Seeing China and Pakistan – Indian Army Pushing Own Rocket Force-Need to Understand Pros and Cons

Learning lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and India’s Operation Sindoor, and also that China has its PLA Rocket Force (PLARF) for long, and Pakistan has recently started a force on similar lines, Indian Army proposes to have its own rocket and missile force. Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, during the ArmyContinue reading “Seeing China and Pakistan – Indian Army Pushing Own Rocket Force-Need to Understand Pros and Cons”

Need for Healthy Mix of Public Private Participation in India’s Defence Production

Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence is the flavour of the season in India. India’s defence manufacturing sector is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the country’s strategic and economic ambitions. The government policies and initiatives are driving “Design” or certainly Make-in-India. Over 5,000 items are in the Positive Indigenisation List (PIL), 75 percent defence capital budgetContinue reading “Need for Healthy Mix of Public Private Participation in India’s Defence Production”

Managing a Congested Airspace over the Future Battle Area

The number of platforms and projectiles in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA) has increased exponentially. The friendly and adversary aerial systems are not only increasing in numbers but are also of a variety of sizes from micro UAVs to large aircraft, and they are also travelling from very slow speeds to many times faster thanContinue reading “Managing a Congested Airspace over the Future Battle Area”

The Formidable General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper for Indian Armed Forces

Two General Atomics “Predator B” drones, also called the MQ-9 Reaper Sea Guardian, has been leased by the Indian Navy, in November 2020, from the USA for extended surveillance in the Indian Ocean. These drones are operating from INS Rajali near Arkonnam on the east coast. They are under the operational control of Indian NavyContinue reading “The Formidable General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper for Indian Armed Forces”

A Professional’s Rambling? Evolution of Airpower – Challenges, Questions, and Thoughts

End of Manned Figher Jet Era? During an informal chat with Lt. Gen John Thompson of US Space Command, Elon Musk made a very provocative statement and that too, in a room full of fighter pilots. He stated that the manned “fighter jet era has passed”. This happened during the annual US Air Force Association’sContinue reading “A Professional’s Rambling? Evolution of Airpower – Challenges, Questions, and Thoughts”

Akash Air Defence Missile– India’s Formidable Weapon System

Akash is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defence system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for Missile Systems, Bharat Electronics (BEL), Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division and Larsen & Toubro for radars, control centres, launcher systems. The Akash New Generation missile system can target aircraftContinue reading “Akash Air Defence Missile– India’s Formidable Weapon System”

Unified Combatant Command – India

India’s newly minted Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat has been driving quick changes to Indian military structures. The Kargil Review Committee set up immediately after the Kargil war had made many recommendations. Among them were issues related to National Security Council, intelligence, counter-terrorist operations, border management, defence budget and modernisation, National Security ManagementContinue reading “Unified Combatant Command – India”

Element Air – Joint Operations – Indian Armed Forces

With the official creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), it is hoped that jointness will the main driver that will get a major push. Real jointness is when land, air and naval commanders jointly formulate, train, orchestrate and implement war plans. Employment of forces in the modem battlefield to achieve military objectives takesContinue reading “Element Air – Joint Operations – Indian Armed Forces”

T-90 “Bhishma” Tanks in Ladakh – A Comprehensive Look

The T-90 is a third-generation Russian battle-tank that entered service in 1993. The tank is a modern variation of the T-72B and incorporates many features found on the T-80U. Originally called the T-72BU, but later renamed to T-90, it is an advanced tank in service with Russian Ground Forces and the Naval infantry.  The T-90 uses aContinue reading “T-90 “Bhishma” Tanks in Ladakh – A Comprehensive Look”