Infallible, impervious, precise: How IAF transformed its bombing capability

The Indian Air Force, lives by its guiding principle of infallible, impervious and precise, as coined by the air force chief. The IAF has built a reputation on accurate delivery of ordnance. A very good example of this level of precision weapons delivery was showcased during the 1971 war to liberate Bangladesh. During that conflict the IAF very accurately dropped bombs on the Kurmitola and Tejgaon air bases in Dhaka, ensuring that the Pakistani air force's 14 squadron stayed grounded. Later in the conflict, the IAF accurately struck the residence of the governor, forcing him to resign. These air strikes demonstrated the pinpoint accuracy showcased by the IAF, before the dawn of precision weapons in the IAF.The character of aerial bombing has undergone a profound transformation in the past decade, with precision emerging as the defining constant.