The cost of weapons: Defence spending in a time of austerity | The Economist
Augustine's Law lightheartedly predicted in the 1970s that the cost of new generation fighter aircraft increases exponentially over time. He also observed that the last 10% of performance costs one third of the development programme and causes two thirds of the problems.
There is an analogous observation from Philip Pugh that warship technological development intensifies during peace time. During periods of war quantity becomes more important.
There appears to be a policy lesson here for governments, particularly second and third tier powers.
Perhaps India has taken the correct path in its development of air and sea power- that old tech (or not cutting edge tech) is just as useful in most conceiveable situations?
Perhaps for the likes of Australia, Denmark or New Zealand following the US doctrine of overwhelming material superiority isn't a cost effective defence policy?
Perhaps having a relatively obsolete ACF in peace time is a rational policy for the likes of New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia?
Augustine's Law lightheartedly predicted in the 1970s that the cost of new generation fighter aircraft increases exponentially over time. He also observed that the last 10% of performance costs one third of the development programme and causes two thirds of the problems.
There is an analogous observation from Philip Pugh that warship technological development intensifies during peace time. During periods of war quantity becomes more important.
There appears to be a policy lesson here for governments, particularly second and third tier powers.
Perhaps India has taken the correct path in its development of air and sea power- that old tech (or not cutting edge tech) is just as useful in most conceiveable situations?
Perhaps for the likes of Australia, Denmark or New Zealand following the US doctrine of overwhelming material superiority isn't a cost effective defence policy?
Perhaps having a relatively obsolete ACF in peace time is a rational policy for the likes of New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia?