Chinese government controlled media continuously keeps telling the world about China’s fast emerging aircraft industry. It is also to raise the morale of its own people and to give the impression of becoming a great military power. But great powers do not steal designs or unauthorisedly copy them flouting all intellectual property rights and normsContinue reading “Design Copies – Reverse Engineering – Way to Aviation Power? Are J 20 and J 31 Overhyped”
Tag Archives: anil chopra
Aviation – The Future is Unmanned – Time to Get Going India
Unmanned aircraft technologies have now matured well beyond just reconnaissance, security, and targeting. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are now under taking all missions including heavy-lift cargo. World is at a transition. There are some who see the JSF F-35 Lightening II as the last dedicated manned fighter/bomber. Solar-powered UAS are already flying. Currently, the solar-poweredContinue reading “Aviation – The Future is Unmanned – Time to Get Going India”
Showdown in Ladakh – The IAF in a Two Front War
With a Major showdown including loss of life on both sides, things are heating up between India and China around the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Meanwhile the Pakistan DG Inter Services Public Relations (DGISPR) has tweeted that General Nadeem Raza, CJCSC, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS, Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, CNS, and AirContinue reading “Showdown in Ladakh – The IAF in a Two Front War”
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”
The Iconic MiG-21- Great Design – Most Produced Supersonic Jet – Fearsome Reputation – Glorious Service
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is finally all set to retire its MiG-21 fleet in September 2025 after over 60 years of glorious service. They protected the Indian skies through all major conflicts. The author honed his combat flying skills on this aircraft starting in 1974. And later was the Team Leader of MiG 21Continue reading “The Iconic MiG-21- Great Design – Most Produced Supersonic Jet – Fearsome Reputation – Glorious Service”
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”
Fighter Ace Lydia Litvyak “White Lily” – Highest Aerial Victories by a Female Fighter Pilot
Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak also known as Lilya, was a fighter pilot in the Soviet air Force during World War II. Historians’ estimates for her total solo victories from five to twelve, and two to four shared kills in her 66 combat sorties. In about two years of operations, she was the first female fighter pilot toContinue reading “Fighter Ace Lydia Litvyak “White Lily” – Highest Aerial Victories by a Female Fighter Pilot”
China’s Aviation Industry – Forging Ahead, Yet Critical Technology Challenges
“When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”– Leonardo DaVinci “The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by theContinue reading “China’s Aviation Industry – Forging Ahead, Yet Critical Technology Challenges”
HAL – Time to Get Going – A Comprehensive Story
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has once again come in the eye of the storm after a respected Test Pilot and former Indian Navy Chief did a candid interview with the web portal LiveFist and highlighted what HAL could have done better in some areas. Last year HAL was in similar situation when a public debateContinue reading “HAL – Time to Get Going – A Comprehensive Story”
Pakistan Air Force Operational Airbases – A Comprehensive Look
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has three geographical Commands, Northern Air Command (NAC), Peshawar, Central Air Command (CAC), Lahore, and Southern Air Command (SAC), Karachi. It has two functional Commands, the Air Force Strategic Command (AFSC), at Islamabad, and the Air Defence Command (ADC), at Rawalpindi. PAF has a total of 21 air bases, comprisingContinue reading “Pakistan Air Force Operational Airbases – A Comprehensive Look”
Air Power Asia 