Compiled by Stewart Penney
As the end of the decade approaches, many of the world's air forces face the joint challenges of carrying out greater operational commitments, but with slimmed-down defence budgets. Although they are normally performed to keep the peace, such commitments are still costly in terms of financial planning, wear and tear on equipment and the potential effects on personnel.
The Asia-Pacific economic crisis is having a deep impact on defence spending, with many nations postponing or cancelling major programmes. Some of the biggest hits have been taken by aerospace projects, each intended to develop an indigenous industry, but each costing billions of dollars.
South Africa's purchase of JAS39 Gripens is a major boost for Saab and British Aerospace which are marketing the aircraft in Eastern Europe, South America and elsewhere. Similarly, the UAE's selection of the much modified F-16 Block 60 has given a fillip to Lockheed Martin, which is offering the aircraft against newer, but as yet undelivered, types such as the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Instability around the world continues to focus the minds of the politicians, military planners and diplomats. Iraq has continued to be the focus of world attention as the UN continues to search for weapons of mass destruction. Iraqi intransigence has twice in 1998 caused UN inspectors to withdraw, with a resultant build up of mostly US and UK military hardware in the region. Eleventh-hour backdowns happened in both instances. In Europe, Serbian aggression against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo has also exercised the world's patience.
India and Pakistan may have formally joined the club of nuclear powers following their test explosions in May 1998, but little has changed. Both countries had been developing the technology for years and both, particularly Pakistan, were already facing censure over their programmes. Military sales sanctions against Pakistan were stiffened and Western advisors helping India with its indigenous fighter project departed. North Korea's test firing of a satellite launch vehicle was also condemned.
Source: Flight International
