Aspects Related to Long-Drawn Air War

 

Air war endurance, also known as sustainability in aerial warfare, refers to the ability of an air force or a nation’s air power to sustain prolonged operations and maintain a high level of combat effectiveness over an extended period.

 

Operational Tempo and Intensity. Tempo is the rate at which military power is applied in an efficient manner across part or the entire area of operations. The level of preparation required by the defence forces is determined by the combination of the expected duration of the war and the likely tempo/intensity of operations. Several key factors contribute to air war endurance and affect the duration, effectiveness, and efficiency of air campaigns.

 

Capability and Capacity Development

 

Capability vis-à-vis Capacity. Warfighting capabilities and the capacity to sustain operations are both essential.

 

Aircraft Type and Capability. The type of aircraft being used, their capabilities, payload capacity, and mission versatility significantly affect how effectively and efficiently air operations can be sustained.

 

Diverse Inventory. Indian military air assets have a very diverse inventory of platforms, systems, and weapons.

 

Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Efficient and reliable logistics networks and supply chains are crucial for providing fuel, ammunition, weapons, spare parts, other critical supplies, and resources to sustain aircraft operations.

 

Maintenance and Repair Capabilities. Efficient maintenance operations are essential to ensure the continued availability of air assets for extended periods.

 

Fuel Availability and Consumption. The energy supply chain is the first casualty in any war. Efficient fuel management plays a crucial role in prolonged air operations.

 

Training and Personnel Readiness. Intangible factors like morale, training and tactics are very important for military success and more so in long wars.

 

Protection of Air War Endurance Enablers. This aspect has pronounced relevance in long-drawn wars.

 

Decision Making & Situational Awareness. In long-drawn wars, it is even essential to make the right decisions. The three most important contributing factors are a high degree of situational awareness, a robust and fast, network system for information sharing, and AI-based decision support systems.

 

Unmanned Platforms. The use of unmanned platforms and systems is growing in warfare. Drones of various sizes and capabilities are taking over the tasks of conventional platforms.

 

Employment Philosophy and Airpower Application

 

Clearly Defined Objectives. A clear and practical definition of objectives, at all levels i.e. political, military and air force levels is very important.

 

Integrated Conceptualization and planning.  Warfare has become multidomain in nature, and to optimise resource utilisation, integration of all capabilities is necessary at conceptual and strategic levels.

 

Strategic Planning, Adaptability and Flexibility. In long wars, strategic plans need to allow for adjustments and adaptability in response to changing circumstances or unexpected events during a prolonged air war.

 

Grey Zone Operations/No War No Peace Situations. Grey zone operations are operations in the contested arena somewhere between routine statecraft and open warfare.  These are becoming a norm in modern-day warfare.

 

Airpower Application Strategy. Well-thought-out strategy would have to be employed for the application of Airpower. Relevant aspects would be as follows:-

 

      • Effect-based operations.

 

      • Selective dominance.

 

      • Conservative risk-taking profile.

 

      • Networked air environment.

 

      • Precision and Stand-off capabilities. 

 

      • Sortie generation rate.

 

Larger Vital Aspects

 

Indigenous Defence Industry. Self-reliance is an absolute necessity in long-drawn wars.

 

Infrastructure. Adequate infrastructure is essential to increase the war endurance.

 

Resource Management and Sustainability. Long wars necessitate effective management of available resources, budget, and personnel to sustain a prolonged air campaign without running into shortages or burnout.

 

Economic Sanctions. The effect of the sanctions especially on air war, needs to be factored into the long-term plans.

 

Collective Security. Collaboration and sharing resources with allied nations or coalition partners can extend the endurance of air operations by pooling together expertise, assets, and capabilities.

 

Future Investments. Suggested future investments for the Indian Aerospace power are as follows:-

 

      • Future Technology. Air Force is a technology-intensive service and converting technology into capability is a time-consuming process.

 

      • Loyal Wing Man Concept. The thought process for the next generation of platforms is to harness the advantages of both.

 

      • Hypersonic Weapons. The development of hypersonic weapons is likely to have a significant impact on air strategy.

 

      • New Domains of Warfare. The domains like cyber, space, electronics and information have come into the influence of warfare. China’s formation of a Joint Strategic Support Force (JSSF) as a separate service, with defensive and offensive capabilities, in above mentioned four domains, indicates future challenges. Reorientation is required to deal with these changes.

 

      • Space-Based Capabilities. Space-based systems are becoming increasingly important in air warfare, providing capabilities such as navigation, targeting, communication, early warning of missile launches and space-based surveillance.

