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 It
could be wagered that in concept, the term ‘Force
Multiplier’ must have been coined in the
Aerospace context. The advent of military Airpower
was in itself a Force Multiplier – a huge
boost to military capabilities with its unprecedented
vision and imperviousness to terrain; and what
it did for intelligence-gathering and many other
land-based military roles. But it must be understood
that Force Multiplication is not something exclusive
to Air Forces alone. Yet the history of the growth
of Air Power is replete with advances that have
had the most spectacular impact on its effectiveness.
In military parlance, Force Multiplication is
a dramatic increase in combat effectiveness, by
which the required effect can be achieved with
greatly reduced numbers. As a corollary to which,
the available forces can be made free to perform
other tasks.
To put it simply, it is an achieving of the ‘same
with less’ and consequently ‘more with
the same’. Force Multiplication can also
enhance the very effects themselves. After such
catchy terms are coined, they usually, and rightly,
acquire more meanings and nuances over time. Force
Multipliers are now also considered in both ‘tangible’
and ‘intangible’ forms. The tangible
ones relate to numerical strength and are technology-driven.
Yet, of late ‘intangible’ Force Multipliers
have been increasingly sought and focused upon.
These are by definition qualitative in nature,
such as quality of personnel, their morale and
training, and even weather or terrain. In so far
as personnel are concerned, their innate calibre,
determination, adaptability, leadership and innovativeness
are key qualities that can multiply their operational
effectiveness. The organisation on its part, can
adapt itself for greater operational efficiency
and also groom and develop those qualities in
its people, thereby enabling them to defeat a
numerically, even, technologically superior foe.
Is that not what Asymmetric Warfare is all about
– tackling a superior force with the employment
of ‘intangible’ Force Multipliers!
Force Multipliers in Aerospace
Operations
What drives the quest for force multipliers and
for technological advantage is the need to stay
ahead of the adversaries, enough to deter, deny
or defeat them.
Even if not related to weapon-systems, technological
innovations serve to enhance fundamental organisational
capabilities and efficiency, which in turn enhance
their operational potential.
Air Power since the very beginning is founded
on the cutting-edge technology of the day.
Its capabilities, effectiveness and therefore
its utility are premised mainly on technology.
Each technological development has had a ‘force
enhancement’ effect on Air Power and many
a ‘multiplying’ effect. These developments
made aircraft, systems, sensors and weapons more
capable and potent.
The assimilation of ‘space’, one of
the more recent processes has had perhaps the
most pronounced effect on the fundamental essence
of Air Power. Currently, the most significant
advantage that the advanced Air Forces have over
the others, are space capabilities.
Other examples are precision weapons, Beyond
the Visual Range (BVR) missiles, stealth technology,
After Action Review (AAR), AWACS, long-range sensors
and Network Centric Warfare (NCW) capabilities.
Resultantly, Aerospace Power has become so effective
and reliable that it finds increasing applicability
in almost any contingency, whether in peace or
in the many shades of conflict.
It is the ‘preferred instrument’ for
the National leadership, which finds it a flexible,
quick and responsive tool. Modern Force Multipliers
have made it practical and possible, what was
only attempted in the past, and espoused in Air
Power doctrines.
Take for instance, strategic bombing – a
very controversial air campaign! Today, precision
weapons and more survivable aircraft, coupled
with effective C4ISR can achieve the desired strategic
results, which armadas of WW-II aircraft could
not achieve! ‘Effects-based’ operations
have now become possible, and “Parallel”
operations much simpler.
Future of Aerospace Operations
 What
then is the future of Aerospace operations? The
path that the IAF treads, will usually be influenced
by the trends of leading Nations and in it’s
neighbourhood. (For instance, the advent of hi-tech
weapon system from F 16s, P3C Orions, C3I Computers
and Harpoon missiles was in India’s neighbourhood
in the early 1980s and IAF had to follow with
Mirage 2000s and Mig 29s).
There will consequently be a need for suitable
variations, creativity and a measure of selectivity.
There are the fundamental questions that will
determine the IAF’s direction and thrust.
Aerospace power will proliferate and find utility
with many National agencies, thereby raising a
host of fundamental questions – organisational
structures, management of aviation assets and
ownership issues. There is also bound to be greater
assimilation of Space capabilities, at least for
second-tier Air Forces like the IAF – ‘second’
on technological considerations and not professional
ones! For any Air Force that has a large area
of interest and responsibility, integration of
space and netcentricity is inescapable. The IAF
is at a stage today where these Force Multipliers
would be most useful.
 Technologically,
an Aerospace Power will seek to enhance its fundamentals
in order to extend its reach, persistence, accuracy,
lethality, all-weather capabilities, situational
awareness, survivability, and Command and Control.
More threatening environments will also lead to
increased dependence on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAVs and even Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
(UCAVs) – which are still under development
in the true sense – and their ilk.
It is all about specialisation and having a tool/
capability for each occasion. The transportability
of National Power by airlift/ helilift will be
more essential than ever before, particularly
in sub-conventional conflict situations as well
as in humanitarian/ disaster-relief roles. Aerospace
Power will also find increasing applications in
‘homeland security’ and in tackling
asymmetric forces with faint footprints.
Whenever there is talk of high-technology, there
is always a degree of wishfulness, a certain sense
of disbelief and dismissal. This has always been
a part of the challenge in the quest for achieving
excellence in the application of Airpower.
An aspect that needs to be understood is that
Force Multipliers do work better, or are more
effective in an Assymetric situation, particularly
when the other side doesn’t have them.
For if they do have similar capabilities, it
becomes necessary to find some other method or
technology to retain the edge of advantage.
 No
Air Force however, can allow the other to have
a significant advantage of Force Multipliers.
So, if it is just a race, where does it leave
the IAF and what are the options amongst comparable
adversaries?
While the quest for technological advantage must
continue, the Air Force that is best able to generate
‘intangible’ Force Multipliers in the
interim, will attain the edge. This could be through
innovativeness and sound strategies and tactics.
As these are less visible, they work better in
action!
As every tool is part of a toolbox, specially
designed for the trade, so does every discipline
has a place in the vast ocean of knowledge. Aerospace
Power is also a discipline, tool or arrow in the
quiver of National power.
There are other organs of National power and
the IAF must, at all times, use them and interface
with them effectively. That would indeed be a
classic way of ‘Force Multiplication’.
It could create desired effects, perhaps at lesser
cost and in quicker time.
This requires a ‘whole of Government’
approach and an extraordinary amount of integration,
wisdom, knowledge of other disciplines and most
importantly – lack of parochialism.
(The author was the Chief
of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force from 31 Mar
2007 to 31 May 2009).
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