US Air Power

Abstract

However much one would wish it otherwise, it is clear that the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as the other nations of the West and the Soviet Union, are in fundamental opposition, having radically different views of the rights and independence of men and nations, and that this is not going to change. We are thus faced with a confrontation which we must fully address. As far as the United States is concerned, Europe is the central focus of that confrontation. It is against Europe that the major concentrations of Soviet military power threaten, where the Warsaw Pact has created for itself significant numerical advantages and where we see massive offensive potential being given to the armed forces as a result of confident and significant developments in capabilities. We see, for example, major shifts in the configuration of their air forces, and in particular their tactical air forces which, in the past, have been characterised as short-legged aircraft with only day capability and with marginal training standards for their crews. We now see a shift wherein this force is becoming more potent with a significant offensive striking capability with ranges that cause the UK no longer to be regarded a sanctuary, and with a capability of at least doing some attacking in night and bad weather conditions.

Address given at the RUSI on 31 March 1982