The RMA: an Economist’s View

Abstract

Although the Cold War and the superpower arms race has ended, there is a belief, especially in the US, that an RMA is in prospect. This ‘Revolution’ will mean the use of new technologies that will have dramatic impacts on future warfare with implications for both the armed forces and defence industries. The RMA is based on the application of information technology to military command and control, the use of smart, long-range precision weapons, unmanned combat air vehicles, robots and space-based systems, including weapons in space. All this will mean the greater use of high technology equipment with equipment replacing personnel, the need for more skilled personnel to operate the new equipment and changes in the traditional formations of the armed forces (the creation of joint forces and the RAF becoming a Royal Space Force, for example).