellite), 201

Lynx helicopter, 168, 231

Macedonia, 246

Madrid, 20

MALE RPA. See medium-altitude, longendurance remotely piloted aircraft

Mamba. See sol-air moyenne portée terrestre

(land-based medium range surface-to-air 

missile)

Manas, Kyrgyzstan, 107–8, 133, 243, 359

Manderfeld, H. J. W., 242, 351, 353

MANPADS. See man-portable air defence 

system
INDEX │ 397

man-portable air defence system, 91, 167–68, 

231, 293

Maple Flag (multinational integrated air exercise), 23, 26, 100, 179, 205, 238, 299

Maritime Helicopter Group (Netherlands), 230

Martel anti-radiation missile, 125

Mason, Tony, 252–53, 311, 313

Maverick air-to-ground missile, 243, 257, 

316–17

Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 42, 311

Mazar-i-Sharif, 108, 156, 180, 184

MCCE. See Movement Coordination Centre 

Europe

MEADS. See Medium Extended Air Defence 

System

medevac, 174, 182–83, 185–86, 199

medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely 

piloted aircraft, 62, 130–31, 181, 201, 204, 

263, 339, 344

Medium Extended Air Defence System, 202

Meilinger, Phillip S., 310, 313, 356

memorandum of understanding, 25, 54, 81, 

234, 236

Meteor air-to-air missile, 58, 125, 196, 318

MICA air-to-air missile, 123, 125

Middle East, 14, 27, 37, 86, 105, 244, 246, 285

midlife update, 226, 228, 235, 255–56, 261–62, 

290, 319

MIDS. See multifunctional information distribution system

MiG-29. See under aircraft by designation

Milosevic, Slobodan, 35

Mirage. See under aircraft by designation 

Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies 

en République Démocratique du Congo 

(UN mission in the Democratic Republic 

of Congo), 305–6

Mitchell, William, 119, 189

Mitterrand, François, 83, 92, 102

MLU. See midlife update

Mogadishu, 182, 304

Montenegro, 106

Moseley, Michael, 107

Mostar city, 34, 111

MOU. See memorandum of understanding

Movement Coordination Centre Europe, 26, 

174

MRT. See multirole transport

MRTT. See multirole transport tanker

Mueller, Karl, 253

multifunctional information distribution 

system, 63, 130, 134, 196, 201, 322, 359

multirole aircraft, 56–58, 92, 316, 341, 343, 

357–58

multirole transport, 128, 171, 198–99 

multirole transport tanker, 128, 171, 198, 344 

Muslim enclaves, 34

MW-1 submunitions dispenser system, 197

NAEW&CF. See NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force

Nairobi, Kenya, 305

NASAMS. See Norwegian Advanced Surfaceto-Air Missile System

NATD. See Netherlands Apache Training 

Detachment

National Air Defence Operations Centre 

(Nationales Lage- und Führungszentrum—

Sicherheit im Luftraum), 162–63 

NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control 

Force, 22, 54, 61, 172, 205

NATO Air Meet (multinational integrated air 

exercise), 299

NATO Response Force, 21, 23, 26, 95–98, 

100–101, 132, 135, 158, 172, 181, 204–6, 

232, 234, 236, 342, 348, 352

NATO’s central region, 9, 81, 88, 202

NATO’s integrated military command structure, 21, 81–83, 94–95, 132

NATO’s Military Committee, 94

NBG. See Nordic Battle Group

NDC. See Netherlands Defence College

NDD. See Netherlands Defence Doctrine

NDSO. See Netherlands Detachment Springfield Ohio

Netherlands Apache Training Detachment, 

237, 262

Netherlands Defence College, 250, 252–54

Netherlands Defence Doctrine, 250

Netherlands Detachment Springfield Ohio, 237

network-centric warfare, 43, 192, 201, 320

New Defence, The (1999/2000 government 

bill, Sweden), 282, 284, 286

New Defence 1997–2015, A, 83, 86

NFZ. See no-fly zone

NH90 helicopter. See under aircraft by designation

no-fly zone, 27, 30–31, 103–4, 111, 177

Nordic Air Meet, 299

Nordic Battle Group, 286, 294–95, 298–99, 

305–6, 319, 325–26, 348–49

North Atlantic Council, 19–20, 94

Northern Watch (Operation), 9, 29, 132

Norway, 23, 26, 34, 36, 54, 227, 236, 243, 252, 

255, 286, 299, 341

Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile 

System, 264

Norwegian Air Force, 189, 280, 302

Norwegian Defence University College, 312

NRF. See NATO Response Force
398 │ INDEX

nuclear deterrence, 14, 81, 85, 90, 92

nuclear doctrine, 85, 112, 120, 131, 133

nuclear task, 88, 226

Ohio Air National Guard, 237

Olsen, John, 189, 312

Operations Command (Bundeswehr), 159, 184

Our Future Defence (Swedish Government 

Bill 2004/05:5), 283, 287, 295–96, 322

Owen, Robert, 253

P-3C Orion. See under aircraft by designation

Palliser (Operation), 38

Pape, Robert A., 40, 189, 253, 311

parallel warfare, 5, 28, 40–41, 106, 114, 133, 308

Partnership for Peace, 20, 54, 296–99, 306, 321

Pascallon, Pierre, 118

Patriot PAC-3 SAM, 202, 228, 264

Patriot SAM, 63, 164–65, 202–3, 228, 236, 

238–40, 244, 263–64, 266, 268

Paveway LGB, 124, 318

peace dividend, 5, 167, 338

peacekeeping, 3, 17, 19, 224–25, 227, 285, 293

peace support and crisis management operations, 19

peace support operation, 303

Penser les ailes françaises (To Think of French 

Wings), 114, 116–19, 133–34, 192, 351

Petersberg Tasks, 17, 295

PfP. See Partnership for Peace

PGM. See precision-guided munition 

Polisario rebels, 101

Portugal, 17, 23, 37, 231, 236, 341

Potsdam, 159, 184, 190, 193

power projection, 9–10, 21, 38–39, 86–87, 

89–90, 103, 108, 133, 157–58, 164, 198–99, 

205, 286, 295, 304, 314, 319, 323, 325, 337, 

359

Prague Capabilities Commitment, 55

precision-guided munition, 28, 33, 36, 41, 44, 

56–57, 59, 105, 124–25, 195, 197, 243, 257, 

355, 358

Prinsjesdag Letter, 222–24, 226, 229, 233–34, 

262, 265

Prix de l’Armée de l’Air (prize of the FAF), 120

Provide Comfort (Operation), 103–5

Qatar, 243

QRA. See quick reaction alert

quick reaction alert, 111, 151, 247

RAAF. See Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF Air Power Studies Centre, 45, 353

RAAF Fairbairn, 45

RAF air power doctrine. See British air power 

doctrine 

Rafale. See under aircraft by designation

Ramstein AB, Germany, 23

RAND, 10, 36, 46, 88, 167, 186, 292, 357

rapid reaction force, 26, 34, 179, 297

RBS 15F anti-ship missile, 316–17

RC-135 Rivet Joint. See under aircraft by designation

Reaction Forces Air Staff, 172–73

Red Flag (multinational integrated air exercise), 26, 100, 175, 179, 205, 238, 299, 348

Regional Command North (GAF), 161

Regional Command South (GAF), 161

remotely piloted aircraft, 54, 61–62, 130–31, 

201, 204, 263

Rencontres air et espace du CESA (aerospace 

meetings), 118

Republican Guard, 31, 102

reunification (Germany). See German reunification

RFAS. See Reaction Forces Air Staff

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 304

RNLAF air power doctrine, 112, 177, 253–54, 

267, 351–52

ROEs. See rules of engagement 

Roland SAM system, 91, 163–64, 167–68, 202

Roving Sands (multinational integrated air 

exercise), 175

Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies, 49

Royal Australian Air Force, 31, 40, 45–49, 

249, 352–53

Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, 232

Royal Norwegian Air Force, 189

RPA. See remotely piloted aircraft

RRC. See Rapid Response Concept

RRF. See rapid reaction force 

rules of engagement, 32, 179, 302

Russia, 35, 52, 58, 84, 153–54, 177, 198, 280–81, 

283–84, 291, 296, 325

Russian intervention in Georgia, 281, 294

Rwanda, 38, 108–9, 182, 246, 305

Ryan, Michael E., 42

S 100 Argus. See under aircraft by designation

S 100B Argus. See under aircraft by designation

S 102B Korpen. See under aircraft by designation

Saab, 314–17, 321

SAASS. See School of Advanced Air and 

Space Studies

SACEUR. See Supreme Allied Commander, 

Europe

SACT. See Supreme Allied Commander 

Transformation

SALIS. See Strategic Airlift Interim Solution

SAM. See surface-to-air missile
INDEX │ 399

SAMP-T. See sol-air moyenne portée terrestre

(land-based medium range surface-to-air 

missile)

