East Asia's Awakening from Strategic Hibernation and the Role of Air Power

Abstract

Abstract In sharp contrast to land-dominant forces with only limited technological capabilities, key armed forces such as the PRC's People's Liberation Army (PLA), Japan's Self Defense Forces (SDF), and the South and North Korean militaries have built up significant power projection capabilities since the 1980s. North Korea's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and assets (including a potential nuclear weapons capability) have surfaced as key security concerns since the early 1990s and for its part, China has begun to implement its own revolution in military affairs (RMA) strategies that may enable the PRC to have very robust power projection capabilities by 2020 or 2030. If one includes Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons programs into the broader strategic equation, Asia may well face an increasingly volatile arms race over the next 20–30 years. Seen within this context, the role of air power is likely to assume growing importance in East Asia's projected force modernization programs, given the commensurate decline in the relative utility of ground forces. Thus, this paper emphasizes the continuing relevance of air power-combat aircraft, ballistic and cruise missiles, air-delivered precision munitions, and strategic intelligence-even in the midst of the global war against terrorism. If this trend continues, it is likely to have a significant impact not only on the regional security template, but also with respect to determining future roles and missions between US forces and key allies.