Citing Venezuela And Iraq, IAF Chief Explains Why Military Power Is Must; How Air Power Did The Trick In Op Sindoor

During the four-day retaliatory offensive – Operation Sindoor – against terror bases in Pakistan and PoK, India Armed Forces did shone bright, with the Air Force proving that it can play a decisive role when it comes to contemporary conflicts. It was because of our edge in the air that the IAF destroyed 12-13 of Pakistan’s combat aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) reflected on the saying, sharin how the Indian Air Force has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to deliver swift, precise and strategic outcomes, from evacuations in conflict zones to crippling terror infrastructure and military assets across borders.

Underscoring the decisive role of air power in contemporary conflicts, the IAF Chief said air power has emerged as the most effective instrument of military force in recent conflicts. He made the remarks while addressing the 22nd Subroto Mukherjee Seminar in New Delhi.

How IAF did the trick during Operation Sindoor?

Referring to Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, the Air Chief said the IAF struck multiple targets in Pakistan within a matter of hours, sending an unambiguous message of deterrence. The operation was initiated in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with the objective of dismantling terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled areas.

According to the Air Chief, the IAF entered the conflict with a clear mandate and concluded it swiftly after achieving its objectives. “The part of military power that has come in handy, or which has delivered what was required to be delivered, is air power,” he said, adding that it is very important that we focus on this part of the military if we want to be a force to reckon with.

Whether it is getting people out of the conflict zone, whether it is to give a blow to terrorist infrastructure and their perpetrators, or whether it is attacking bases in Pakistan in a matter of a few hours to send a signal that enough is enough and bring them to their knees. It was the air power which did the trick, he underlined.

Military power: The ultimate arbiter of national power

AP Singh shared that military power stands as the ultimate arbiter of national power. “Any one of these powers is very important but finally, what is required is a robust military, because if you don’t have it, you can be subjugated by anybody. Venezuela and Iraq are the most recent examples.”

It is the military power which is important, but what is more important is the will to use that military power. Unless you have that will, you can keep showing restraint, but that restraint will be seen as a weakness. It is only when you’re strong enough, and you show restraint, that it is seen as a capability, the Air Chief Marshal explained.

Why military power is a must

To further stress on his point that military power speaks a lot of the country’s stature, Singh said history is proof that even economically strong societies can be conquered if they lack the ability to protect themselves, citing India’s past experience of colonisation despite earlier economic dominance.

Meanwhile, the IAF chief recalled the legacy of founding father of the Indian Air Force Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, noting that the IAF was built in an era of limited resources but strong vision. While constraints remain, the force today operates with far better resources and technological depth, he noted.