Aerospace Nation: Want Better Results in Ukraine? Senior Leader Views
Jul 2, 2024
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Lt Gen David Deptula and Dr. Christopher Bowie discuss a new report on Ukraine's conflict, emphasizing the importance of airpower in gaining an advantage over Russia. Various senior leaders offer perspectives, highlighting the need for alternate courses of action. Topics include strategy, airpower benefits, and the challenges Ukraine faces in acquiring air superiority.
Ukraine must enhance airpower to gain military advantage over Russia in the conflict.
Integrated air-ground operations can secure Ukraine air superiority by utilizing advanced weapons systems.
Timely intelligence and training are crucial for Ukraine to optimize air power capabilities.
Deep dives
The Necessity of Air Power in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Air power is crucial in achieving a decisive advantage in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as demonstrated by the need for effective air superiority for Ukrainian forces to gain advantages against Russian forces. However, challenges such as resource limitations and restricted use of US-provided weapons have hindered Ukraine's air power capabilities. To break the stalemate and empower Ukraine for victory, it is vital to enhance air power effectiveness along with removing restrictions on weapon use.
Strategic Integration for Air-Ground Operations in Ukraine
Ukraine must evolve its historical doctrine to conduct integrated air-ground operations to secure air superiority in strategic locations. This evolution involves employing weapons systems and munitions in sufficient numbers to achieve strategic gains, including utilizing low-cost UAVs integrated with ground launch cruise missiles and tactical missile systems to establish air dominance. Moreover, advanced fighters like F-16s can enhance Ukrainian air force capabilities by enabling strategic target disruption.
Empowering Ukraine with Timely Intelligence for Air Dominance
Providing Ukraine with timely intelligence for quick and decisive decision-making in employing air power is essential to attain windows of air dominance. Evolving Ukrainian doctrine to design and conduct integrated air-ground operations can enhance military momentum on the battlefield. Coordinating various systems such as precision surface-to-surface weapons, cyber operations, electronic warfare intelligence, and special ops in an integrated campaign can significantly impact achieving strategic goals.
Optimizing Air Power Capabilities in Ukraine
Ukraine's air force requires adequate training, proficiency, and resources to optimize air power capabilities to effectively confront Russian forces. Leveraging sophisticated systems like F-16s, high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), and other strategic assets can provide extended range capabilities to target critical military infrastructure in Russia. Enhancing intelligence and targeting integration is crucial to boost strategic momentum and exploit vulnerabilities in the conflict.
Challenges and Opportunities in Enhancing Global Air Power Capabilities
Amidst challenges in modernizing the US Air Force due to resource constraints, there is a need to balance current readiness with future readiness to ensure freedom of maneuver for the joint force. Addressing the internal balance of readiness and advocating for a strategic investment in air power capabilities are vital for maintaining air superiority and providing critical support to combatant commanders. The ongoing dialogue on resourcing and prioritizing capabilities is essential for sustaining air power advantage amidst evolving global dynamics.
It’s no secret: whether considering the relative scale of Russia’s military power or confining rules of engagement, Ukraine’s fight to reclaim territory is challenging. Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, and co-author Dr. Christopher Bowie released a new solution-oriented report on the conflict that includes a comprehensive, integrated approach for Ukraine to achieve air superiority. As part of this discussion, Gen Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (Ret.), the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations; Gen Tod Wolters, USAF (Ret.), the 19th Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations; and Gen Jeffrey Harrigian, USAF (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa, also offered their perspectives..
The report is informed by a recent trip Lt Gen Deptula took to Ukraine to help advise members of their military leadership team. Topics discussed center around strategy and concepts of operation, especially through an airpower lens. A largely ground-centric approach to the conflict has yielded a brutal attrition fight—one that numerically favors Russia. Airpower could provide Ukraine with the edge it needs to gain an advantage over the Russians, break through their front lines, and change the course of the war. Given what is at stake in this fight—especially with China watching—it is crucial to consider alternate courses of action.
With their combined decades of experience and given their unique perspectives on Ukraine, the conversation between Lt Gen Deptula, Gen Breedlove, Gen Harrigian, and Dr. Bowie was incredibly thought-provoking, insightful, and direct. Bottom line, it is time to start focusing on what it looks like to win, and not just avoid losing day-by-day.
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