Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force

News: Recently, AeroIndia 2023 is conducted in Bengaluru. It is not just restricted to the biggest exhibition of India’s air power push for Indian defense manufacturing but also displays IAF’s revised doctrine.

Background:
 Despite the commitment of the IAF to national security, the history of India’s use of air power is one of restraint (except during the 1971 war).
 It is primarily due to 2 factors – I) lack of understanding of the rapid technological changes in the features of air power on a global scale and II) India’s traditional surface-dominant security outlook and looking at air power as a only that as support service.

What is the need for revised doctrine?
 Addressing India’s security concerns will require a multidisciplinary approach due to the fact that - Asia is the focal point of the geopolitical turmoil and India’s two adversaries have capable air forces.
 External (terrorism, border stand-offs) and internal security, Sovereignty protection, deterrence, air diplomacy and nation-building remain peace-time imperatives.
 To ensure SAGAR, as well as the Indo-Pacific construct.

What is IAF’s revised doctrine?
 Focus on the criticality of controlling the skies to provide a clearer understanding of the redefined characteristics of aerospace power and its expanded capabilities and ot address contemporary and future warfare.
 Acknowledges that future aerospace and defence capabilities are national force multipliers.
 Offensive air operations and air defence.
 Holistic application of combat power, comprising the IAF’s coordinated operations along with army-naval operations, civil aviation and space agencies. The recent test landing of the naval variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) on board INS Vikrant is a good example.

Way Forward
 A novel air strategy covers the entire spectrum from peace and war to the unique no-war-no-peace condition confronting the country.
 Concepts of human resources, training and operational testing and evaluation remains a priority.
 The expansion of battle spaces (cyber and electronic warfare, information warfare), the necessity of India’s future joint military strategy, constitute the foundation of IAF’s future air strategy.