Air Chief Marshal Tyagi, Air Marshal Goel, Mr Luthra, Chief Editor, India Strategic, Representatives from the Industry, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning and address an audience that is so much a participant in the future growth of the Indian Air Force.

The last couple of decades have been marked by a number of new emergent technologies which have changed the way operations will be conducted. These have and will continue to have, far reaching effects on the way we do our business. It is fittingly appropriate that we take stock of the emergent technologies, the requirements of the Indian Air Force, the capability of the Indian Defence Industry and plan out the strategy ahead.

Technology intensIve nature of aerospace power

Let me begin by reiterating that, the drivers of Aerospace power are markedly different from those that affect other forms of military power, be it Land or Sea. The components of aerospace power are inherently dependant upon technology, and technology largely dictates performance and capability. In order to achieve a degree of dominance in the domain of aerospace, it is essential for an Air Force to possess an advantage in the quality of equipment and a demonstrated superiority in tactics and training. Whilst development of tactics and training are matters that remain largely within our control, accessibility to and availability of timely and appropriate technology is often the Impediment.

I am sure, we all accept the fact that the demands of successful aerospace operations are indeed exacting and technology intensive. Coupled with this fact is the peculiarity of extremely short shelf-lives and rapid obsolescence of technology. This demands a highly intense cycle of research, development and production. Today, I daresay, capabilities of existing platforms can be significantly enhanced with upgrades and improvements. In addition, new capabilities create new arenas of conflict and Space and Cyberspace emerge as the new battle zones. Miniaturisation, sophisticated weaponry, sensors, electronic warfare, communications, stealth, networking and a number of other sub-spheres in the field of military aviation, continuously and aggressively, demand increasing sophistication and refinement, so as to continue to remain relevant, superior and effective.

Demands for this intense pace of development is not simply a matter of choice, but is an inevitable result of the very high pace of air and Space operations. You will appreciate the fact that, the effect of advances in technology manifests itself in a magnified manner in the aerospace business due to the high tempo of operations. The same quantum of change does not evoke that drastic a capability differential in the realm of surface forces. I think that I would be justified in surmising that the fates of aviation and technology are irrevocably interlinked more than in other spheres.

Debate: DoctrIne vs Technology

That brings me to consider an often repeated question as to, “Does technology drive doctrine or is it the other way around?” By this, I mean that, do we conduct operations with what we get, or do we demand technology to facilitate the way we fight. I am aware that this topic has often been the subject of very vigorous debate. In an ideal situation, it ought to be the doctrine that dictates the direction of research and development. A desired concept of operations or a perceived gap in capability is determined by the strategic Commanders, and that is sought to be addressed by providing a technological fix, which in turn becomes the subject of research & development and a product is delivered and absorbed.

But that’s not how it usually happens. Whilst there are occasions wherein specific solutions to problems have
been sought and provided, more often than not, it can be argued that technology has thrown up developments which have been adapted to make doctrinal changes, due to the enhanced possibilities and options provided.

There is merit in both arguments and I am inclined to accept a more moderate view. I do not think, that the two are actually that distinctly separate and unrelated. I believe that doctrine and technology are inter-related and inter -dependant on each other, in a very complex manner, at many levels. They exert subtle and covert influences on each other, right from inception and the outcome is invariably a product of a complex interplay, between both these drivers.

New battle space

As I mentioned earlier, new technologies have unarguably changed the way we operate. The arenas of combat have altered drastically in the past few decades. From close-range aerial combat involving guns, the environment is now dominated by extremely long-range sensors and weapon systems, which are orchestrated by complex networks and fast moving Intelligence. This has created new centres of gravity and targets of a different kind, Space and Cyberspace being the new battlefields.

Areas of EmergIng Technology
In an effort to achieve operationalsuperiority, it is but natural that assets in Space will be increasingly used in a wide variety of passive and active combat roles. They endow great capability in global communication, ISR, navigation, ballistic missiles warning and intercept, weather watch, search and rescue and may be even offensive potential.

New developments in artificial intelligence and automation will reduce human intervention and increase speed and accuracy of response. Exciting new research in biotechnology, nanotechnology, aircraft materials, adaptive technology, propulsion systems and automation, promise to change the very way we operate in the realm of aerospace.

ModernIsatIon of the IAF

The Indian Air Force is in the process of a very comprehensive modernisation programme. We are at varying stages in the induction of a wide range of equipment which includes all types of aircraft, weapons, missiles, sensors, communication equipment etc. We are even upgrading our airfield infrastructure, laboratories and maintenance facilities. The scale is simply immense. We are looking for state-of-the-art equipment and will not settle for the second best.

Indian Defence Industry

The Indian defence industry is also now in the process of emerging out of its long sheltered cocoon. Having been under the protection of the Indian Government and the purview of the Public sector for long, it has now been thrown open to the private sector as well. The opportunity is tremendous and the moment is just right. Whilst, India did miss out on the Industrial revolution and the early years of the development of aeronautical industry, I now find that critical aircraft components for major companies like Airbus etc are manufactured in India. What it essentially means is that now is the time for private entrepreneurs to take up the challenge and venture into these areas either in collaboration, as joint ventures or as licensee producers. The institutional provisions have been made; it is time for us to act.

I know that these two days will be spent in debating on a number of these key issues. Questions of viability, need to investment in R&D, assuredness of returns, import and export issues, support from the Government, expectations from us and other associated consumers, will all engage you. I am confident that a number of tangible and fruitful outcomes will emerge.

Our future strategy

The rate of change and emergence of newer and different forms of technology is amazing and it is proceeding along at an unprecedented pace. The scope of development is tremendous and the field is wide open. Weapon guidance, simulators, avionics, communication equipment, essential components, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, missile technology, sensors; the list is, indeed, endless. Technologies do not develop in isolation. Most grow in a sort of symbiotic fashion. As an example, witness the growth of aerospace industry in and around Bangalore. The process of research has a sort of cascading effect and sometimes just needs a catalyst.

It is time for us to collectively take stock and plan out our strategy for the years ahead. There are a number of areas where we must admit that we lack technology and the requisite industrial base. We must be practical and accept the fact that it would not be possible to develop capabilities in each and every field. We must identify core technologies, which hold maximum potential in indigenisation and pursue these vigorously. We must develop core expertise in critical areas like metallurgy, avionics, simulation, EW etc. It is also imperative that we identify emerging technologies and concentrate on developing them, so as to secure a lead in these areas. We could then possess niche capabilities in such spheres and attract customers worldwide.

These can be achieved only with focused Research and Development. The Integrated Guided Missile Programme and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) have demonstrated the kind of results that can be achieved. We possess some of the world’s best institutions and the brightest manpower. The many well-equipped laboratories of DRDO are now available for use by private enterprises and these must be exploited.

Conclusion

The Indian Private sector has matured over the years and has that inherent capability to expand and develop world- leading expertise. The mechanisms are in place. The Indian Air Force, the Public and Private sector need to come together and understand each others’ needs, requirements and limitations.

We are at a critical juncture in this quest for self-reliance. A strong and healthy partnership between the public and the private sector is essential in developing and sustaining a sound domestic industrial base for the future. I know that these issues are uppermost in your minds and will be discussed over the course of this seminar. I compliment Mr Gulshan Luthra, Air Marshal Goel and the management of India Strategic magazine for having provided a forum to discuss such a topical issue. I know that the thought generated here will go a long way on the road to self -reliance. I wish you very fruitful deliberations in the sessions ahead.