Protecting the Skies: Air Defence, Ethics and Fate of Nations

Ancient Indian texts describe the primary responsibility of the king (read leadership) as ensuring the security of the state and its independence. These written texts realised that even though ethics in conducting international relations is a highly desirable quality, it is likely to remain elusive, as in international relations and politics, its presence is likely to prove highly detrimental to the state’s very existence. The Mauryan empire was established with a series of treaties and clever use of the principles enshrined in Arthashastra as propounded by Kautilya (Aka. Chanakya). The continuum regime expansion virtually disintegrated when Ashoka “the great”, after having won the battle of Kalinga, embraced Buddhism and applied the Buddhist concept of ethics and morality as a sole concept for the idea of governance of his state.

            This steadfastness with the concept of ethics and dharma thereafter was one of the possible reasons for the disintegration of the empire. Subsequent history is replete with examples of multiple invasions by the looters and marauders from Central Asia and also the subsequent establishment of the British Raj with the erstwhile rulers failing to adapt to the changing nature of warfare and the clever use of political acumen and exploitation of regional differences by the victorious leaders of the East India company who cleverly used the “Just War” theory as philosophy to guide and camouflage their actions.

            This theory is said to have been propounded by classical Greek and Roman philosophers like Plato and Cicero and added to by Christian theologians like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. The theory states that a war is “Just” if it is both justified and carried out in the right way. This theory is in two parts with Latin names “Jus ad bellum” (the conditions under which the use of military force is justified) and “Jus in bello” (how to conduct a war ethically) and states clearly that it is the duty of the state to protect its citizenry while ensuring justice. It also adds that while it is wrong to take a human life, the protection of the same human life and defending moral values requires the willingness to use force and violence.

            A similar concept during the same period, known as the “Dharam Yudh” or “Just War”, was also established by the Sikhs, which meant a war in defence of righteousness. The main concepts followed were:

• War may be resorted to only if all other means of resolving the conflict have failed.
• The conflict resolution must not be based on motives of revenge or enmity
• The army must be disciplined and should not have any irregulars to apply minimum force to ensure success without harming civilians or looting them.

            Hidden within this concept was a vital tenet which differentiated it from the western concept, and even the ancient Indian concept of absolute pacifism was a simple thought that:-

                                                               “If a war is just, it should be undertaken even if it cannot be won”

            This tenet subsequently shook the Mughal empire’s very existence, and the British Raj moved in to exploit it to meet its aims cleverly. The Battle of Saragarhi remains one of the best examples of such a thought and is taught as part of the military studies curriculum worldwide.

            However, the common strand in the various developments in the Indian subcontinent over centuries is the primacy of the armed forces in establishing and maintaining the writ of the state (whichever regime is in power) and thus the need to maintain the required readiness for war. 

            Over time, various inventions have had an effect in shaping the “warscape” world over. The rapidity with which technological advancements are changing the way wars are being or are likely to be fought has presented a dilemma to the military authorities and the state. Over the past century, changes in the use of “Air” and its extension “Space” as a medium have been especially challenging for the military establishments to control and effectively utilise. This change started with balloons being used for war-waging efforts in the middle of the nineteenth century. True revolution in the art of warfare was achieved when a heavier-than-air machine could fly through the air, which in turn brought an opportunity for the military theocracy to coin new terms.

             The emergence and evolution of air defence concepts have profoundly impacted the potential outcomes of wars between nation-states. Initially, air power was primarily used for reconnaissance and limited bombing. However, as aircraft capabilities advanced, so did the need to counter them. Early air defence strategies focused on ground-based anti-aircraft artillery and fighter aircraft. The side with superior air defence could deny the enemy crucial air superiority, protecting its own forces and infrastructure, thus significantly influencing the war’s trajectory.

          Modern air defence systems are increasingly sophisticated, incorporating radar, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), electronic warfare capabilities, and integrated command and control networks. The ability to effectively detect, track, and neutralise aerial threats – including aircraft, missiles, and drones – is now critical to battlefield success. Nations with robust, layered air defence systems can deter attacks, limit damage, and maintain operational freedom. Conversely, a failure in air defence can lead to devastating air strikes, crippling logistics, and ultimately contributing to defeat. This has been proven during the ongoing “Operation Sindoor” by the Indian Armed Forces.

             Thus, as mentioned previously, Air Defence has a major role in the “Control of Air”. And, “Air Superiority” is the most coveted states for operational advantage. Furthermore, the concept of air superiority has also evolved to include space i.e. into complete control of both air and space. Nations are now vying for dominance in the seamless domain of  air and space, thereby recognising its vital role in communication, navigation, surveillance, and even offensive operations. The ability to control these domains and deny their use to the adversary is becoming increasingly crucial in modern warfare. Therefore, developing and deploying advanced air and space defence capabilities is no longer just a defensive measure but a strategic imperative that can decisively shape the outcome of conflicts between nation-states as is seen during the conduct of ongoing operations related to Op-Sindoor.

We must continue to develop strategies and capabilities to effectively leverage and counter emerging warfighting technologies such as AI and quantum communications. Readiness to harness the impact of emerging technologies including these  is crucial.