Presently, the world is facing an unprecedented security challenge in light of the Ukraine war and tensions around the Taiwan Strait. The global power dynamics are generating a situation of Cold War 2.0. On one hand, the collusion between China and Russia is leading the charge of aggression against the western countries. On the other hand, western countries are propounding the idea of Global NATO. In this regrouping and rebalancing, India seeks to remain independent and free of any grouping. In addition, with two rogue neighbours, India seeks to enhance its own power in the event of a security crisis.
IAF Looks Ready for Future Wars
In the 20th Major General Samir Sinha Memorial Lecture on 30th August 2022, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, highlighted various prospects of the Indian Air Force’s preparedness for future wars.
Delivering a lecture on the ‘Transformation of the Indian Air Force: Present Status and the Way Ahead’, CAS said, “What we are witnessing today, and the war in Ukraine provides us some lessons, is that the nature of warfare is changing. Now wars are of blended nature. These are hybrid wars. The enemy resorts to asymmetric methods and aims at disproportionate impacts, which one has to fight conventionally and beyond by developing multi-domain capabilities”.
While talking about the comprehensive plan of the Indian Air Force capability building in the future course of wars, he enumerated defense equipment. According to CAS, India will have the following numbers of offensive and defensive strike-capable equipment for future wars.
| Offensive/ Defensive Equiptments | Numbers |
| LCA MK1A | 6 Sqauadrons |
| LCA MK2 | 6 Squadrons |
| Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft | 114 |
| S-400 | 5 Squadrons |
| Trainer Fighter Jets | 106 |
| Airborne Early Warning & Control Systems | 6 |
He also talked comprehensively about, “the transformation of IAF as an aerospace power covering: enhancement of operational capability, drone and counter drone capabilities, new-age cyber and information-warfare, inventory management system, stocking and indigenisation measures to mitigate effects of supply chain disruption from Russia, mental transformation of cadre to adapt to new technologies, Atmnirbhar Bharat initiative, AD Command and Theaterisation, paperless office, digitization of man management, and electronic planning and implementation of air ops”.
Two-Front War is Inevitable
While enumerating the IAF’s future capabilities, CAS Chaudhari also highlighted the looming clouds of a two-front war. Redefining the two-front war, CAS reportedly has downgraded the threat from Pakistan. According to him, a two-front war is a single war in two sector, one of which is China, one comes from the east (Arunachal Pradesh), while the other comes from the north (Ladakh). He also ensured the preparedness of India for both short-term as well as long-term threats from China.
India’s Security Concentration around the Chinese border is in consonance with recent developments. From the Galwan clash in 2020 to July 17 of this year, 16 rounds of military talks have been completed. No round of military talks has resulted in a breakthrough in resolving the dispute and the situation has remained tense in the area around the clash point.
Moreover, China has enhanced its military presence in sensitive areas. Reports suggest that China has deployed 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers in the area and is also increasing its military infrastructure. In addition, as a part of a new border management strategy with India along LAC, China is constructing “Dual-use villages”. These villages appear to be civilian settlements, but in reality, they are extending cantonment buildings with storage facilities, reinforced bunkers, and connecting roads to possible tunnels.
In this scenario, it is very important to strengthen the security infrastructure around the Chinese border. Also, the capacity building of the Indian Air Force has become imperative in the light of difficult terrain and unfavourable geographical conditions. As regular army will have limited scope to reach the high altitude and peak areas, air power would be playing a differentiator role in case of wars.
In furtherance of this, the recent geopolitical overhaul in the world pushes India not only to strengthen its forces but also to strengthen its domestic capabilities. To maintain strategic independence in world politics, Aatmnirbharta is the key in defence production. Also, to avoid war, India needs to be prepared. That’s what the Indian armed forces are doing.
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