Military Affairs

Post Doklam, India needs to watch China’s bullish economics led cultural embrace of South Asia

Doklam brought into perspective the fractured relationship between India and China on the global stage and increased fears of China’s growing unilateralism as it inexorably broadens its interests and sphere of influence, especially in South Asia.

Shruti Pandalai
January 01, 2018
Issue Brief

Aerial Refuelling of Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft

To truly exploit this newly tested operational capability, IAF will have to augment its fleet of in-flight refuellers and train an adequate number of aircrew, mission commanders, fighter controllers and systems operators.

Weapons are the Combat Differentiators: The BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile

“Weapons differentiate between Air Forces and Flying Clubs” is an often heard adage. Weapons capability is an integral part of an Air Power matrix. In the last three months, a number of successful indigenous weapons trials in India indicate a positive move in the right direction even if a little late in certain cases and after multiple failures in others. India’s dependence on foreign vendors for weapons and weapon platforms is well known and it is the largest importer of weaponry.

The Indian Air Force’s Declining Squadron Strength – Options and Challenges

The IAF is not without options, all of which are currently at some stage of realization. What is lacking is a sense of urgency on the part of all the parties concerned.

Sanjay Badri-Maharaj
November 03, 2017
Issue Brief

EMP Weapons and the New Equation of War

Besides military targets, a number of strategic civilian targets, like urban data and communication centres, stock exchanges, factories and other centres of gravity could also be attacked by e-bombs.

Atul Pant
October 13, 2017
IDSA Comments

Defence Reforms: Why is it Critical to Bite the Proverbial Bullet?

This policy brief attempts to suggest six critical policy imperatives that must act as guidelines for the ongoing attempt at defence reforms.

Vivek Chadha
September 11, 2017
Policy Brief

Has the Time Come to Replace Manned Combat Aircraft With Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles?

A quantum jump in the operational role of UAVs can be expected only with a breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence. Until that happens, their will increase gradually to reach about 50 per cent of combat operations over the next three decades.

Are we witnessing the last gasp of terrorism in Kashmir?

The distancing of every segment of Kashmiri politics, population and even separatists from the Amarnath pilgrim attack is a clear indication of anger and frustration building up against senseless acts of terrorism.

Vivek Chadha
July 11, 2017
IDSA Comments

Sri Lanka’s Fighter Selection – An Opportunity for India

From all angles – political, economic, diplomatic and military – India is in a position to meet the SLAF’s potential combat aircraft requirements.

Gorkhas of the Indian Army and India-Nepal Relations

This commentary is inspired by the Annual Gorkha Brigade Conference held at New Delhi on 11 February 2017 and the unique relationship between India and Nepal that this military connection underpins.