Tag: strategic thinking

Posted on

156: IAF AEROSPACE CAPABILITY BUILDING: Article Published in USI Strategic Year Book 2021

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A nation’s military aspirations have to be in consort with its socio economic condition and likely threats. Due to unique geographical location and geo-political environment India faces a collusive threat with significant chances of military conflict. Therefore her national interest dictate that the country be able to deter both her inimical neighbors from any military misadventure either singly or collusively.

Air power possesses significant offensive potential besides being the most responsive arm of military action.  Indian Air Force must remain an adaptive and agile force to fight and win wars in a network centric battlefield with conflicts varying across the complete threat spectrum. Air Force is a technology intensive service and requires continuous infusion of modern cutting edge equipment and technology.

A straightjacket approach to military accretions with a purely force on force numeric calculus would not provide comprehensive answers to any military force buildup plan. It is imperative that focus areas be identified and assets, platforms, facilitators and infrastructure developed accordingly.

Continue reading “156: IAF AEROSPACE CAPABILITY BUILDING: Article Published in USI Strategic Year Book 2021”

Posted on

153: Theatre Command : Bird’s eye view

My views on the issue of jointness and HDO reforms.

(For selective viewing, please click on the links below)

  1. Upto 03:30 – Introduction.
  2. 03:30 – 09:00 – Perspective on the issue of jointness and theaterisation.
  3. 09:00 – 16:40 – Peculiarities of each service with areas of convergence.
  4. 16:40 – 19:15 – Issue of meagre resources.
  5. 19:15 – 26:30 – Are we blindly following others?
  6. 26:30 – 32:45 – Is the timing right?
  7. 32:45 -39:45 – Are we addressing the issue in an ad hoc way?
  8. 39:45 – 45:55 – Views about AD Command.
  9. 45:55 – 51:25 – Way forward and recommendations.
  10. 51:25 – 59:05 – Issue of discussion in open media.
  11.  59:05 onwards – Concluding thoughts.

Comments and value additions are most welcome

For regular updates please register here –

https://55nda.com/blogs/anil-khosla/subscribe/

Posted on

150: Basics of Airpower Application

It is always good to remember the basics at all the times.

With the ongoing debate about proposed organisational changes, it will be worthwhile revisiting the basics related to application of airpower.

Effective airpower application requires a unique perspective. This perspective has been formed through a century of air operations experience.

Following quotes, principles, guidelines and tenets are part of  doctrinal publications of the air Forces world over.

 

Air warfare cannot be separated into little packets; it knows no boundaries on land and sea other than those imposed by the radius of action of the aircraft; it is a unity and demands unity of command.

 

-Air Marshal Arthur Tedder

 

 

The other Services have air arms—magnificent air arms—but their air arms must fit within their Services, each with a fundamentally different focus. So those air arms, when in competition with the primary focus of their Services, will often end up on the short end, where the priorities for resources may lead to shortfalls or decisions that are suboptimum. It is therefore important to understand that the core competencies of [airpower] are optional for the other Services. They can elect to play or not play in that arena. But if the nation is to remain capable and competent in air and space [sic], someone must pay attention across the whole spectrum; that is why there is an Air Force.

-General Ronald R. Fogleman,

15th Chief of Staff, USAF

 

Continue reading “150: Basics of Airpower Application”

English हिंदी