Article from the Handelsblatt Journal Security and Defense
Threats are evolving rapidly. That is precisely why we are consistently aligning ourselves with a clear strategic framework, which takes on particular significance this year due to the 70th anniversary of the Air Force.
The Air Force does not view this anniversary as a nostalgic look back, but as a clear mandate to consistently translate the lessons learned from 70 years of service to our country into shaping the future. It reminds us that guaranteeing freedom and security requires constant adaptation and a high level of operational readiness.
Air warfare in transition: An evolution of the threat
Like military conflicts in general, aerial warfare is undergoing constant technological and tactical change. Drones, standoff weapons, high-precision and hypersonic missiles, as well as the capability for mass attacks with cost-effective unmanned systems or decoys, are fundamentally altering the battlefield.
At the same time, modern adversary defense structures – often referred to as anti-access/area denial (A2AD) capabilities – are highly complex. They closely integrate air defense, cyber operations, and electronic warfare. Such A2AD environments make it difficult to access the operational space, thereby hindering one's own operations and challenging the technological superiority of Western air forces.
Space has become an independent military operations space, the importance of which is increasing exponentially. The potential failure of satellites, sensors, or navigation systems would directly impact both civilian supply chains and military operations. The ability to utilize and protect space as an operations space is becoming an increasingly indispensable prerequisite for the success of military operations in all dimensions.
Current conflicts provide important insights. What remains unchanged, and is confirmed by 70 years of air force experience, is that air power is the "first responder" and indispensable as a crucial element for establishing strategic and operational capability. It determines the pace of military decision-making and provides options for rapid de-escalation or response.
Ready to Fight: The necessity of immediate combat readiness
Our actual combat capability is crucial. In recent decades, operations have taken place within the framework of international crisis management under asymmetric conditions, the experience gained from which cannot automatically be transferred to a high-intensity conflict without much warning. We must now prepare for situations in which speed, decisiveness, endurance, and robustness are more important than tried-and-tested routines.
Procurement and operational structures were long geared towards efficiency. Today, effectiveness is crucial. Stocks of ammunition, spare parts, and mission-critical equipment are currently being rebuilt. At the same time, we are fostering a resilient mindset by reducing overly bureaucratic processes and demanding balanced risk management. Because, just as in combat, the ability to act quickly and decisively and to overcome the fear of failure are what count here.
Operational readiness is a dynamic process that goes beyond the mere technical availability of weapons systems. It demands a stark awareness of the actual threat landscape, massive investments in equipment, doctrine, infrastructure upgrades, and the training of our soldiers. It requires a decisive shift in thinking from economic optimization to genuine, militarily necessary combat power and endurance. Only a visible and well-founded capacity for defense, manifested in a "fight tonight" mentality, can provide credible deterrence and thus preserve peace.
Fight to Win: The ability to win as a strategic goal of defense
Just as crucial as the ability to credibly deter is the ability to successfully end a conflict against an aggressor when deterrence fails. Air power is often misunderstood in public discourse, even though its core mission has remained unchanged for over seven decades: to achieve and maintain air superiority. The conflict in Ukraine exemplifies contested airspace, where neither side can achieve air superiority. This illustrates the breadth of modern military conflicts in which air power must operate. Our capabilities must remain flexible and cover the full spectrum of defensive and offensive air and space operations—from complex Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) against technologically advanced adversaries to countering large numbers of low-cost attack vehicles (one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles).
The strength of air power lies in its range, speed, precision, and depth of impact. It creates military operational freedom in all dimensions and opens up political options. Training and doctrine must be consistently developed in relation to the threat, with a focus on high-intensity scenarios. In an existential conflict, success is the necessary, unconditional goal.
Win Together: Allianz as a success factor and anniversary constant
Modern warfare is inherently multidimensional. Operations on land, sea, in cyberspace, air, and space are seamlessly interconnected and can only be successfully conducted across branches of the armed forces and on a multinational basis. Existing processes and responsibilities often hinder the necessary speed in procurement and operational execution.
New technologies emerge in weekly cycles, while traditional procurement processes take years. Speed, agility, and unfettered innovation are therefore crucial success factors. Our armed forces must replenish stockpiles, but also rapidly develop and deploy innovations – this is only possible in cooperation with partners and allies. This includes strategic thinking in highly networked systems, rebuilding industrial resilience, and accelerating the development of common standards within NATO and the EU.
Deep integration into NATO structures and processes has been a constant since the early years of the Air Force and has been continuously expanded through its international orientation. If deterrence fails, we must be structurally, mentally, and operationally prepared for defense – at any time and without lengthy warning. "Fight tonight" remains the unassailable benchmark.
70 Years of the Air Force: A Mission Rooted in History and Responsibility
In our 70th anniversary year, we look back with pride on our development. Founded in 1956, the history of the Air Force ranges from the early years of reconstruction and deep integration into the West, through the Cold War, to worldwide missions and the integration of the space dimension.
Seventy years of the German Air Force stand for the reliable protection of German and European airspace, for tireless commitment to NATO Air Policing, for technical innovation, and for dependable operational readiness within the alliance. This remains our mission for the future: to continue providing policymakers with a rapid military response capability – in all aspects of modern air and space operations. The spirit of the pioneers of yesteryear still inspires us today.
Air Force flight plan: Continue climb
The guiding principles "Ready. Fight. Win. Together. – in Air and Space." form the basis for the resolute continuation of our upward trajectory. The Air Force is expected to grow and visibly change in the coming years – with new capabilities and systems in the air, on the ground, and in space. We are aligning ourselves to further increase our speed and to be able to fulfill our mission as a first responder at any time. "Fight tonight" and "Plan for Tomorrow" shape our daily actions.
Thinking ahead, acting swiftly, and prioritizing effectiveness over perfection – that's what the current times demand of us all. Our goal remains clear: credible deterrence to safeguard peace and freedom. Together as a team within the Air Force, as part of a strong Bundeswehr, with our industry partners and our allies, to protect Germany and the Alliance – today and tomorrow.
Photo: © German Armed Forces
