basic doctrine of the indian air force Air power’s ability to create strategic outcomes without transiting territories on ground made it a primary instrument of choice. However, subsequent air campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq along with the Israeli experience against Hezbollah and other non-state actors have yielded mixed results. The clear lesson is that while air power remains an instrument of choice, its effectiveness depends to a large extent upon the adversary, the kind of target systems that can be engaged through the medium of air, and the ability of military and political leadership to use it for maximum effect. The major post Cold War innovations included stealth, precision, extended reach, night sensors and enhanced computing power. Leadership now became a viable target. A significant shift also took place with the development of night fighting enabling technology that reduced the flexibility enjoyed earlier by surface forces to manoeuvre at night. Further, space became closely integrated with warfare and was utilised for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) functions, secure communications, integrated early warning, weather forecasting and navigation. Space based assets significantly enhanced the potency of air power. Due to increased battlefield transparency, it also became easier to discern enemy intentions. Use of precision weapons at long range proved effective in causing a strategic paralysis. The media brought warfare into living rooms and therefore significantly influenced the way in which wars were conducted. It created international pressure and sensitivity regarding friendly losses and collateral damage. Whilst short duration of wars meant there was little time for the strategic effect to manifest itself, but the necessity of making a swift strategic impact, increased especially when operating under nuclear thresholds. With technological advancement, air power provided the capabilities that linked tactical actions with strategic outcomes that could prove crucial, especially in short duration wars. With increasing globalisation, power concepts are moving away from territorial acquisitions to the extracting of political/economic 10