The Smartencyclopedia Staff 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The modernization of the Gulf states’ air forces is being hampered by geopolitics and supply chain delays, according to a new report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

The report, titled “The Military Balance 2023,” found that the Gulf states are facing a number of challenges in their efforts to modernize their air forces. These challenges include:

• Geopolitical tensions: The ongoing conflict in Yemen and the strained relations between Iran and its neighbors are creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that is affecting the procurement of new aircraft and the maintenance of existing fleets.
• Supply chain disruptions: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to supply chains, making it more difficult and expensive to obtain spare parts and technical support for existing aircraft.
• Budgetary constraints: The Gulf states are facing budgetary constraints due to the decline in oil prices and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is making it difficult to afford the high cost of new aircraft.

Despite these challenges, the Gulf states are still committed to modernizing their air forces. The IISS report found that the Gulf states are planning to spend billions of dollars on new aircraft in the coming years.

The report also found that the Gulf states are increasingly turning to advanced fourth-generation fighters, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing F-15EX. These aircraft offer significant capabilities and are readily available for export.

The modernization of the Gulf states’ air forces is important for a number of reasons. It will help to deter potential adversaries, protect the Gulf states’ oil and gas reserves, and support the Gulf states’ military interventions in Yemen and Libya.

However, the Gulf states will need to overcome the challenges of geopolitics, supply chain disruptions, and budgetary constraints in order to achieve their Air Force modernization goals.

Here are some of the key findings of the IISS report:

• The Gulf states are planning to spend billions of dollars on new aircraft in the coming years.
• The Gulf states are increasingly turning to advanced fourth-generation fighters, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing F-15EX.
• The modernization of the Gulf states’ air forces is important for a number of reasons, including deterring potential adversaries, protecting the Gulf states’ oil and gas reserves, and supporting the Gulf states’ military interventions in Yemen and Libya.
• The Gulf states will need to overcome the challenges of geopolitics, supply chain disruptions, and budgetary constraints in order to achieve their Air Force modernization goals.

Source: The Military Balance 2023: https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/