6. Air Power and PMSCs

Chapter 6 concerns air power and while one is, by physical necessity, pushed towards considering Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) and machines, this chapter nevertheless stresses the compensating qualities of PMSCs that are similarly bounded defensively and limited by relative technological sophistication. This chapter does this by first explaining the importance of technology in the air, the offensive proclivities of air power as set by theorists and doctrine, and the increasing costs and prestige tied to jet age air power. These matters are all in keeping with the conventional forces norm. This chapter then reveals that while a space, at first glance, does exist for PMSC air power through the conduct of certain tasks with less sophisticated aircraft, firms are nevertheless constrained. This chapter explains that a defensive orientation sees PMSCs utilized much more towards protecting themselves in the air and/or others on the ground. To make this plain, this chapter presents a number of cases in which PMSCs have employed state-owned assets, conducted defensive operations, or been rolled into much larger state efforts to apply military power.