Saturation Warfare: Analysis of Air Defence in the 21st Century

Air defence has always been a critical aspect of airpower. Modern technologies have led to multi-pronged challenges for air defence systems (ADS). In this context, saturation warfare, characterised by the mass deployment of aerial assets, has a notable significance. It marks an important shift in the protection of airspace. The paper discusses saturation warfare and the corresponding vulnerabilities of existing ADS. The research is qualitative and uses a case-study method. By shedding light on three recent cases: Hamas’ attack on Israel, Iran’s attack on Israel and Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the paper aims to study the effectiveness of contemporary ADS and their potential impact on future security dynamics. The case studies reveal increasing vulnerability to ADS, which requires a coordinated response to mitigate the existing challenges. Building upon the case studies and air defence mechanisms, the paper highlights notable trends in air defence. Recent trends suggest that states must remain cognisant of the vulnerabilities of air defence systems. Hence, effective defence measures should be employed by states against potential saturation attacks in the future. On the regional front, the paper examines the case of South Asia, with a focus on India and Pakistan. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for states and militaries regarding strengthening existing air defence.