 

Coming UP: Detailed article on the subject

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

 

 

References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

 

SHIQURDU 41: रिश्ते

 

***

दिल किसी की ना सुने

 

दिमाग ने कहा वो अजनबी है, एक सपना है।

दिल ने कहा फिर भी अपना है ।

 

दिमाग ने कहा वो दो पल की मुलाकात है।

दिल ने कहा ये सदियों का साथ है।

 

दिमाग ने कहा वो एक भूल है।

दिल ने कहा फिर भी कबूल है।

 

 

***

किसी को नजरों में ना बसाओ,

 नजरों में सिर्फ “सपने  बसते हैं,

 

बसाना ही है तो दिल में बसाओ,

 दिल में सिर्फ “अपने बसते हैं।

 

 

***

छुपे छुपे रहते है सरेआम नही होते,

कुछ रिश्ते बस एहसास होते हैं

उनके नाम नही होते।

 

 

***

जिंदगी  के  पल कुछ यूं गुजर जाते हैं,

 

कुछ अपने अनजान हो जाते हैं 

 

और कुछ अनजाने अपने हो जाते हैं

 

 

***

टूटता है तो चुभता  है,

काँच, ख्वाब, रिश्ता, और दिल

 

 

***

जिंदगी की राह में मिले होंगे हजार मुसाफिर तुमको,

लेकिन जिंदगीभर ना भुला पाओगे वो मुलाक़ात हूँ मैं

 

 

  • Shiqurdu is a collection of thoughts. Although an odd-sounding name felt appropriate for the collection.

 

  • These are simplified quotes in Hurdu (Hurdu being a mix of Hindi and Urdu akin to Hinglish i.e., Hindi and English). Although in some cases the language has been simplified attempt has been made to retain the thought and the poetic flavor.

 

  • These thoughts have been picked up from various publications. Credit goes to all the original writers who penned down these deep-meaning messages.

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

 

 

References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.

 

 

 

WAR ENDURANCE

 

War endurance refers to the ability of a nation, military, or individuals to withstand and persist through the challenges, hardships, and demands of war over an extended period. War endurance is a critical factor in determining the outcome of conflicts. Historically, nations and entities with higher levels of endurance have often prevailed in prolonged conflicts, demonstrating the importance of preparation, resilience, and adaptability in times of war. War endurance is influenced by a complex interplay of various factors including physical and psychological endurance, resource availability and logistical endurance. A successful balance and effective management of these factors are crucial for a nation or entity to endure a war and sustain its efforts over an extended period.

 

War Endurance: Military Factors. Some of the military factors that have a direct bearing on the war endurance are as follows:-

 

  • Military Strength and Capability. A well-equipped and well-trained military with adequate manpower and technological advancements significantly contributes to war endurance.

 

  • Logistical Efficiency. Efficient supply lines and logistics are critical for maintaining the military’s operations, ensuring a continuous flow of resources and support to the front lines.

 

  • Resilience and Determination: The mental resilience, determination, and psychological preparedness of both the military and civilian population to face the hardships and horrors of war are fundamental for endurance.

 

  • Adaptability and Flexibility. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and strategies during a prolonged conflict is essential for maintaining a sustainable effort.

 

  • Alliance and Support. The presence of strong alliances and international support can provide a morale boost, military assistance, and economic aid, enhancing a nation’s ability to endure a war.

 

  • Geographic Terrain. The geographical landscape can influence war endurance, as difficult terrains can make military operations more challenging and impact resource accessibility.

 

  • Technological Advancements. Utilizing advanced technologies in warfare can improve military efficiency, intelligence gathering, and strategic planning, potentially enhancing war endurance.

 

Russia-Ukraine War: Aspects Related to War Endurance

 

Russia – Ukraine war is well into the second year, with no end in sight. It began as a special military operation and became a long-drawn affair. The war has brought into focus numerous issues related to the duration of wars and war endurance.

 

  • Possibly, the Russian intention was to carry out a swift military operation and make a regime change in Ukraine. It did not succeed due to the interplay of several dynamics. The intention may be for short and swift conflict, but one can’t really control it.

 

  • One of the officially stated Russian objectives was the “demilitarisation of Ukraine”. Russians attacked Ukrainian military bases and selective defence industry, considerably reducing the Ukrainian combat potential. The war-waging enablers need to be protected.

 

  • After the high intensity of the operations initially, the tempo of the war has been wavering.

 

  • The use or non-use of full military power especially airpower by Russia is intriguing to the strategic community and military analysts. The calibrated approach to preserve military assets is essential in long-duration wars.

 

  • Ukraine does not have the capability to endure such a long war. Outside support from the USA and other European states, is enabling it to sustain the conflict.

 

  • Harsh sanctions have been imposed on Russia. The sanctions do not deter aggression but their effect has to be catered for in the planning.

 

  • No contact warfare philosophy is being used by both sides. The LR vectors and drones are being used by Ukraine for retaliatory strikes and by Russians for punitive reasons. Even in the Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict the drones played a decisive role.

 

Coming Up: Air War Endurance.

 

Bottom Line

War endurance is a combination of  duration and tempo of operations.

 

 

Question

Should Indian Military prepare for a short and swift war or a long drawn conflict?

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

For regular updates, please register here

Subscribe

 

 

References and credits

To all the online sites and channels.

 

Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.