Date: 20/09/2004
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: M George: Air Power Symposium
OPENING ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE, MR ME GEORGE, AT THE AIR POWER SYMPOSIUM, Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld, Pretoria, 20 September 2004
Secretary for Defence, Mr January Masilela
Chief of the South African Air Force, Lt General Beukes
Members of the Plenary Defence Staff Council
Visiting Chiefs of Air Forces
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce the topic of today's symposium: "Air Power and Africa's Asymmetric Threats in the 21st Century."
While this symposium is about the improvement and the use of Air Power in the defence of Africa, it is important to state upfront that the promotion of peace through socio-economic development remains the main approach of the South African government. The use of arms is always looked upon as the last option available when all else has failed. The improvement of our continent's military capabilities, including air defence is, therefore, important in the scheme of things.
Asymmetric approaches to warfare are as old as warfare itself and essentially involve the use of alternative ways to gain an advantage over an adversary. Asymmetric approaches to armed conflict are, therefore, not something new, but gained international prominence since the 11 September 2001 attacks on the USA. The current international debate on asymmetry, emphasising unconventional warfare and the armed role of non-state actors in particular, is indicative of the importance of the matter in 21st century conflict - and not less so in the African context.
Many of the most severe and persistent threats to peace and stability in Africa are arising not from conflicts between countries, but rather from increased discord within states, societies, and civilisations. These conflicts usually follow ethnic, racial, religious, linguistic, or class lines. Research has recently identified control of economic resources as the underlying cause.
The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which involved a number of central and southern African states, demonstrated that the possibility of conventional warfare between African countries cannot be ruled out. However, the greatest armed threat to peace and stability on the continent at present is asymmetric or unconventional threats. Armed conflicts are typically intra-state with the emphasis on guerrilla tactics and unconventional methods and means. The essential military features are irregular forces; low force densities and the avoidance of force-on-force engagements; innovative application of low technology; surprise tactics and the application of shock-effects; deliberate use of terrain to invite collateral damage and civilian losses; the use of human shields; the manipulation of both national and international public opinion and the spread of terror against civilian populations.
A significant characteristic of recent conflicts is the surge of warlordism within the realm of traditional or frontier war in which warrior bands simply fight to live, and consequently, live to fight. Competition for resources may increase, reinforcing warlordism and existing tensions in society and increasing the potential for conflict. In future, the surge of international terrorism can also be expected to play an important role in national security and violence on the continent.
Clearly, asymmetric threats can no longer be considered secondary or peripheral to conventional threats. It is therefore imperative that African air forces align the role of air power with the realities of Africa. We have to be frank about this issue. Its significance is underscored by the apparent imbalance between the conventional and unconventional doctrines and capabilities of African air forces in general. Seemingly, many of Africa's air forces are equipped with relatively advanced air assets for conventional warfare, while they lack suitable types and numbers of aircraft to counter asymmetric or unconventional threats, and thus also lack the collateral utility for essential counter-smuggling, emergency relief and nation-building operations. This can partly be ascribed to the role of advanced air forces as a model and in some cases as mentor. Care should be taken that air assets and capabilities are not acquired for prestige purposes rather than military necessity.
This highlights the importance of military doctrine and its linkage with political objectives. As a set of relatively enduring beliefs and principles on how best to employ air power, a well-defined air power doctrine should relate the preparation and employment of air power across the mandated range of foreseen military operations in the African context. However, the contribution of air power in conflict and war can only be determined or measured relative to the objectives it is expected to achieve in both a national and regional security context. Only with clear and unambiguous political and military objectives can appropriate concepts of operation be formulated and the role of air power be defined. Thus, the attainment of the most appropriate, effective and efficient air power for Africa's security is dependent on how well air power is understood by the wider defence community, the political executive and the public at large. Air forces should actively seek to educate the wider community on air power matters.
Nonetheless, African air power must be appropriate for employment in the African context allowing for, amongst others, the vastness and general inaccessibility of the African landscape; conventional and guerrilla warfare; asymmetry and the unconventional nature of warfare; low surface force densities; the general lack of identifiable centres of gravity and high-value targets; the proliferation of cheap and effective man-portable weapons; urban warfare; minimum collateral damage; strict rules of engagement and the possibility of politically off-limit targets or sanctuaries; and humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Because conflicts can be accompanied by a rapid build-up of significant conventional air power capabilities, we must anticipate that any involvement in peacekeeping operations can unexpectedly and rapidly escalate into violent conflict accompanied by substantial opposing air power.
