Acknowledging that disruptive technology and cross-linking of physical, digital and cognitive domains have changed the nature of warfare, Indian Air Force chief ACM RKS Bhadauria has called upon all Indian Ocean Region nations to strengthen their mutual understanding and existing security frameworks based on the principles of cooperation, collaboration and coexistence.During the inaugural session of IOR Chiefs of Air Staff, ACM Bhadauria said, "We have witnessed a paradigm change in the geopolitical landscape in the recent years, and globally, we are facing unprecedented levels of uncertainty, volatility and interconnected threats. While the world was grappling with complications and control of the pandemic, the worsening interstate relations, rising mistrust and geopolitical tensions have only reinforced the importance of mature and balanced cooperation at international level."
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India's experience in dealing with threatsACM Bhadauria said India's security challenges are varied as its geography and as unpredictable as its threats."Being in the thick of operations quite often, and currently round the clock, the Indian Armed Forces have gained a wealth of experience and expertise over the years, which can be of mutual interest. Indian Air Force has built bridges of friendship through numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises with a large number of nations who share common values and interests in maintaining peace and stability," he said.ThreatsACM Bhadauria said the time has changed from conventional warfare as an attack may originate without warning, several time zones away, and its effect may proliferate rapidly across several domains.
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TechnologyThe low cost and easy availability of simple disruptive technology like drones with small state and non-state actors have made them more lethal, agile and capable of generating disproportionate effects.ACM Bhadauria also mentioned about the attack on Aramco oil refinery with armed drones, new drone technologies in the Syrian conflict and massed usage of Unmanned Aircraft System and loitering munitions in Armenia-Azerbaijan highlight the changing nature of modern warfare."We are closely observing these developments and are focussing on developing capabilities in unmanned, and optionally manned platforms, manned-unmanned teaming, and anti-drone technologies," he said.ACM Bhadauria also said that multi-domain awareness through ground, sea, air or space-based platforms is a critical pre-requisite to meet the growing security challenges.
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IAF's experience of Net-Centric Warfare capabilityIn 2006, Indian Air Force integrated all its sensors like radars, ISR platforms, AWACS, aerostats among others and evolved a C4I system called the Integrated Air Command and Control System.Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster ReliefACM Bhadauria said, "IAF with its potent strategic airlift capability has been at the forefront of HADR missions in the region. Towards COVID related tasks, we have undertaken extensive missions for evacuation as well as for providing medical supplies."In order to further enhance the HADR cooperation and coordination among neighbouring countries, "we have also been conducting regular exercises with an aim to mutually share our expertise and assist in capability building".
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Aatmanirbhar Bharat"We have placed large orders for LCA in excess of $7 billion. Tejas is the best in its class lightweight fighter which would become an important part of IAF's future combat capability," ACM Bhadauria said.On AMCA, the chief said, "We are also embarking on the development of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, a fifth-generation aircraft hosting some sixth-generation technologies in a public-private partnership model."“We have already placed large orders for radars, avionics and weapons, an area that our industry is rapidly expanding. I have no doubt in my mind that in the coming decade, the Indian Aerospace sector will truly come of age and become a significant player in the overall global aerospace supply chain," ACM Bhadauria said.
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