Crystal Gazing: Challenges of the Future

Air defence has progressed rapidly in the last decade with regard to concepts, equipment, quantum and procedures. The complexity of the threats, however, has also increased, with the spectrum comprising small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), swarm drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and other surface-to-surface missiles, in addition to the competent aircraft operating at all altitudes, with enhanced stealth features. Increased use of airborne platforms for command and control has also changed the dynamics of the AD system. The demands for the operational crew are also increasing manifold, given the complexity of the threats and the induction of varied modern systems in large numbers. The challenges for the IAF, therefore, are also many, to maintain and sustain the modern as well as legacy systems and train the crews to deal with these challenges. These issues need special attention to enable the AD systems to overcome these challenges.