Air Defence Artillery in Combat, 1972-2018: The Age of Surface-to-Air Missiles

Anti-aircraft artillery was first used in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, but it wasn't until the Second World War that it became prominent. The development of anti-aircraft artillery continued into the Cold War, resulting in the extensive introduction of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). The Yom Kippur War of 1973 brought surface-to-air missiles to the center stage, with Egyptian and Syrian air defences shooting down nearly fifty Israeli aircraft in the first three days alone. Since 1972, the author has examined the development of anti-aircraft artillery and its role in major conflicts since then, including the Soviet Afghan War, the Falklands War, the conflict in Lebanon, Kosovo and Bosnia, the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 1993.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2020
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Since its debut in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, anti-aircraft artillery has been an important weapon in warfare. However, it gained prominence during the Second World War, shooting down more aircraft than any other weapon and significantly affecting air operations. The development of anti-aircraft artillery continued into the Cold War, leading to the extensive introduction of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). These weapons are cheaper to manufacture, simpler to maintain, and easier to operate than the vast fleet of aircraft required to defend an airspace.

The first combat success of SAMs was during the Vietnam War, when a Soviet-designed S-75 Dvina missile shot down a USAF F-4C Phantom on July 24, 1965. However, it was the Yom Kippur War of 1973 that brought SAMs to the center stage. During this short but bitter conflict, Egyptian and Syrian air defenses shot down nearly fifty Israeli aircraft in the first three days alone, almost a fourth of Israel's entire combat aircraft fleet. In all, Israel lost 104 aircraft during the war, and for the first time, more aircraft were lost to SAMs than any other cause.

The age of surface-to-air missiles had dawned. In this unique examination, the author details the development of not just SAMs, but all anti-aircraft artillery, since 1972. The part that such equipment played in all of the major conflicts since then is explored, including the Soviet Afghan War, the Falklands War, in which Rapier was deployed, the conflict in Lebanon, Kosovo and Bosnia, the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 1993. The investigation is brought right up to date by a study of the weapons, tactics, and engagements used in these conflicts.

The development of anti-aircraft artillery has been a crucial part of military history, and its impact on warfare cannot be overstated. SAMs have revolutionized air defense, making it easier and more effective to protect airspace from enemy aircraft. However, the development of such weapons has also raised ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding their use in civilian areas and the potential for civilian casualties. As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how anti-aircraft artillery and SAMs evolve and how they are used in future conflicts.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 232 x 156 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526762047