Does India Need A Strategic Bomber?

Bombers are large aircraft with a large radar cross-section (RCS) and, as such, vulnerable to both airborne and ground based air defence (AD) weapons. The major world powers have had strategic bombers since World War II. Even today the three largest air forces of the world of the United States, Russia and China operate strategic bombers. India, with the fourth largest air force has only fighter-bombers. With the H-6 bomber aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China positioned in large numbers at Kashgar and also a few at Hotan, not too far from India-China border in Ladakh, it is time to understand the importance and role of strategic bombers and the implications of not having strategic bombers in the inventory.