Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs trade leading and following positions within their flight path during the Tactics Advancement Course. (Photo: US Air Force)
The US Air Force (USAF) has been conducting an internal restructuring process aiming at better-preparing equipment, airmen and guardians for deployment in the current great power competition scenario.
Announced in February, the strategy comprises near and long-term initiatives to modernise the branch and better project power worldwide. It includes measures to improve training, reduce bureaucracy, get ready for joint missions, and accelerate the development and field of systems and solutions.
Gen David Allvin, chief of staff for the USAF, stressed that rapid advances in technology “are becoming more and more integral to national security and national defence” and require improvements
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The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
The disagreement between French-German industry continues as both governments work to keep the programme alive and on track to develop and deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet.
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
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