How Kargil War Forced the IAF to Rethink High-Altitude Combat Tactics

During the 1999 Kargil conflict, the Indian Air Force carried out an unprecedented air-to-ground campaign at altitudes between 14,000 and 18,000 feet. Fighter pilots encountered challenges unlike any they had faced before in such extreme terrain. Early operational setbacks pushed the IAF to rapidly adapt its tactics and fast-track the use of precision-guided munitions. The war also exposed India's dependence on foreign navigation and satellite technology, underlining the urgency for indigenous alternatives. The lessons drawn from Kargil have since played a significant role in shaping India's defence modernisation and military readiness.