Indian Air Force’s revised doctrine adopts a holistic approach to the country’s security imperatives

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate

Source: IE

 Context: AeroIndia 2023 is not just the biggest exhibition of India’s air power push for Indian defence manufacturing, it 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).
• This is because –
  • The lack of understanding of the rapid technological changes in the features of air power on a global scale.
  • India’s traditional surface-dominant security outlook and viewing air power as a support service.

Need for a revised doctrine:

• Addressing India’s security concerns will require a multidisciplinary approach (rather two-dimensional) 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.

The IAF’s revised doctrine:

• Focus on the criticality of controlling the skies to
  • Provides a clearer understanding of the redefined characteristics of aerospace power and its expanded capabilities.
  • 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 ahead:

• 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.

Conclusion: Since national security is every citizen’s concern and given the efforts underway to evolve national defence and security strategies, the doctrine credibly conveys what aerospace power can and will do for the nation.

Insta Links:

Indian Air Force needs a new doctrine

Mains Links:

The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions. (UPSC 2016)