THREAT ASSESSMENT AND MODERNISATION CHALLENGES

IAF needs to secure the skies through Air Power parity amidst rising Regional Challenges

- AIR MARSHAL ANIL CHOPRA (RETD)

CHINA’S GLOBAL AMBITIONS IN RECENT YEARS MEANT HIGHER defence allocations and a much bigger flip to air and sea power. “The air force is a strategic military service that has a vital position and plays a vital role in the overall situation of national security and military strategy,” said Xi Jinping, in April 2014. The growing Chinese indigenous aviation industry has been supporting much faster growth of PLA Air Force (PLAAF). Notwithstanding China’s main interest in the South and East China Seas, and the Western Pacific, they continue to work to contain India. The Line of Actual Control (LAC) has remained active since the Galwan skirmish of 2020. China is strengthening airfield infrastructure and supply lines across LAC.

MODERNISING PLAAF APPROACH 

PLAAF is fast acquiring top-end systems and weapons of global class and reach. There is much greater emphasis on modern technologies, including stealth, hypersonic, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyber, electronic warfare, and long range missiles. PLAAF also reoriented its flying training and tactics, and there is much higher emphasis on realistic exercises. The PLAAF has made major changes in its operational doctrine based on global reach requirements. Air defence of critical assets; long-range offensive precision strikes; integrated battlefield support missions; intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); information operations; and strategic air-transport reach are on priority. Integration of air and space will support both offensive and defensive operations. PLAAF is preparing for hybrid network-centric war.

CHINA’S GROWING AIR POWER ASSETS