Strategic bombers for the Indian Air Force: Balancing power projection and regional security dynamics

China’s expanding long-range airpower has exposed a strategic bomber deficit in India’s force structure. This article interrogates whether restoring a dedicated bomber arm would strengthen India’s deterrence and power-projection posture. By mapping threat contingencies – from the Tibetan Plateau to maritime interdiction in the Indian Ocean – it analyzes the unique operational attributes of bombers against multirole fighters, ground-based missiles, and UCAVs. The study argues that a bomber’s payload economy and signaling utility offer strategic advantages unmatched by other platforms. Consequently, it proposes a phased, hybrid acquisition model to bridge the capability gap without prohibitive opportunity costs.