Air Chief Highlights IAF Readiness After Operation Sindoor
Bharatmorning.com – India’s Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has pointed to Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of the Indian Air Force’s ability to shift rapidly from routine readiness to combat operations, describing air power as a decisive instrument for protecting national interests during an increasingly uncertain global period.
Speaking at Hindan air force station on IAF Day, the Chief of Air Staff reflected on the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in 2025. He said the operation illustrated both the force’s offensive capability and the effectiveness of its air-defence response. Singh is due to retire on October 31.
“Last year, the whole world witnessed the speed with which the IAF moved into combat operations. We saw first-hand the destructive power as well as the effective air defence operations of the IAF during Operation Sindoor,” Singh said.
Targets Struck During the May 2025 Operation
Operation Sindoor began in the early hours of May 7, 2025. The IAF targeted two terror sites in Pakistan’s Punjab province: Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba near Muridke.
At the same time, the Indian Army struck seven locations. These included Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot; Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad; Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli; Barnala in Bhimber; and Sarjal.
Further IAF strikes followed on May 9 and 10, 2025, focusing on military locations at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi.
The sequence underlined the importance of speed, coordination and sustained preparedness in air operations. For an air force, rapid response depends not only on aircraft and weapons but also on planning, intelligence, maintenance, communications and trained personnel who can execute missions under pressure.
Air Power in a Changing Security Environment
Singh said international developments are becoming more complex as new conflicts emerge in different regions. In that environment, he argued, air power has become the foremost means of defending a country’s interests and responding to sudden contingencies.
“New conflicts are emerging across different parts of the world. These events have clearly demonstrated that air power is the primary means of protecting the national interest. The IAF, being the custodian of the air power, understands its role and responsibilities and is always alert, committed, and ready to meet any contingency,” he said.
The air chief said advanced platforms alone do not define military strength. The more important test, he said, is whether a force can respond promptly and with assurance when called upon. He linked that principle to the IAF’s tagline: “Infallible, Impervious, and Precise.”
“We believe that any air force can have the most advanced aircraft or systems in the world, but its true strength is measured by its operational preparedness…how quickly and confidently it can act whenever the call comes,” Singh said.
Training, Exercises and Combat Validation
Singh stressed that professional training forms the base of operational capability. Aircrew and ground crew must be prepared for a wide range of missions, from securing Indian airspace and conducting strikes to providing assistance during disasters.
“Our aircrew and ground crew are trained to such a high degree that their skill becomes their second nature. And whether the task is defending our skies, or delivering aid in a disaster, or carrying out punitive strikes, we are constantly preparing for the mission,” he said.
He identified Vayu Shakti, Dronathon and the ongoing multilateral exercise Tarang Shakti as major initiatives undertaken during the year. These activities are intended to test readiness in active conditions while bringing specialised technologies into operational use more quickly.
Tarang Shakti brings together more than 80 Indian and foreign aircraft, including aircraft ranging from the F-35 fighter to India’s domestically produced Tejas light combat aircraft. Eight air forces are participating with their own air assets, including those of the United States, France, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The exercise also has 32 observers from countries including Brazil, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. Such multinational activity offers an opportunity to practise coordination among different aircraft, operating procedures and air-force personnel.
Artificial Intelligence and Human Decision-Making
Alongside conventional combat readiness, the IAF is placing greater emphasis on artificial intelligence, autonomy and digital systems. Singh said AI is being used to help commanders assess very large volumes of information and make better-informed decisions.
“We have continuously embraced new technologies. We are entering an era shaped by artificial intelligence, autonomy, and digital innovation. The IAF is using AI to help commanders make informed decisions after analysing enormous amounts of data,” Singh said.
He added that autonomous systems are being developed with a “man-in-the-loop” approach. The aim is to create an AI-augmented force in which technology strengthens military capability while human authority remains central to decision-making.
Self-Reliance Remains a Core Priority
Singh said atmanirbharta, or self-reliance, continues to guide efforts to expand the IAF’s capability. He cited the Tejas light combat aircraft, the advanced medium combat aircraft, the HTT-40 trainer, Dhruv and Prachand helicopters, Astra missiles, Akash air-defence systems and BrahMos missiles as products of that commitment.
“While enhancing the capability of the IAF, atmanirbharta is our guiding principle,” Singh said.
For the IAF, the push for indigenous systems is tied to the need for faster adoption of emerging technologies and dependable operational preparedness. The message from the air chief’s address was clear: future air power will rely on advanced platforms and digital tools, but its effectiveness will still rest on trained personnel, rapid decision-making and the ability to act when the situation demands it.
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