“Aerospace power as a critical tool of statecraft”

Air Marshal TD Joseph examines aerospace power as a critical instrument of statecraft, highlighting
its strategic, coercive, and diplomatic roles in modern conflict and international relations. The latest
example is India itself choosing aerospace power as the first instrument of choice to punish the
enemy as in ‘Op Sindoor’. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples from conflicts across
the globe and India’s own operations as well as humanitarian relief missions, he explains how
airpower shapes outcomes through compellance, deterrence, and soft power applications. Synergy
between aerospace and surface forces, and technological asymmetry are critical to success. Air
power lends itself to dual use in both hard and soft diplomacy as well as in nation building.
Ultimately, aerospace power emerges as a decisive yet complementary tool for achieving national
objectives.

Air Marshal TD Joseph, AVSM, VM, VSM (Retd) was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the IAF
on 29th December 1982. He has flown various fighter and trainer aircrafts accumulating over 3800 hours of
flying.

The Air Marshal has commanded a frontline Fighter Squadron, the prestigious Flying Instructors’ School, and
Air Force Station Hindan, near Delhi. He has held important Command and Staff appointments across the
country in field and headquarter organisations. His last appointment was as Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) of
Training Command where he was responsible for ab-initio and in-service training of officers, airmen and noncombatants
of the entire IAF.

He is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor & Examiner; alumnus
National Defence Academy, Pune and DSSC Wellington. He attended Royal College of Defence Studies,
London, has master’s Degrees from University of Madras and King’s College London, and MPhil from
University of Madras. Besides graduating at the top of his Air Force Course, the Air Marshal stood First in
Jungle & Snow Survival Course, Instrument Rating Instructor &Examiner Course, and Air Staff Course.

Author of a book entitled “Winning India’s Next War” (2007), he has written chapters in edited books and other
published articles on air strategy and security.

Air Marshal Joseph was conferred with the Presidential awards of Vayusena Medal in 2003, Vishsisht Seva
Medal in 2010 and Ati Vishsisht Seva Medal in 2021. The Air Marshal hung his blue uniform on 31st July 2021
after 38 ½ years of service.

He is married to Mrs Sophie Joseph, an educator, and they have two sons, the elder one with the World Bank,
and the younger one, an aviator with Indigo Airlines