Identification of Royal Malaysian Air Force technology needs as acredible air power

Abstract

Changes in the global security environment after September II, providing new challenges to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), where the international system has moved from reasonably confident assumptions of the Cold War posture to turmoil with different forms of crisis and conflict. The challenges and future uncertainties where any vision will be limited, raised the need for RMAF to anticipate the future environment, roles and capabilities, and identify the technologies for future competitive edge. The aim of the study was to evaluate the environmental forces and examine the technologies associated with RMAF Air Power projection in 2020. RMAF future scenarios have been developed using scenario planning, that is, the foresight methodology to provide an understanding of future possibilities. Based on the scenarios, the Delphi Method was used to obtain the views and consensus for a shared and owned policy decisions on RMAF future roles, capabilities and technology needs. The survey respondents comprised of senior executives from RMAF, government officers, defense industry and academia. Four future scenarios were developed, called 'Blue Sky', 'Hazy', 'Hail Storm' and 'Thunderstorm' . The study found that the future ranges from a scenario of organised setting shaped by economic and political driving forces, to evolutionary setting driven by technology and chaotic social scenario. The range of technologies identified includes conventional and asymmetric warfare. This study has revealed the increasing significance of Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) that may have implications to, andeven the very existence of an independent Air Force. This study also proposed an organization strategic planning framework, a contribution to the field of strategic and technology management on the understanding of important policy issues of an organization.