The Quest for Relevant Air Power

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means to an end but also an end in itself, as it deepens alliance
cohesion as well as European relations. Consistently, Germany has
taken a leading role in European and transatlantic defence programmes
such as the NAEW&CF, the A400M, or the Eurofighter.
All current major defence programmes of the GAF are multilateral.
As such, they decisively shape Europe’s defence landscape
and further European integration as well as transatlantic cohesion.
Given the requirements of deployed operations and the allies’
expectation for increased German responsibility in international
security matters, the GAF has gradually evolved into an
increasingly balanced air force. Yet, it has to be underlined that
the acquisition of a precision strike capability or AAR certainly
represents an improvement, albeit from a very low starting point,
and brings the GAF finally to a reach and strike standard that has,
with the exception of air-launched cruise missiles, long been held
by the RAF or the FAF. The GAF’s AAR capacity still falls short of
British or French capacity levels. This shortfall is compounded by
the German armed forces’ general shortcomings in the area of logistics,
as is highlighted by Germany’s NRF contributions. Due to
logistics bottlenecks, the Army and Air Force can only make major
contributions consecutively. Given these logistics and AAR
shortcomings, theoretical plans to contribute up to 80 combat aircraft
for potential EU operations appear too ambitious. Moreover,
the GAF lacks the experience of deploying large numbers of combat
aircraft to distant theatres. For Operation Allied Force, for instance,
the GAF made available only 14 Tornados which could
operate from well-prepared NATO air bases in Italy. Yet, a significant
step in the GAF’s power projection capability can be expected
with the introduction of the A400M transport aircraft.
Germany and the GAF reacted to the offensive air power doctrine
as demonstrated in Desert Storm with uneasiness. Only
gradually did the GAF become involved in deployed operations.
Though it has—due to political and constitutional restraints—
contributed in a limited way to Western air campaigns, the GAF
nevertheless proved to be a professional force that can seamlessly
plug into highly complex air operations. In this regard, GAF participation
in major integrated air exercises such as Red Flag or
Maple Flag proved pivotal and made up for lack of experience.
While the GAF has been gradually geared up for expeditionary