IAF doctrine prepares for Star Wars era
Space will be treated on an equal footing with air, land and sea in India's future defence strategy, according to the Indian Air Force's first-ever Airpower Doctrine.
The doctrine, based on the lessons drawn from the 1991 Gulf War,
was first drawn up in 1995. It has now been modified to add the
fourth dimension of space to the traditional three-dimensional
air, land and sea conflict.
According to IAF sources, the new dimension has been introduced
keeping in view futuristic requirements, where the core
compentencies of ''space power'' would include intelligence,
surveillance, reconnaissance, battle management and weapon guidance.
Besides the pride of place accorded to space, another
hallmark of the modified doctrine lies in the new weapons
acquisition policy under which future inductions will not be
prompted just by what potential adversaries are
acquiring, but guided by long-term objectives.
IAF sources illustrated their point by citing the recent
induction of the Russian-built Sukhoi-30 warplanes as a move guided
by ''long-term objectives,'' but described the acquisition of three
squadrons of MiG-23s by the air force as a ''reaction'' prompted by
Pakistan buying the F-16s.
Details of India's Airpower Doctrine have been
published in Jane's International Defence Review. According
to the IDR, offensive operations priority has been
upgraded alongside the focus on air defence. This is based on the
principle of deterrence and the need to achieve maximum performance
from limited sources.
The concept of air defence itself appears to have been revised.
The established thinking was to maintain point air defence. This
has been replaced by strategic or deterrent air defence -- hence, the
need for long-range aircraft with greater loiter time, which is
designed to be further extended by air-to-air refuelling capability.
Deterrent air defence differs from the earlier concept as it
implies that, after absorbing the enemy's initial air effort, the
IAF should be able to maintain a higher relative strength as
conflict progresses.
The second goal of the doctrine, according to the IDR, is the
acceptance of economy versus escalating costs, and the tendency
toward worldwide structured disarmament: In essence the acceptance
of a reduction in force level.
A greater emphasis upon acquisition of force multipliers such
as AWACS, mid-air refuelling, and electronic warfare, to maximise
impact of the existing force, and at a later date to make up for
any probable reductions in the that force and;
work towards improvements in the command, control,
communications and intelligence structure and a revamped,
modernised air defence and communications network.
IAF sources said it was well-known now that one modern air
aircraft like the F-15 or the Su-27 could do the job of
four aircraft of the older variety.
''The importance of possessing the technological edge in air
warfare," the sources said," was clearly underlined by the outcome of Operation Desert Storm.''
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