Very early in aviation, aerial platforms began being used for air-strikes and air combat. A flying Ace, fighter Ace, or Air Ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The concept of the “Ace” emerged in 1915 during World War I, at the same time as aerial dogfighting. It was a term oftenContinue reading “Greatest Air Aces of all Time. A chat with the Author Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd)”
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Theatre Commands. Interactive Session With Three Stalwarts
India has ambitious plans for setting up theatre commands for its armed forces. These are expected to facilitate better planning and unified military response to any future contingency. But, are these theatre commands really necessary? Need to hasten slowly? We need to have a National Security Doctrine from which should flow the Military Doctrine. IntegrationContinue reading “Theatre Commands. Interactive Session With Three Stalwarts”
IAF’s Fighter Fleet Requirements and Options Ahead
The Galwan showdown of June 2020 and the continuing stand-off between the world’s two powerful nations India and China has brought the focus back on Indian Armed Forces capability building. Indian Air Force‘s (IAF) fighter fleet modernisation has been in discussion. The convergence of strategic interests between China and Pakistan and their rapidly modernizing airContinue reading “IAF’s Fighter Fleet Requirements and Options Ahead”
War for Sale: Private Military Companies and International Relations
Introduction Although mercenaries have existed as long as the history of warfare itself, the 20th Century saw the resurgence of mercenary groups when states in the aftermath of WW2 and in the background of the Cold War were skeptical to get their hands dirty in smaller conflicts. The emergence of a lot of newly independentContinue reading “War for Sale: Private Military Companies and International Relations”
Change of Guard in the US and Indo-Pacific Strategy – A View
The US declassified a Secret 10-page document titled, “US Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific” (Framework), on 12th January, 2021 (US EST). This document would not normally have been due for public release until the year 2043. The Framework also had an attached statement by Robert C. O’Brien, Assistant to the President for National Security, datedContinue reading “Change of Guard in the US and Indo-Pacific Strategy – A View”
My Flight in MiG 31 Foxhound – Life Time Experience
The Mikoyan MiG-31 ( NATO reporting name: Foxhound) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft that was developed for use by the Soviet Air Forces. The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan design bureau as a replacement for the earlier MiG-25 “Foxbat”; the MiG-31 is based on and shares design elements with the MiG-25. The MiG-31 has the distinction of being among the fastest combat jets in theContinue reading “My Flight in MiG 31 Foxhound – Life Time Experience”
Nuclear Dynamics South Asia – A Comprehensive Look
Pakistan continues to be obsessed with Kashmir and just yesterday Prime Minister Imran Khan once again brought up the issue at UNGA. Pakistan also continues to support cross border terrorism. As war clouds hover over Ladakh, and world’s two largest armies , are face-to-face, and also with Pakistan continuing to invoke nuclear threat every nowContinue reading “Nuclear Dynamics South Asia – A Comprehensive Look”
Air Defence of India – The Big Picture View
Recent Chinese incursions in Ladakh and near threat of escalation, have once again got the military planners to look at Indian military preparedness. Just last year Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) attempted a large force ‘riposte’ on 27 February 2019 in response to Indian Air Force’s (IAF) deep air strikes on targets in Balakot. The PAF launched aContinue reading “Air Defence of India – The Big Picture View”
Aviation Key to Special Operations
On May 2, 2011, a group of special operators from the top secret U.S. Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) descended on an unassuming compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The members of SEAL Team Six shot and killed the infamous Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Due to an accident during the operation, they had to leaveContinue reading “Aviation Key to Special Operations”
Air Power Asia 