Air manoeuvre forces in European large-scale combat operations
Think tank: RUSI
Author(s): Dr Jack Watling; Robert Tollast; Nick Reynolds
February 5, 2026
This report from UK think tank RUSI examines how European armies can best prepare air manoeuvre forces to maximise their effectiveness.
The density and complexity of the emerging battlefield is making it harder for military units to manoeuvre. Air Manoeuvre – the movement of troops by air for advantage – offers a means of rapidly crossing contested terrain. But the threats to air manoeuvre troops are increasing.
This paper examines how European armies can best prepare air manoeuvre forces to maximise their effectiveness and mitigate emerging risks to a high cost but high pay-off component of the force.
