A2/AD capabilities
and the global security environment
Read the article in Al Jundi
In recent years, there has been substantial discussion on whether and how anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities are changing the global security environment. A growing number of (state) actors are opting for A2/AD capabilities as a way to stand up to adversaries that are generally considered militarily superior. A strong defensive posture can raise the costs of attack so high, that a potential adversary would not even try.
While the principles behind A2/AD have long existed, technological developments and changes in global and regional power constellations, have revived the concept. Unfortunately, A2/AD is often used as a buzzword, in which important nuances are lost. Whereas it is exactly those nuances that matter for military strategists and operational commanders. This article looks into the current A2/AD challenge, assesses the slight differences between the strategies and capabilities of China and Russia and draws some conclusion on their impact on military thinking and the way the West handles this.