The Indian Air Force faces the modern dimensions of war, wherein a well-thought-out strategy encompasses the integration of bomber squadrons. Historical precedence and the rapidly changing technological environment underline this as an urgent necessity.
Stanley Baldwin, then Prime Minister of Britain, warned, “The bomber will always get through,” pointing to the crippling capability that one could expect from a strategic bombing campaign back in 1932. Early air power theorists such as Douhet, Trenchard, and Mitchell uniformly asserted that air offensive operations may ultimately shatter an adversary’s will to resist. Actual bombing campaigns proved however considerably more complicated. Improvements in radar, enemy fighters, and anti-aircraft artillery have often checked bombers such as the Luftwaffe’s failed campaign over London during World War II.
The concept of strategic bombing saw its revival during Operation Desert Storm when precision targeting, stealth technology, and SEAD revolutionized air warfare. Col. John Warden’s “Instant Thunder” campaign attacked the centers of gravity of Saddam Hussein’s regime with pinpoint precision and demonstrated the effectiveness of parallel warfare. Brig. Gen David A. Deptula said A milestone in the modern war was reached during the Gulf War air campaign when more targets were hit in a single day than were hit in entire years of prior conflicts.
The difference between strategic and tactical operations has become ambiguous with modern technology. As Gen. Charles A. Horner said during Desert Storm, “I don’t understand tactical or strategic. The words have now become meaningless and dysfunctional.” The IAF’s 2012 Basic Doctrine defines strategy as the coordination of military forces for the achievement of aims concerning national security-pretty well understood by the IAF. The strike carried out by IAF MiG 21s and Hunters on the Governor’s House in Dacca in 1971 is a good example of the application of air power to compel surrender.
Comparisons between bombers and missiles will always be drawn. While a general view might support missiles, since the weapon is expendable, a study done for RAND Project Air Force demonstrated that stealth bombers that can penetrate the defenses may be more cost-effective over 30 years, considering that conflicts will last 20 days or more.
With a highly survivable mix of conventional and nuclear capability, the USAF has future induction plans for the B-21 Raider bomber by the next decade. Whereby, Russia is developing the PAK DA “Poslannik,” a long-range stealth bomber with an operational radius of 12,000 kilometers and a payload capability of up to 35 tons. Yet, even under economic sanctions, the country hopes to start serial production of the bomber by 2027.
The importance of bombers is infinite. As military technology continues to expand, the IAF will need to move forward to maintain its military advantage. Investment in bomber squadrons would be one avenue toward securing strategic capabilities and leaving no doubt in the minds of enemies that threaten the security of India.