Double Celebration: One year of Blogging and 200th Post

Air Marshal’s Perspective

(Candid and to the point – काम की बात)

Ranked 13th in the list of Top 25 Indian Defence Blogs and Websites

 

 

 

This blog was started in the month of September 2020.  It has been one year since then, with 200 posts.

 

Enjoyed researching topics related to defence, security, geo-politics, technology, leadership and management etc. The posts were interspersed with some humour and quotes.

 

Tried to live up to the motto of the blog – “Candid and to the point – काम की बात”. Most of the posts are short ones (two to three pages), covering the essence of the topic in bullet form.

 

The credit for starting the blog goes to my course mate and friend Col Murali. He provided me the space, encouraged me and held my hand initially.

 

Credit also goes to another course mate Vicky Sheorey for getting me all the equipment needed for video conference and recordings.

 

Sincere Thanks to all the subscribers and readers for the encouragement.

 

To provide a panoramic view of the blog, here are the links to the posts on various topics:-

 

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

 

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Deception: Key to Chinese Military Strategy

Inflatable decoy (Pic: Courtesy – Reddit)

China regards deception as a key component of military planning, and PLA leaders continue to emphasise on the widespread use of deception.

 

This is particularly evident at the tactical level, where the PLA actively employs wide variety of deception measures.

Decoys

One of the primary methods of battlefield deception for PLA ground forces is the use of decoys.

 

PLA decoys simulate a wide range of equipment including ballistic missile launch vehicles, tanks, aircraft, artillery, and other various types of military vehicles and equipment including small maritime vessels.

 

The PLA uses two types of decoys: inflatable and solid.

 

Continue reading “Deception: Key to Chinese Military Strategy”

TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE: DECOYS TO DECEIVE AND SURVIVE

Tactical decoys are dummy equipment like aircraft, radars, missile launch vehicles, armoured vehicles, bridging capabilities, artillery pieces, and installations (buildings, bridges, and runways) intended to deceive enemy observers.

Decoys are one of the most effective tools in deception operations. Their use has been standard in warfare since ancient times.

 

Usefulness

Decoys increase the survivability of installations, units, or equipment, primarily in the face of air threat (drones, planes, helicopters) and indirect fire.

Decoys provide alternative targets and can therefore decrease the adversary’s chance of hitting real targets.

Decoys cause opponents to consume ammunition, a significant effect given the cost of some ammunition and, often, the low volumes stored.

Continue reading “TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE: DECOYS TO DECEIVE AND SURVIVE”