Arrival of Rafale in India has again started a debate on the air combat capabilities in the region. Earlier last year, the air combat engagement between Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) during PAF riposte after Balakot air strikes in February 2019, is still being discussed in air forces across the worldContinue reading “Evolving Trends in Aerial Combat”
Author Archives: Anil Chopra
Indo-Russian Aerospace Bear Hug
Putin’s Russia is trying to rise back to its Soviet day glory of excellence in Science and technology and especially aerospace. In the early 1950s Communist Soviet Union was looking for influential third world friends and newly independent India wanted friends without strings. In its desire to contain communism, USA wanted to befriend India, butContinue reading “Indo-Russian Aerospace Bear Hug”
Post COVID Strategy India
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has reportedly asked policy think tank NITI Aayog to prepare a list of goods and services that are likely to be in demand in international markets once the covid-19 pandemic subsides. There is a global sentiment among major foreign corporations to move out of China. The falling oil pricesContinue reading “Post COVID Strategy India”
Indian Military Aviation’s -French Connection
The Initial French Connection The French arrived in India at Pondicherry in 1674. They later created colonies at Pondicherry, Karikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandanagar. All these were peacefully transferred to India in 1954. Paris and New Delhi have had warm and business friendly relations from the very beginning. French supported us during cold warContinue reading “Indian Military Aviation’s -French Connection”
Aircraft Stealth – Crucial Capabilty – Counters – Affordability – Over-rated – An Analysis
In the recent decades the world has invested a great amount of time, energy and money on stealth technology in the endeavour to delay the military airborne platforms to be seen by the adversary. Most new platforms are designed by incorporating some level of ‘stealth’ or ‘low observable’ (LO) technology at the initial design stageContinue reading “Aircraft Stealth – Crucial Capabilty – Counters – Affordability – Over-rated – An Analysis”
Global Military Spending: An Analyses
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report released on 27 April 2020 indicates that the global military spending has hit new highs reaching $ 1917 billion in 2019. The total represents an increase of 3.6 percent from 2018 and the largest annual growth in spending since 2010. The five largest spenders in 2019, which accountedContinue reading “Global Military Spending: An Analyses”
Indo-US Defence “Make in India” Aviation Initiative
The discussions on Indo-US nuclear deal in 2005 actually started the India-US strategic cooperation, and possibly of India leaning towards USA. Because of years of military purchases from Soviet Union, later Russia, the process had its complexities. India needed high technology American military hardware. U.S. wanted the big market for arms and nuclear industry. TheContinue reading “Indo-US Defence “Make in India” Aviation Initiative”
Emerging Technologies for Sixth-Generation Combat Aircraft
The Galwan Valley skirmish between two major powers China and India once again brought war clouds on the horizon. The two airforces moved fighter jets to airbases near the place of action. Also, there was a flurry of articles on the physical combat readiness state of the opposing air forces. Just last year, the IndianContinue reading “Emerging Technologies for Sixth-Generation Combat Aircraft”
IAF Growth and Indigenization Challenges
The serious show down with the Chinese in Ladakh has forced significant mobilisation of forces from both sides. Defence analyst are closely comparing the defence preparedness of the armies and air forces of the two sides across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Under these circumstances there is a need to look at the stateContinue reading “IAF Growth and Indigenization Challenges”
Artificial Intelligence in Military Aviation
Much like the nuclear arms race of the 20th century, Artificial Intelligence (AI) arms race poses the new challenge in 21st century. The autonomous operations by aerial drones, robots and naval systems are fast replacing the manned platforms in every role. Aerial systems which cover large distances at very high speeds will be the keyContinue reading “Artificial Intelligence in Military Aviation”
Air Power Asia 