Air Superiority

Air superiority is a degree of control in which one force dominates the air sufficiently to conduct its operations without prohibitive interference from the adversary. It is therefore a relative and operational condition, usually limited to a specified area and period, rather than the complete elimination of every aerial threat.

Degrees of control of the air

Control of the air forms a continuum based on how much opposing air action can affect friendly operations.

• A favourable air situation exists when the enemy's air effort is insufficient to prejudice the success of friendly air, land or maritime operations.
• Air superiority allows friendly air and related surface operations at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by opposing air and air-defence forces.
• Air supremacy is the highest degree, in which the opposing force is incapable of effective interference.

What air superiority signifies

Air superiority provides the required freedom of action in the air, while restricting the adversary's ability to use the same airspace effectively. It does not mean that enemy aircraft, missiles or air defences have ceased to exist.

• It may be local or theatre-wide and may be established for a particular phase of an operation.
• The word "prohibitive" is central: some interference or losses may occur, but they must not prevent the planned mission.
• It is gained and maintained through offensive action against enemy air power and defensive protection against aerial attack.

Operational significance

Air superiority enables air forces to strike, transport, surveil and support surface forces with acceptable risk. It also gives land and maritime forces greater freedom to manoeuvre, but remains an enabling condition rather than a guarantee of overall victory.