Ex-IAF Chief stresses on tech leap for military superiority
NEW DELHI. Former Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal (Retd) VR Chaudhari has emphasised the need for the Indian military to harness emerging technologies to maintain superiority across all domains and secure either conflict prevention or decisive victories.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 16th ‘Jumbo’ Majumdar International Seminar, hosted by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) here on March 4, Chaudhari underscored the importance of rapidly adopting advanced capabilities rather than relying on gradual technological progress. He highlighted drones, space-based assets, and integrated air defence systems as key elements in shaping the future of warfare.
The seminar, themed ‘Evolving Dynamics of Aerospace Power’, featured discussions on integrated aerospace management, space exploitation for air dominance, and the role of drones and manned-unmanned teams in future conflicts. Experts presented insights on how emerging technologies could redefine military strategy and operations.
During an interactive session, Chaudhari was asked whether advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and other disruptive technologies would shape future wars more than traditional military strategies focused on land-based victories. He responded that the concept of victory varies by context and cannot be framed in absolute terms.
In his opening remarks, the former IAF Chief also pointed to the evolving challenges of air mobility services and air power management in modern battlespaces, signalling the need for a proactive approach to military innovation.
The seminar was divided into two sessions – ‘Aerospace Power in Future Conflicts’ and ‘Transformative Technologies in Aerospace Power’.
In the first session, Gp Capt (Dr) (Retd) DK Pandey, Senior Fellow at CAPS, spoke on integrated aerospace management and the way forward for the IAF.
Pandey spoke extensively on the implications of complex aerospace domain, highlighting the importance of data overload and information management, decision speed, and cybersecurity and resilience.
In this context, he referred to the US Department of Defence’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) and stressed on the importance of the Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) system practised by the US and NATO.
As for the way forward for IAF, he emphasised that enhanced domain awareness through multi-sensor fusion and AI-driven command and control and automation comprised the key. He called for the IAF to exploit all emerging technologies.
Speaking on the importance of effective space exploration for gaining “control of the air”, Gp Capt Rahul Basoya of the Defence Space Agency elaborated on the essentials of control of the air, favourable air situation, air superiority and air supremacy.
Wg Cdr A Pichipoo Raja, Research Fellow at CAPS, highlighted how drones, manned and unmanned teams (MUMTs) can shape future conflicts.
In the second session chaired by Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Ashish Vohra, Additional Director General of CAPS, Air Cmde VV Gupta gave a detailed presentation of the offensive and defensive cyber and electronic warfare operations.
Wg Cdr Achu Kuzhiyeth, Directing Staff at the College of Air Warfare (CAW) of the IAF, spoke on the importance of exploitation of emerging and niche technologies by the IAF.
In the concluding presentation of the seminar, Gp Capt Girish Dantale, Station Commander of Air Force Station Utterlai, kept the audience enraptured speaking about the seriousness of the emergence of fifth and sixth generation fighter aircraft in India’s neighbourhood.
Fifth-generation fighter jets, Dantale explained, such as the US F-35 and the Russian Su-57, represent a significant leap in aviation technology. These aircraft integrate advanced stealth, supercruise capabilities, network-centric warfare, and superior sensor fusion, making them indispensable for modern air defence.
He explained why the induction of fifth-generation fighters, such as the proposed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is important for the IAF.
But then, China took a generational leap by developing the sixth generation J-36. The J-36 prototype was publicly flown over Chengdu, Sichuan, in December last year. Referring only to reports that he had read, Dantale spoke about the tailless, diamond-wing design of the J-36, enhancing its stealth capabilities by reducing radar cross-section.
Earlier in the day, during the inauguration of the seminar by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, three book were released – Iran: A Misjudged, Misunderstood, Misconstrued Nation? By Air Marshal Dhiraj Kukreja, India in Pursuit of Hypersonic Flight by Air Marshal (Retd) GS Bedia and Energy Cooperation between India and the Caspian Region by Ngangbom Dhruba Tara Singh, Associate Fellow at CAPS.
