Why air power continues to dominate modern warfare
The lessons from Operation Sindoor highlight how flexibility, precision, and speed make air power the weapon of choice, but what else is required?
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 "Anil Golani")
 "Deterrence by punishment through air power is carried out to convince the enemy that the cost of continuing the conflict would outweigh any potential gain (Photo: IAF)")
Deterrence by punishment through air power is carried out to convince the enemy that the cost of continuing the conflict would outweigh any potential gain (Photo: IAF)
Recent conflicts across the world have once again proved the efficacy of air power as a powerful arrow in a nation’s quiver of military power. From the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict to the Israel-Iran and the India-Pakistan ‘Operation Sindoor’, there are important lessons to be learnt on the salience of air power. Air power, with its flexibility, reach, precision, and lethality, invariably becomes the preferred tool for policymakers when faced with a situation that calls for the employment of force against both state as well as non-state actors. With the ‘utility of force’ and the penchant for using it in
Written By
Anil Golani
Anil Golani is a retired Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air Force. He is currently the director-general at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi
 "Anil Golani")
First Published: Sep 02 2025 | 4:54 PM IST
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