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There are some, no doubt, who would take issue with the eminent professor of moral philosophy that the art of war is the noblest of all arts, but few who know anything about it would argue with his precept that it is a complicated business much affected by the sweep of technology and the changing world scene. This article is about the art of using the air for warlike purposes, or air power as it has come to be known. During the past two years or so Moscow has woken up to the fact that the offensive use of air power can have a dramatic effect on events, not only in the sophisticated environment of Europe but also throughout the rest of the world, where the introduction of even a small force of aircraft (and usually by proxy) can tip dramatically the balance of events. So the Soviet Air Force is now sent on a programme of improving its quality – it always has had quantity – and the types of aircraft, radars, and missiles that are becoming obsolete as improvements are made are proving very useful in ensuring the maximum Soviet influence throughout the world as and when an opportunity presents itself.