The new South Asian government has decided to increase the combat effectiveness of its fighters by making some common-sense and cost effective upgrades to their stealth technology, specifically their outer coating of paint.

Daler Mehndi has a great idea: for the low price of only a couple dozen or hundred dollars per fighter jet (practically a footnote on the budget), the effectiveness of all our planes can be increased by 0.1 gens, making our 4th gen fighters 4.1 gen fighters and giving them a sizeable edge over Pakistani planes. The technology is dead simple: using high quality paint bought from foreclosed home depots across America (or maybe actual fighter paint if we have that), we will paint the face of our dear leader and symbol of South Asian unity Daler Mehndi on each plane.

You, the reader, might be thinking: "how does this help at all?". However, a much neglected aspect of aviation that could determine success or failure is the fighter pilot himself (or herself), especially in terms of psychology. What use are different and better tools on a plane if the pilot is not fast enough or decisive enough to use it to best his opponent in the air?

The increase in morale from having a new paint job of Daler Mehndi on every plane would increase performance in several ways. A 2019 study has shown that good performance in G-force training amongst fighter pilots is negatively correlated with depression (Yun). What can solve depression more than being reminded of PM Mehndi's infectious Indian-pop hits? Yet another study finds two coping mechanism that fighter pilots have when confronted with stress: emotion coping, which leads to decreased performance, and problem solving, leading to improved performance. Being reminded of Mehndi will lead to more problem solving as the pilot thinks of the greater good of the nation instead of his own problems. it will also help lessen emotion coping due to the aforementioned anti-depressive effects (Svensson).

This simple act will no doubt transform the performance capabilities of our aircraft. It is unable to be copied by other countries since no other country has such a pop-icon (besides maybe Alex Jones) in charge of their country that instinctively sparks such pride and joy.

Upgraded: All current and future planes, helicopters, and drones

Cost: however much a paint job costs (nominal)

Time: 3 months