Dr. Mohammad Aarif Rather
“The recent confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States demonstrates that modern warfare cannot be measured solely by the strength of an air force. Missiles, drones and regional networks can offset even the most advanced aerial capabilities.”
For much of modern military history, the ability to dominate the skies has been considered a decisive factor in warfare. From the strategic bombing campaigns of the Second World War to the Gulf War of 1991, air power has often been portrayed as the ultimate instrument of military dominance. Countries with powerful air forces have traditionally enjoyed a clear strategic advantage, capable of striking enemy territory, destroying infrastructure and shaping the battlefield long before ground forces arrive. Yet recent developments in West Asia are forcing analysts to rethink whether traditional air superiority remains as decisive as it once was.
The recent confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States has once again brought the role of air power into sharp focus. Israel and the United States possess some of the most technologically advanced air forces in the world, equipped with stealth aircraft, long-range bombers and precision-guided weapons. Iran, by contrast, operates a relatively limited and ageing air force, largely composed of aircraft acquired decades ago. By conventional military standards, Iran’s air capabilities are far inferior to those of its adversaries.
Yet the unfolding conflict suggests that the balance of power in modern warfare cannot be measured by aircraft alone.
Despite its comparatively weak air force, Iran has demonstrated an ability to challenge technologically superior opponents through a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and regional military networks. In recent days, several US military facilities in neighbouring countries have reportedly come under missile or drone attacks, highlighting the vulnerability of even heavily protected bases. These incidents reveal an important shift in the nature of warfare: the ability to strike from a distance no longer depends solely on fighter jets or bombers. At the same time, Israel has faced sustained missile and drone attacks that have caused destruction and disruption on a scale rarely witnessed in the country’s history. While Israel maintains one of the most advanced air forces in the world and possesses sophisticated missile defence systems, the sheer volume and persistence of incoming threats have exposed the limits of defensive technologies. Even the most capable air defence networks can struggle when confronted with large numbers of missiles and drones launched simultaneously.
These developments illustrate a broader transformation in military strategy. Modern warfare increasingly relies on a combination of aerial platforms, missile systems, electronic warfare and unmanned technologies. In such an environment, traditional air forces remain important, but they no longer monopolise the air domain. Smaller states or non-traditional actors can now challenge powerful militaries by using relatively inexpensive drones or missile systems to target strategic infrastructure.
The implications of this shift extend beyond the battlefield. One of the most sensitive strategic locations affected by the current tensions is the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime passage through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply is transported. Any escalation in the conflict could threaten shipping routes and disrupt global energy markets. Iran’s ability to project power in and around this vital waterway through missiles, drones and naval capabilities demonstrates that strategic influence does not always depend on possessing a dominant air force.
In many ways, the emerging pattern of warfare reflects a move towards what military analysts describe as “asymmetric strategy.” Instead of attempting to match their adversaries aircraft for aircraft, countries with limited air capabilities increasingly rely on alternative technologies that can offset traditional disadvantages. Ballistic missiles can travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres, striking targets with considerable precision. Drones can conduct surveillance, deliver explosives and overwhelm air defence systems at a fraction of the cost of modern fighter jets. This does not mean that air forces have become obsolete. On the contrary, advanced aircraft remain essential for intelligence gathering, precision strikes and maintaining overall situational awareness in conflict zones. Air superiority continues to provide enormous operational advantages, allowing militaries to monitor enemy movements, protect their own forces and conduct rapid military operations.
However, the experience of recent conflicts suggests that control of the skies alone may no longer guarantee strategic success. Even when one side enjoys overwhelming air superiority, it may still face persistent threats from missiles, drones and other asymmetric capabilities. As a result, modern warfare increasingly involves a complex interplay between air power, missile technology, cyber operations and electronic warfare. The ongoing tensions in West Asia therefore highlight an important lesson for military strategists around the world. Air forces remain a critical component of national defence, but their effectiveness now depends on how well they are integrated with other technologies and defensive systems. The age when fighter jets alone could dominate the battlefield is gradually giving way to a more complex and technologically interconnected form of warfare.
In the skies above West Asia, a new reality is emerging: air power still matters, but it no longer operates alone. In the age of missiles, drones and hybrid warfare, the balance of power in the air is becoming far more contested and far more unpredictable.
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