The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, has stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between manned platforms and unmanned systems in modern warfare, despite the increasing prevalence of drones. Speaking at the Air Force Association's Annual General Meeting, the IAF Chief emphasized that wars cannot be won by drones alone and that political clarity on objectives matters as much as weaponry.
Air Chief Marshal Singh highlighted the need to retain and strengthen long-range capabilities, heavy-caliber weapons, and aircraft capable of delivering long-range missiles. He noted that while drones can be effective in saturating a system, they cannot be solely relied upon to win a war. He also cautioned against mission creep and the political and strategic cost of open-ended fighting.
Operation Sindoor, according to Air Chief Marshal Singh, demonstrated India's ability to plan and execute joint operations with clear objectives, showcasing the value of a mix of manned and unmanned systems. He described the operation as a case study in effective jointness, with all three services, the Chief of Defence Staff, and national agencies planning and acting together. The operation involved newly acquired and largely indigenous systems, either produced in India or integrated by Indian teams. Indian forces accurately struck assigned terrorist targets and inflicted significant damage on Pakistan's infrastructure, including radars, control and coordination centers, hangars, and aircraft.
The IAF chief also underscored the growing role of technology in modern warfare and emphasized the importance of being future-ready and reducing dependence on foreign nations for arms and ammunition. He urged the industry to prioritize the IAF's requirements with time-bound delivery, noting that the Air Force will require more input from the industry in the next 10 years.
Air Chief Marshal Singh has also emphasized that new technology is being introduced in a big way in India's warfare as the character of war is changing. He called the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) a key step for the future, asserting that it will pave the way for bigger things to come for the country. He has also pointed out the importance of aerospace power, emphasizing that conflicts in the last few decades have clearly established the pre-eminence of aerospace power as the instrument of choice for almost all operational contingencies.
Elon Musk, the businessman and founder of SpaceX, has previously voiced his support for drones in warfare. In a discussion about the future of warfare technology, Musk explored the intersection of AI, drones, and modern military strategy. He shared insights on AI's existential risks, autonomous systems in combat, and the evolving battlefield. Musk has also raised concerns about the production rate of drones, suggesting that the outcome of a drone conflict will depend on the number of drones each side has and their kill ratio. He has also suggested the need to invest in drones and address the production rate issue.
Despite the increasing focus on drones and AI, the IAF chief's statements highlight the continued relevance of manned platforms in warfare. The need for long-range capabilities, heavy-caliber weapons, and the ability to execute joint operations necessitates a balanced approach that combines the strengths of both manned and unmanned systems. The IAF is also actively pursuing the development of niche technologies in the field of space-based capabilities, data linking, and artificial intelligence-based decision support systems.
