Also, unstable dictatorships prefer to use air forces

Submitted by John in Michigan, USA (United States), Apr 6, 2015 at 18:20

Aside from the prestige of using high tech planes, and the low risk of casualties, there's also the theory that, in unstable dictatorships, the air force is usually the most competant / least incompetant service. These dictatorship have to be constantly on guard against a military coup d'etat. Any military branch with ground troups is a risk, therefore officers are promoted for loyalty, not competance. Air forces are thought to be less of a risk, since it is hard to use airplanes and air crews in a coup, therefore competant officers and NCOs tend to end up in the air force.

In anti-guerilla wars, if a dictator sends loyal ground forces abroad, they increase the risk at home. If they send less loyal ground forces abroad, there is a risk the officers will either sabotage the mission to make their ruler look foolish, or, if they suceed, become too popular at home.

This 'third world military' syndrome is yet another reason why using the air force abroad is popular.

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