Category: Balakot

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863: IAF @94: A KALEIDOSCOPE THROUGH THE AIR MARSHAL’S LENS

 

Indian Air Force celebrates its 94th anniversary on October 8, 2026.

Good wishes to all air warriors on AF Day.

 

The IAF is celebrating under the theme “Indian Air Force – Infallible, Impervious and Precise.”

The IAF has evolved from its October 8, 1932, origins (when it had a few Westland Wapiti biplanes and a handful of pilots) into a modern, network-centric, multi-domain strategic force.

 

A compilation of links to some of the posts on the Indian Air Force (from the blog “Air Marshal’s Perspective”) is listed below: –

 

Articles/Writeups

  1. Evolution of IAF: Historic Perspective.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/04/26/evolution-of-iaf-historic-perspective/

  1. IAF: Guardians of the sky (Article published in the Millennium Post.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/10/08/indian-air-force-guardians-of-the-skies/

  1. IAF: Strategies – Past, Present and Future (Article published in the Gyan Chakra book on Military Strategy).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/06/26/iaf-strategies-past-present-and-future/

  1. Doctrinal Evolution of IAF.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/04/25/doctrinal-evolution-iaf/

  1. Role of IAF in India’s policy of Punitive Deterrence (Article published on the “Life of Soldier” website.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2025/10/01/753indias-policy-of-punitive-deterrence-against-state-sponsored-terrorism-pivotal-role-of-the-indian-air-force/

  1. IAF Flight Path @ 92 (Article published in the “News Analytics” journal)

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/10/07/518-indian-air-force-flight-path-92/

  1. IAF Challenges and Future Trajectory (Article Published in the “News Analytics” Journal).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/07/08/indian-air-force-challenges-and-future-trajectory/

  1. Indian Air Force @91

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/10/05/indian-air-force91/

  1. Aero India 2025: Key Solutions for the IAF Challenges (Article Published in the SP Aviation).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2025/02/11/595-aero-india-2025-and-key-solutions-for-iafs-challenges/

  1. Future Conflict Scenario: Implications for IAF (Part 1).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/03/15/future-conflict-scenarios-implications-for-iaf-part-1/

  1. Future Conflict Scenario: Implications for IAF (Part 2).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/03/16/future-conflict-scenario-implications-for-iaf-part-2/

 

Acquisitions/Capability Enhancement

  1. IAF Aerospace Capability Building (Article published in the USI Strategic Yearbook 2021).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/07/20/iaf-aerospace-capability-building-article-published-in-usi-strategic-year-book-2021/

  1. MRFA Acquisition for a future Ready IAF (Article published in the “Life of Soldier” Journal)..

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2025/02/02/591-transforming-indias-skies-the-mrfa-acquisition-for-a-future-ready-iaf/

  1. IAF’s Deterrence Capability (Summary of Aspects).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/10/05/inputs-iaf-deterrence-capability/

  1. Inputs to Questionnaire from Media bout IAF.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/10/02/q-a-series-iaf-ai-powered-unmanned-platforms-space-ops-and-future-challenges/

  1. IAF Supporting Self-Reliance.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2022/10/04/indian-air-force-always-supports-atmanirbharta-part-2/

  1. IAF supporting Atmanirbharta

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2022/09/23/indian-air-force-always-supports-atmanirbharta/

  1. Wings of Indigenisation: IAF-HAL Saga (Article published in the “Life of Soldier” journal).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2025/04/02/635-iafs-wings-of-indigenisation-the-iaf-hal-saga/

  1. ISTAR for IAF: Redefining Strategic Surveillance (Article published in the “Eurasian Times”)

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2025/07/09/698-the-istar-to-redefine-strategic-surveillance-for-the-indian-air-force/

  1. Women in IAF (Article published in the Air Force Association Journal).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/09/21/women-air-warriors-in-indian-air-force/

  1. Exercise Iniochos 2025: IAF on Broader Charioteer (Article published in “Eurasian Times”).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2025/04/01/634-exercise-iniochos-25-iaf-on-board-charioteer/

 

Podcasts and Talks

 

  1. Strategic Evolution of IAF (Talk on “Thus Spake General”).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/09/02/strategic-evolution-of-indian-air-force/

