TIDBITS

1.

CHINA’S WAY OF THINKING

 

Communist Chinese politics are a lugubrious merry-go-round … and in order to appreciate fully the déjà-vu quality of its latest convolutions, you would need to have watched it revolve for half a century. The main problem with many of our politicians and pundits is that their memories are too short, thus forever preventing them from putting events and personalities in a true historical perspective.

— Simon Leys quoted in Watching China Watching
China Heritage, 2018

 

Comments:

China thinks and plans long-term.

One needs to decipher her grand design.

The response should be appropriate, keeping the big picture in mind, and not a knee-jerk reaction.

 

2.

INDIA DEPLOYS PLATOON OF WOMEN PEACEKEEPERS IN UN MISSION IN ABYEI

 

This will be so far, India’s largest single unit of women Peacekeepers in a UN Mission. The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 other ranks, will form part of an engagement platoon and specialise in community outreach and will be performing extensive security-related tasks as well

 

Comments:

In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia.

India is one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping.

As of October 31, 2022, India is the second largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions with 5887 troops and personnel deployed across 12 missions, after Bangladesh (7,017).

 

3.

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS (USA Vis-à-vis China)

 

USA. There are only 47 active aircraft carriers in the world and the US Navy has 11 of them, with displacement tonnage nearly as many as all other countries combined. The US Navy’s large nuclear-powered fleet carriers carry around 80 fighters each and are the largest carriers in the world. The total combined deck space is more than double of all other nations combined.

 

China. As of 2022, the PLAN has two combat-ready aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, with the third, Fujian, China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, being fitted out. The Fujian is equipped with advanced electromagnetic catapults, similar to those on the US supercarrier USS Gerald R Ford, while China’s first two carriers featured ski-jump designs. China’s only ship-borne fighter jet, the twin-engine single-seat J-15 Flying Shark, is the world’s heaviest carrier-borne fighter.

 

Comments:

Numerically, the Chinese navy has overtaken the US navy.

China is building its expeditionary capability.

On achieving expeditionary capability, China will redefine its theatres.

 

4.

US TO SEND UKRAINE NEARLY $3 BILLION IN MILITARY AID

(Including dozens of Bradley vehicles)

 

A new U.S. weapons package for Ukraine will include about 50 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

The armoured vehicle manufactured by BAE Systems has a powerful gun. The vehicle has been used by the U.S. Army to carry troops around battlefields since the mid-1980s.

 

Comments:

The United States has sent about $21.3 billion in assistance to Ukraine.

The US Army is to retire its Bradley fleet and is working with industry to build a replacement as it seeks to modernize.

The USA is dumping military equipment, it doesn’t need anymore.

USA continues to add fuel to the fire.

 

5.

SANCTIONS ARE NOT MISSILES

 

The misapprehension of what sanctions against Russia would accomplish can be explained in part by unrealistic expectations of what economic measures can do. Simply put, they are not the equivalent of a missile strike.

 

Comments:

Sanctions do not deter aggression.

The effect of sanctions take longer to work their way through the economy.

In the long run, sanctions can weaken the economy and lower GDP.

 

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

 

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References and credits

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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.

 

 

Exportability: LCA + BRAHMOS Package

 

Pic courtesy: Raksha anirveda

During Aero India 2019 mock up of Brahmos NG missile was displayed.

During Def Expo 2022 It was announced that the Brahmos NG would be integrated with LCA.

Some of the questions that arise are:-  

  1. What is the potential of pairing of the BrahMos NG and the LCA Tejas Mk1A in the global export market?
  2. What countries are the likely customers?
  3.  What is the advantages of the integrated package?
  4. How does the integration help in defence export?
  5. What are realistic timelines of integration?
  6. What are the challenges?
  7. What needs to be done to enhance exportability?

 

Some of the relevant aspects related to the two projects and their integration are as follows (in random order) :-

 

Continue reading “Exportability: LCA + BRAHMOS Package”

ANALYSIS (PART 1): USA NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENT

Last month, the USA published its National Security Document.

The structure of the document provides insight into the US thought process and priorities.

Contents

 

PART I: THE COMPETITION FOR WHAT COMES NEXT

Enduring Vision

Enduring Role

The Nature of the Competition between Democracies and Autocracies

Cooperating to Address Shared Challenges in an Era of Competition

Overview Strategic Approach

 

PART II: INVESTING IN STRENGTH

Investing in National Power to Maintain a Competitive Edge

Implementing a Modern Industrial and Innovation Strategy

Investing In People

Strengthening Democracy

Using Diplomacy to Build the Strongest Possible Coalitions

Transformative Cooperation

An Inclusive World

A Prosperous World

Modernizing and Strengthening Military

 

PART III: GLOBAL PRIORITIES

Out-Competing China and Constraining Russia

China

Russia.

Cooperating on Shared Challenges

Climate and Energy Security

Pandemics and Biodefense

Food Insecurity

Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Terrorism

Shaping the Rules of the Road

Technology

Securing Cyberspace

Trade and Economics

 

PART IV: STRATEGY BY REGION

Promote a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

Deepen Our Alliance with Europe

Foster Democracy and Shared Prosperity in the Western Hemisphere

Support De-Escalation and Integration in the Middle East

Build 21st Century U.S.-Africa Partnerships

Maintain a Peaceful Arctic

Protect Sea, Air, and Space

 

PART I: THE COMPETITION FOR WHAT COMES NEXT

 

“The world is changing. We’re at a significant inflection point in world history. And our country and the world—the United States of America has always been able to chart the future in times of great change. We’ve been able to constantly renew ourselves. And time and again, we’ve proven there’s not a single thing we cannot do as a nation when we do it together—and I mean that—not a single solitary thing.”

 -President Joseph Biden, Jr

Enduring Vision

Continue reading “ANALYSIS (PART 1): USA NATIONAL SECURITY DOCUMENT”