Military Affairs

About Centre

The Centre for Military Affairs comprises of a mix of serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces and civilian experts. The Centre adopts an inter-disciplinary approach to various issues that impinge upon India’s national security in general and the armed forces in particular. Its research focus is on issues that impact upon national security and capacity-building of the Indian armed forces. Specific areas of focus include: emerging contemporary challenges in warfare, jointness, defence co-operation, maritime security, and military training needs. In addition, the Centre also addresses China- and Pakistan-related issues with a bearing on their interface with Indian security. The Centre closely interacts with military establishments in India and abroad and contributes to policy making by conducting research in areas of significance for the armed forces.

Japan Beefs up its Naval Capability

To assuage fears, Japan might see merit to take India on board in the form of a naval cooperation framework to secure peace at sea. Developments in the past 4-5 years in India-Japan relations point towards that direction.

Rajaram Panda
January 05, 2010
Issue Brief

Vietnamese Defence White Paper 2009

Vietnam’s third national defence white paper shows its commitment to greater transparency in defence modernization and strategic planning.

Pankaj K Jha
December 31, 2009
IDSA Comments

Tackling Insurgency

Commanders and troops must understand that they are operating in a No Win situation and their overall aim will always remain achievement of a more perfect peace.

K C Dixit
December 29, 2009
IDSA Comments

IAF Training: The role Flying Clubs can play

The IAF should consider utilising the available aircraft and infrastructure at flying clubs for imparting basic training to its pilot trainees before sending them to the Kiran HJT-16.

Ramesh Phadke
December 24, 2009
IDSA Comments

Stress in Sub-Conventional Operations

Suicides/fratricides in operational areas mainly take place due to domestic problems of the affected individual rather than because of any undue stress resulting from job-related stress in the operational environment.

K C Dixit
December 23, 2009
IDSA Comments

The Army’s Subculture in the Coming Decade

The Indian Army is likely to come under assault from changes occurring within society which are predicted to speed up considerably over the coming decade.

Ali Ahmed
December 22, 2009
IDSA Comments

Twin Purpose Military Exercises of the Chinese PLA in 2009

The year 2009 has seen the Chinese PLA undertake several military exercises, drills and war games to enhance battle effectiveness as well as promote trust among neighbours.

AfPak : Muddled Strategies and Expectations

Ideally, ISAF and NATO should concentrate on urban population centres along with the ANA, and the ANA should also deploy outside the towns and cities to dominate the hinterland and crack down on Taliban controlled areas.

Harinder Singh
December 11, 2009
IDSA Comments

The Army’s decade in review

Over the short term, events in Pakistan dictate higher order readiness. In the middle term, equations have to be managed with China so as to gain time to get the second strike capability and infrastructure organised.

Ali Ahmed
November 30, 2009
IDSA Comments

Lest We Forgot: The Battle of Rezang La

While recalling the 1962 conflict we often refer to India’s ‘humiliating defeat’ at Chinese hands and forget that the Jawan of the Indian Army invariably fought with exceptional bravery and valour in the most trying conditions often without winter clothing and in some cases even without adequate ammunition.