‘I Am Very Firmly Convinced That Space and Space Assets Will Form an Integral Part of Our Operational Plans in the Very Near Future’


Intro: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major PVSM, AVSM, SC, VM, ADC



Let me begin with the assumption that this very learned and august audience is fully aware of the profound influence of aerospace power in perhaps shaping the modern world. You will also agree that the use of the third dimension has altered the conduct of warfare, at a rate and in a manner unprecedented in perhaps the last 1,000 years. Peaceful relationships between nations are certainly desirable and attainable but history and geo-strategic realities show us that some form of conflict, sometime or the other, is perhaps unavoidable; and the nature of conflict in the recent past has changed dramatically and the conduct of warfare, if ever, is itself in a state of transformation, struggling to adapt and remain relevant in the emerging set of strategic realities. Within this transformation lies the transvolation of the very way in which the Indian Air Force has to conduct its business now and in the future. If that be the case, then as the Chief of the Air Staff, where do I see the Indian Air Force fit into the overall scheme of ensuring national security?

Successful application of national power lies in determining and employing the most appropriate mix of options. They could be diplomatic, economic or military power to achieve the desired outcome. As an important ingredient of national power, the purpose of the Indian Air Force or for that matter any air force anywhere in the world, is to provide the national leadership with an array of response options to deal with any emergent situation. In these times of uncertainty, the situations may vary from humanitarian relief and peacekeeping on one hand, to conflict situations, low, medium or high. It is also far too early to rule out a full-fledged war with any degree of certainty in this part of the world. Let me elaborate a little further.

India as a nation cannot afford to remain insular any longer since we are not immune to turbulences that take place even in distant corners of the globe. Our location in an unstable neighbourhood is perhaps the reason. Some countries around us have professed nuclear delivery capabilities that bring a major portion of our territory within the striking distance. Some have embarked on a very rapid space development programme and have been known to adopt aggressive postures. Rapid development and modernisation of conventional military power complicates this scenario even further.