World has to learn a lesson from India on how to start, terminate conflict: IAF chief

“So, I think this is what the world is forgetting. They do not know what our target was when we started the war. Now their goalpost is shifting. Egos are coming in between. And this is where I think the world has to learn a lesson from India on how to start and terminate a conflict at the earliest possible opportunity,” he said.

Singh said that India’s armed forces must maintain a balance of manned and unmanned systems to win wars. This, he said, includes the integration of long-range and heavy-caliber weapons, as well as drones and aircraft capable of delivering long-range missiles. He highlighted the effectiveness of drones in Operation Sindoor, noting that their deployment was beneficial in saturating a system.

He said that when many drones operate together, saturation occurs, but winning a war cannot rely solely on drones. He said the Indian forces must possess long-range capabilities, heavy-caliber weapons, and aircraft that can deliver long-range missiles, adding a happy mix of manned and unmanned systems.

He reiterated that the S-400 missile systems turned out to be a game-changer in Operation Sindoor. The long-range radars and missile systems could threaten enemy aircraft well inside their own territory, he said.

“Their range was more than the range of their weapons, so they could never even come up to the weapon release range without being threatened, and those who came had to face damage. So, this was a game-changer.” He said the weapons and systems used in Operation Sindoor were acquired recently. “I think one of the best things that happened was that there was political will. Our leadership gave us clear directions, and no restrictions were imposed.”