SAR. See search and rescue

Sarajevo, 3, 32, 34, 105, 111, 182, 198, 304, 319

Sarkozy, Nicolas, 83, 86, 91, 96, 110, 131, 133

Saudi Arabia, 27–29, 61, 92, 304

Scalp cruise missile, 59, 125

SCCOA. See système de commandement et de 

conduite des opérations aériennes (air 

operations command and control system)

Scharping, Rudolf, 152, 155, 157, 173, 197, 199

School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, 

46–47, 251, 253, 266, 354

SE01. See Stridsflygenhet 01 (Combat Aircraft 

Unit 01)

SEAD. See suppression of enemy air defences

Sea King helicopter, 168

Sealift Coordination Centre, 26, 174

Sea Lynx helicopter, 168

search and rescue, 55, 168, 186, 228, 319, 344

Secure Europe in a Better World, A, 18

Serbia, 4, 106, 256

Serpentaire, 108

SF 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation

SH 37 Viggen. See under aircraft by designation

SHAPE. See Supreme Headquarters Allied 

Powers, Europe

Sheppard AFB, Texas, 174, 237

shock and awe, 106, 349

Short, Michael, 106

Sierra Leone, 38

SIGINT. See signals intelligence

signals intelligence, 62, 101, 106, 130, 168, 

201, 298, 300, 306, 323–24

single-service budget, 167, 230

SK 37E Viggen. See under aircraft by designation

SK 60. See under aircraft by designation

Skyways: A Book on Modern Aeronautics (Gen 

William Mitchell), 119

SNDC. See Swedish National Defence College

sol-air moyenne portée terrestre (land-based 

medium range surface-to-air missile), 126 

Somalia, 38, 109, 182, 291

Southern Watch (Operation), 30, 104

Soviet fighter, 282, 300

Soviet submarine incursions, 280, 282

Soviet Union, 14, 19, 84, 156, 176, 222–23, 

226, 282, 292–94, 300, 320

Spanish Air Force, 33

Springfield Air National Guard, 237

Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 32, 179, 241, 

244–45

St. Malo, France, 95

St. Malo Declaration, 17

stealth, 28

Steininger, Philippe, 119

Stevens, Alan, 249

Stoltenberg, Gerhard, 166

Storm Shadow cruise missile, 59

Strategic Air Command (FAF), 88, 91, 105, 123

strategic airlift, 26, 54–55, 59–60, 133, 174, 

227, 246, 260, 319, 325, 342–45

Strategic Airlift Capability (NATO), 54, 260, 

319, 325

Strategic Airlift Interim Solution, 26, 174, 

260, 319, 325

strategic ballistic missile defence, 202

strategic concept (NATO), 19, 21, 42

Stric C2 system (SwAF), 320–21

Stridsflygenhet 01 (Combat Aircraft Unit 01), 

298

Stril 60 C2 system (SwAF), 320

Struck, Peter, 153, 155, 202–3, 206 

Suez, 285

summits 

Cologne, Germany, 1999 EU summit, 17, 286

Franco-German summit, 22, 25, 173

Göteborg, Sweden, 2001 EU summit, 301

Nice, France, 2000 EU summit, 18

Prague, 2002 NATO summit, 21, 26, 55

Riga, Latvia, 2006 NATO summit, 21

Washington, 1999 NATO summit, 21, 55

Super Etendard (French Navy). See under 

aircraft by designation

suppression of enemy air defences, 36–37, 56, 

59, 126, 131–32, 135, 164, 173, 178–79, 

197, 204, 229, 242, 343–44, 347–48, 354, 

357, 359

Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, 21, 94, 

106

Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, 

95, 132

supreme commander, Swedish armed forces, 

286, 290, 295, 315

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe, 

94, 115, 132, 134, 172, 205–6, 237, 250, 351

SwAF aerial readiness, 300–302

SWAFRAP AJS 37. See Swedish Air Force AJS 

37 Rapid Reaction Unit 

SWAFRAP C-130. See Swedish Air Force 

C-130 Rapid Reaction Unit 

SWAFRAP JAS 39. See Swedish Air Force JAS 

39 Rapid Reaction Unit 

Swedish Air Force 2000. See Flygvapnet 2000

Swedish Air Force AJS 37 Rapid Reaction 

Unit, 297–99, 303, 326

Swedish Air Force C-130 Rapid Reaction 

Unit, 297, 299
400 │ INDEX

Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Rapid Reaction 

Unit, 298–99, 313, 319, 325

Swedish National Defence College, 307–8, 

