Rapidly deploying a fighter squadron thousands of miles away remains a colossal logistical challenge. A look back at the methods, shortcomings, and innovations of the air forces.
In summary
Projecting a fighter squadron far from national territory is one of the most complex military exercises: enormous distances, in-flight refueling, limited reception capacities, transport of tons of equipment, crew availability, and political-military coordination. The French, American, British, Australian, and Japanese air forces have all faced these constraints during past deployments, from the Middle East to the Baltic. Today, armies are seeking to reduce lead times, automate logistics, pre-position stocks, and exploit digital advances to shorten the supply chain. Tomorrow, the rise of decentralized bases, refueling drones, predictive maintenance, and modular kits could transform the ability to deploy a squadron in a matter of days rather than weeks. But many challenges remain, particularly in contested environments, when faced with adversaries capable of targeting logistics flows.
The logistical imperatives that structure the deployment of a squadron
Deploying a fighter squadron to a distant theater is no simple operation: it is an integrated maneuver, where each step depends on the previous one.
A full squadron represents on average:
- 12 to 24 fighters depending on the air force
- between 200 and 350 people (pilots, mechanics, armourers, command)
- up to 300 tonnes of equipment (tools, spare parts, weapons, communication systems)
- a large volume of aviation fuel (several hundred thousand liters) on site
- protection, command, and intelligence resources
The deployment time depends on four factors:
- The ability to reach the area, via flights with in-flight refueling or transit through allied bases.
- The availability of transport aircraft, which are essential for transporting equipment.
- The host country’s reception, which must provide runways, hangars, fuel, and security.
- Operational coherence, meaning that all elements must arrive together and be immediately operational.
These requirements add up and create a restrictive whole: a single missing or delayed link slows down the entire chain.
Specific challenges faced by large air forces
Each country faces the same issues, but with different capabilities.
France and long-distance “external operations” deployments
France has developed real expertise in deploying squadrons over long distances, particularly to:
- the Sahel (Operation Barkhane)
- the Levant (Operation Chammal)
- the Baltic region (NATO air policing)
- the Indo-Pacific (Pégase mission)
During Pégase 2023, three Rafale aircraft traveled more than 20,000 km in a few days, with eight rotations of A330 MRTT Phénix aircraft. The main challenge came from the successive stopovers: diplomatic coordination, fuel quotas per stopover, local support, and the availability of secure means of communication.
Feedback highlights a fundamental point: no deployment is possible without a pre-positioned logistics ecosystem. This is why France is now working with India, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and New Caledonia to establish support points.
The United States and logistical power: both an asset and a vulnerability
The US Air Force has the greatest projection capacity in the world. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, it was able to position nearly 250 combat aircraft around the Gulf in less than 10 days, thanks to:
- a massive fleet of KC-135 and KC-10 refueling tankers
- C-17 and C-5 transport aircraft
- pre-equipped allied bases
But this power masks a weakness: dependence on heavy infrastructure and a global logistics network that is vulnerable in the event of a challenging adversary (China, Russia). Modern A2/AD strategies threaten air lines and advanced platforms.
The United States is therefore developing “Agile Combat Employment”, a concept aimed at dispersing aircraft across micro-bases, with small teams capable of operating for several days with minimal logistics.
The United Kingdom and multi-point operations
The Royal Air Force combines a small but highly capable fleet (Typhoon, F-35B, A400M). Its main challenge lies in the simultaneity of its commitments: protecting the metropolitan territory, maintaining a presence in the Falklands, conducting operations in the Middle East, and supporting NATO allies.
During Operation Shader, Typhoons based in Akrotiri (Cyprus) flew thousands of hours while receiving logistical support from Europe. The major challenge was maintaining the spare parts supply chain, as a fighter aircraft requires a constant flow of components and preventive maintenance.
Australia and the “tyranny of distance”
Australia must project its capabilities over vast distances. RAAF F-35As can be sent to Indonesia, Japan, or Hawaii, but each mission requires:
- multiple in-flight refuelings
- maritime or air logistics support
- regional partnerships
The distance (up to 7,000 km) requires very detailed planning and a dense network of alliances.
Lessons from past deployments
Rapid deployment is not theoretical: there are very concrete precedents.
Kosovo (1999)
The French, American, and British air forces had to establish a continuous airlift to Italy and Albania. The main challenge was the saturation of the host bases, which were numerous but poorly equipped. As a result, fighter jets were sometimes lined up outside, exposed to the weather.