  1. IAF Challenges and Preparedness (Talk on News Time)

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/12/26/565chat-with-mr-dinesh-k-vohra-on-news-time-about-iaf-challenges-and-preparedness/

  1. Life in IAF (Chat with Gaurav).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/10/15/af-day-special-part-1-2/

  1. IAF Challenges (Chat with Gaurav).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/10/15/af-day-special-iaf-broader-issues-personal-beliefs-part-23-3/

  1. IAF Fighter Aircraft Strength (Chat on “DEF Talks”).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/06/18/def-talks-iaf-fighter-sqn-strength-and-rafales/

  1. IAF: Expectations and Capability Building (Chat on DEF Talks”).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/05/21/def-talks-expectations-from-iaf-vis-a-vis-capability-building/

  1. IAF: Modernisation and Technology advancement (Chat on “VJTI Technovanja”)

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/03/02/talk-on-modernisation-and-technology-advancement-in-iaf-during-technovanja-of-vjti/

 

Constructive remarks and value additions are most welcome

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856: Podcast with Ashtosh on “The Brand Called You”

 

I was privileged to be hosted at  “The Brand Called You (TBCY)”. I had an interesting, thought-provoking conversation with Ashutosh Garg on the rapidly evolving landscape of air and space warfare.

The conversation explored the changing nature of warfare, lessons from recent global conflicts, emerging technologies, and the capabilities needed for a resilient and future-ready aerospace ecosystem.

 

00:00 – Introduction to Air Marshal Anil Khosla

01:12 – Defining Moments in Leadership & Military Strategy

02:57 – Strategic Lessons from Doklam & Balakot

05:26 – Rapid Evolution in Air & Space Warfare

07:23 – Lessons from Global Conflicts: Ukraine, Israel & Iran

08:59 – Understanding China’s Military Mindset

11:42 – China’s Military-Civil Fusion Model

13:12 – Drones vs. Fighter Aircraft: What’s the Future?

15:31 – The Strategic Importance & Vulnerabilities of Space

19:10 – Should India Establish a Full Aerospace Command?

22:47 – AI in Air Combat: Replacing Pilots?

25:31 – The Threat of AI-Enabled Cognitive & Information Warfare

28:28 – Three Key Investments for India’s Aerospace Capabilities

30:44 – Personal Reflections & Advice for Young Officers

32:14 – Closing Thoughts

 

Link to the Podcast:-

Key Takeaways

Adapt Quickly to Technological Change: The future of warfare is moving beyond pilot- and platform-centric models toward integrated ecosystems involving drones, AI, networked assets, and advanced technologies. Anticipating technological shifts will be increasingly important for future preparedness.

Build Resilience and Self-Reliance: Recent conflicts have highlighted the importance of indigenous capabilities, resilient supply chains, and secure infrastructure. From satellites and aerospace systems to cyber capabilities, resilience is becoming increasingly important.

Understand Information Warfare and AI: Modern conflicts extend beyond the physical battlefield into the information and cognitive domains. AI-enabled misinformation and perception management highlight the importance of media literacy, responsible AI development, and stronger information resilience.

 

Please Add Value to the write-up with your views on the subject.

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

Pics Courtesy: Internet

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to the respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

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829: Podcast with Abhinay

Had an interesting chat with Abhinay of Prabhasakshi News Channel.

We talked about: –

  1. New balance of air power in the world today.
  2. Drones and Fighter aircraft.
  3. Different philosophies of Russia’s Su-57 and the U.S.’s F-35.
  4. Future of air warfare
  5. Timelines of indigenous fifth-generation aircraft. (AMCA).
  6. Role of AI in air warfare.
  7. Loyal Wingman drones.
  8. F-35 / Su-57 / AMCA.
  9. Aircraft engine technology development and production.
  10. Export of fighter jets as a geopolitical tool and a source of dependency.
  11. India’s greatest achievements and biggest challenges in terms of defence self-reliance.
  12. Indian Air Force of 2040.
  13. One trend in air warfare over the next 20 years.
  14. Balakot Operations.

 

Value additions are most welcome.

 

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References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

Pics Courtesy: Internet

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to the respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

 

 

 

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