basic doctrine of the indian air force safeguard national interests and achieve national security objectives. The national strategy entails the coordinated employment of all elements of national power. The doctrine offers precepts for the development and employment of national power. For example, India’s nuclear doctrine as operationalised by the CCS note of January 4, 2003, guides the national strategy. The joint military strategy decides the development and employment of military power, along with the respective land, maritime and air strategies. Military doctrine provides the conceptual framework for the role, scope and application of military power and underpins the formulation of military strategy. LEVELS OF DOCTRINE Apex doctrines relating to national security and military power, offer precepts for the development and employment of power at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. Accordingly, doctrines have distinct levels that broadly correspond with the levels of war fighting, viz. strategic, operational and tactical. Strategic Level: This doctrine enunciates the fundamental and enduring principles which guide the use of air forces during war and crises. It establishes the framework for the effective use of air power. For example, the tenet that: ‘control of air becomes a prerequisite for effectiveness of all military activities’ is an enduring principle. Operational Level: This translates the principles of the basic doctrine into military action by prescribing the proper use of the air forces on the basis of: distinct objectives, force capabilities, broad mission areas and operational environments. An example of an operational doctrine in consonance with strategic doctrine could be: ‘AOC-in-C employing his air force in counter air operations by orchestrating a variety of roles to achieve control of the air’. Tactical Level: This converts basic and operational doctrine by delineating the proper use of specific weapon systems to accomplish 26