basic doctrine of the indian air force In India’s case, it is clear that air power alone cannot win a war, but at the same time, no modern war can be won without it. Our experience indicates that in almost every war fought since independence, the IAF has played a significant, and at times a pivotal role. It is also clear that air power can best be exploited not only in synergy with the other two components of the military, but also in tandem with diplomatic efforts and other national civil processes. The spectrum of modern conflict is significantly different and modern wars, whether conventional or sub-conventional (with or without a nuclear overhang) cannot be won singly by any one of the three primary components of military power. Modern conflicts can be decisively influenced only by each component of military power operating in synergy with each other and optimally exploiting the unique attributes of its medium of operation (air, land and sea) to achieve national objectives. Since the objective is common, joint operations would be the most logical response to national challenges. Integrated and joint operations are the cornerstone of modern military operations and air power must be seen as the binding factor. This is so, mainly because land and naval forces historically operated independent of each other until the advent of air power. It is air power that enables land and naval forces to undertake sustained operations beyond their physical operating mediums, leading to the increasingly accepted perception that air power is the lynchpin of joint operations. 12