Air Power in Modern Warfare: Strategic Lessons for the Indian Air Force

Why strengthening indigenous capability and accelerating modernization are critical for India's air dominance in the 21st century

- 

Air power has emerged as the defining element of modern warfare, shaping battle outcomes well before boots hit the ground.

For India, facing a challenging strategic neighbourhood with an assertive China and a hostile Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) remains the central pillar of national security and deterrence. Recent global and regional conflicts, from Ukraine to Gaza, have reinforced the decisive role of air dominance, making the modernization and indigenisation of the IAF more urgent than ever.

In its current state, the IAF faces significant capability gaps. Against the required 42 fighter squadrons, it operates just 31. At the same time, China's aggressive expansion of its fifth-generation J-20 fleet and Pakistan's plans to acquire advanced fighters from Beijing underscore the evolving air threat matrix in South Asia. For India, retaining credible deterrence depends on timely acquisition, fleet modernization, and a strong focus on indigenous production.