Technology – Page 48 – Air Marshal's Perspective

First part of the recently published Annual Report to US Congress on military and security developments involving the people’s republic of china deals with understanding Chinese Strategy.

China’s National Strategy

Excerpt from US Report. The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) strategy aims to achieve “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by 2049.
Comments. China seems to be doing well and achieving the landmarks before the stipulated timelines.

Excerpt from US Report. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) frames this strategy as an effort to realize long-held nationalist aspirations to “return” China to a position of strength, prosperity, and leadership on the world stage.
Comments. China aspires to be “the only sun in the sky”. They view the world to be in the shape of a cone with China in the center and on top of it.

Excerpt from US Report. China’s strategy can be characterized as a determined pursuit of political and social modernity.
Comments. China is pursuing her goal with determination and vigor. Achieving political and social modernity seems to be from her point of view and is not the same as perceived by the rest of the world.

Excerpt from US Report. It includes far-ranging efforts to expand China’s national power, perfect its governance systems, and revise the international order.
Comments. Expanding her national power and perfecting her governance system is acceptable to the rest of the world. Revision of international order as viewed by China amounts to ruling the world, which is objectionable to the others.

Excerpt from US Report. The CCP’s leadership has long viewed China as embroiled in a major international strategic competition with other states, including, and in particular, the United States.
Comments. Chinese mind set is archaic and that of competition, with aspiration to be ahead of everyone. The world has moved on to the concept of Co-omperation i.e. be cooperative while being competitive.

Excerpt from US Report. In 2019, China intensified its efforts to advance its overall development including steadying its economic growth, strengthening its armed forces, and taking a more active role in global affairs.
Comments. There could be few possible reasons for this. First is that CPC’s centenary year 2021 is approaching. Second is attempt by Xi Jinping to further consolidate his position and third is impatience to achieve the Chinese dream. Timing of the Covid pandemic and way of handling it by China, leaves quite a few questions unanswered. It could be a part of the overall strategy.

Please feel free to express your views and provide value addition.

Part 2 of the series would cover aspects related to foreign and economic policies.

Please click here for Part 2

October 12, 2020December 3, 2024

17: LEADERSHIP SERIES: TALK

Leadership Lessons From A Fighter Pilot

Friday, 16-10-2020, 05:00 pm IST (Duration 1 hour)

SPEAKER: Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VM

Former Vice Chief of Indian Air Force

The event went off very well.

Covered talk under three parts as follows:

Fighter Pilot Traits

“Fighter pilot is an attitude. It is cockiness. It is aggressiveness. It is self-confidence. It is a streak of rebelliousness, and it is competitiveness. But there’s something else – there’s a spark. There’s a desire to be good. To do well; in the eyes of your peers, and in your own mind.”

– Robin Olds, Fighter Pilot

- It is not all glamour.
- It involves lot of hard work – to become one and to continue performing as one.
- It involves lot of Studies.
- It is not as risky as it seems – safer than Indian roads.
- It requires high level of physical and mental fitness.
- Self discipline is an essential trait.
- Qualities required are:-

- - Physical and moral courage.-
  - Integrity & Loyalty
  - Reliability & Dependability
  - Passion
  - Dedication

Leadership Aspects

Everyone who has someone looking up to him or her is a leader. Some practical leadership aspects highlighted were as follows:

- Lead by example, Follow adage : “Do as I Do rather than Do as I say”.
- Leader has to be honest, fair and transparent in his/her dealings.
- Change in style of leadership required in this information age. From TELL type to SELL type.
- As a leader delegation of tasks to subordinates is important. Task is delegated not the responsibility. Post delegation give space to work, rather than constantly overlooking their shoulders. Upward delegation should be avoided.
- Inculcate feeling of ownership amongst colleagues and subordinates for better involvement.
- Open communication lines are essential. They should not be linear and long.

Good Working Environment and Culture

Following aspects were stressed:

- Team work and team building is important.
- Encourage initiative and involvement and habit of going beyond routine.
- Adopt proactive approach for planning and execution.
- Efficient feed back and monitoring system is a must.
- Encourage research, brainstorming, out of box thinking and innovative approach.
- Encourage healthy discussions. Difference of opinion should not be construed as dissent.
- Training, grooming and mentoring are important for the organization.
- Promote safety culture.

Interactive Session

Interactive session was quite long (extending almost to one hour). Questions and discussions were about following:

- How to balance between delegation and ownership.
- China situation and solutions.
- Balakot strike experience.
- Decision making process.
- Quality of manpower and shortages.
- Compulsory military service.
- Procurement procedure and corruption.

- Sharing of experiences related to
  - Scary experiences.
  - Difficult decisions.
  - Most exhilarating events.
- Women in Defense services (Air Force)

Video Recording Due to technical glitch entire session could not be recorded. Some portion of the Q& A session has been recorded. Please check out at:

Q&A Video

Shark in the tank theory of management was covered.

(will write about it in future under management series).

September 30, 2020December 3, 2024

12: DRAGON’S BRAIN: DIFFERENTLY WIRED (PART 2: STRATEGIC AND MILITARY THOUGHTS)

This is continuation of the previous article on the same subject. This part lists out the aspects related to strategies, tactics and means employed as a weapon for achievement of desired goals. These aspects are as follows:

Strategic and Military Thoughts

Rich Strategic Tradition. China has had a number of scholars and philosophers in her thousands of years of history. Chinese Confucian philosophy advocates peaceful political solutions and discourages use of military force. But the works of a number of well-known strategists have heavily influenced her military philosophy, warfare, and political discourse.

Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer and philosopher. He is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy. His works focus on alternatives to battle, such as stratagem, delay, the use of spies and alternatives to war itself, the making and keeping of alliances, the uses of deceit and a willingness to submit, at least temporarily, to more powerful foes. His writings have deeply influenced military thought in China. Major ones which are visible in China’s actions are as follows:

- “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

- “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

- “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

- “When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.”