The IAF has to travel a long distance and achieve many modernisation milestones before it acquires the capabilities it aspires for

A little over three years ago, in December 2006, a seminar on Indian aerospace power conducted in Delhi was themed Indian Air Force: From a Sub-continental to a Continental Force. The outcome of the seminar was indicative of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) aspiration to take another step forward in transforming itself into a true strategic air force with regional and extra-regional capabilities to keep pace with the changing geo-political and geo-strategic scenarios. But it took a long time for the IAF to change its mindset.

The IAF, which evolved from the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) in the 1930s, was one of the few air forces established as an independent force and not as part of the Indian Army. However, in keeping with imperial policies of the time, the RIAF was given a subsidiary (tactical) role like army cooperation and battlefield reconnaissance (with the Royal Air Force retaining the primary roles like bombing and air warfare). Post-Independence, the IAF was equipped with its own bomber force and long-range (in comparative terms) strike aircraft but, somehow, the mindset of it being a fairweather, tactical air force remained unchanged.

Transformation of this thinking process took a long time—more then half-a-century. However, in the 1990s and especially after the first time formulation of its doctrine in 1995, the IAF started to look at itself in an enhanced role as a strategic aerospace power. Successive air chiefs have reiterated and comprehensively articulated on the subject. Former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi had defined the IAF’s vision as a sub-set of India’s vision. Quoting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he had observed, A growing regional power, India’s strategic footprint, based upon its interests and responsibilities, stretches from the Horn of Africa, through the CAR (Central Asian Republics), South-East Asia and to the far reaches of the Indian Ocean. The burgeoning economy of a resurgent India, makes energy and trade security as important as the country’s territorial security. In other words, the IAF would be called upon to take on increasing responsibilities to meet India’s security challenges which, demands a shift in its focus.

In 2007, the IAF celebrated its Platinum Jubilee. Speaking on the occasion of Air Force Day Parade on October 8, the present air chief, Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, spoke about the new challenges and opportunities and how the IAF was heading for exciting times in the coming years. A year later, speaking from the same podium, he reaffirmed that the IAF was in fact in a state of transformation with a variety of aircraft, sensors, weapons, communication equipment in varying stages of induction and improvement in infrastructure in the pipeline.

While some inductions and infrastructure improvements are indeed taking place, what the IAF has to evaluate is whether these are sufficient to generate the required capabilities. For instance, would the IAF:
   • Have been sufficiently equipped to be the prime repository of India’s credible conventional deterrence capabilities while providing critical components of credible nuclear deterrence?
   • Have truly changed from a sub-continental, geographical limited force to one with continental reach and effect?
   • Have acquired capabilities for strategic effect?
   • Have acquired increasing ability to exploit space capabilities for enhancing military operations?
   • Have acquired increasing ability to exploit space capabilities for enhancing military operations?
   • Have inducted new technology systems, like Airborne Warning and Control System, fully into service?
   • Have recovered combat power to the authorised levels?
   • Be equipped to provide full, seamless and 24-by-seven air defence cover to its entire territory and other areas of interest?
   • Be ready to serve a variety of national interests in contingencies inside and outside the country?