Opinion | Rafale will add heft to Indian Air Force’s deterrence capability

Military power is meant to avoid war and not to perpetuate it. A military strategist would want to win a war without firing a single shot. Military capability is built to deter the adversary from any misadventure, and simultaneously impose your political will on your adversary. It is significant to note that after the Parliament attack in December 2001, the decision to line up large number of forces along the border (Operation Parakram) to demonstrate political will, resulted in over 700 casualties and huge losses of equipment. The bold decision of the present political leadership to strike Balakot terrorist camp in Pakistan was indeed a paradigm shift from the previous policy of restraint. Through the use of air power, in 30 minutes, the leadership achieved what could not be achieved in seven months after the Parliament attack with Operation Parakram and that too without any loss of man or machine. Such is the effect of air power.