The Indian Air Force recently marked its 90th anniversary with two major announcements. First, IAF will now raise a separate cadre of officers to handle advanced missiles, space-based systems, surveillance and combat UAVs comprising a new Weapon Systems Branch. Second, it plans to induct women Agniveers starting next year. It will also soon release its new doctrine knowing full well that it has a fair distance to go if it is to match capability with its doctrinal aspirations that were articulated a decade ago.
Successes and shortcomings
The willingness of the political executive to unshackle the IAF over eastern Ladakh and test its coercive capability at Balakot in 2019 can be attributed to two concurrent factors.
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Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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