India’s Conflict Strategy: The Legal Angle Continued engagement with LOAC and IHL is ongoing with the Judge Advocates General Department taking the primary role. Its training institution in Kamptee is at the forefront. There has been increased interaction with the ICRC since India opened up to the ICRC in the mid nineties, after initially being defensive with respect to Kashmir. Not only has IHL been introduced into officer and subordinate ranks courses, but guest lectures are also organised. Increased scope of the engagement is possible, particularly if it finds mention in the next edition of the Army doctrine. Ali Ahmed July 2010 Journal of Defence Studies
Civil-Military relations: Under scan In the wake of Director General IDSA’s initiation of a debate on civil-military relations through his piece in the Indian Express of 9 July 2010, this Comment outlines the two major positions in the debate. Ali Ahmed July 14, 2010 IDSA Comments
With Reference to the Context: Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and the India-Pakistan Dialogue A survey of media reports in newspapers based in Jammu and Kashmir for 2010 reveals that although violence levels are down there are multiple levels at which militancy affects the state. Arpita Anant July 14, 2010 IDSA Comments
Country Profile: Saudi Arabia The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its towering presence in the Gulf Region seems to stir up debates over alleged ownership of Chemical and Biological Weapons from time to time.… Continue reading Country Profile: Saudi Arabia Anwesha Ray Chaudhuri July-December 2010 CBW Magazine
Arms Acquisition Accountability Processes Most of the advanced democracies agree that confidentiality is needed in terms of technical performance parameters; the numbers to be procured and methods of deployment, which may provide unique advantages to the user. Instead of the military or the civil servants treating these aspects exclusively as military capability issue, legislative intervention is needed for professionalizing and institutionalizing public accountability of security sector. Parliamentary processes have constitutional legitimacy and duty to examine security sector accountability. R P Singh July 2010 Journal of Defence Studies
Synergisation for Future Wars It is essential to have an army which is capable of responding to conventional as well as sub-conventional warfare requirements with bare minimum turbulence while switching roles from one form of warfare to another. K C Dixit July 13, 2010 IDSA Comments
Defence Acquisition Process: Issues Pertaining to the Department of Defence Production The issues of the Department of Defence Production pertain to the development of indigenous production capability in the sphere of defence. This is very important both from strategic requirements point of view, as also how we look at ourselves as a country, how we look at our future and where we want to be seen in the community of nations. It is also important from the point of view of strategic independence. That is why indigenous defence production base is important to us and that is why this accent on indigenous manufacture of defence equipment. Raj Kumar Singh July 2010 Journal of Defence Studies
State Actors and Germ Warfare: Historical Perspective Two thousand years ago the Greeks and Romans used human and animal corpses with great effect to poison wells of drinking water. The practice of throwing the bodies of plague… Continue reading State Actors and Germ Warfare: Historical Perspective Animesh Roul July-December 2010 CBW Magazine
Defence Planning in India Although India’s defence planning mechanism has evolved over the years, it is still inadequate with respect to prioritisation of precious resources, optimum force suture and creation of a strong domestic defence industrial base. Given India’s complex security environment and massive expenditure on national defence, the planning mechanism needs to be strengthened by articulation of national security objectives and creation of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Laxman Kumar Behera July 2010 Journal of Defence Studies
Doctrine of Self-Reliance in Defence Technologies There is a strong case for factoring in the impact of defence acquisitions on national economy, industrial capabilities and employment generation. Indigenous systems cannot be promoted without firm conviction on its rationale and advantages. Major systemic changes will have to be effected in the process of requirements generation, development and manufacturing, test and evaluation in order to make progress towards greater self reliance. K G Narayan July 2010 Journal of Defence Studies