CHANGING DYNAMICS OF AIR DEFENCE OPERATIONS AND THE WAY AHEAD

 

Article published on the Chanakya Forum Site.

 

CHANGING DYNAMICS OF AIR DEFENCE OPERATIONS AND THE WAY AHEAD

 

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, during the Air Force Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on 26 Oct 23, pointed out that new trends have emerged in the field of air warfare, and there is a need to analyse and learn from them to strengthen defence preparedness. He urged the IAF to focus on strengthening air defence systems, using drones, and making headway in aerospace to protect India’s air domain.

 

On 07 Oct 23, Hamas-led militant groups attacked Israel, infiltrating using powered para-gliders under the barrage of several thousand rockets. In the ongoing war, Iran launched Operation ‘True Promise’ on 13 Apr 24, firing hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles at Israel. It is reported that the salvo deployed by Iran comprised more than 30 cruise missiles, at least 120 ballistic missiles and 170 drones. The attack, it is suspected, was aimed at overwhelming Israel’s air defences.  However, Israel claims to have shot down most of the incoming projectiles. Israel’s multi-tiered air defence system consists of various components, including man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), short-range air defence systems (SHORADS), Spyder air defence system, Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Patriot air defence system, Arrow anti-ballistic missiles, Iron Beam and the naval air defence system or C-Dome. In the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, the skirmishes now are mainly in the form of attacks on each other by long-range vectors and armed drones. There have been reports about the use of hypersonic weapons (Zircon and Kinzhal missiles) by Russia. These developments indicate the likely threats air defence would have to deal with.

 

Air Defence (AD) operations have undergone extensive transformation in recent years. The development of new threats and technologies has triggered these changes. Research is underway on new technologies, such as Quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence, Hypersonics, Nanotechnologies, and Unmanned systems, which will also have a transformational impact on AD. A Review of the concept of AD operations is advisable to take stock of the present situation and crystal-gaze into the future.

 

AD Perspective

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REMEMBERING DADU: SELF MADE LEGEND

 

“Legends are made, not born”.

Some are self-made.

Their actions speak rather than the words.

 

 

Air Marshal Partha Kumar  Dey PVSM AVSM

Former AOC-in-C South Western Air Command, Indian Air Force

 

 

Fifth PK Dey memorial lecture is scheduled on 18 May 24 at Bangalore International Center. 

 

 

 

Air Marshal PK Dey Was well known in the Indian Air Force for his acumen, Intelligence and straight forward approach. He was an exceptional professional, a good human being, a true friend, a loving – son, husband, brother, father and grand father. He was known as Babi in his friend circle, at home he was Baba for all of us. Once the grand children were born, all of us fondly started addressing him as DADU. 

 

We all do miss him.

Thinking of you, and wishing you a peaceful and happy time wherever you are. With love from Asha, Nikhil, Deepshikha, Anil, Adhir, Pranav, Adithi and so many of us !!

 

He had a very Illustrious career 

      • Youngest officer to be commissioned in the IAF at the age of 19 years and 8 months.

 

      • Youngest to become a test pilot at the age of 24 years.

 

  • Youngest to be awarded AVSM as a Wing Commander.

 

      • Flew almost sixty types of aircraft.
    •  
      • Served in ASTE in every rank. Commanded it twice (as air commodore and as Air Vice Marshal).
    •  
      • Commanded two fighter squadrons and two bases.

The list is endless…….

 

His Air Force Journey in his own words

 

 

 

 

I Learnt from him……..

Air Marshal PK Dey( Baba / Dadu) was much more than a Father-in Law to me. He was my role Model.  Some of the things I picked from him:-

 

      • Be a good human being first and then a professional.

 

      • Do not procrastinate (His table was always bare as he cleared all the work and files immediately).

 

      • Do not hesitate to take considered decisions.

 

      • Delegate and give subordinates freedom to work.

 

      • Be aware – read, read and read.

 

      • Be frank and speak your mind – call spade a spade. Give your honest opinion.