310–13, 326, 350

Swedish special forces, 302–3

swing-role concept (RNLAF), 241, 249, 349

Swiss Air Force, 111, 344

synthetic aperture radar, 54

Syren, Hakan, 315

system development and demonstration 

phase, 257, 259

système de commandement et de conduite des 

opérations aériennes (air operations command and control system), 129 

tactical airlift, 59

Tactical Helicopter Group (RNLAF), 227, 

229, 261, 263

Taliban, 37–38, 124, 355

Taras data link (SwAF), 320, 322, 324

Taurus cruise missile, 59, 164, 197

TBMD. See theatre ballistic missile defence

Termez International Airport, 183 

territorial defence, 1, 9–10, 14, 18, 152–53, 155, 

157, 177–78, 202, 224, 226, 264, 283–84, 

286, 291, 294, 301, 323–24, 326, 337, 346

theatre ballistic missile defence, 56, 126, 173, 

202, 204, 228, 236, 238, 240, 264, 268, 344, 

357

THG. See Tactical Helicopter Group

323 TACTESS (Tactical Training, Evaluation, 

and Standardisation Squadron), 238

Tomahawk cruise missile, 30, 37–38

Tornado. See under aircraft by designation 

Torpy, Glenn, 31

Transall. See under aircraft by designation: 

C-160

Trenchard, Hugh, 189

Tri-national Tornado Training Establishment, 

175

Turkey, 23, 28–29, 32, 36, 103–4, 176, 198–99, 

238, 240, 244, 263, 339

Turquoise (Operation), 38, 109

2 plus 4 negotiations, 156, 166

2 plus 4 Treaty, 156, 160, 172

UH-1D helicopter, 171

UK. See United Kingdom

Ukraine, 52, 198

UN. See United Nations

unguided munitions, 28, 59, 241, 266

United Kingdom, 1, 4, 13, 17, 22, 24, 28, 33–34, 

36–38, 44–45, 47, 49–50, 52, 61–62, 84, 86, 

98–99, 105, 116, 119, 174–75, 190, 195, 249, 

252–54, 257, 260, 279, 311, 340–42, 361

United Nations, 4, 19, 21, 30, 32, 34, 39, 92–93, 

109, 111, 155, 157–58, 176, 178–80, 182, 

224–25, 227, 231, 233, 240–41, 245, 285, 

293, 295, 297, 301, 303–6, 308, 337, 345

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and 

Eritrea, 231

United Nations Protection Force, 92, 179, 349

United Nations Special Command, 30, 105, 182

UNMEE. See United Nations Mission in 

Ethiopia and Eritrea 

UNPROFOR. See United Nations Protection 

Force

UNSCOM. See United Nations Special Command

UN secretary-general, 109, 345

UN Security Council, 19, 93, 176

USAF. See US Air Force 

USAF basic doctrine, 187. See also AFDD 1 

and AFM 1-1 

US Air Force, 6, 15, 27, 29, 34, 36, 40–42, 46, 

48–50, 59–61, 63, 106, 111, 117, 170, 172, 

182, 187, 190, 203, 238, 247, 251, 253, 

255–56, 258, 260, 265, 267–68, 319, 342, 

349, 359

US Army, 15, 33, 60, 174, 261

US Marine Corps, 15, 29, 61, 107

US Navy, 15–16, 61–62, 174, 240, 260

Uzbekistan, 183

van Creveld, Martin, 253, 359

Vicenza, Italy, 241

Viggen. See under aircraft by designation

von Sydow, Björn, 297, 303

war on terror, 9, 30, 43

Warden, John, 40, 119–20, 133, 189, 308, 310, 

313

Warsaw Pact, 44, 46, 59, 153, 195, 197, 294

weapon of mass destruction, 14, 30, 84–86

Wehrmacht, 193

Weizsäcker Commission, 152, 154, 157

Western European Union, 17–18, 20, 93

West Germany, 156, 159, 165, 167, 340

WEU. See Western European Union

White Paper 2006: German Security Policy 

and the Future of the Bundeswehr, 153–54, 

156, 158, 164, 170, 203–4

WMD. See weapon of mass destruction

World War II, 1, 49, 81–82, 112, 119–20, 174, 

176, 182, 193, 221, 232, 279, 308, 314

Yugoslav Army, 35

zu Guttenberg, Karl-Theodor. See Guttenberg, 

Karl-Theodor
The Quest for Relevant Air Power

Continental European Responses to the Air Power Challenges of 

the Post–Cold War Era

Air University Press Team

Chief Editor

Jeanne K. Shamburger

Copy Editor

Carolyn Burns

Cover Art and Book Design

L. Susan Fair

Illustrations

Daniel Armstrong

Composition and

Prepress Production

Ann Bailey

Print Preparation and Distribution

Diane Clark