Uncategorized – Page 4 – Air Power Asia

Future is Directed Energy Weapons – India Fast Coming of Age

Anil Chopra, Airpowerasia, DEW, India, USA, China, Future Weapons

India successfully tested the Mk-II (A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) on April 13, 2025, at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool. This 30 kW (kilowatt) laser weapon is designed to neutralize drones, UAVs, and other aerial threats, placing India in a select group of nations with this capability. The DRDO (Defence Research andContinue reading “Future is Directed Energy Weapons – India Fast Coming of Age “

As China Accelerates Airpower, India Eyes Su-57 while Pushing AMCA

A British F-35B fighterjet that made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala nearly four weeks ago is finally being repaired by a team of UK specialists. If that fails, the aircraft will be dismantled and transported—likely in a C-17 Globemaster. The incident was closely observed by global and Indian security establishments, highlightingContinue reading “As China Accelerates Airpower, India Eyes Su-57 while Pushing AMCA “

14Th Dalai Lama Turns 90 – Succession Plan – Traditions or Tensions

Anil Chopra, Airpowerasia, Tibet, India, China, Buddhism

The exiled spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, has announced that his office, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, has sole authority to recognise the next Dalai Lama. On Wednesday, four days ahead of his 90th birthday, he posted a statement to X discussing the future of the Tibetan spiritual leadership, particularly his succession plans. He saidContinue reading “14Th Dalai Lama Turns 90 – Succession Plan – Traditions or Tensions”

China-Iran Strategic Closeness – Challenges and Choices India

Anil Chopra, Airpowerasia, Iran, China, India, Pakistan, USA, Israel

Iran is still recovering from the 12-day conflict with Israel and the June 22 attack on its nuclear facilities by the United States Air Force and Navy. The conflict has brought the Middle East to the brink of a new regional order, the one through which Israel tried to assert itself as an unrestrained militaryContinue reading “China-Iran Strategic Closeness – Challenges and Choices India”

AI 171 – Automation Failure or Human Error Aircrew – Don’t Create Fall Guys

Anil Chopra, Airpowerasia, Air India, Dreamliner. TCMA, AAIB, Boeing

Allegations of human error is “deeply insensitive,” says the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) after the preliminary report on Air India flight 171 crash was released. In an official statement, the ICPA called the accusations and allegations against the pilots and flight crew a “gross violation” and “disservice to the profession.” “In the aftermath ofContinue reading “AI 171 – Automation Failure or Human Error Aircrew – Don’t Create Fall Guys”

The Houthis and the Red Sea Crisis – Unfolding Action and Options India

anil chopra, Air Power Asia, India, Yemen, Houthis, USA, Israel, Iran, Sanaa, Saudi Arabia,

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Indian Navy (IN) has deployed ten ships in that (Gulf of Aden) region because we got a double problem. We have a piracy problem, and we’ve got a missile drone problem. In the last few days, actually, one of our ships extinguished a fire and rescuedContinue reading “The Houthis and the Red Sea Crisis – Unfolding Action and Options India”

Greatest Air Aces of all Time. A chat with the Author Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd)

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)”

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

anil chopra, air power asia, HAL, Indian Air Force, aircraft, fighters, DRDO

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”