 

      • Be tolerant to others, their views and beliefs. Do not impose your ideas and beliefs onto others. 

 

      • Maintain Balance. Work hard and play harder.

 

 

Some Coincidences….

      • Both of us played Squash in our earlier years.

 

      • Both of us were keen puzzle and crossword solvers.

 

      • His service number was 4404, and that is number of hours I flew in my service career.

 

 

रास्ते बदल जाते हैं, मौसम बदल जाते हैं
बस बातें रह जाती हैं, यादें रह जाती हैं

 

His Testing Memories

 

The Partition: As he remembered.

 

Tribute  by Gp Capt Kapil Bhargava

 

 

 

 

 

As remembered by  Air Marshal Inamdar

 

As Remembered by Air Marshal Raghu Rajan

 

As Remembered by Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

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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 reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

 

ALL ABOUT AIRPOWER

 

 

Articles

 

Airpower and war endurance in the Indian context.

Article published in CLAWS Journal.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/02/16/air-power-and-war-endurance-in-indian-context/

 

(Please click on the links for access)

 

Airpower in Grey Zone.

Article published in USI Journal.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/07/26/airpower-in-grey-zone-my-article-in-usi-journal/

 

Air Power in Indian Context.

Article published in Destination India.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/05/02/airpower-in-the-indian-context/

 

Aerospace Power Strategies to Deal with Multiple Threats with Limited Resources.

Article published in the inaugural issue of Blue Yonder, a journal by the Center for Airpower Studies (CAPS).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/02/24/aerospace-power-strategies-to-deal-with-multiple-threats-with-limited-resources/

 

Classifications of Fighter Aircraft into Generations.

Article published on Indus International Research Foundation Website (IIRF).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/03/26/classifications-of-fighter-aircraft-into-generations/

 

Emerging Technologies and Air Defence.

Chapter in the book “Airpower and Emerging Technologies”, published by the Center for Airpower Studies (CAPS)

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/03/26/classifications-of-fighter-aircraft-into-generations/

 

Offensive use of Air Power in NWNP Scenario.

Article Published in USI Journal.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2020/09/14/1619/

 

Articles Coming Up:-

“Genesis of Airpower Theories and their Relevance Today”.

Being published in the inaugural issue of “Chanakya Diaries”. Magazine being launched by Chanakya Forum.

“Combat Aviation, Most Desirable, Least Understood”.

Being published in the IIRF (Indus International Research Center) year book 2024.

Video Talks and Podcasts

 

Airpower in counter-terrorism operations.

Talk at Indic Research Forum.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2022/08/20/air-power-in-counter-terrorism-ops-balakot-strike/

 

Air Power in Grey Zone Operations.

Talk on “Def Talks”.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2022/08/20/air-power-in-counter-terrorism-ops-balakot-strike/

 

Technology & Air Warfare.

Podcast Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/05/09/100th-post-technology-air-warfare/

 

Use of Airpower in NWNP Scenario.

Podcast Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF).

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/03/22/pod-cast-with-vif-use-of-airpower-in-nwnp-scenario/

 

Airpower Concepts: Battle for Air Supremacy.

Talk on “Def Talks”.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2022/07/21/airpower-concepts-battle-for-air-supremacy/

 

Posts on Blog: Air Marshal’s Perspective

(Candid and to the Point – काम की बात )

 

Contemporary air power thoughts.

Post on Blog.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2023/04/06/contemporary-air-power-thought/

 

Air Power Theorists.

Post on Blog.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/04/17/airpower-theorists/

 

Global Air Power Rankings -2024.

Post on the Blog.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/03/27/global-air-powers-ranking-2024/

 

Thumb Rules of Orchestrating Air Campaign.

Post on the Blog.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2024/03/08/orchestrating-air-campaign-thumb-rules/

 

Basics of Airpower Application.

Post on the Blog.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/07/04/celebrating-150th-post-with-back-to-the-basics-of-airpower/

 

Air Power Quotes.

Post on the Blog.

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/2021/05/05/air-power-quotes/

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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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.