H. P. MINASYAN, Lieutenant Colonel (Res.), Research Fellow, Center for Research on Operational Art, NDRU, MOD, RA
SUMMARY
An analysis of modern wars shows that the course and outcome of modern military operations are significantly influenced by aerospace attack weapons (ASAW) and the capabilities of the Air Defense system.
At present, Air Defense and Missile Defense systems have intrinsically become an important operational and strategic factor in the deterrence against aggression, and saving money on their acquisition and development can lead to irreversible effects. Taking into account the development of ASAW and the threats emanating from the aerospace, the equipment of Air Defense forces must be justified under the criterion «efficiency – cost» and in the quantity sufficient to ensure reliable cover of troops and objects from mass ASAW strikes by a potential enemy. Upon that, Air Defense must be organized with a view on the perspectives for the development of the ASAW and the methods used by a potential enemy in military operations.
The fight against the air enemy must be organized and carried on comprehensively – with the coverage of all forces and means. In addition, it is expedient to give up Air Defense stationary facilities, objects in the long run, since at present their detection and destruction throughout the territory of the state do not pose any particular difficulty.
In conclusion it bears mentioning that possible military operations within the next two decades will be characterized by a continuous increase in the role of aerospace attack weapons and an increase in their impact on the course and outcome of the war, guaranteed by the constant improvement of these weapons with an unprecedented expansion of their capabilities.