India and Its Air Power

Transformational Challenges

Abstract

The Balakot airstrikes and the air combat thereafter in which a MiG-21 Bison of the Indian Air Force (IAF) had to engage a much more modern F-16 of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has once again brought IAF modernisation back into focus. IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, has said that the IAF has hit an all-time low of 31 fighter squadrons vis-à-vis the government authorised 42.1 He highlighted the convergence of strategic interests between China and Pakistan and their rapidly modernising Air Forces. The IAF, on the other hand, has been slowly losing the combat edge that it had enjoyed over Pakistan in 1971 in terms of both quality and numbers. Technology-intensive airpower requires Faster replacement of assets due to quicker obsolescence.