QUAD – Significant Air Power

In March this year, the leaders of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, the United States, Japan, Australia and India, held a virtual meeting and released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to “a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion.” Finally, a check is evolving on belligerent China who isContinue reading “QUAD – Significant Air Power”

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)”

China’s Rising Aerospace Power

“To secure peace is to prepare for war”—Carl von Clausewitz Napoleon once said, “China is a sleeping giant, let her lie and sleep, for when she awakens, she will astonish the world.” By the turn of the 21 st century the sleeping giant was not only awake but heavily influencing and, in many ways dictatingContinue reading “China’s Rising Aerospace Power”

Primacy of Aerospace Power

“To have command of the air means to cut an enemy’s army and navy from their bases of operation and nullify their chances of winning the war.” —Giulio Douhet “Air control can be established by superiority in numbers, by better employment, by better equipment, or by a combination of these factors.” —Carl Andrew Spaatz TheContinue reading “Primacy of Aerospace Power”

India China Face-off – Employment of Air Power

The marathon talks of over 14 hours between the Corps Commanders of India and China, at Chushul, on the 14th of July has reportedly gathered forward traction on the disengagement process, from all the four stand-off points. As reported by the Hindustan Times of 16 Jul 2020, officials in the know stated that, “it looksContinue reading “India China Face-off – Employment of Air Power”

Air Power Transformational Challenges – India

Indian Air Force (IAF) modernization is coming back into focus again and again. The IAF has hit an all time low of 30 fighter squadrons1 vis-a-vis the government authorized 42. Convergence of strategic interests between China and Pakistan and their rapidly modernizing air forces continues to be of concern. Chinese aircraft industry is churning stateContinue reading “Air Power Transformational Challenges – India”