REVISED DOCTRINE OF THE INDIAN AIR FORCE

 The Doctrine is a collective thought to guide the training and application of concepts
in war. It lays down the pervasive concepts of aerospace power while providing
adequate freedom in application of its elements.
 The IAF first published a doctrine in 1995, which was revised in 2007. In 2012, a
revised and unclassified basic doctrine was published. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has
come out with a new doctrine on 4th February 2023 that includes lessons from the
Russia-Ukraine war and standoff with China, which emphasises on the need to shift
from “threat-based and demanded” to “capability-demanded” force requirements.

 The new doctrine lays out the capabilities of the air force in times of peace, in war
and in “no war-no peace” (NWNP) situations – what India is facing currently, vis-à-vis
China and so it requires the IAF to work towards shaping the behaviour of external
threats. It said IAF effectively demonstrated rapid air mobility and deterrence
through posturing during the Eastern Ladakh standoff with China.
 It also cited the example of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, the only time when the IAF’s
counter operations against Pakistan air assets gave it freedom for offensive
operations. Thus, the new doctrine aims to bring to the public and policy makers the
possibilities that exist with air power.
 While the doctrine talks about the need for unified war fighting strategies, it also lays
emphasis on retaining the unique character of air power, that has the capability to be
used as support to the ground and maritime forces. It says that while aerospace
power may not win a war on its own, NO WAR CAN BE WON WITHOUT IT.