Libya (2011)
The deployment of Rafale, Mirage 2000, Typhoon, and F-16 aircraft relied on Italian bases, but the logistical flow quickly showed its limitations: lack of weapons, pressure on laser-guided bombs, and constant rotations of C-17 and A400M aircraft.
Operations against Daesh (2014-2020)
The air campaign illustrated the importance of in-flight refueling. Without the KC-135, KC-10, and A330 MRTT, European aircraft would not have been able to strike from the Mediterranean or the Gulf.
French “Pégase” deployment
Modern proof of a perfectly executed maneuver: three Rafales and their support crossed the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating that even a medium-sized force can rapidly project itself into a strategic area if it masters its air support.
Future challenges: more distant and contested theaters
The future of air operations is characterized by three trends:
- More distant areas of operation: Indo-Pacific, Arctic, sub-Saharan Africa.
- More hostile environments: anti-access, cyberattacks, enemy satellites.
- Shorter lead times: need to deploy within a few days, sometimes in less than 48 hours.
To meet these challenges, three major issues are emerging.
Fuel and dependence on in-flight refueling
A Rafale, Typhoon, or F-35 consumes several thousand liters per hour. Deploying 12 aircraft can require up to 300,000 liters in a few days.
In-flight refueling is essential, but refueling fleets are limited:
- France: 15 A330 MRTTs
- United Kingdom: 14 Voyagers
- Japan: 4 KC-46As
- Australia: 7 KC-30As
In a crisis, this capacity becomes a bottleneck.
Modular logistics: a concept still in its infancy
The armed forces are experimenting with “logistics packages”: pre-assembled containers, demountable workshops, and maintenance modules. These are effective, but the volume remains significant.
A deployed F-35 squadron still requires several dozen tons of equipment, not to mention IT systems, which must remain isolated to prevent espionage.
The vulnerability of flows
Modern adversaries now target logistics:
- GPS jamming
- cyber attacks against logistics platforms
- strikes on secondary runways
- disinformation targeting host partners
A rapid deployment can fail before it even begins if logistics flows are disrupted.
Technologies that are transforming deployment
Despite these challenges, air logistics is undergoing a revolution.
Predictive maintenance
Modern aircraft carry thousands of sensors. Analyzing their data makes it possible to predict breakdowns, reduce inventory, and ship only the necessary components. This can reduce the initial logistics volume by 30%.
Refueling drones
American (MQ-25), Japanese, and Australian projects aim to increase the number of unmanned refueling platforms. A squadron could then be deployed with fewer human refueling aircraft.
Dispersed forward operating bases
Inspired by the Agile Combat Employment concept, the idea is to have several micro-bases capable of accommodating two or three aircraft. They only require:
- a team of 10 to 20 people
- fuel
- minimal stock
- a 2,000 m runway (2 km)
This complicates enemy strikes and allows for deployment closer to the front line.
Distributed connectivity
Networked communication systems, new-generation satellites, and the use of AI make it possible to operate a squadron from several different locations while maintaining tactical coherence.
Probable scenarios for future deployments
Scenario 1: crisis in the Indo-Pacific
France, Japan, and Australia could coordinate a rapid deployment. Three squadrons (Rafale, F-35A, F-15J) converge on a central base. Refueling aircraft operate in rotation, while drones monitor maritime routes.
Challenges:
- saturation of refueling capacities
- cyberattack against early warning systems
- difficulty in transporting spare parts
Scenario 2: escalation in Eastern Europe
NATO deploys Typhoons, F-35s, Gripens, and Rafales to the Baltic. European logistics flows (roads, railways, transport aircraft) are under strain.
Challenges:
- Vulnerability of bases near the front line
- Systematic jamming
- Need to disperse aircraft across numerous civilian airfields
Scenario 3: urgent intervention in Africa
A squadron must be deployed in less than 72 hours. C-17s transport the teams, A400Ms bring the equipment, and fighters advance via allied stopovers.
The challenges:
- Difficult weather
- Limited local infrastructure
- Dependence on a single runway
A decisive capability but under pressure
The rapid deployment of squadrons is no longer a luxury: it is a strategic capability. Armies must be able to position themselves quickly, far away, and in contested environments.
Technological advances will help: autonomous refueling, predictive maintenance, dispersed bases, AI planning support. But one truth remains: air logistics remains the weakest link in modern military power. Those who know how to protect it, conceal it, and make it adaptable will have a decisive advantage in tomorrow’s theaters of war.
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