In Operation Sindoor, air power, sky high

While it is too early to draw operational and tactical lessons from Operation Sindoor, it may be possible to look at the big picture and draw positive lessons for future national security contingencies. This article seeks to throw light on four critical aspects of the operation: Planning and preparation, execution, escalation control and narrative building. There was a tight centralised model during the planning and preparation phase of the operation, stewarded by the troika of the Prime Minister, the National Security Advisor and the Raksha Mantri. This was backed by the second tier comprising the Chief of Defence Staff and…