Determining the most appropriate, effective and efficient air power for Africa's security is both complex and challenging. I have no doubt that this symposium will add significant value to that end.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Defence
20 September 2004
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: M George: Air Power Symposium
OPENING ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENCE, MR ME GEORGE, AT THE AIR POWER SYMPOSIUM, Sir Pierre Van Ryneveld, Pretoria, 20 September 2004
Secretary for Defence, Mr January Masilela
Chief of the South African Air Force, Lt General Beukes
Members of the Plenary Defence Staff Council
Visiting Chiefs of Air Forces
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for the opportunity to introduce the topic of today's symposium: "Air Power and Africa's Asymmetric Threats in the 21st Century."
While this symposium is about the improvement and the use of Air Power in the defence of Africa, it is important to state upfront that the promotion of peace through socio-economic development remains the main approach of the South African government. The use of arms is always looked upon as the last option available when all else has failed. The improvement of our continent's military capabilities, including air defence is, therefore, important in the scheme of things.
Asymmetric approaches to warfare are as old as warfare itself and essentially involve the use of alternative ways to gain an advantage over an adversary. Asymmetric approaches to armed conflict are, therefore, not something new, but gained international prominence since the 11 September 2001 attacks on the USA. The current international debate on asymmetry, emphasising unconventional warfare and the armed role of non-state actors in particular, is indicative of the importance of the matter in 21st century conflict - and not less so in the African context.
Many of the most severe and persistent threats to peace and stability in Africa are arising not from conflicts between countries, but rather from increased discord within states, societies, and civilisations. These conflicts usually follow ethnic, racial, religious, linguistic, or class lines. Research has recently identified control of economic resources as the underlying cause.
The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which involved a number of central and southern African states, demonstrated that the possibility of conventional warfare between African countries cannot be ruled out. However, the greatest armed threat to peace and stability on the continent at present is asymmetric or unconventional threats. Armed conflicts are typically intra-state with the emphasis on guerrilla tactics and unconventional methods and means. The essential military features are irregular forces; low force densities and the avoidance of force-on-force engagements; innovative application of low technology; surprise tactics and the application of shock-effects; deliberate use of terrain to invite collateral damage and civilian losses; the use of human shields; the manipulation of both national and international public opinion and the spread of terror against civilian populations.
A significant characteristic of recent conflicts is the surge of warlordism within the realm of traditional or frontier war in which warrior bands simply fight to live, and consequently, live to fight. Competition for resources may increase, reinforcing warlordism and existing tensions in society and increasing the potential for conflict. In future, the surge of international terrorism can also be expected to play an important role in national security and violence on the continent.
Clearly, asymmetric threats can no longer be considered secondary or peripheral to conventional threats. It is therefore imperative that African air forces align the role of air power with the realities of Africa. We have to be frank about this issue. Its significance is underscored by the apparent imbalance between the conventional and unconventional doctrines and capabilities of African air forces in general. Seemingly, many of Africa's air forces are equipped with relatively advanced air assets for conventional warfare, while they lack suitable types and numbers of aircraft to counter asymmetric or unconventional threats, and thus also lack the collateral utility for essential counter-smuggling, emergency relief and nation-building operations. This can partly be ascribed to the role of advanced air forces as a model and in some cases as mentor. Care should be taken that air assets and capabilities are not acquired for prestige purposes rather than military necessity.
This highlights the importance of military doctrine and its linkage with political objectives. As a set of relatively enduring beliefs and principles on how best to employ air power, a well-defined air power doctrine should relate the preparation and employment of air power across the mandated range of foreseen military operations in the African context. However, the contribution of air power in conflict and war can only be determined or measured relative to the objectives it is expected to achieve in both a national and regional security context. Only with clear and unambiguous political and military objectives can appropriate concepts of operation be formulated and the role of air power be defined. Thus, the attainment of the most appropriate, effective and efficient air power for Africa's security is dependent on how well air power is understood by the wider defence community, the political executive and the public at large. Air forces should actively seek to educate the wider community on air power matters.
Nonetheless, African air power must be appropriate for employment in the African context allowing for, amongst others, the vastness and general inaccessibility of the African landscape; conventional and guerrilla warfare; asymmetry and the unconventional nature of warfare; low surface force densities; the general lack of identifiable centres of gravity and high-value targets; the proliferation of cheap and effective man-portable weapons; urban warfare; minimum collateral damage; strict rules of engagement and the possibility of politically off-limit targets or sanctuaries; and humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Because conflicts can be accompanied by a rapid build-up of significant conventional air power capabilities, we must anticipate that any involvement in peacekeeping operations can unexpectedly and rapidly escalate into violent conflict accompanied by substantial opposing air power.
Determining the most appropriate, effective and efficient air power for Africa's security is both complex and challenging. I have no doubt that this symposium will add significant value to that end.
I thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Defence
20 September 2004
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