air power in the indian context were entirely dependent on their armies and navies for survival. Armies and navies have traditionally been visible manifestations of sovereign might and capability. Thus, a generic appreciation regarding the utility of armies, and to a certain extent, maritime power, is inherent in most national psyches. Air power, by contrast, only arrived in the last century and its optimum exploitation only began in the past few decades. Hence, its relevance, potential and applicability are yet to be fully absorbed into our nation’s consciousness. Air power as a powerful and flexible tool of national security, statecraft and overall development is yet to be comprehended in full measure, leading to continued instances of its sub-optimal utilisation. The full-scale utilisation of IAF during conventional wars like the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, its nonutilisation during the 1962 Indo-China war and restricted use during the 1999 Kargil conflict serve to illustrate the point. Air power, in a classic sense is defined as the total ability of a nation to assert its will through the medium of air. It includes both civil and military aviation, existing and potential. In the modern sense, air power which has evolved into aerospace power is defined as the product of aerospace capability and aerospace doctrine. Air power is the strength of an air force as opposed to an attendant capability. The strength of India’s air power lies in the IAF with the capabilities of air arms of the other services reinforcing that strength. Aviation related research and development as also industrial capabilities have a force multiplier effect. Space capabilities further add to the above to enhance the aerospace power of the nation. The IAF has played a pivotal role in the country’s security ever since its inception nearly 80 years ago. The IAF was established as an independent force on October 8, 1932 making it one of the oldest, continuously functioning independent air forces of the world. Over the years the IAF has evolved from being primarily a tactical auxiliary arm of the Royal Air Force in India, to an independent professional strategic force which endeavours to be at the forefront of national service. 5