Let us imagine it is 2012. There is no longer a Kirchner as president of Argentina. The new president, with the support of the legislature, has enacted a set of sensible economic policies, to which the economy, with the help of a benign international environment (the world recession being over) is responding well. State finances are healthier than for several years, & improving.
The new minister of defence has tasked you with devising a plan for the revival of the Fuerza Aérea Argentina & Comando de Aviación Naval, which are in a sorry state. Plans should take into account that the minister is keen to economise via commonality where possible, but that merging of the arms is not an option.
Your budget is unclear at present (it depends on national finances), but you are told to plan for requirements, while taking into account value for money. Secondhand equipment is acceptable. All proposals should be scalable, in case the available funds are less than desired. You should also try to factor in the small & run-down existing national aerospace sector, & the friendly relations the new government has with Brazil & South Africa.
Your first priority must be a plan to revive the ability to police national airspace effectively, to be capable of implementation quickly.
Then, in parallel, the re-establishment of a credible (against realistic – i.e. rather limited – threat scenarios) national air defence, & the ability to patrol effectively, in conjunction with the navy & coastguard, the EEZ & claimed jurisdiction in the South Atlantic.
Support of ground and naval forces in the case of conflict, transport, & training needs should then be addressed. A limited ability to deploy in support of international operations, particularly peacekeeping, is desired.
You are reminded that the national airspace is rather large, & the claimed maritime jurisdiction is larger still.
Gentlemen, the floor is yours.
Sign In
August 5, 2009 at 4:24 pm