London - NATO's air war against Yugoslavia over Kosovo exposed weaknesses that must be remedied urgently if the alliance's high-tech equipment is to be effective, a leading defence think-tank said yesterday.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies said in its annual study, "The Military Balance 1999-2000", that while NATO achieved its overall mission - forcing the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo - operational shortcomings were highlighted, notably among European forces. "The most important lessons centre on command-and-control, in particular airspace management, secure date and voice communications, targeting procedures and the proper integration of the collection and analysis of intelligence," it said.
NATO nations would have to invest in enhancing existing capabilities such as in pilotless reconnaissance drones, precision-guided weapons and electronic counter-measures to jam enemy air defences, as well as spending more on air-to-air refuelling and air transport, the study said.
If the EU's aim of developing an autonomous military capability was to become a reality, increases in defence spending would be necessary, along with genuine collaboration in defence procurement, the study continued. It said the US extended its lead as the world's biggest arms exporter, with deliveries of arms and military services in 1998 worth $26.5 billion, a 49 per cent market share.