Airborne Early Warning in Asia-Pacific Rebooted

摘要

For the countries of Asia-Pacific two trends -smaller, less expensive platforms and increased capabilities - have come together to bring first-tier air force multipliers to lower-tier air forces. With the defence market in Asia-Pacific still threat-driven rather than budget driven as in the West, an effective AEW capability is seen now not as a luxury but a critical vital part of their air force. Indeed, without AEW, many of the recent front line combat aircraft purchases made by these countries, such as F-15s, Gripens and Su-30MKs will not reach their full potential.