Reform needed for European NATO air forces, says RUSI report.
Introduction:
A new report from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) stresses the need for NATO’s European air forces to reform and specialise in order to effectively deter Russian aggression. As the US shifts its focus toward the Indo-Pacific, Europe must increase its air capabilities, according to the study.
Key Findings:
The RUSI report calls for European NATO air forces to adopt a more focused approach, prioritising specific mission types rather than trying to cover all areas with limited resources. This is seen as essential for maintaining air superiority and deterring Russian aggression.
Dr. Justin Bronk, senior research fellow at RUSI, highlighted that NATO’s European air forces will struggle to deter Russia unless they shift from broad capabilities to mission-specific specialisation. The report argues that Europe lacks the manpower, funding, and production capacity to match the needs for land forces and firepower to counter Russian threats. Airpower, therefore, becomes the most viable option for achieving conventional force overmatch against Russia.
US Support and Europe’s Growing Defence Challenges:
The report also points to increasing US involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, which may limit support for European air forces in the future. RUSI warns that European nations should not rely solely on US air superiority, but instead enhance their own capabilities.
Currently, the US military boasts 13,209 aircraft, with France, Italy, and the UK having far fewer at 972, 800, and 664, respectively. The report highlights significant disparities between European and US airpower.
Recommendations for European Air Forces:
To address these gaps, the RUSI report recommends that European NATO air forces specialise in specific mission sets, particularly medium-sized air forces. This approach would allow for more efficient use of limited resources while ensuring that European nations have the right munitions and capabilities for their designated missions.
According to the report, even major European powers like the UK and France are struggling to maintain wide-ranging air capabilities on limited budgets. The shift toward mission specialisation would help NATO air forces stretch their budgets while improving readiness to counter Russian aggression.
Conclusion:
The RUSI report concludes that European NATO air forces must embrace specialisation to effectively deter Russia. With the US focused on other regions, Europe must reform its air forces to maintain a strong and unified deterrent against potential threats from Russia. NATO’s collective security depends on each member’s commitment to focusing on specific, mission-critical capabilities.