Iran war exposes the limits of US military mass
US Navy Super Hornets are one of many assets operational in the Gulf. (Photo: USAF)
As the Straits of Hormuz continue to witness military action of various types, what does this mean for combat air and air defence planners in the region and beyond?
Another round of reciprocated strikes across the Gulf region has put paid to claims that a lasting resolution is near. Indeed, the range of Iranian attacks has increased again and since late July has begun to involve Jordan, Iraq and Syria. These have been concurrent with those on targets closer to Iran across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
Leaving aside the geopolitical element and the economic issue of trade and tolls, what this action did suggest was that Iran’s inventory of weapons remains sufficient to increase the number of targets without – by Tehran’s calculations – significantly diminishing an
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![USMC advances MV-22B Osprey safety and reliability upgrades]()
USMC advances MV-22B Osprey safety and reliability upgrades
The US Marine Corps is testing a redesigned input quill assembly and plans to transition its MV-22B fleet to improved gearboxes by January 2033 as it prepares to operate the tiltrotor through 2055.
-
![Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon]()
Swedish Air Force faces up to the challenge of new aircraft and an uncrewed horizon
Sweden is an outlier as a smaller nation with its own indigenous fighter aircraft and airborne early warning platform and is now looking at how local company Saab Aerospace can meet the plans for a collaborative combat aircraft.
-
![Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity]()
Ageing RQ-11 Raven fleets create a global replacement opportunity
The RQ-11 Raven is being retired from service across most of its more than 30 operators. Defence Insight estimates that these Raven retirements open up a replacement market worth at least $576 million, but suppliers will have to act quickly and strike a balance between cost and capability to succeed.
-
![Shield the warfighter, win the fight (video)]()
Shield the warfighter, win the fight (video)
BAE Systems’ Intrepid Shield™ approach delivers full-spectrum electromagnetic protection to detect, exploit, and counter advanced threats.
