Strategic Renaissance of Air Power Discussed at MP-IDSA–CAPSS Conference

March 24, 2026

New Delhi: The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), in collaboration with the Centre for Air Power and Strategic Studies (CAPSS), inaugurated a two-day conference on ‘Strategic Renaissance of Air Power’ on March 24–25, 2026.

In his Opening Address, Director General MP-IDSA, Sujan R. Chinoy, highlighted the growing centrality of aerospace power in modern warfare, noting its expanding role across air, space, cyber, and artificial intelligence domains. He emphasised that aerospace capabilities now underpin intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike operations, making them critical to both offensive and defensive strategies.

Amb Chinoy in his address highlighted the need for India to strengthen self-reliance in key defence technologies, including satellite systems, propulsion, and advanced aerospace platforms, amid an increasingly uncertain global security environment. He also drew attention to the evolving nature of warfare, where drones, integrated air defence systems, and unmanned technologies are playing a decisive role.

He further stressed the importance of building indigenous capabilities, fostering public-private collaboration, and developing a robust aerospace ecosystem to support future military requirements, including for enduring conflicts involving attrition.

Director General, CAPSS, AVM Anil Golani (Retd), in his Welcome Address underscored that air power is undergoing a profound “strategic renaissance,” driven by the convergence of advanced technologies, evolving geopolitical realities, and the expanding scope of multi-domain operations. Tracing its evolution from the early days of World War I to today’s precision-led environment, he noted that air power has consistently shaped the grammar of warfare, but is now transforming at an unprecedented pace. Modern air power extends seamlessly into space, cyber, and the electromagnetic spectrum, making decision-making superiority and information dominance central to operational success. He highlighted the growing importance of integrated air defence and anti-access strategies, as well as the dynamic nature of control in contested environments, where dominance must be continuously achieved, denied, and regained. Emphasising a shift from platform-centric approaches, he pointed to the emergence of system-of-systems concepts, kill webs, and the need for interoperability and survivability.

The compression of decision-making cycles demands agility, speed, and precision, particularly in conflicts conducted under a nuclear overhang. He also drew attention to space as an increasingly contested domain, warning that the transition from militarisation to weaponisation may be inevitable and must be anticipated. Stressing that while technology is the engine of change, doctrine remains the compass, he called for revisiting traditional command structures and adapting to operate within adversaries’ decision cycles, including the cognitive domain. He concluded by highlighting the role of air power in strategic signalling and narrative shaping, and expressed hope that deliberations would generate fresh insights and challenge existing assumptions.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) R.K.S. Bhadauria, PVSM, AVSM, VM (Retd), former Chief of the Air Staff, emphasised that air power would be the decisive instrument shaping the initiation, tempo, and outcome of future conflicts. He noted that the ongoing conflicts underscore a renewed understanding of air power’s centrality, particularly as technological advancements have empowered even non-state actors with disruptive capabilities.

Highlighting the growing impact of low-cost systems such as drones and loitering munitions, he pointed out how these have exposed vulnerabilities in advanced military platforms and altered escalation dynamics, citing contemporary examples where relatively inexpensive technologies have influenced strategic calculations. He stressed upon the critical importance of integrating air and space domains, alongside leveraging artificial intelligence for real-time decision-making and information fusion, which is otherwise humanly unmanageable.

Identifying key areas for capability development, he highlighted hypersonics, directed energy weapons for counter-drone operations, and a diverse range of autonomous and AI-enabled platforms. He also drew attention to India’s unique geopolitical challenges, including the collusive threat from China and Pakistan, necessitating a comprehensive capability spectrum from low-cost systems to high-end precision strike assets.

Emphasising the urgency of indigenous development, he called for building domestic capacities in AI, data, and intellectual property to ensure strategic autonomy. He further advocated deeper tri-service integration and meaningful interoperability with friendly foreign partners. Stressing the need to reassess legacy platforms and doctrines, he argued for prioritising mobility, survivability, and future-ready technologies, including ballistic missile defence and space-based capabilities, to remain prepared for emerging threats.

The conference brings together experts, policymakers, and military professionals to examine the future of air power and India’s strategic priorities in this domain.